Chinese
(das) Chinesisch
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Chinese
The Chinese language with its various regional forms, especially the standard language Mandarin used in China.
Sie lernt Chinesisch, weil sie in Peking arbeiten möchte.
She is learning Chinese because she wants to work in Beijing.
all Greek
Colloquially, statements or explanations that someone cannot understand at all.
Was der Steuerberater da über Abschreibungen erzählt, ist für mich Chinesisch.
What the tax consultant is saying about depreciation is all Greek to me.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | (des) Chinesisch |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | (das) Chinesisch das Chinesische | – |
| accusative | (das) Chinesisch das Chinesische | – |
| dative | (dem) Chinesisch | – |
| genitive | (des) Chinesisch (des) Chinesischs, des Chinesischen | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Chinesisch' (Chinese) is a nominalized adjective: by capitalizing 'chinesisch' (Chinese), it becomes the name of the language or a term for unintelligible statements.
Chinesisch klingt für viele Lernende zunächst ungewohnt.
Chinese initially sounds unfamiliar to many learners.
Seine Erklärung war für mich reines Chinesisch.
His explanation was all Greek to me.
When 'Chinesisch' (Chinese) appears with verbs such as 'lernen' (to learn), 'sprechen' (to speak), or 'übersetzen' (to translate), it refers to the language. In the fixed expression 'für jemanden Chinesisch sein' (to be all Greek to someone), on the other hand, it refers to something incomprehensible.
Nach zwei Jahren kann sie schon gut Chinesisch sprechen.
After two years, she can already speak Chinese quite well.
Die Anleitung ist für meinen Großvater Chinesisch.
The instructions are all Greek to my grandfather.
As the name of the language, 'Chinesisch' (Chinese) usually appears without an article after verbs such as 'lernen' (to learn), 'sprechen' (to speak), and 'verstehen' (to understand).
Mein Bruder möchte nächstes Jahr Chinesisch lernen.
My brother wants to learn Chinese next year.
The colloquial meaning occurs especially often in the fixed expression 'für jemanden Chinesisch sein' (to be all Greek to someone). It describes an explanation or topic that is completely incomprehensible.
Die Fachbegriffe in diesem Vertrag sind für mich Chinesisch.
The technical terms in this contract are all Greek to me.
