One of the great things about language is that it is a living thing that is constantly evolving and absorbing influences from other cultures.
And as English has spread globally, it has borrowed countless other words from other languages.
One particularly rich source of this vocabulary is Chinese.
Over the years, English has adopted Chinese words from everyday foods to philosophical concepts. The English language also makes use of Chinese slang, and other Chinese words about trade, migration, pop culture and political discourse.
Many words in English are of Chinese origin.
Some of these words have come directly from Mandarin Chinese, the standard official language of China, while others have come from Cantonese, and most especially via Hong Kong, due to the history of colonisation and trading.
With these words and phrases, some have been directly translated from Chinese to English, while others have retained the Chinese sound, preserving their structure and meaning.
In the guide below, I want to introduce to you 27 fascinating words and phrases that the English language has borrowed from Chinese.
Shall we begin?
Let’s go!
Everyday English Words That Have Crossed Over From China
Let’s start by looking at some very common words used in everyday English that come from the Chinese language.
Here are some examples below…
1. Kung Fu (Gong Fu, 功夫)
Origin: Mandarin
There can’t be many people that don’t know this phrase.
But the original Chinese phrase is actually Gong Fu.
A martial part that has been practised in China for many years.
Bruce Lee popularized kung fu films in the West.
2. Dim Sum (点心)
Origin: Cantonese (via Hong Kong)
Dim sum refers to bite-sized dishes traditionally served with tea. It means “touch the heart” in Chinese.
Dim sum can often include any kind of snacks or small things we might eat during the day.
We had a Sunday brunch of dim sum at the new restaurant.
3. Chow Mein (炒面)
Origin: Cantonese
The literal translation means “fried noodles.” Now a staple in many Western Chinese restaurants.
Many people in England have eaten and enjoyed chicken chow mein.
I always order chow mein with chicken.
4. Tofu (dòufu 豆腐)
Origin: Mandarin
In the West we say tofu, but the original Chinese pronunciation is different.
The English pronunciation of it changed over the years.
Tofu is a soybean-based protein used widely in Chinese cuisine.
Tofu is a great meat substitute for vegetarians.
5. Gung Ho (工合)
Origin: Mandarin (via WWII American soldiers)
The original meaning is ‘work together’. It was adopted by American marines and later used in common parlance to describe an enthusiastic attitude to work or something you are trying to do.
He’s really gung-ho about the new project.
6. Chá (茶)
Origin: Min Chinese (Amoy/Xiamen dialect), via trade
This is the original word for ‘tea’. And it comes from the Min Chinese word ‘te’ or ‘de’.
Many older English people still use the word cha when referring to tea.
Fancy a cup of cha round my place?
7. Chow
Origin: Cantonese (from “chow” meaning food)
This word is more commonly used in America to mean food or to eat.
Let’s grab some chow before the movie.
8. Ketchup
Origin: Hokkien (Amoy dialect: 釉油, ke-tsiap)
This was originally a fermented fish sauce in the south of China.
The Western version evolved into tomato ketchup.
Pass the ketchup, please.
9. Soy (Soy Sauce 酱油)
Origin: Japanese/Chinese trade; “shōyu” (Japanese), from Cantonese and Mandarin
English adopted “soy” through Japanese and Chinese trading routes.
I like to dip my sushi in soy sauce.
10. Wok
Origin: Cantonese
A round-bottomed cooking pan used in Chinese cooking.
Stir-frying is easiest in a good wok.
Chinese Cultural Terms That Have Transformed English
There are quite a few cultural terms that English has borrowed from Chinese.
These range from philosophical or religious words to modern-day pop culture.
Let’s take a look at the examples below.
11. Feng Shui (风水)
Origin: Mandarin
You may have heard of this phrase. The art of arranging a living or working space in such an order to promote harmony.
We rearranged our living room for better feng shui.
12. Qi (Chi, 气)
Origin: Mandarin
This refers to the vital life energy believed to flow through all living things.
Acupuncture is said to help balance your qi.
13. Tai Chi (Tai Ji, 太极)
Origin: Mandarin
And you may have heard of this too. A form of internal martial art known for slow, meditative movements.
My grandmother practices tai chi every morning.
14. Yin and Yang (阴阳)
Origin: Mandarin
Philosophical concept describing complementary opposites.
Success and failure are the yin and yang of life.
15. Tao (Dao, 道)
Origin: Mandarin
This means ‘the way’ in Chinese philosophy; used in ‘Taoism’.
Note: ‘Tao’ is a Romanized version from the older Wade-Giles system. The modern pinyin spelling is ‘Dao’.
The book explores the Tao of leadership.
16. Sifu (师傅)
Origin: Cantonese
This word means ‘master’ or ‘teacher’ in Chinese. It is often used in martial arts, but is also used in Tai Chi or for any other situation where there is someone teaching a student how to do something.
I learned Wing Chun from my sifu in Hong Kong.
17. Karaoke (from 空 karà 歌 oke)
Origin: Japanese word formed from Chinese characters
Karaoke is popular all over the world now.
And it was popularised in English via Japanese and Chinese cultural exchange.
We sang our hearts out at the karaoke bar last night!
18. Tycoon (Taikun, 太君)
Origin: Japanese (originally Chinese characters)
Adopted into English to describe a wealthy, powerful business person.
He made a fortune in tech and became a real tycoon.
Idioms and Phrases with Chinese Roots
There are also many idioms and phrases that English has borrowed from the Chinese language.
Many of these are still commonly used today.
Let’s look at some of the examples below.
19. Long Time No See (好久不见)
Origin: Direct translation from Mandarin or Cantonese
This phrase was translated directly from Chinese many years ago into English.
The grammar is incorrect in English, but still widely used today.
Hey! Long time no see!
20. No Can Do
Origin: Pidgin English from Chinese grammar structure
Another phrase that was translated to English directly from the original Chinese.
It means; I can’t do that.
Sorry, no can do—I’m busy that day.
21. Brainwash (洗脑)
Origin: Direct translation from Mandarin
Another phrase translated straight from Chinese, it describes the kind of psychological indoctrination used to change people’s thinking.
The film explores the idea of government brainwashing.
22. Kowtow (叩头)
Origin: Mandarin
Kowtow is an ancient practice in China to show respect and reverence to someone.
Often, the person bows and kneels when doing this.
In English, it has come to mean to act overly submissive to someone.
He refused to kowtow to his boss’s unreasonable demands.
23. Paper Tiger (纸老虎)
Origin: Mandarin
This refers to a person or thing that might appear threatening, but in fact, is nothing to worry about.
Effectively, a paper tiger.
Their military looks impressive, but it’s a paper tiger.
24. Pidgin
Origin: Cantonese-English trade language
This is derived from the Cantonese pronunciation of ‘business’ (‘pidgin’).
It now refers to a kind of basic language between two groups of people from different countries to ensure communication is easier.
They communicated in a form of pidgin English.
25. Chin Chin
Origin: Chinese toast expression (Qǐng qǐng, 请请) via British colonial Hong Kong
This is used as a toast today in English. But the original word means ‘please’.
Chin chin! Here’s to your health.
26. Chop Chop
Origin: Cantonese (‘chok chok’)
This is not so common today in English, but very common a few years ago.
It means hurry up.
Chop chop! We’re going to be late.
27. Typhoon (太风)
Origin: Mandarin/Cantonese and Greek (typhon)
And of course, this means a very strong and often violent storm.
The Chinese influence shaped the modern spelling we use in English today.
The typhoon caused flooding across the coast.
Conclusion
The above 27 words and phrases show very clearly how Chinese has shaped the English language in surprising and influential ways.
Some of these words came from Mandarin Chinese. While others came from Cantonese or Hokkien.
And a few of them are direct translations from the original Chinese.
As an English learner, knowing the origin of these words can deepen your understanding of not just the vocabulary, but the rich cultural exchanges that took place between the East and the West.
Language is like a living bridge that spans across different cultures and countries, joining us all together.
I hope you liked this guide. If so, please leave a comment below.
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