proper noun / adjective
mandarin
MAN-duh-rin/ˈmændərɪn/
The standard Chinese language based largely on northern Chinese speech.
The pronunciation guide presents a short example of spoken Mandarin.
Etymology
A word for a councilor or minister became a European name for Chinese officials. The language sense arose from the form of Chinese spoken by those officials and educated people.
In context
And I'm like, "Oh, sorry if this is like a dumb question but sorry, when you say you speak Chinese, do you speak Mandarin?"
More examples
- The guide answers our questions in Mandarin.
- Our Mandarin class meets twice a week.
- Listening to conversations helps me improve my Mandarin pronunciation.
Similar words
- Chinese
- Broader term that also includes Cantonese and other Chinese varieties.
- Putonghua
- Names the official standard form used in mainland China.