What does chinky mean?
Chinky is a chiefly British informal noun meaning a Chinese takeaway restaurant or a meal bought from one, as in ordering 'from the local chinky'. The word derives from 'Chink', which makes it inseparable from a second, deeply offensive use: as a slur against Chinese people, it is regarded as racist hate speech in both Britain and North America. This dual life has effectively poisoned the harmless sense — broadcasters have been censured for using the word even about food, and style guides advise avoiding it entirely in favour of 'Chinese takeaway' or naming the specific dishes. Anyone encountering the word should understand both meanings: the colloquial British reference to takeaway food, and the slur that now dominates perception of the word and renders it unacceptable in polite or public usage.
A Chinese takeaway restaurant, or a meal of Chinese takeaway food (British, informal, and now largely avoided).
"Friday night means a chinky and a film."
Strongly discouraged today because of the word's identity as a racial slur; prefer 'Chinese takeaway'.
(Deeply offensive) Relating to or characteristic of Chinese people; a racial slur.
"This slur must not be used under any circumstances."
Unacceptable hate speech; included here solely for recognition, not use.
Plural applies to the takeaway-shop/meal sense ('the best chinkies in town'); the slur sense is typically uncountable as an adjective.
"There are two decent chinkies within walking distance."
One word, two lives: in Britain 'a chinky' can innocently mean Friday-night takeaway noodles — but elsewhere it's a slur serious enough to get broadcasters fined.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chinky
The word derives from 'Chink', a slur formed in the 19th century from 'China', whose name ultimately traces through Persian and Sanskrit (Cīna) origins. In late 19th- and 20th-century British slang, the '-y' suffix produced 'chinky' as a casual label for Chinese takeaway shops and meals, parallel to formations like 'chippie' for a fish-and-chip shop. Its use as a racial epithet, however, has made even this colloquial sense taboo.
Related word forms
How chinky is actually used
The takeaway sense is distinctly British and colloquial. Because the word doubles as a vicious ethnic slur, even the innocent takeaway sense has become widely shunned, and many people now say 'Chinese takeaway' instead. In North America only the offensive sense is known.
Easily confused with chinky
'Chink' is the base term and an outright racial slur against Chinese people, while 'chinky' in its benign British sense refers specifically to a Chinese takeaway shop or meal.
'Cheeky' means impudently playful and shares only a similar sound with 'chinky', which relates either to takeaways or is used offensively.