gwok3 jyu5國語国语
Definition
National language, or specifically Mandarin Chinese.
- national language; the official or primary language of a country
- Mandarin Chinese, especially the standard form of Taiwan
How it's used
Refers specifically to the official standard language of a nation, but in Hong Kong, it is almost exclusively used as a synonym for Mandarin Chinese. While the term originated from the Republic of China's official language policy, locals often use it interchangeably with 普通話 to describe the language spoken in mainland China and Taiwan. Using this term can sometimes carry a political nuance depending on whether the speaker identifies the language as the standard of Taiwan or the mainland.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the term 普通話. While they are often used to refer to the same language, 國語 is the preferred term in Taiwan, whereas 普通話 is the standard term used in mainland China and Hong Kong schools.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
