chinaman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (offensive sense), Medium (cricket, specialist contexts).Obsolete/Offensive (racial sense). Technical/Jargon (cricket).
Quick answer
What does “chinaman” mean?
A dated, historical, and now offensive term for a Chinese man.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dated, historical, and now offensive term for a Chinese man.
In cricket, a left-arm unorthodox spin bowler.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Chinaman' is recognized primarily as a cricket term, though its offensive history is understood. In the US, the term is almost exclusively known as an offensive racial slur, with no sporting connotation.
Connotations
UK: Highly offensive in racial context; neutral/specialist in cricket. US: Entirely offensive with strong pejorative connotations.
Frequency
In the UK, frequency is low outside of historical/cricket contexts. In the US, frequency is very low and almost exclusively in historical or sociological discussions of racism.
Grammar
How to Use “chinaman” in a Sentence
[bowler] bowls a Chinaman[batsman] faces the ChinamanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chinaman” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Chinaman delivery bamboozled the batsman.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate and unprofessional. Should never be used.
Academic
Used only in historical, sociological, or linguistic studies on racism or in sports history (cricket).
Everyday
Completely unacceptable and offensive.
Technical
Standard term in cricket commentary and literature for a specific bowling style.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chinaman”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chinaman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chinaman”
- Using it as a general term for a Chinese person.
- Assuming it is a neutral or polite term due to its structural similarity to 'Englishman'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Only in the specific context of cricket to describe a left-arm unorthodox spin bowler. In all other contexts, it is a derogatory slur.
It carries a history of being used in a derogatory, othering, and often colonial context to stereotype and demean Chinese people, unlike the neutral descriptive compounds for European nationalities.
Use 'Chinese man', 'Chinese woman', 'Chinese person', or simply state their nationality as 'Chinese'. 'Person from China' is also perfectly acceptable.
Yes, followers of cricket will recognize 'Chinaman' as a technical bowling term. However, even in the UK, its offensive racial meaning is widely known, and it is not used outside the sporting context.
A dated, historical, and now offensive term for a Chinese man.
Chinaman is usually obsolete/offensive (racial sense). technical/jargon (cricket). in register.
Chinaman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪnəmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪnəmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable due to offensive nature.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: In CRICKET, a left-arm bowler spins the ball the OPPOSITE way to a right-armer, just as the term 'Chinaman' has an OPPOSITE (offensive vs. technical) meaning depending on context.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for primary offensive sense. In cricket, a 'Chinaman' is a TRICKY DELIVERY (something deceptive or unusual).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason 'Chinaman' is avoided in general speech?