However, according to a ministry of education statement in , 30 percent of people living in China — around million people — cannot speak Mandarin. If you plan to do business in China or with a Chinese-speaking company, then Mandarin is definitely the way to go. If, however, you plan to settle in Hong Kong, then it would be worth it to pick up Cantonese.
A Guide to Doing Business in China. Cantonese is by far the more challenging of the two languages, particularly for a beginning Chinese language learner. This is because there are more tones used in Cantonese Cantonese uses up to nine tones, whereas Mandarin only uses four. Getting the tone right is vital in ensuring that the word has the meaning you intend. Whether it's Mandarin or Cantonese, LinguaLinx works with companies around the world to help localize translations to your customers so you deliver the right message at the right time.
Here's our recommendations for how to hire the right Translator for your business. Did you know that today April 20th is Chinese Language Day?
In , the United Nations created language days for each of their six official…. Therefore a Mandarin-speaker and a Cantonese-speaker would be able to write letters to one another with minimal difficulty. However, the two languages are distinct when spoken. Mandarin speakers typically cannot understand Cantonese speakers, and vice versa.
Image via reallifephuket. There are some phrases specific to each language. The current trend is that Mandarin has become the main "face" of the Chinese language, and is becoming more and more widely spoken on an international level. This has led to some Cantonese speakers feeling worried that their language is being lost. An article by the South China Morning Post revealed that fewer Guangzhou youngsters and teenagers are speaking Cantonese, and parents are forced to communicate with them in Mandarin.
So if you're picking which Chinese language to learn, we recommend going with Mandarin. However if you want to deep dive into the linguistic history and culture of the Chinese language, it can't hurt to pick up Cantonese as well.
Sara Lynn Hua is a contributing writer and editor for TutorMing. TutorMing Blog. Sara Lynn Hua April 19, 34 Comments. Learning the tones requires more comprehensive studies but for now, what is important is you have an idea about the difference between Cantonese and Mandarin when it comes to their tones. When we talk about the grammatical structure, Cantonese and Mandarin are really different. For non-native speakers, it might be easier for you to learn and understand Cantonese because it follows a logical set of patterns.
On the other hand, it will be harder for you to learn Mandarin because it often changes its structure based on the emotional meaning and the subject. Of course when learning a language, one of the things that you should consider is the usefulness of the language. Which is more useful?
Mandarin or Cantonese? You might be asking the same question so this is something that you should think about. When you go to China, the businesses and government activities are conducted in Mandarin.
In public schools, most students, even Cantonese speakers, are learning Mandarin as a second language. So if you are in mainland China, it will be easier for you to communicate with others because most people are speaking Mandarin. The case for Cantonese is different. Mandarin in these places is not widely used therefore if you are planning to go to these places, learning Cantonese is the one that will be useful for you.
When we talk about the usefulness of any language, always consider the country where you are going. What is being widely spoken? What do locals mainly use? These are the two questions that you need to ask yourself. I am sure that you have lots of information acquired above so let us have a short summary of the similarities and differences between Cantonese vs Mandarin. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. March 9, Sheiwen Aglibot.
Chinese Language Before we go to the difference between Cantonese and Mandarin, let us discover what the Chinese Language is. Start learning Chinese for free now. Share this post facebook. Say goodbye to school books Fun mini-games and quizzes help you mastering a new language quickly.
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