Full Definition of MANDARIN. 1. a: a public official in the Chinese Empire of any of nine superior grades b (1) : a pedantic official (2) : bureaucrat c: a person of position and influence often in intellectual or literary circles; especially: an elder and often traditionalist or reactionary member of such a circle.2.ull Definition of MANDARIN. 1. a: a public official in the Chinese Empire of any of nine superior grades b (1) : a pedantic official (2) : bureaucrat c: a person of position and influence often in intellectual or literary circles; especially: an elder and often traditionalist or reactionary member of such a circle. 2.