cheongsam

/tʃiˈɒŋ.sæm/ Chinese Origin Fashion

Original Word

长衫

Cantonese (chèuhng sāam)

Entered English

1950s

First recorded usage in English

The Story Behind "cheongsam"

From Cantonese 'chèuhng sāam' (长衫), literally 'long dress', a form-fitting dress of Manchu origin that became popular in 1920s Shanghai and later worldwide as a symbol of Chinese femininity.

Example Usage

"She wore a beautiful red cheongsam to the Chinese New Year celebration."

All Chinese Loanwords Look Up in Dictionary

More Chinese Loanwords

ketchup — 茄汁 Food & Drink · Late 17th century tea — 茶 Food & Drink · Mid 17th century typhoon — 台风 Nature · 16th century gung ho — 工合 Culture · 1940s kowtow — 叩头 Culture · Early 19th century brainwash — 洗脑 Politics · 1950s lychee — 荔枝 Food & Drink · 16th century dim sum — 点心 Food & Drink · Mid 20th century