Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| tiếng Trung Quốc | [tiəŋ˧˦ t͡ɕʊwŋ͡m˧˧ kuək̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tiəŋ˦˧˥ ʈʊwŋ͡m˧˧ kuək̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| tiếng Hoa | [tiəŋ˧˦ hwaː˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tiəŋ˦˧˥ hwaː˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| tiếng Hán | [tiəŋ˧˦ haːn˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tiəŋ˦˧˥ haːŋ˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| tiếng Tàu | [tiəŋ˧˦ taw˨˩] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
| Hán ngữ | [haːn˧˦ ŋɨ˦ˀ˥] (Hà Nội, narrow) [haːŋ˦˧˥ ŋɨ˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
These terms refer to the standard language of China. When you are referring to the language specifically, you must include the word tiếng before the name of the country or ethnic group.
Which one should you use?
tiếng Trung Quốc is the standard and most neutral way to name the language in formal or educational contexts. tiếng Hoa is used when there is an ethnic or cultural focus, emphasizing a Chinese ethnic identity. Hán ngữ is a formal, Sino-Vietnamese term used primarily in academic or linguistic settings. tiếng Tàu is a colloquial form that can sometimes carry a dismissive or slightly derogatory tone depending on the context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the north, Tàu is a commonly used slang term to refer to someone of Chinese descent.
Related words
Did you know?
- The word tiếng used to denote 'language' is likely not a direct loan from Chinese, but rather a word shared with Thai and other Tai-speaking groups.
- The name Trung Quốc literally translates to 'Middle Kingdom', reflecting the historical concept of China being at the center of the world.
- The term tiếng Hán relies on the word Hán, which refers specifically to the Han ethnicity, the largest ethnic group in China.
Examples in context
- Tôi nói tiếng Trung Quốc.I speak Chinese.This sentence is useful for stating that you speak tiếng Trung Quốc.Tatoeba #13896734 by leucammieuvu, translation #11630404 by shekitten
- Cô ấy cũng học tiếng Trung Quốc.She's learning Chinese too.This sentence is useful for stating that she is also learning tiếng Trung Quốc.Tatoeba #14032231 by nhuttan2004, translation #14031849 by araneo
- Tuần trước tôi mới bắt đầu học tiếng Trung quốc.I started learning Chinese last week.This sentence is useful for mentioning when you started learning tiếng Trung Quốc.Tatoeba #5859 by letuananh, translation #1883 by Swift
- Người Trung Quốc rất giỏi học tiếng Việt.Chinese people are very good at learning Vietnamese.
- Trong lớp học của tôi có một cô bạn Tàu.There is a Chinese girl in my class.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Hương are talking about their elective classes at university.
- MinhHương học môn gì kỳ này?What subject are you studying this semester, Hương?
- HươngMình đang học tiếng Trung Quốc.I am studying Chinese.
- MinhMôn đó có khó không?Is that subject difficult?
- HươngTiếng Trung Quốc hơi khó nhưng rất thú vị.Chinese is a bit difficult but very interesting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chinese” translations and entries tiếng Trung Quốc, tiếng Hoa, tiếng Hán, Hán ngữ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (tiếng, Tàu) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Hoa, Quốc, Trung, tiếng, tiếng Hoa, tiếng Trung Quốc, trung, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
