chinoiserie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Artistic, Academic
Quick answer
What does “chinoiserie” mean?
A style in Western art, design, and architecture that imitates or is heavily influenced by Chinese themes and motifs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style in Western art, design, and architecture that imitates or is heavily influenced by Chinese themes and motifs.
More broadly, any decorative style, fashion, or object that reflects a Western interpretation or imitation of Chinese aesthetics, often romanticized or fanciful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used identically in meaning and spelling in both varieties. No significant orthographic or definitional differences exist.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English due to historical ties with the China trade and the influence of the British Empire. In American English, it may be perceived as even more niche and specialized.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects, primarily confined to art history, interior design, and antique collecting contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chinoiserie” in a Sentence
The [noun] is a fine example of chinoiserie.The [room/design/style] features [adjective] chinoiserie.She has a passion for collecting chinoiserie.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chinoiserie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The designer chose to chinoiserie the alcove with hand-painted silk panels.
American English
- They decided to chinoiserie the bedroom, adding lacquered screens and porcelain lamps.
adverb
British English
- The room was decorated chinoiserie-style.
American English
- The vase was painted quite chinoiserie.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in high-end antique auction catalogues or luxury interior design marketing.
Academic
Common in art history, design history, and post-colonial studies to describe a specific historical artistic movement and its cultural implications.
Everyday
Almost never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Precise term in art curation, antique restoration, and interior design for a specific decorative style period (c. 17th-18th centuries).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chinoiserie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chinoiserie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chinoiserie”
- Misspelling as 'chinoiseri', 'chinoisserie', or 'chinoizerie'. Mispronouncing the final '-rie' as /raɪ/ instead of /riː/ or /ri/. Using it to describe authentic Chinese art.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Chinoiserie is a Western European style that imitates and romanticizes Chinese motifs. It is a product of European imagination and craftsmanship.
Its peak was in the mid-17th to late 18th centuries, during the Rococo period, coinciding with increased trade with East Asia.
Yes, but carefully. It can describe contemporary designs that deliberately reference the historical European style. It is not a general term for any Asian-inspired modern design.
Chinoiserie refers to Western imitation of Chinese styles (17th-18th C.). Japonisme refers to the later (19th C.) Western fascination with and imitation of Japanese art, particularly after Japan reopened to trade.
A style in Western art, design, and architecture that imitates or is heavily influenced by Chinese themes and motifs.
Chinoiserie is usually formal, artistic, academic in register.
Chinoiserie: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɪnˈwɑːz(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃɪnˌwɑːzəˈriː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term is itself highly specific and not used idiomatically.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHInese NOISE made pretty' – it's a European decorative style making a visual 'noise' inspired by China.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ORIENT AS DECORATION (The East is conceptualized as a source of exotic, beautiful ornamentation for the West).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'chinoiserie' MOST precisely and commonly used?