中国人(ちゅうごくじん)

Composed of 中国(ちゅうごく) (China) and the suffix 〜人(じん) (person of a country), following the standard pattern for nationality nouns.

Usage

• Refers to Chinese nationals (citizens of the People's Republic of China) or to ethnic Chinese people. Context usually makes it clear which is meant.
• In casual spoken Japanese, people may also say 中国(ちゅうごく)の人(ひと), which is slightly softer and more conversational.
• The suffix 〜人(じん) is pronounced /jin/ after most country names (e.g., 日本人(にほんじん), 韓国人(かんこくじん), 中国人(ちゅうごくじん)).

Common collocations

• 中国人(ちゅうごくじん)の観光客(かんこうきゃく): Chinese tourists
• 中国人(ちゅうごくじん)留学生(りゅうがくせい): Chinese exchange student
• 在日(ざいにち)中国人(ちゅうごくじん): Chinese residents of Japan
• 中国人(ちゅうごくじん)の友人(ゆうじん): a Chinese friend

Similar words

• 日本人(にほんじん): Japanese person — same pattern with 日本(にほん)
• 韓国人(かんこくじん): Korean person (South Korea) — same pattern with 韓国(かんこく)
• 台湾人(たいわんじん): Taiwanese person — a person from Taiwan
• 華僑(かきょう): overseas Chinese — ethnic Chinese living outside China, a more specialized term