mandarin etymology

Etymology:

The word "mandarin" comes from the Portuguese word "mandarim", which in turn derives from the Malay word "menteri", meaning "minister" or "counselor".

Meaning:

Mandarin refers to:

  • An official or bureaucrat in the Chinese imperial government: Originally, mandarins were high-ranking officials who served as advisors to the emperor.
  • A native speaker of Standard Mandarin: One of the primary languages spoken in China.

Origin:

The term "mandarin" was first used by European traders in the 16th century to describe the Chinese officials who governed ports and trading enclaves. Over time, it came to refer to all government officials and eventually to native speakers of Standard Mandarin.

In the context of Chinese bureaucracy, the term "mandarin" was used to refer to officials who had successfully passed the civil service exams. These exams tested candidates on their knowledge of Confucian classics, history, and calligraphy. Successful candidates were appointed to various positions in the imperial bureaucracy.

During the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), the Mandarin system was highly formalized, with officials classified into nine ranks. Each rank had its own distinctive uniform, privileges, and responsibilities.

After the fall of the imperial system in 1912, the term "mandarin" continued to be used colloquially to refer to high-ranking government officials or bureaucrats. In the context of language, it came to designate the standard variety of Chinese spoken in Beijing, which became known as Standard Mandarin.

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