chinese

1. (uncountable, collective) The citizens of China, particularly citizens of the People's Republic of China.Examples: "The Chinese have an incredible history."; "If the Chinese were a people like the Russians, the Germans or the French, we (I address chiefly American and British readers) would observe any marked increase in their industrial activity or in their national aggressiveness with some misgiving, possibly, but […]"; "I have given these points to make it clear that the Chinese are a people of strong emotion; and that this emotion is highest and purest when running in the channels of filial piety and loyalty."Synonyms: Seres, Sinae, Cathayans, Serians, Sinaeans, Sericans, Chinesianscollectiveuncountable

2. (uncountable, collective) The Han Chinese, whether in China or overseas.Examples: "The Chinese are present in all parts of the world."Synonyms: Putonghua, Guoyu, Huayu, Guanhua, Hanyu, Zhongwencollectiveuncountable

3. (uncountable) The Standard Chinese language, written in Chinese characters and spoken and spelled using Standard Mandarin pronunciation.Examples: "你好 is read “Nǐ hǎo” and means “Hello” in Chinese."uncountable

4. (uncountable) The branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family including Mandarin, Cantonese, Shanghainese, Southern Min, and other closely related language varieties and dialects.Examples: "Suzhounese and Hakka are lesser-known varieties of Chinese."uncountable

5. (uncountable) The logographic writing system shared by most Sinitic languages.Examples: "Hong Kong still uses traditional Chinese."uncountable

1. (countable, chiefly in the plural) A person from China or of Chinese descent.Examples: "And the Iaponians, are longer liv’d, than the Chineſes; […]"; "If the Chineſe had Liberty to ſettle in Formoſa, ſeveral Families would gladly tranſplant themſelves thither ; but in order thereto they muſt obtain Paſsports from the Mandarins of China, who grant them with Difficulty, and not without taking Security. The Mandarins are very careful to examine all that paſs into or out of the Iſland, and ſome of them extort Money under-hand. This extraordinary Precaution is the Effect of good Policy eſpecially as the Tartars are Maſters of China ; for Formoſa is a Place of great Importance, and if a Chineſe ſhould ſeize it, he might raiſe great Troubles in the Empire : ſo that the Emperor keeps a Garriſon there of ten thouſand Men, commanded by a Tſong-ping, or Lieutenant-General, two Fû-tſyang, or Major-General, and ſeveral inferior Officers; who are chang’d duely every three years, or oftner, if there be Occaſion."; "But I had the unmitigated pleasure of watching a family of four Chinese struggle to use knives and forks to [eat] their bacon and eggs."countablein-plural

2. (uncountable) Ellipsis of Chinese cuisine.Examples: "Please don't eat the Chinese. I'm saving it for later."; ""Do you like to eat Chinese?"abbreviationalt-ofellipsisuncountable

3. (UK, countable, colloquial) Ellipsis of Chinese meal (“meal consisting of Chinese cuisine”).Examples: "We're going out tonight for a Chinese."UKabbreviationalt-ofcolloquialcountableellipsis

4. (UK, countable, colloquial) Ellipsis of Chinese restaurant (“restaurant serving Chinese cuisine”).Examples: "Want to go to the Chinese after work?"UKabbreviationalt-ofcolloquialcountableellipsis