French word

chinois

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃinwa/

Meaning

  • adjectiveChinese

Example

Nous allons au restaurant chinois.

We are going to the Chinese restaurant.

Illustration for chinois (Chinese)

More examples

Il y a un quartier chinois près d'ici.

There is a Chinatown near here.

Core concept

A single link from China outward to its cuisine, language, people, and other related things.

Common phrases

  • restaurant chinois

    Chinese restaurant

  • quartier chinois

    Chinatown

  • plat chinois

    Chinese dish

Similar words

asiatique: Relating to Asia or originating there.

Definition in French

Qualifie ce qui est originaire de Chine ou lié à la Chine ; il peut aussi servir de substantif pour la langue (le chinois) et pour une personne originaire de Chine (un Chinois, une Chinoise).

Word origin

Chinois developed in French from Chine by adding -ois, and Chine entered through medieval Latin forms associated with Sina.

Usage tips

  • The final s of chinois is normally silent, and the word is pronounced roughly like 'sheen-wah'.

Opposites

Word lists with this word