Phrase guide

China hand

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A 19th-century, non-Chinese merchant in the treaty ports of China.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Anyone with expert knowledge of the language, culture, and people of China.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 中國通 /中国通 (Zhōngguótōng) — 19th-century non-Chinese merchant
  • Finnish: sopimuskauppasataman kauppias — 19th-century non-Chinese merchant
  • Chinese Mandarin: 中國通 /中国通 (Zhōngguótōng) — anyone with expert knowledge of China
  • Finnish: kiinalaisasiantuntija — anyone with expert knowledge of China
  • Japanese: 支那通 — anyone with expert knowledge of China
  • Swedish: kinakännare — anyone with expert knowledge of China