Mandarin
/ˈmændərɪn/noun
A high-ranking Chinese official, the standard form of Chinese, or a small, loose-skinned citrus fruit.
Did you know?Mandarin entered European languages through Portuguese, which adapted an Asian title ultimately derived from Sanskrit mantrin, meaning “counselor” or “minister.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“To think, remember, or have one’s mind engaged”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
mantrin
“Counselor, adviser, or minister; literally one connected with counsel”
Medieval South Asia
Prakrit/Hindustani
mantrī / mentrī
“Minister or state adviser”
16th Century
Malay
menteri / mantri
“Minister or official, a title encountered by Portuguese traders”
Late 16th Century
Portuguese
mandarim
“A Chinese official or administrator”
17th Century
English
mandarin
“A Chinese official; later, the Chinese court language associated with officials”
18th Century
English
mandarin
“Also applied to the orange-like citrus fruit, likely through its association with China”