漫畫 / 漫画
mànhuà
The English phrase manga is translated into Chinese as 漫畫 / 漫画 (mànhuà). If unsure, use 漫畫 / 漫画. Wiktionary also lists 日本漫畫 / 日本漫画 (Rìběn mànhuà).
Meaning: comic originating in Japan (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 漫畫 / 漫画 | mànhuà |
| 日本漫畫 / 日本漫画 | Rìběn mànhuà |
The term refers to comics originating in Japan.
Which one should you use?
While 漫畫 / 漫画 is the general term for comics, it is also the standard way to refer to Japanese manga in Chinese. For specifically referring to Japanese manga, the colloquial abbreviation 日漫 is commonly used in casual conversation and online.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is mànhuà.
Did you know?
- The term 漫畫 is actually a Japanese-made creation, known as 'Wasei kango', which was later imported back into Chinese.
- The character 漫 in 漫畫 originally implies something 'overflowing' or 'unrestricted', suggesting a sense of wild, boundless imagination.
- While 漫畫 is the general term for comics, Chinese speakers often use the term 漫改 (màngǎi) to describe a live-action movie or series adapted from a manga.
Examples in context
- 我非常喜欢看日本的漫画。I really enjoy reading Japanese manga.
- 你可以推荐一些好看的漫畫吗？Can you recommend some good manga to me?
- 这家书店有很多好看的动漫。This bookstore has a lot of great manga.
- 我小时候很喜欢看少年漫画。I loved reading boys' manga when I was young.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “manga” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 漫畫, CC BY-SA 4.0.
