Learning country names in Chinese can be incredibly useful, especially when introducing yourself or discussing global topics. Let’s take a closer look at five common country names in Chinese—USA, China, UK, France, and Japan—and uncover the stories behind these names.
USA 美國/美国
The Chinese name for the United States, 美國/美国, is composed of two characters: 美 (měi), meaning “beautiful,” and 國/国 (guó), meaning “country.” Together, they translate literally as “beautiful country.”
This name is not only elegant but also reflects the phonetic similarity of 美 (měi) as the syllable “me” in “America.”
To pronounce 美 (měi), imagine saying the word “may,” while 國/国 (guó) sounds like “gwah.” Combining the two, you have “měi guó.”
China 中國/中国
The Chinese name for China, 中國/中国, consists of two characters: 中 (zhōng), meaning “middle” or “central,” and 國/国 (guó), meaning “country.” Together, they translate to “middle country.”
This name reflects ancient China’s view of itself as the center of civilization, both geographically and culturally. Historically, the term 中國/中国 was used to describe the central states in ancient Chinese history, further emphasizing its importance.
To pronounce 中 (zhōng), think of “jong” with a steady, high pitch tone. Combined with 國/国, the name is pronounced “zhōng guó.”
UK 英國/英国
The United Kingdom is translated to 英國/英国 in Mandarin. The first character, 英 (yīng), means “hero,” and when paired with 國/国, it forms the name “hero country.”
This name likely stems from the phonetic similarity of 英 (yīng) as the syllable “En” in “England.” It also reflects a sense of respect and admiration, given the historical prominence of the UK.
To pronounce 英 (yīng), think of “ying” with a steady and even tone. Together, the name is pronounced “yīng guó.”
France 法國/法国
France is known as 法國/法国 in Chinese. The character 法 (fǎ) means “law” or “method.”
While the meaning itself isn’t directly tied to France’s identity, the character 法 (fǎ) was chosen for its phonetic similarity to the word “France.” This approach is common in Chinese when adapting foreign names.
To pronounce 法 (fǎ), think of the “fa” in “sofa.” Combined with 國/国, the name is pronounced “fǎ guó.”
Japan 日本
Japan’s Chinese name, 日本, directly translates to “sun origin.” The first character, 日 (rì), means “sun,” and 本 (běn) means “origin” or “root.”
This name reflects Japan’s location to the east of China, where the sun rises. It’s also deeply tied to Japan’s cultural identity as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” a concept beautifully depicted in its national flag.
To pronounce 日 (rì), say “ree” with a falling tone, and 本 (běn) is pronounced like “ben” with a low, even tone. Together, the name is pronounced “rì běn.”
Now that you’ve learned the Chinese names of these five countries. Try using them in your conversations. Whether you’re talking about travel or sharing cultural insights, practicing these names will help solidify your knowledge. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel!
