What Language Do They Speak in China?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
The official language of China is Chinese. Chinese is also an official language in 2 other countries worldwide.
Learn some Chinese before you go
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Chinese Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of China at a glance
| Official language | Chinese |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 1 |
| Countries on this site where Chinese is official | 3 |
| People (demonym) | Chinese |
| Capital | Beijing |
| Internet domain | .cn |
Other countries where Chinese is official
Chinese is also an official language in 2 other countries covered here:
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Afghanistan | Dari, Pashto, Turkmen |
|---|---|
| Bhutan | Dzongkha |
| Myanmar | Burmese |
| India | Hindi, English, Tamil |
| Kazakhstan | Kazakh, Russian |
| Nepal | Nepali |
| North Korea | Korean |
| Kyrgyzstan | Kyrgyz, Russian |
| Laos | Lao |
| Mongolia | Mongolian |
| Pakistan | Urdu, English |
| Russia | Russian |
| Tajikistan | Tajik, Russian |
| Vietnam | Vietnamese |
China in context
- China covers 9,706,961 km², making it the 3rd largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 145 people per km² ranks 63rd of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 14 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Vietnam.
- With 1,408,280,000 people, China holds about 86.1% of the population of Eastern Asia.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- China is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare China
Useful phrases for visitors to China
Everyday Chinese phrases you will hear and use in China:
| English | Chinese |
|---|---|
| Hello | 你好 (nǐ hǎo) |
| Thank you | 谢谢 (xièxie) |
| Please | 请 (qǐng) |
| Goodbye | 再见 (zàijiàn) |
| Yes | 是 (shì) |
| No | 不是 (bú shì) |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in China — FAQ
What language do they speak in China?
The official language of China is Chinese.
How many official languages does China have?
China has 1 official language: Chinese.
Is Chinese spoken anywhere else?
Chinese is also an official language in 2 other countries.
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