Modern Standard Mandarin

Modern Standard Mandarin is the official language of China and Taiwan, and one of the most widely spoken languages globally. It is based on the Beijing dialect and serves as a common linguistic standard for official communication, education, media, and formal settings across Chinese-speaking regions. Mandarin uses simplified Chinese characters in mainland China and traditional characters in Taiwan and Hong Kong. It features four tones that alter the meaning of words, making pronunciation essential. As a tonal language with a rich history, Modern Standard Mandarin functions as a unifying language that bridges diverse Chinese dialects and regional languages.