Shina (word)

Common card · No. 384141

Shina is a largely archaic name for China. It traces its origin to an ancient Sanskrit word used by people from India who had established contact in the region. Its use in Japanese originally had a neutral connotation, but the word came to be perceived as derogatory by Chinese people during the course of the First and Second Sino-Japanese Wars. As a result, it fell into disuse after World War II and is now viewed as offensive, with the standard Japanese name for China being replaced by Chūgoku (中国). During the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, the word was used as a form of protest against the Chinese government but also as a xenophobic remark against mainland Chinese.

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