κινέζικα
kinézika/ciˈne.zi.ka/neuter, plural
In Greek, 'chinese' is translated as κινέζικα (kinézika). If unsure, use κινέζικα. Wiktionary also lists κινεζική γλώσσα (kinezikí glóssa).
Meaning: the standard language of China (name)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| κινέζικα | kinézika | /ciˈne.zi.ka/ | neuter, plural |
| κινεζική γλώσσα | kinezikí glóssa | feminine |
The word is used to refer to the standard language of China. Related adjective forms include κινέζικος and κινεζικός, which describe things, people or culture relating to China. In a colloquial context, the neuter singular form κινέζικο is used to mean 'Chinese food'.
Which one should you use?
κινέζικα is the common way to name the language. In contrast, κινεζική γλώσσα is a more formal way to express 'the Chinese language'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form for the language itself, κινέζικα, is a neuter plural. The adjective κινεζικός is a common masculine form used to describe things relating to China.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ciˈne.zi.ka/. It has four syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word for 'language' inside the formal phrase κινεζική γλώσσα shares the same ancient root as the English word 'glossary'.
- Greek uses the neuter plural form κινέζικα for the language, a grammatical pattern shared by many other languages in Greek such as αγγλικά for 'English'.
- The word γλώσσα used for 'language' also means 'tongue' in Greek, mirroring the English use of 'mother tongue'.
Examples in context
- Η Μαίρη καταλαβαίνει Κινέζικα.Mary understands Chinese.This sentence shows how to express that someone understands κινέζικα.Tatoeba #5544331 by Zeus, translation #31900 by CN
- Θέλω να μάθω Κινέζικα τον επόμενο χρόνο.I want to learn Chinese next year.This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to learn κινέζικα.Tatoeba #3022909 by glavkos, translation #409536 by CM
- Μιλάς Κινέζικα;Do you speak Chinese?This sentence is used to ask if someone speaks κινέζικα.Tatoeba #3350218 by glavkos, translation #434626 by lukaszpp
- Ο Πέτρος είναι Κινέζος.Peter is Chinese.
- Ξέρεις να μιλάς Κινέζικα;Do you know how to speak Chinese?
- Τα κινέζικα είναι πολύ δύσκολα.Chinese is very difficult.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Anastasia are talking about their university courses.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΤι ξένες γλώσσες διαβάζεις φέτος, Αναστασία;Ti xénes glósses diavázeis fétos, Anastasía?What foreign languages are you studying this year, Anastasia?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΔιαβάζω Ισπανικά και κινέζικα.Diavázo Ispaniká kai kinézikα.I am studying Spanish and Chinese.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΤα κινέζικα είναι πολύ δύσκολη γλώσσα;Ta kinézikα eínai polý dýskoli glóssa?Is Chinese a very difficult language?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, αλλά μου αρέσουν πολύ.Nai, allá mou arésoun polý.Yes, but I like it very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chinese” translations and entries κινέζικα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γλώσσα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
