中国語
chūgokugo[t͡ɕɨːɡo̞kɯ̟ɡo̞]
The Japanese word for Chinese (the language) is 中国語 (chūgokugo).
中国語 refers specifically to the standard language of China, also known as Mandarin. If you wish to refer to things related to China, such as Chinese culture or Chinese people, you would use the adjective 中国の. For Chinese food, the term 中華料理 is used.
Meaning: the standard language of China (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 中国語 is composed of 中国, meaning China and 語, meaning language.
Which one should you use?
While 中国語 refers specifically to the Chinese language, 中国 refers to the country itself.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
chūgokugo
Did you know?
- While 中国語 refers to the spoken language, Japanese uses the term 漢字 'kanji' to describe the Chinese characters used in writing. These characters were imported from China centuries ago and remain a core part of the Japanese writing system.
- The term 中国 (China) literally translates to 'the Middle Kingdom', a name that reflects the ancient belief that China was the central civilization of the world.
- Japanese has different words for 'Chinese' depending on the era. Ancient Chinese texts are often referred to using the term 漢文 'kanbun' to distinguish them from modern 中国語.
Examples in context
- 中国語は話せますか？Can you speak Chinese?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can speak 中国語.Tatoeba #1992015 by small_snow, translation #1079607 by keira_n
- 彼は中国語を少し話せる。He can speak Chinese a little.This sentence is useful for stating that someone can speak a little 中国語.Tatoeba #102153 by bunbuku, translation #301541 by CK
- 彼は中国語が流暢である。He is fluent in Chinese.This sentence is useful for describing someone as fluent in 中国語.Tatoeba #102155 by bunbuku, translation #301539 by CK
- そうだね！中国餃子も好きだけど、やっぱり日本の餃子が一番だよ。(Sō da ne! Chūgoku gyōza mo suki dakedo, yappari Nihon no gyōza ga ichiban da yo.)That's right! I also like Chinese dumplings, but Japanese ones are still the best.
- そうなんですか？私も中国の文化に興味があります。(Sō nan desu ka? Watashi mo Chūgoku no bunka ni kyōmi ga arimasu.)Is that so? I'm also interested in Chinese culture.
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking at a cafe about language study.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは中国語を勉強しているんですか？Himari-san wa chuugokugo o benkyou shite irun desu ka?Himari, are you studying Chinese?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、少しずつ学んでいます。Hai, sukoshizutsu manande imasu.Yes, I am learning it little by little.
- 健太 Kenta中国語はとても難しいですよね。Chuugokugo wa totemo muzukashii desu yo ne.Chinese is very difficult, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariでも、とても楽しいですよ。Demo, totemo tanoshii desu yo.But it is very fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chinese” translations and entries 中国語, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
