also: キタイ · キタン
Khitan people; Khitai
Historical ethnic group that established the Liao dynasty; the name is the origin of 'Cathay'.
The Khitan founded the Liao dynasty in the 10th century.
The name Khitai was used in Central Asia.
Standard kanji spelling for the Khitan people; read きったん.
Katakana form reflecting the Mongolian/Manchu pronunciation; used in some historical contexts.
Katakana form; variant of キタイ.
From Chinese 契丹 (Qìdān), ultimately from the Khitan people's own name. The reading きったん is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi; キタイ/キタン are from Mongolian/Manchu.