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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Just a short distance away, rapper, actor, and film producer Ice Cube had his hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater, further cementing his legacy in popular culture. Okla Jones, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025 Its Revital Center blends Traditional Chinese Medicine, using the discipline’s five forms of energy to identify the most prevalent within your body, and Western Medicine, helping to revitalize your body against any persnickety problems. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025 The actor and filmmaker took on California’s production crisis in an interview with the Associated Press at The Accountant 2’s red carpet premiere at L.A.’s TCL Chinese Theatre on Wednesday. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025 The actress, 47, attended the premiere of Ben Affleck's latest movie, The Accountant 2, at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 16. Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Chinese

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Chinese was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Chinese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chinese. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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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