中国

• Pinyin: zhōng guó
• Hanzi breakdown: 中 = middle/centre; 国 = 囗 (enclosure) + 玉 (jade, precious) — a territory, country

Meaning

China. The official short name for the People's Republic of China.

Literally 'Middle Kingdom' or 'Central Country'. The standard name for China in modern Mandarin. Used in countless compounds: 中国人 (Chinese person), 中国菜 (Chinese food), 中国文化 (Chinese culture). In formal contexts the full name 中华人民共和国 is used.

Examples

1. 我是中国人。 I am Chinese.
2. 中国很大。 China is very large.
3. 她去过中国三次。 She has been to China three times.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我想去中国旅游。(I want to travel to China.)
• 中国有很多好吃的东西。(China has lots of delicious food.)

Don't Say

• 我去了中国国。(Don't repeat 国 — 中国 already contains it)

Origin & History

Literally 'Middle Kingdom' — 中 (middle/central) + 国 (kingdom/country). Reflects the ancient Chinese worldview of China as the civilised centre of the world.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal