xing ling

Portuguese

Alternative forms

• ching ling

Etymology

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/

• (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

• made in China