Definitions
01fine white ceramic tableware
A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun
n. Delicate plates, cups, and bowls made from a special white clay. You usually use them for special meals because they are expensive and break easily.
n. High-quality ceramic ware made of kaolin and other materials, typically translucent and white. Often refers collectively to household tableware.
日本語:陶磁器※
“We only use the fine china for holiday dinners.”
“She inherited a complete set of bone china from her grandmother, which she keeps in a locked cabinet.”
Usage
Usually a collective noun for dishes. Rarely used in the plural.
Synonyms
02the country in East Asia
A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun Geography
n. A large country in East Asia. Its capital city is Beijing.
n. Proper noun for the People's Republic of China, a large country in East Asia with Beijing as its capital. Takes no article: say 'in China', not 'in the China'.
“My cousin lives in China.”
“Trade between the United States and China shapes the prices of many everyday consumer goods.”
Usage
Takes no article. Say 'in China', not 'in the China'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “china” in context.
Verb
01. break china
“Be careful not to break the china!”
verb + noun
02. china breaks
“This china breaks very easily.”
noun + verb
03. china cracks
“Old china cracks in very hot water.”
noun + verb
04. use china
“We use china when grandparents come to eat.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. delicate china
“This delicate china is from my grandmother.”
adj + noun
06. expensive china
“This expensive china is only for special guests.”
adj + noun
07. fine china
“We use fine china for Christmas dinner.”
adj + noun
08. old china
“She keeps old china in the kitchen.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. piece of china
“Each piece of china has blue flowers.”
noun + prep + noun
10. set of china
“They got a set of china for their wedding.”
noun + prep + noun
11. a set of fine china
“They bought a set of fine china for Sunday lunch.”
12. the china breaks easily
“Be careful, the china breaks easily.”
Real-World Examples
“China's commerce ministry has decided to extend two probes into US trade practices it launched in March by three months until December 27, according to ministry statements.” “Satellite images reviewed by Reuters show grading work, piles of gravel and concrete, and compaction cranes in operation to build a full-scale runway that military attaches and security analysts say could be one of China's most important offshore bases in the region.” “China is energetically defending its economic policy mix that favours advanced industries over consumption, adopting a posture analysts see as demonstrating increasing confidence ahead of looming trade talks with Europe and the United States.” “China's firms and entrepreneurs are increasingly important for the nation's research system as it seeks to further align its scientific output to the needs of its economy.” Etymology
The word entered English by way of the Portuguese China, following the Venetan Cina and the Old French Chin. These forms likely drew influence from the Medieval Latin Sina and the Classical Persian čīn. The trail extends further back through the Middle Persian Čīn to the Sanskrit cīna, a term of uncertain origin used to denote the Chinese people and their lands.
Scholars generally attribute the name to the state of Qin, the westernmost of the ancient Chinese states. Alternative theories suggest the name may be derived from other significant powers of the period, such as the state of Jin or the southernmost state of Chu. A further possibility points to Zina, the endonym used by the people of the Yelang kingdom.
As a female given name, the term is usually a later derivation via the porcelain and the china doll. The many variations and historical debates surrounding these origins are documented under the entries for Names of China and Chinas on Wikipedia.
The personal name China is a transliteration of the Japanese 知名, or China.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/china
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0