Scribd
Upload
25 views2 pages

Etymology of the Name "China"

Uploaded by

pertip kumar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
25 views2 pages

Etymology of the Name "China"

Uploaded by

pertip kumar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Etymology

Main article: Names of China

China (today's Guangdong), Mangi (inla


nd of Xanton), and Cataio (inland of China and Chequan, and
including the capital Cambalu, Xandu, and a marble bridge) are all
shown as separate regions on this 1570 map by Abraham Ortelius.
The word "China" has been used in English since the 16th century;
however, it was not used by the Chinese themselves during this
period. Its origin has been traced through Portuguese, Malay,
and Persian back to the Sanskrit word Cīna, used in ancient India.
[16] "China" appears in Richard Eden's 1555 translation[m] of the
1516 journal of the Portuguese explorer Duarte Barbosa.[n]
[16] Barbosa's usage was derived from Persian Chīn (‫)چین‬, which in
turn derived from Sanskrit Cīna (चीन).[21] Cīna was first used in
early Hindu scripture, including the Mahabharata (5th century BCE)
and the Laws of Manu (2nd century BCE).[22] In 1655, Martino
Martini suggested that the word China is derived ultimately from the
name of the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE).[23][22] Although use in
Indian sources precedes this dynasty, this derivation is still given in
various sources.[24] The origin of the Sanskrit word is a matter of
debate.[16] Alternative suggestions include the names
for Yelang and the Jing or Chu state.[22][25]

The official name of the modern state is the "People's Republic of


China" (simplified Chinese: 中华人民共和国; traditional Chinese: 中華人民共和國;
pinyin: Zhōnghuá rénmín gònghéguó). The shorter form is "China"
(中国; 中國; Zhōngguó), from zhōng ('central') and guó ('state'), a term
which developed under the Western Zhou dynasty in reference to
its royal demesne.[o][p] It was used in official documents as an
synonym for the state under the Qing.[28] The name Zhongguo is
also translated as 'Middle Kingdom' in English.[29] China is
sometimes referred to as "mainland China" or "the Mainland" when
distinguishing it from the Republic of China or the PRC's Special
Administrative Regions.[30][31][32][33]

History
Main article: History of China
For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Chinese history.
Prehistory

10,000-year-old pottery, Xianren


Cave culture (18000–7000 BCE)
Archaeological evidence suggests that early hominids inhabited
China 2.25 million years ago.[34] The hominid fossils of Peking Man,
a Homo erectus who used fire,[35] have been dated to between
680,000 and 780,000 years ago.[36] The fossilized teeth of Homo
sapiens (dated to 125,000–80,000 years ago) have been discovered
in Fuyan Cave.[37] Chinese proto-writing existed in Jiahu around
6600 BCE,[38] at Damaidi around 6000 BCE,[39] Dadiwan from 5800
to 5400 BCE, and Banpo dating from the 5th millennium BCE. Some
scholars have suggested that the Jiahu symbols (7th millennium
BCE) constituted the earliest Chinese writing system. [38]

Common questions

Powered by AI

Archaeological evidence indicates that early hominids inhabited China as early as 2.25 million years ago, providing a broad timeline for human activity in the region. Specifically, the fossils of Peking Man, a Homo erectus who used fire, were dated between 680,000 and 780,000 years ago. Additionally, fossilized teeth of Homo sapiens were discovered in Fuyan Cave, dating from 125,000 to 80,000 years ago, further supporting the timeline of human habitation in China. Such evidence illustrates the long-standing presence and evolution of humans in the area, correlating with advanced prehistoric developments.

Chinese proto-writing systems emerged around various ancient settlements, notably Jiahu around 6600 BCE, Damaidi around 6000 BCE, Dadiwan from 5800 to 5400 BCE, and Banpo in the 5th millennium BCE. The Jiahu symbols, dating to the 7th millennium BCE, are suggested by some scholars to constitute the earliest Chinese writing system, indicating a significant early development in terms of symbolic communication and record-keeping in Chinese history, signifying an evolution towards more complex societal structures.

The name 'China' has its roots traced back to the Sanskrit word 'Cīna,' used in ancient India. This term was derived through Portuguese, Malay, and Persian languages. The Persian 'Chīn' also traces back to 'Cīna.' The term 'China' appears in Richard Eden's 1555 translation of Duarte Barbosa's journal, who attributed his usage to Persian sources. Martino Martini in 1655 suggested 'China' may originate from the Qin dynasty, despite Indian references predating this dynasty. Alternative origins suggest links to Yelang or the Jing or Chu states. Officially, the modern state's name is 'People's Republic of China,' with 'China' (中国; Zhōngguó) meaning 'central state,' a term from the Western Zhou dynasty. 'China' is often referred to as 'mainland China' to distinguish it from the Republic of China or its Special Administrative Regions.

You might also like