Putonghua: meaning, definitions and examples

Used predominantly in Mainland China to refer to the standard form of modern Chinese language, primarily in academic and formal settings.

• The curriculum now includes mandatory Putonghua lessons.
• He is fluent in both Cantonese and Putonghua.

Commonly used in international contexts and by non-Chinese speakers to refer specifically to the most widely spoken Chinese language. Often used to differentiate from other Chinese dialects.

• She speaks fluent Mandarin.
• The instructions are available in Mandarin and English.

A general term that can refer to anything related to China, including its people, culture, and languages. Suitable for informal and formal contexts where the specific form of Chinese language doesn't need to be specified.

• I am learning Chinese.
• Chinese culture has a rich history.

Same as before - mainly used in the contexts of education, media, and everyday communication in China.

• He learned Putonghua when he moved to Shanghai for work.
• Watching Chinese dramas really helped me improve my Putonghua speaking skills.

Used in more general and sometimes academic contexts to denote the standardized form of the Mandarin Chinese language. It can be used interchangeably with 'Putonghua' but is more neutral and widely understood.

• Standard Chinese is taught in all schools across China.
• Linguists often study the phonetics of Standard Chinese to understand dialectal differences.

This phrase is used in formal and legal contexts to mention the primary language used in government and legal documents. It can refer to any standard language recognized by a country.

• English is the official language of many countries around the world.
• All government forms must be available in the official language.