美籍华人
mei ji hua ren
The English phrase "american born chinese" is translated into Chinese as 美籍华人 (mei ji hua ren).
This phrase is used to describe a person of Chinese ancestry who was born in the United States and holds American citizenship.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase functions as a noun phrase and does not require a classifier when used as a subject or object.
How do you pronounce it?
mei ji hua ren
Did you know?
- While 美籍华人 is the official term, the slang 香蕉 meaning 'banana' is often used to describe someone who is 'yellow on the outside and white on the inside'.
- The character 美 in 美籍华人 is a shorthand for 美国 meaning 'United States', but on its own it means 'beautiful'.
- While the English term uses 'born' to emphasize origin, the Chinese 美籍华人 focuses on legal status by using 籍 to denote 'nationality' or 'registration'.
Examples in context
- Lisa 是一个华裔美国人。Lisa is an American Born Chinese.
- 很多美籍华人都会说中文。Hěnduō Měijí Huárén dōu huì shuō Zhōngwén.Many American Born Chinese can speak Chinese.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new colleague at work.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen新来的同事是美籍华人吗？Xīn lái de tóngshì shì Měijí Huárén ma?Is the new colleague American Born Chinese?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，他是美籍华人。Shì de, tā shì Měijí Huárén.Yes, he is American Born Chinese.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那他的中文说得好吗？Nà tā de Zhōngwén shuō de hǎo ma?Then, does he speak Chinese well?
- 俊杰 Junjie非常流利。Fēicháng liúlì.Very fluently.
