xing ling

Portuguese

Alternative forms

Etymology

Onomatopoeic. Imitative of Mandarin; compare English ching chong. Sometimes erroneously said to derive from Mandarin 星零 (xīng líng, “zero stars”) in some sources — however, that is merely speculative folk etymology.

Pronunciation

 
  • (Brazil) IPA(key): /ˈʃĩ.ɡi ˈlĩ.ɡi/
    • (Southern Brazil) IPA(key): /ˈʃĩ.ɡe ˈlĩ.ɡe/
  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /ˈʃĩ.ɡɨ ˈlĩ.ɡɨ/

Adjective

xing ling (invariable)

  1. (Brazil, slang, often offensive) (of a product) low-quality, counterfeit (usually made in China); shanzhai

Noun

xing ling m or f by sense (plural xing lings)

  1. (Brazil, slang, offensive, ethnic slur) a Chinese person
    • 2020 August 17, Estêvão Zizzi, Crônicas De Uma Quarentena‎[1], Clube de Autores, page 7:
      Foi descoberto por um médico chinês de nome Li Wenling. / Só poderia ser um Xing Ling!
      It was discovered by a Chinese doctor named Li Wenling. / Of course it was a ching chong!

See also

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