Chinese
[ chahy-neez, -nees ]
/ tʃaɪˈniz, -ˈnis /
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noun, plural Chi·nese.
adjective
of or relating to China, its inhabitants, or one of their languages.
noting or pertaining to the partly logographic, partly phonetic script used for the writing of Chinese, Japanese, and other languages, consisting of thousands of brushstroke characters written in vertical columns from right to left.
QUIZ
TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS
Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”
Question 1 of 7
What does "dignity" mean?
usage note for Chinese
The adjective Chinese is found in a few set phrases ( Chinese copy, Chinese fire drill, Chinese money, and Chinese tour ) in which it represents inferiority—implying that something is less good, useful, or effective, or that it is not authentic. Although insulting a particular person or nationality may be unintentional, it is best to be aware that use of these terms is usually perceived as offensive to or by the Chinese.
OTHER WORDS FROM Chinese
non-Chi·nese, noun, plural non-Chi·nese, adjectivepre-Chi·nese, adjective, noun, plural pre-Chi·nese.pro-Chi·nese, adjective, noun, plural pro-Chi·nese.pseu·do-Chi·nese, adjective, noun, plural pseu·do-Chi·nese.Words nearby Chinese
Chindia, Chindit, Chindwin, chine, Chinee, Chinese, Chinese artichoke, Chinese block, Chinese boxes, Chinese burn, Chinese cabbage
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use Chinese in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for Chinese
Chinese
/ (tʃaɪˈniːz) /
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of China, its people, or their languages
noun
plural -nese a native or inhabitant of China or a descendant of one
any of the languages of China belonging to the Sino-Tibetan family, sometimes regarded as dialects of one language. They share a single writing system that is not phonetic but ideographic. A phonetic system using the Roman alphabet was officially adopted by the Chinese government in 1966See also Mandarin Chinese, Pekingese, Cantonese
Other words from Chinese
Related prefix: Sino-Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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