Sichuanese

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. Relating to the Sichuan region of China including its culture, language varieties, and traditional practices
2. Pertaining to the area of Sichuan encompassing its distinctive dialects, culinary styles, and local customs
3. Connected with Sichuan province featuring the unique linguistic forms, regional cuisine, and cultural heritage of that part of China

Etymology: Sichuanese is a plain formation: "Sichuan" with the suffix "-ese," the English ending used to form adjectives and nouns denoting a place's inhabitants, language, or character, as in "Japanese," "Maltese," or "Portuguese." The suffix attaches to the name of the province in southwest China, so the adjective describes anything belonging to that region. Its meaning is wider than the people or their speech. Because "-ese" can denote a language, the word can refer to the local dialects of the province, while its adjectival sense covers the cooking styles, such as the famously pungent, chili-and-peppercorn dishes, and the customs associated with the area. In that sense the word works like a single label for a whole regional culture.

Synonyms: Szechuanese, Sichuan dialect