Chinese dialects

Chinese dialects are regional language varieties spoken across China, differing significantly in pronunciation, vocabulary, and sometimes grammar, despite sharing the same written Chinese characters. The most prominent is Mandarin, the official language, used nationwide. Other major dialect groups include Cantonese, Shanghainese, Hokkien, and Hakka, each with unique sounds and expressions. These dialects often are mutually unintelligible when spoken aloud, but they generally share a written form. Dialects reflect China's rich linguistic diversity and local culture, functioning as vibrant, living languages that connect communities worldwide.