What does Cathay mean in Chinese?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

In historical linguistic evolution, the term Cathay translates etymologically as a historic Western name for China, originating from the medieval designation Kitai or Khitai, which referred to the Khitans, a nomadic people who ruled northern China during the tenth through twelfth centuries. While the term is largely obsolete in modern standard Mandarin Chinese conversation, it survives globally in poetic literature, historical contexts, and prominent corporate brand names like Cathay Pacific Airways.

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