Měiguó
standard, pinyin
The USA in Chinese is Měiguó in pinyin, written 美国. The full name is Měilìjiān Hézhòngguó.
Meaning: the United States of America (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Note |
|---|---|
| Měiguó | standard, pinyin |
| Měilìjiān Hézhòngguó | full name |
In daily speech, people always say Měiguó. An American is Měiguórén, using rén for "person".
What does it mean word for word?
Měi is a sound-based syllable from "America", also meaning "beautiful", and guó means "country". The full name adds Hézhòngguó, "united states".
How do you pronounce it?
In Měiguó the third tone of Měi is followed by a second tone, so it is spoken close to a low dip.
Did you know?
- The name Měiguó uses the character 美, chosen for its sound close to the "me" in "America" and its meaning of beauty.
Examples in context
- Wǒ xiǎng qù Měiguó.I want to go to the USA.
- Tā shì Měiguórén.He is American.
- Měiguó de shǒudū shì Huáshèngdùn.The capital of the USA is Washington.
Example conversation
Jing asks her new colleague Tom where he is from.
- JingNǐ shì nǎ guó rén?Which country are you from?
- TomWǒ shì Měiguórén.I am American.
- JingHuānyíng nǐ lái Zhōngguó.Welcome to China.
