Where does the word Sino for China come from?

The word "Sino" for China comes from the Latin word Sinae, which was derived from the Ancient Greek word Σῖναι (Sinai).

Here's a breakdown of its evolution:

* Ancient Greek: The Greeks, through their interactions with the Silk Road, referred to the Chinese people as Σῖναι (Sinai). This name likely originated from the Xiongnu (匈奴), a nomadic people who frequently clashed with the Han Dynasty in China. The Greeks mispronounced "Xiongnu" as "Sinai".

* Latin: The Romans adopted the Greek word as Sinae.

* Modern English: The term "Sino" evolved from the Latin "Sinae", and it's used as a prefix to refer to things related to China, such as "Sino-Japanese relations" or "Sinology" (the study of Chinese language, history, and culture).

So, while "Sino" isn't a direct translation of any Chinese word, its origins trace back to the Ancient Greeks' perception of the people and cultures associated with the Silk Road.