The + nationality
You can use the + nationality adjectives that end in -ch or -sh (the French / the English / the Spanish etc.). The meaning is 'the people of that country':
- The French are famous for their food. (= the people of France)
The French / the English etc. are plural in meaning. We do not say 'a French / an English'. You have to say a Frenchman / an Englishwoman etc.
We also use the + nationality words end ing in -ese (the Chinese / the Sudanese / the Japanese etc.):
- The Chinese invented printing.
But these words can also be singular (a Chinese, a Japanese etc.). Note also: a Swiss (singular) and the Swiss (= the people of Switzerland)
With other nationalities, the plural noun ends in -s. For example: an Italian => Italians; a Mexican => Mexicans; a Turk => Turks
With these words (Italians etc.), we do not normally use the to talk a bout the people in general (see Unit 75).
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