Language Direct

Surely, you know or have heard about the Chinese language, but do you know what are the differences between Cantonese and Mandarin?

Cantonese and Mandarin are both varieties of the Chinese language, and are both tonal languages. They also use the same writing system, with a few exceptions. However, that is where the similarities end. These two languages are mutually unintelligible, and even though they are both tonal, their tones are completely different.

Mandarin holds official status in Mainland China and Taiwan, and is the primary language spoken in Shanghai, Beijing and Singapore (learn more about Mandarin translation services). Cantonese, on the other hand is spoken mainly in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong, where the capital is Guangzhou or Canton. It is also the most widely spoken variety of Chinese spoken by Chinese communities abroad.