Are Chinese and Mandarin the same? What about Cantonese? Chinese is actually the name of a group of languages that include these commonly spoken dialects. And if you have recently settled in Hong Kong, Cantonese and Mandarin are the two languages you should learn to converse with others. But the question is, what are the major differences between these two? Continue reading to get your answer!
Difference Between Cantonese and Mandarin
Cantonese and Mandarin are the two most studied languages in Hong Kong. But before you look for a reliable language learning centre, you must have a clear idea about the difference between them. And in the following passage, we have introduced a few points on which the difference has been discussed. So, keep scrolling down!
Tonal Difference
Each Chinese dialect has a tonal system. But the difference between Cantonese and Mandarin lies in the number of tones the dialect uses. Cantonese has three major tones and three high, mid, and low-level tones. On the flip, Mandarin comes with four major tones. But some linguists consider the neutral tone as a fifth.
Grammatical Structure
According to many non-native speakers, Cantonese is easy to learn and understand. It follows a logical and set pattern. But Mandarin changes the structure of a sentence depending on its meaning.
Where the Languages Are Spoken
Cantonese is one of the most commonly spoken languages in Hong Kong. Here, most organizations ask for language abilities in Cantonese. So, whether it’s you or your child, Cantonese abilities can be a great asset for developing careers. This language is also popular in Malaysia and Macau.
Mandarin is a commonly spoken dialect in China. But this language comes in a few regional varieties, which are understandable by any Mandarin Speakers. But as a learner, you have to put emphasis on listening to identify different accents and understand them.
The Use of Characters
The characters used in these two languages come from the same root in ancient Chinese. But recently, Mandarin uses simplified characters, while Cantonese still sticks to traditional ones. Simplified characters are less complex. They have fewer character strokes. Hence, if you read traditional characters, you can figure out simplified characters easily.
Whether it’s Cantonese or Mandarin, both languages will help you navigate the city. So, contact us to enrol yourself in our language learning centre. We provide Cantonese and Mandarin courses for both kids and parents. Here, your kid can learn in a funny environment. And read other blogs to know more about us.
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