Taiwanese

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. Relating to the island of Taiwan, its inhabitants, or their language and culture
2. Pertaining to the people, language, or cultural aspects originating from the territory of Taiwan
3. Associated with Taiwan as a geographic region, including its native population, customs, and linguistic characteristics

Etymology: "Taiwanese" is a straightforward formation: the place name "Taiwan" with the suffix "-ese," attached to form an adjective and noun meaning "of or relating to Taiwan." The suffix has a long ancestry. It descends from a Late Latin form, "-iscus," which itself came from the Latin suffix "-ensis," used to mark origin or belonging, as in place-based names. That form passed through Old French as "-eis" and reached Middle English as "-eys," and it was then reshaped into the "-ese" spelling familiar today. The same suffix appears in many words for nationality and language, such as "Japanese," "Portuguese," and "Chinese." Its route into English through French explains why it shows up so often with names of peoples and places, where it simply signals association with that place or group.

Synonyms: Taiwan person, Taiwan native