How to Say “Chinese” in French

Ways to say it

The term refers to the standard language of China. When used as a noun to refer to the language itself, it is masculine and is typically preceded by the definite article le (e.g., le chinois). Additionally, the word chinois can refer to Chinese food.

Which one should you use?

There is a distinction between using the word as an adjective or a language name versus a noun referring to people. When used as an adjective or to name the language, the word is written in lowercase (chinois). However, when using the word as a noun to refer to the Chinese people, it must be capitalized (les Chinois).

Related words

Of, from, or relating to China, its people, its culture, or its language (adj): chinois.

Chinese food (noun): chinois.

How does it change in a sentence?

The word changes based on gender and number. The masculine form chinois is commonly used for both genders when the gender is unsure. To describe a woman, use the feminine adjective chinoise. When describing a feminine noun, such as cuisine, the adjective becomes chinoise (e.g., la cuisine chinoise). To refer to Chinese people as a group, use the capitalized plural form les Chinois.

How do you pronounce it?

/ʃi.nwa/

What mistakes should you avoid?

English speakers often forget that in French, the noun for a person must be capitalized (un Chinois), whereas the adjective remains lowercase. Ensure you capitalize the word when referring to a person to avoid this error.