Which is the most useful Chinese dialect that I should learn ? Mandarin ? Cantonese ?

Question

I'm thinking in terms of what will introduce me best to Chinese culture and open business opportunities

Answer 1

Mandarin is the main Chinese language spoken and understood by most Chinese speaking citizens in China. Mandarin are also spoken in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and other Asean countries where there are Chinese speaking communities. It depends a lot on where you are interested in opening business oppoitunities. If it is in China, Mandarin is the mostly understood by all. And it also depends on which part of China you are going to. Different areas have their distinct dialect. If it is Hong Kong, it helps if you are able to converse in Cantonese or even Teochew (for some older generations). If it is in Taiwan, Hokkien or Minnan (don't know the exact spelling) are the main dialect the Taiwanese speak. In Singapore, we are a multi-racial society, so Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew are the most popular dialect spoken, but most of us younger generation are more readily in speaking Mandarin rather than dialect, unless we are close to that person.

Answer 2

Mandarin is the most spoken language in China and actually the entire world. However, based on personal experiences, most of the Chinese people that I found in the different countries I've visited speak Cantonese. This happens because most of the Chinese that migrated all over the world came from the south, Canton. Nevertheless, if you are planning to go to China, then Mandarin is a must.
Unless you are going to China, I'd stick to Cantonese. By the way, Cantonese is also spoken in many other countries in Asia.

Answer 3

Business opportunities "Mandarin" + Simplify Chinese writing. Cantonese is mainly spoken in Hong Kong and Guong Dong Province, while Mandarin is spoken all over China, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc. Cantonese is harder to learn than Mandarin since it doesn't really have as good of a pronunciation system like the Pin yin system of Mandarin. Cantonese's spoken words can also be quite difficult to write as it has many "slangs" which differs from the more formal writing.

Answer 4

Mandarin is the "main" language, and you'd probably get more out of it. I myself speak Cantonese, and though I do like Hong Kong movies and the culture, it is still by far, a less popular dialect for business.

Answer 5

Mandarin, it's the official language/dialect. Cantonese is pretty much useless in Shanghai and Beijing. But people in Hong Kong will be able to understand Mandarin.

Answer 6

Mandarin...u must know this if u plan to do open business in china or other chinese countries...most of them use mandarin...although have other languages as well...most of them can understand chinese..coz it is the main

i give u some mandarin lesson ---

Hello - Ni Hao
Good Bye - Zai Jian
thank you - Xie Xie Ni
you're welcome - Bu Yong Xie

Hurry - Khwai Tian
What - Sum ma
Why - Wei sum ma?
good - Hao
not good - Pu Hao ( pronounced as poo hao)
today - Jin Tian
tomorrow - ming tian
You - Ni
I / Me - Wo
Very - Hen ( pronounced han)
Allright - haode
oh - Aiya
glad - Gaoxiang

Answer 7

mandarin, obviously. all educated chinese will understand mandarin.

hong kong's (cantonese) films, music & cuisine are popular all over the world.
almost all overseas chinese (including those in vietnam, asia, usa, canada, brazil, isreal, etc) watched hong kong's TVB cantonese series (read the chinese subtitles), or listened to famous cantonese singers while growing up.

Answer 8

Mandarin is widely used than English..(Well, that's what i know). Cantonese on the other hand is easier to understand than Mandarin (the character structure and verbally.) Stick with mandarin. ;)

Answer 9

Mandarin is the worlds most spoken language (number 1 on the list) therefore I would presume that it is the most spoken language in China and all the surrounding countries.

Cantonese on the other hand is number 26 on the list. Think about it.

Answer 10

i think cantonese is the easier.