China virus

English

Etymology

From China +‎ virus, from its presumed origin in Wuhan, China, in late 2019.

Noun

China virus (countable and uncountable, plural China viruses)

1. (colloquial, sometimes offensive, neologism) Synonym of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
   • 2020 December 6, tweet by Donald Trump:

     @RudyGiuliani […] has tested positive for the China Virus.

2. (colloquial, sometimes offensive) Synonym of coronavirus, the disease COVID-19.
   • 2021 February, Terence A. Smart, Covid-19 the LIES and the FRAUD‎^[1], page 227:

     A compound known as polyethylene glycol (PEG) that was added to the matrix structure surrounding the mRNA ingredients used in Pfizer and BioNTech’s China virus jab is believed to be triggering severe anaphylaxis, prompting authorities to issue warnings about its dangers.

Usage notes

Particularly in the United States, use of China virus and similar terms became associated with President Donald Trump and his party's attempt to minimize the threat from coronavirus. Separately, China protested to the WHO and media outlets that such terms unfairly blamed and stigmatized China and other East Asian people in a racist manner.

Related terms

• Chinese virus, Wuhan coronavirus, Wuhanvirus, Wuhan virus, Wuhan flu, kung flu

Translations

Translations

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 中國病毒／中国病毒, 中國病毒／中国病毒 (Zhōngguó bìngdú) (explanatory translation)

• German: China-Virus m or n, Chinavirus m or n, chinesischer Virus m, chinesisches Virus n
• Japanese: 武漢肺炎 (Bukan haien), 武漢ウイルス (Bukan uirusu)