汉语

• Pinyin: hàn yǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 汉 (Han people) + 语 (language) — the language of the Han people

Meaning

Chinese language; Mandarin Chinese. The formal term for the Chinese language.

The most formal and precise term for Mandarin Chinese. In everyday conversation, 中文 is more commonly used. 汉语 emphasises the spoken language of the Han people, while 中文 is broader. Both are correct in most situations.

Examples

1. 我在学汉语。 I am studying Chinese.
2. 你的汉语说得很好。 You speak Chinese very well.
3. 汉语不太容易学。 Chinese is not very easy to learn.

Usage Guide

Context: education, language learning

Tone: academic

Do Say

• 我学了两年汉语。(I've studied Chinese for two years.)
• 汉语有四个声调。(Chinese has four tones.)

Don't Say

• 我会说一点点汉语语言。(Redundant — 汉语 already means Chinese language, so adding 语言 is unnecessary)

Origin & History

Compound of 汉 (Han, the dominant ethnic group of China) and 语 (language) — the language of the Han people.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal