中国系アメリカ人
chūgokukei amerikajin
The Japanese phrase for "Chinese American" is 中国系アメリカ人 (chūgokukei amerikajin).
This phrase describes a person who is a resident or citizen of the United States and has ancestral roots in China.
What does it mean word for word?
The component 中国系 (chūgokukei) literally means "of Chinese lineage" or "of Chinese descent".
Which one should you use?
While 中国系アメリカ人 specifically refers to a person of Chinese descent living in America, the term アメリカ人 alone refers to an American citizen regardless of their ethnicity.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a compound noun where the lineage descriptor 中国系 modifies the noun アメリカ人.
How do you pronounce it?
chūgokukei amerikajin
Did you know?
- While アメリカ人 is the standard way to say 'American', in very formal or academic writing, you might encounter the term 米国人 (beikokujin). This uses the kanji 米国 to refer to the United States instead of the phonetic アメリカ.
- While 中国 (chūgoku) means 'China', it literally translates to 'Central Country' or 'Middle Kingdom', reflecting an ancient East Asian geopolitical worldview.
- The character 系 (kei) is used not only for ethnicity but also to describe everything from family lineages to railway systems and 'systems' of thought.
Examples in context
- 彼は中国系アメリカ人です。Kare wa chūgokukei amerika-jin desu.He is Chinese American.
- 私の友人は中国系アメリカ人です。Watashi no yūjin wa chūgokukei amerika-jin desu.My friend is Chinese American.
- 中国系アメリカ人の文化に興味があります。Chūgokukei amerika-jin no bunka ni kyōmi ga arimasu.I am interested in Chinese American culture.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about a new coworker.
- 陽太 Yota新しい同僚は中国系アメリカ人なんだって。Atarashii dōryō wa chūgokukei amerikajin nan datte.I heard the new colleague is Chinese American.
- 美咲 Misakiへえ、そうなんですね。Hee, sō nan desu ne.Oh, is that so?
- 陽太 Yota英語と中国語が両方話せるらしいよ。Eigo to chūgokugo ga ryōhō hanaseru rashii yo.Apparently, they can speak both English and Chinese.
- 美咲 Misakiそれはすごいですね。Sore wa sugoi desu ne.That's impressive.
