Taiwan
Pronunciation
Origin
From Tayuan, Tayoan, or other variants, meaning "foreigners" in Siraya (a Formosan languages used on the southwestern part of the island), referring to the early Chinese settlers. Recorded in Dutch records as "Tayouan" (and other variants), and in Chinese as "大員" (and other variants), as the name for a peninsula off the coast of Tainan. The term eventually became the name of the entire island.
Full definition of Taiwan
Proper noun
Taiwan
(plural Taiwans)- Common name for a country in East Asia. Official name: Republic of China, Its de facto capital is Taipei.
- An island off the coast of mainland China, also known as Formosa since 16th century.
- A claimed province of the People's Republic of China
Derived terms
Usage notes
Taiwan and Taiwanese are both widely used as attributives, e.g. Taiwan/Taiwanese culture, the Taiwan/Taiwanese government, Taiwan/Taiwanese food, etc.