Jiaotong
/ˌdʒaʊˈtʊŋ/noun
A Mandarin Chinese term meaning transportation, traffic, or communication, also used in names of Chinese universities and institutions.
Did you know?The name appears in Jiaotong University, whose origins trace to late-Qing efforts to modernize China’s railways, telegraphy, and transportation systems.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese
交通
“To cross, pass between, connect, or communicate”
Han Dynasty
Chinese
交通
“Used for the movement and connection of people, goods, and information”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
kæw-tʰuŋ
“Historical pronunciation corresponding to the characters 交通”
19th Century
Mandarin
jiāotōng
“Transportation, traffic, or communications”
1896
Chinese
交通大学
“Jiaotong University; literally, a university associated with transportation and connection”
Modern English
English
Jiaotong
“A pinyin term and proper-name element used especially in references to Chinese universities and transport institutions”
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