新西蘭 / 新西兰
Xīn Xīlán
New Zealand in Mandarin is 新西蘭 / 新西兰 (Xīn Xīlán). Wiktionary also lists 紐西蘭 / 纽西兰 (Niǔ Xīlán).
Meaning: country in Oceania (name)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 新西蘭 / 新西兰 | Xīn Xīlán | |
| 紐西蘭 / 纽西兰 | Niǔ Xīlán | Taiwan |
This phrase refers to the country in Oceania.
What does it mean word for word?
The name is a phonetic transliteration where 新 (xīn) means 'new' and 西蘭 (xīlán) is a phonetic approximation of 'Zealand'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In mainland China, 新西兰 is the most commonly used and understood way to say 'New Zealand'. The traditional character form 新西蘭 is commonly used in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In Taiwan, 紐西蘭 is also a common alternative.
How do you pronounce it?
Xīn Xīlán
Did you know?
- In some internet circles, a playful joke exists where 新西兰 is claimed to be an abbreviation for 新疆 (Xinjiang), 西藏 (Tibet), and 兰州 (Lanzhou).
- The character 蘭 (lán) in the name is traditionally used for names of exotic plants or flowers, such as 'orchid'.
- The name 新西兰 has been used in written Chinese records as early as 1838.
Examples in context
- 我打算去新西兰旅行。I plan to travel to New Zealand.
- 他明年要去纽西兰留学。He will study in New Zealand next year.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “new zealand” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 新西蘭, 紐西蘭, CC BY-SA 4.0.
