Cantonese
/ˌkæn.təˈniːz/noun
Relating to Guangzhou or Guangdong, or to the variety of Chinese traditionally spoken in and around Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Did you know?“Cantonese” is an English formation from Canton plus the place-name suffix “-ese,” while many speakers traditionally call the language Yue, from the ancient name for southern China.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient China
Chinese
廣東 (Guǎngdōng)
““Broad east,” the name of the southern Chinese province”
Medieval China
Chinese
廣州 (Guǎngzhōu)
“Guangzhou, historically the major city and port of the region”
16th Century
Portuguese
Cantão
“Portuguese name for Guangzhou, probably adapted through southern Chinese place-name forms”
17th Century
English
Canton
“English name for Guangzhou, borrowed through European usage”
18th Century
English
Cantonese
“Formed from Canton plus the adjectival and inhabitant suffix “-ese””
Modern English
English
Cantonese
“The regional variety of Chinese, its speakers, or anything relating to Canton/Guangzhou”
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