Chinese
[chahy-neez, -nees]
- the standard language of China, based on the speech of Beijing; Mandarin.
- a group of languages of the Sino-Tibetan family, including standard Chinese and most of the other languages of China. Abbreviation: Chin., Chin
- any of the Chinese languages, which vary among themselves to the point of mutual unintelligibility.
- a native or descendant of a native of China.
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- 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.
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Origin of Chinese
Usage note
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for chinese
Contemporary Examples
The family was taking some private moments for a closing of the coffin in keeping with Chinese ritual.
Monitoring Chinese social-media platforms has paid off for the Chinese government.
HONG KONG—Last year, I met a Chinese graduate student on a tour of the northeastern United States before his first day at Harvard.
We ought to seek Chinese cooperation in a response to this North Korean act of aggression.
Some experts suggest that other parties, perhaps Iranian or Chinese, may have played some role.
Historical Examples
We have exacted from him what is at variance with the fixed Chinese policy of ages.
And next a Chinese mandarin, who nods his head at Annie and myself.
Little Annie's Ramble (From "Twice Told Tales")Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Chinese visitors were received at the door by Mr. Henry Gladstone.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
She can do anything—sing, talk modern Greek and Chinese—Cadge is wonderful.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
His language has the richness and sententious fullness of the Chinese.
The Last of the MohicansJames Fenimore Cooper
Chinese
- of, relating to, or characteristic of China, its people, or their languages
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- 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
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for chinese
Chinese
adj.
1570s, from China + -ese. As a noun from c.1600. Chinee (n.) is a vulgar back-formation from this word on the mistaken notion that the word is a plural. As an adjective, Chinish also was used 16c. Chinese fire-drill "chaotic situation of many people rushing around futilely" is attested by 1962, U.S. military slang. The game Chinese checkers is attested from 1938.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper