In which countries is Chinese spoken?

Chinese is spoken in several countries and regions, both as an official language and as a minority language. Here are the main ones:

In which countries do you speak Chinese?

Language: Mandarin (Putonghua) is the official language and spoken by the vast majority of the population.
Dialects:
- Cantonese: Spoken by around 5% of the population, primarily in Guangdong province and Hong Kong.
- Shanghainese (Wu): Spoken by about 7% of the population in Shanghai and surrounding areas.
- Hokkien (Minnan): Spoken by around 4% of the population, particularly in Fujian province.
- Hakka: Spoken by about 3% of the population in various provinces.
Population: Approximately 1.4 billion people.
Cultural Context: Mandarin is used in government, education, and media. Regional dialects like Cantonese, Shanghainese, and others are used in daily life, especially within local communities, and carry cultural significance, particularly in regions where they are predominant.

Language: Mandarin (Guoyu) is the official language.
Dialects:
- Taiwanese Hokkien: Spoken by about 70% of the population, often alongside Mandarin.
- Hakka: Spoken by about 15% of the population, mainly in specific regions.
Population: Approximately 23 million people.
Cultural Context: While Mandarin is the language of education and government, Taiwanese Hokkien and Hakka are widely spoken, particularly among older generations. These languages hold cultural significance, with increasing efforts to preserve them, especially among younger Taiwanese who are more urbanized.

Language: Mandarin is spoken by about 35% of the population at home.
Dialects:
- Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka: Combined, these are spoken by about 15% of the population, mainly among the older generation.
Population: Approximately 5.6 million people.
Cultural Context: The Singaporean government promotes Mandarin through the "Speak Mandarin Campaign" to unify the Chinese community, but dialects like Hokkien and Cantonese are still used in media, cultural events, and within families.

Language: Mandarin is widely spoken among the Chinese Malaysian community.
Dialects:
- Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka: These dialects are widely spoken, especially in states with significant Chinese populations like Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor.
Population: Approximately 32 million people, with about 25% of the population being of Chinese descent.
Cultural Context: Chinese Malaysians maintain a strong connection to their ancestral dialects, with Mandarin commonly used in Chinese schools and media. Dialects are prevalent in everyday life and cultural practices, particularly in urban centers.

Language: Cantonese is the dominant language.
Mandarin: Increasingly spoken, especially in business and education.
Population: Approximately 7.5 million people.
Cultural Context: Cantonese is a key part of Hong Kong's identity, used in media, education, and daily life. The increasing use of Mandarin reflects Hong Kong's closer ties to Mainland China, though Cantonese remains dominant.

Language: Cantonese is spoken by about 85% of the population.
Mandarin: Increasingly used, particularly in formal settings.
Population: Approximately 680,000 people.
Cultural Context: Like Hong Kong, Macau has a strong Cantonese-speaking culture, with Mandarin gaining prominence due to business and tourism connections with Mainland China.

Language: Mandarin is increasingly spoken among younger generations of Chinese Indonesians.
Dialects:
- Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka: Predominantly spoken by older generations.
Population: Approximately 273 million people, with about 1.2% being of Chinese descent.
Cultural Context: The Chinese community in Indonesia has a complex history, with periods of suppression of Chinese languages and culture. In recent decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in Chinese language and cultural practices, particularly in Mandarin.

Language: Various Chinese dialects, primarily Teochew.
Dialects:
- Teochew: The dominant Chinese dialect, spoken by many in the Chinese Thai community.
Population: Approximately 70 million people, with about 10-15% of the population of Chinese descent.
Cultural Context: The Chinese community in Thailand is well-integrated, with many Chinese Thais speaking both Thai and their native dialects. Teochew, in particular, has a strong cultural presence, with Mandarin becoming more common in education.

Language: Hokkien and Mandarin are the primary languages spoken by the Chinese Filipino community.
Dialects:
- Hokkien (Lan-nang): Predominantly spoken in the Chinese Filipino community.
Population: Approximately 110 million people, with about 1.5% being of Chinese descent.
Cultural Context: The Chinese Filipino community, known as "Tsinoys," often speaks Hokkien at home and uses Mandarin in formal contexts and education. Chinese language and culture play a significant role in the business community and cultural events.

Language: Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka, and Hokkien are spoken by the Hoa (Chinese Vietnamese) community.
Dialects:
- Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka, Hokkien: Widely spoken within the community.
Population: Approximately 97 million people, with about 1% being of Chinese descent.
Cultural Context: The Hoa community is well-integrated into Vietnamese society, with their dialects being used in family settings, cultural gatherings, and business. Mandarin is less common but is growing due to increased ties with China.

United States:
- Language: Mandarin and Cantonese are the most widely spoken Chinese languages.
- Population: Approximately 331 million people, with about 1.2% being of Chinese descent.
- Cultural Context: Chinese Americans often speak Mandarin or Cantonese, especially in major cities with historic Chinatowns like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. The Chinese language is used in cultural organizations, media, and education.
Canada:
- Language: Mandarin and Cantonese are the primary languages spoken by Chinese Canadians.
- Population: Approximately 38 million people, with about 5% being of Chinese descent.
- Cultural Context: Chinese Canadians are concentrated in cities like Vancouver and Toronto, where Mandarin and Cantonese are widely spoken in both private and public settings.
Australia:
- Language: Mandarin is the most commonly spoken Chinese language, with Cantonese also prevalent.
- Population: Approximately 26 million people, with about 5.6% being of Chinese descent.
- Cultural Context: Chinese Australians are mainly located in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Mandarin and Cantonese are used in business, education, and cultural events, reflecting the community's strong connection to both heritage and modern China.

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