Mandarin Chinese

Definition of Mandarin Chinese as it relates to Languages, Chinese, Chinese Languages, Simplified Chinese

Mandarin Chinese, also known simply as Mandarin, is a dialect of Chinese that is widely spoken in China and other parts of the world. It is the official language of China and is used as a medium of instruction in schools and universities. Mandarin is a tonal language, which means that the meaning of a word can change depending on the pitch with which it is spoken. It has a complex system of characters, known as Hanzi, which are used to write the language. Mandarin is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is spoken by over a billion people worldwide. As a sub-category of Simplified Chinese, Mandarin Chinese uses simplified characters, which were introduced in mainland China in the 1950s to increase literacy rates. This makes it distinct from Traditional Chinese, which is used in Taiwan and Hong Kong, among other places. Understanding Mandarin Chinese is essential for anyone looking to do business or travel in China, as it is the primary language spoken by the majority of the population.

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