Chinese

noun

Chi·​nese chī-ˈnēz How to pronounce Chinese (audio) -ˈnēs How to pronounce Chinese (audio)
plural Chinese
1
a
: a native or inhabitant of China
b
: a person of Chinese descent
2
: a group of related languages used by the people of China that are often mutually unintelligible in their spoken form but share a single system of writing and that constitute a branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family
especially : mandarin
Chinese adjective

Examples of Chinese in a Sentence

the customs of the Chinese He is learning to speak Chinese.
Recent Examples on the Web Compared with Chinese Koreans — known as joseonjok — who are frequently portrayed in the media as gangsters or grifters, Korean Americans — or gyopos — are represented by celebrities like singers Jay Park or Jessi, both of whom launched their careers in South Korea. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024 In February, Stellantis discussed the potential for Chinese Leapmotor cars destined for Europe to be made at its Mirafiori plant as a way for its Chinese partner to avoid hefty import tariffs set to be implemented by the European Commission. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 17 Oct. 2024 So too have his attempts to learn Mandarin Chinese and collaborations with Chinese talent. Patrick Frater, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024 The ruling Chinese Communist Party views Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it. Wayne Chang, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Chinese 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Chinese.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Chinese was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near Chinese

Cite this Entry

“Chinese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chinese. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

Chinese

noun
Chi·​nese chī-ˈnēz How to pronounce Chinese (audio) -ˈnēs How to pronounce Chinese (audio)
plural Chinese
1
a
: a person born or living in China
b
: a person of Chinese ancestry
2
: a group of related languages used in China
Chinese adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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