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Home ยป Most Spoken Languages ยป ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Hakka Chinese #64 Most Spoken Language (27M speakers)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Hakka Chinese #64 Most Spoken Language (27M speakers)

Hakka Chinese
โ€” Sinitic language group, rich tone system, and strong heritage identity

Sinitic โ€ข Sino-Tibetan โ€ข Chinese characters โ€ข Latin romanization โ€ข Tonal

Number of Speakers (est.)
Tens of millions worldwide. Spoken in Southern China, Taiwan, and large diaspora communities in Southeast Asia and beyond.
ChinaTaiwanSoutheast AsiaDiaspora
Family / Branch
Sino-Tibetan โ†’ Sinitic โ†’ Chinese โ†’ Hakka (multiple regional varieties)
SiniticRegional Varieties
Where It Is Used
Strong presence in Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong (New Territories), and Taiwan.
Also spoken in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and overseas Chinese communities.
Heritage LanguageCommunity Networks
Writing System
Mainly written with Chinese characters. Romanization is common for learning and dictionaries,
especially Phaฬk-fa-sแนณ. In Taiwan, Hakka romanization and teaching materials are widely used.
HanziPhaฬk-fa-sแนณEducation
ISO Codes
ISO 639-3: hak โ€ข Common label: Hakka Chinese
Language IDCataloging
Tone Profile
Hakka is tonal. Many well-described varieties have six citation tones, and some include checked tones
on syllables ending in -p, -t, or -k. Tone patterns vary by region.
TonalChecked FinalsRegional Variation
What Makes Hakka Distinct

Hakka is often described as a conservative Sinitic group in sound structure.
Many varieties preserve final stop consonants
and maintain clear contrasts in initials and rimes.
Vocabulary includes many everyday words that differ from Mandarin, Cantonese, and Min varieties.
The language is closely tied to Hakka community identity, with strong intergenerational and cultural value.

Core Sound Features
  • Tones: Tone is essential for meaning. The same syllable can change meaning with tone.
  • Checked syllables: Many varieties have syllables ending in -p, -t, -k with shorter, clipped timing.
  • Clear vowel system: Distinct vowel qualities, often with stable contrasts.
  • Prestige reference: Meixian (Moiyan) is frequently used as a reference variety in descriptions.
Grammar Snapshot
  • Word order: Often SVO in neutral statements.
  • Topic-comment style: Topic-first sentences are common in daily speech.
  • Classifiers: Nouns typically use classifiers with numbers and demonstratives.
  • Aspect markers: Aspect is expressed with particles to show completed, ongoing, or experiential actions.
  • Questions: Formed with question particles or A-not-A patterns, depending on variety.
Dialects and Major Varieties

Hakka is not a single uniform form. It is a group of related varieties.
Some may be difficult to understand across distant regions.

  • Meixian (Moiyan): A widely cited reference variety from Guangdong.
  • Sixian: A major Taiwanese Hakka variety, often close to Meixian in broad structure.
  • Wuhua, Tingzhou, Huizhou: Notable regional varieties with their own local features.
Social Use and Visibility

Hakka is used in homes, community gatherings, local media, and cultural events. In some places it has public support,
including teaching resources and broadcast programs. Many speakers are multilingual, using Hakka alongside Mandarin,
Cantonese, or other Chinese varieties depending on region.

Learning Notes for Beginners
  • Start with tones: Learn tone pairs and short phrases before long vocabulary lists.
  • Use a stable variety: Pick one variety (often Meixian or a Taiwanese variety) and stay consistent.
  • Practice rhythm: Checked syllables are brief and crisp. They need repetition.
  • Build with patterns: Short sentence templates help more than single words.
Short Phrase Set (Romanization-Friendly)
Pronunciation differs by region, so these are written as practical learner-friendly prompts rather than strict dialect-only spellings.
Hello (Greeting)
Thank you (Gratitude)
Yes / No (Basic response)
Where? (Question)
Hakka Sentence Builder (SVO โ€ข Noun Phrase โ€ข Question)

Use this mini tool to form simple structures. It is built for clarity and pattern practice.





This builder focuses on structure, not dialect-specific spelling. Use it to learn patterns quickly.

Compact Reference Table
A quick, structured view of key features often discussed in Hakka descriptions.
Feature What It Means Why It Matters
Tones Tone changes meaning Essential for listening and speaking
Checked Finals Short syllables ending in -p/-t/-k A major feature that shapes rhythm
Classifiers Measure words used with nouns Common pattern across Chinese varieties
Varieties Multiple regional forms Explains why pronunciation differs by location
Scripts Chinese characters + romanization Supports literacy and language learning

hakka-chinese