Stop Saying You’re Learning “Chinese”! Here’s Why

When people say they are “learning Chinese,” what do they really mean? The truth is, Chinese is not just one language. In fact, China is home to many dialects—Cantonese, Shanghainese, Hokkien, and more—that are not mutually intelligible. A speaker of one dialect might not understand another without learning it separately.

So, when you say you’re learning “Chinese,” the question is: which Chinese?

Most of the time, people mean Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua. It’s the official language taught in schools across China and spoken by over 70% of its population. But Mandarin isn’t limited to China—it’s also widely spoken in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and across global Chinese communities. With 1.1 billion speakers worldwide, Mandarin is one of the most spoken languages on the planet.

What About Cantonese?

In contrast, Cantonese is spoken by around 85–100 million people, primarily in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong Province, and overseas communities in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.

In the UK, with approximately 160,000 Hongkongers relocating under the BNO visa in the past five years, Cantonese is becoming increasingly relevant for daily interactions—in schools, workplaces, and local communities. So, is it worth learning Cantonese over Mandarin? The answer depends on your goals.

• Cantonese is useful if you want to connect with Hongkongers or communities in southern China.

• Mandarin offers global reach and career opportunities, making it the more practical choice for business, education, and international communication.

Traditional vs Simplified Chinese Characters

Once you’ve chosen a spoken form, you’ll face another decision: Traditional or Simplified characters?

• Traditional Chinese is like classical music—rich, layered, and deeply rooted in culture and history. Every stroke carries meaning, offering insight into the character’s origins. It’s still used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among many overseas communities.

• Simplified Chinese is like pop music—modern, accessible, and efficient. Introduced in the 1950s to boost literacy, it’s now the standard in mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Both systems are valuable. For cultural appreciation, Traditional Chinese offers more depth. For practicality and speed, Simplified Chinese is the way to go.

If you’re starting fresh, Mandarin with Simplified characters is the most useful globally. But if your interest lies in culture, history, or specific communities (like Hongkongers), Cantonese with Traditional characters might be the more rewarding choice.

So, before saying “I’m learning Chinese,” ask yourself: Which Chinese? Which script? And why?