Languages in Chinese 语言
yǔyán
Language in Chinese is 语言 (yǔ yán).
Also searched for as: language, english, speak chinese, language names.
What do they speak there? 15 essential languages words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
The word for language in Chinese is 语言 (yǔ yán), and most individual language names end in 语 (yǔ), as in 英语 (Yīng yǔ) and 法语 (Fǎ yǔ). Chinese itself has several names, including 中文 (Zhōng wén), 汉语 (Hàn yǔ) and 普通话 (Pǔ tōng huà), each used in slightly different situations. These words help you say which languages you speak, ask for a translation and talk about Mandarin, Cantonese and the other languages you'll hear across the Chinese-speaking world.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 语言 | yǔ yán | language |
| 汉语 | Hàn yǔ | Chinese (language) |
| 中文 | Zhōng wén | Chinese (written/spoken) |
| 普通话 | pǔ tōng huà | Mandarin |
| 粤语 | yuè yǔ | Cantonese |
| 英语 | Yīng yǔ | English |
| 法语 | Fǎ yǔ | French |
| 西班牙语 | Xī bān yá yǔ | Spanish |
| 德语 | dé yǔ | German |
| 日语 | Rì yǔ | Japanese |
| 韩语 | hán yǔ | Korean |
| 阿拉伯语 | Ā lā bó yǔ | Arabic |
| 外语 | wài yǔ | foreign language |
| 翻译 | fān yì | to translate; translator |
| 说 | shuō | to speak |
Usage tips
- 中文 (Zhōng wén) is the everyday word for 'Chinese', 汉语 (Hàn yǔ) sounds more academic and appears in textbooks and the HSK exam, and 普通话 (Pǔ tōng huà) specifically means standard Mandarin as opposed to varieties such as 粤语 (Yuè yǔ), Cantonese.
- Standard Mandarin is called 国语 (Guó yǔ) in Taiwan and usually 华语 (Huá yǔ) in Singapore and Malaysia; these all refer to essentially the same language.
- When someone praises your Chinese, the modest reply is 哪里哪里 (nǎ li nǎ li) or 还差得远 (hái chà de yuǎn), 'I've still got a long way to go', rather than a simple thank you.
Common mistakes
- Saying 我说中文很好 for 'I speak Chinese well' → the comment goes after 得: 我中文说得很好 (wǒ Zhōng wén shuō de hěn hǎo).
- Calling Chinese 中国语 → that's Japanese usage and sounds odd in Chinese; say 中文 (Zhōng wén) or 汉语 (Hàn yǔ).
Mini dialogue
- A你会说几种语言？Nǐ huì shuō jǐ zhǒng yǔ yán?How many languages can you speak?
- B三种：英语、法语，还有一点儿中文。Sān zhǒng: Yīng yǔ, Fǎ yǔ, hái yǒu yī diǎnr Zhōng wén.Three: English, French and a little Chinese.
- A你的中文说得真好！你会说粤语吗？Nǐ de Zhōng wén shuō de zhēn hǎo! Nǐ huì shuō Yuè yǔ ma?Your Chinese is really good! Can you speak Cantonese?
- B哪里哪里。粤语我不会，我只学过普通话。Nǎ li nǎ li. Yuè yǔ wǒ bù huì, wǒ zhǐ xué guo Pǔ tōng huà.Oh, not really. I can't speak Cantonese, I've only learnt Mandarin.
Example sentences
- 你会说几种语言？How many languages can you speak?
- 汉语难不难？Is Chinese difficult?
- 你的中文说得真好！Your Chinese is really good!
- 他的普通话很标准。He speaks very standard Mandarin.
- 在香港很多人说粤语。In Hong Kong lots of people speak Cantonese.
- 我从小就学英语。I've been learning English since I was little.
- 她在大学学过法语。She studied French at university.
- 很多国家都说西班牙语。Spanish is spoken in many countries.
- 德语的语法有点难。German grammar is a bit difficult.
- 他会说一点儿日语。He can speak a little Japanese.
- 我在学韩语。I'm learning Korean.
- 阿拉伯语是从右往左写的。Arabic is written from right to left.
- 学外语要多练习。Learning a foreign language takes lots of practice.
- 你能帮我翻译一下吗？Could you translate this for me?
- 请再说一遍。Please say that again.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Languages speaking island has 8 everyday questions about languages to prepare your own answers to.