Chinese Loanwords in English

For most of European history, China was a distant and mysterious place. During the Age of Exploration, direct trade began, especially in the port cities of Guangzhou (i.e. Canton) and Xiamen (i.e. Amoy). Indeed, in this quiz we see many words derived from Cantonese (a variety of the Yue Chinese language) and Hokkien (a Southern Min variety spoken in Xiamen). In the twentieth century, some Chinese expressions were translated literally into English; these are called 'calques' by linguists and are included in the quiz. Nowadays, with globalization, China is closer than ever, but it remains poorly understood.

* Words with an asterisk have disputed or uncertain etymologies.

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Last updated: March 31, 2025

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First submitted	March 31, 2025
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Misc.

Life energy or force usually in context of traditional medicine or martial arts. In Chinese, this word can also mean 'breath' or 'gas'.

chi

Repeated syllable used to express that you want somebody to hurry up.

chop-chop

Hokkien. Freely translated, 'man root'. A valuable plant used for cooking and traditional medicine.

ginseng

Informal term which means 'overly enthusiastic'. Popularized by a US brigadier general stationed in China before WW2, from a Chinese phrase meaning 'to work together'.

gung ho

To bow with the head all the way to the ground.

kowtow

A term for Chinese martial arts, usually unarmed. Also a genre of movie with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

kung fu

A Chinese game with tiles.

mahjong

Type of † between black and green. It means 'black dragon'.

oolong

An expensive and soft textile. From Greek sērikos, which may be derived from the Old Chinese word (sī in modern Mandarin).*

silk

Something in the middle of a martial art, dancing, yoga and exercise. Frequently done in large groups of old people outside.

tai chi

Chinese version of an astronaut.

taikonaut

† Hokkien. Drink by soaking leaves of a certain plant in hot water.

tea

Large, round-bottomed pan used for stir-frying.

wok

Chinese concept of two opposed but intertwined entities. The symbol is well known.

yin-yang

Food and Drink

Cantonese. Literal meaning: white vegetable; in fact the stems are white but the leaves are green. It is related to cabbage and it has a mild flavor.

bok choy

Cantonese barbecued pork (usually shoulder or belly) with a sweet, red glaze.

char siu

Informal word for food. When repeated, also a breed of dog.

chow

Various small portions of food, such as dumplings, served as brunch together with †, especially in Cantonese cuisine. Thought to mean 'to touch the heart'.

dim sum

An aromatic rhizome (rootstalk) used in Southeast Asia, for example in tom kha kai. Possibly derived, via Sanskrit, from the placename Gaoliang.*

galangal

A type of berry, usually dried, marketed as a superfood. In China, they are sometimes added to †. Also known as wolfberry.

goji

Thick glazy dark brown sauce from Cantonese cuisine. It means 'seafood' even though it contains no seafood ingredient nor is it served with that.

hoisin

Hokkien. Originally, a sort of fish sauce. The word was adopted into Malay, where it means soy sauce. In the West, a savory sauce made of tomatoes.*

ketchup

Cantonese. An orange citrus fruit not much bigger than a grape, that is eaten whole.

kumquat

A fruit with a tough pink skin and sweet white flesh.

lychee

Calque (a literal word-for-word translation)

To profoundly persuade people of a certain set of beliefs, even when obviously wrong, by extended and repeated exposure to propaganda. Entered the English language in the Korean War.

brainwash

Two-word expression that means to experience humiliation or dishonor.

lose face

Two-word expression, meaning something that looks powerful but is harmless, or an empty threat. One of the two words is an animal.

paper tiger

A military strategy where a receding army destroys all resources to starve the pursuing enemy. For example during Napoleon's expedition into Russia.

scorched earth

Dish of vegetables in a pancake wrapper, which can be deep fried. Its name derives from the fact that it's traditionally eaten with Chinese New Year.

spring roll

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