Mandarin
|Man-da-rin|
/ˈmændərɪn/
official language or citrus fruit
Etymology
'Mandarin' originates from Portuguese, specifically the word 'mandarim,' which was derived from the Malay word 'menteri,' meaning 'minister' or 'counselor.'
'Mandarim' transformed into the English word 'Mandarin' through the influence of the Portuguese language.
Initially, it referred to a 'minister' or 'counselor,' but over time it evolved to include meanings related to language and fruit.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a high-ranking official in the former imperial Chinese civil service.
The mandarin was known for his wisdom and fairness.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the standard literary and official form of Chinese based on the Beijing dialect, spoken by over 1 billion people.
Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world.
Synonyms
Noun 3
a small citrus fruit with a loose skin, especially a tangerine.
She peeled a mandarin for a quick snack.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35