Chi·nese
| \ chī-ˈnēz
, -ˈnēs
\
, -ˈnēs
\
plural Chinese
Definition of Chinese
1a
: 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
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Cite this Entry
“Chinese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chinese. Accessed 31 Jul. 2021.
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More Definitions for Chinese
Chinese
noun
English Language Learners Definition of Chinese
: the people of China : Chinese people
: any one of a group of closely related languages that are spoken in China
See the full definition for Chinese in the English Language Learners Dictionary
Chinese
adjective
Chi·nese
| \ chī-ˈnēz
\
\
Kids Definition of Chinese
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of or relating to China, the Chinese people, or the languages of China
Chinese
noun
plural Chinese
Kids Definition of Chinese (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: a person born or living in China
2
: a group of related languages used in China
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The first known use of Chinese was in 1606
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