mandarin
Translation
senior civil servant, Mandarin, mandarin orange
Examples
He is a powerful mandarin in the civil service.
He is a powerful mandarin in the civil service.
She is learning to speak Mandarin.
She is learning to speak Mandarin.
I had a mandarin for a snack.
I had a mandarin for a snack.
Grammar Patterns
a/the mandarin (person) a senior civil servant He is a powerful mandarin in the civil service.
Mandarin (language) the main language of China She is learning to speak Mandarin.
a/the mandarin (fruit) a small orange-like fruit I had a mandarin for a snack.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Portuguese 'mandarim', from Malay 'menteri', from Sanskrit 'mantrin' (counselor). The fruit is named after the color of the officials' robes.
Memory Tips
Picture a powerful Chinese official (a mandarin) speaking Mandarin and eating a mandarin orange. This links all three meanings.