Meaning & Definition of Mandarin in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A member of a powerful class in ancient China.

  Example Sentence: The mandarin was responsible for maintaining order in his district.

• Definition: The standard Chinese language based on the Beijing dialect.

  Example Sentence: She learned Mandarin to communicate better with her colleagues in China.

• Definition: A type of small, sweet citrus fruit.

  Example Sentence: I enjoyed a mandarin after my lunch.

Etymology

Origin: Late 16th century from Portuguese mandarim, from Malay menteri 'minister', from Sanskrit mantrin 'counselor'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• mandarin orange: A variety of orange that is small, sweet, and easy to peel.
• mandarin language: The standard language in China based on the Beijing dialect.

Translations

• Spanish: mandarín

• French: mandarin

• German: Mandarinen

• Russian: мандарин

Related Words

• empire: A group of nations or peoples ruled by a single sovereign authority.

• bureaucracy: A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

• citrus: A genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the rue family.

Slang Meanings of mandarin

• Meaning: To be very organized or precise.

  Example Sentence: She is so mandarin when it comes to her schedule.

• Meaning: Referring to someone who is overly formal or bureaucratic.

  Example Sentence: Don't be such a mandarin; just relax and enjoy the party.