Etymology

Sansha

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Today it means: A prefecture-level city of Hainan, China (claimed areas encompass areas administered or claimed by Brunei, China (PRC), Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan (ROC), and Vietnam). Full definition →

Mandarin 三沙
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Sansha · proper noun1

  1. Mandarin · borrowed from三沙
  2. English todaySansha

From the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of the Mandarin 三沙 (Sānshā, literally “three sands”), from the three areas of Nansha (南沙 (Nánshā, literally “south sands”)), Xisha (西沙 (Xīshā, literally “west sands”)) and Zhongsha (中沙 (Zhōngshā, literally “central sands”)).

Sansha · proper noun2

From Mandarin 三沙 (Sānshā) Wade–Giles romanization: San¹-sha¹, reinforced by Hanyu Pinyin.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 21st c. A prefecture-level city of Hainan, China (claimed areas encompass areas administered or claimed by Brunei, China (PRC), Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan (ROC), and Vietnam).
  • from 20th c. A town in Xiapu, Ningde, Fujian, China

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.