chinee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low / ArchaicLiterary / Poetic / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “chinee” mean?
A variant or poetic/archaic spelling of 'Chinese', pertaining to China or its people, language, or culture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A variant or poetic/archaic spelling of 'Chinese', pertaining to China or its people, language, or culture.
This spelling may be encountered in older literary or poetic works, often to fit a specific meter or rhyme scheme. In contemporary usage, it is extremely rare and not standard.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern regional difference exists, as the form is obsolete in both varieties. In historical texts, it may appear in works from either tradition.
Connotations
Connotes antiquity, poetic license, or a stylized, possibly orientalist, historical context.
Frequency
Effectively zero in contemporary language; found only in historical literary analysis or quotations.
Grammar
How to Use “chinee” in a Sentence
[adj] + ~ (noun)~ + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chinee” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The volume contained a collection of chinee proverbs.
- He had a fascination with chinee porcelain.
American English
- The old map showed the chinee coastline.
- She studied chinee philosophy from the translation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
May appear in historical or literary studies when quoting or discussing 18th-19th century texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chinee”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chinee”
- Using 'chinee' in modern writing expecting it to be a correct or alternative spelling of 'Chinese'.
- Misinterpreting it as a singular noun for a person (cf. 'Japanese' vs 'a Japanese person').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not a correct word in modern Standard English. It is an archaic or poetic spelling variant of 'Chinese' and should not be used in contemporary writing or speech.
No. Even in historical texts, it functioned as an adjective. The standard modern term for a person is 'Chinese person' or, informally, 'Chinese' as a countable noun (e.g., 'two Chinese'). 'Chinee' is not used as a noun for a person.
You might encounter it in historical literature, poetry (e.g., from the 18th or 19th centuries), or in academic discussions of such texts. It is not found in modern newspapers, websites, or everyday conversation.
Recognition, not production. A learner should recognize it as a historical variant of 'Chinese' if they encounter it in old texts, but they should never use it actively. It is a point of linguistic and historical interest only.
A variant or poetic/archaic spelling of 'Chinese', pertaining to China or its people, language, or culture.
Chinee is usually literary / poetic / archaic in register.
Chinee: in British English it is pronounced /tʃaɪˈniːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃaɪˈniːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'CHINee' looks like 'CHINa' with an extra 'e' – an extra letter for an extra-old spelling.
Practice
Quiz
How should the word 'chinee' be understood in contemporary English?