Assess the language and script separately
Mandarin, Cantonese and other language varieties are not the same; simplified and traditional characters are a separate distinction relating to the script.
Sinitic language group
Request a Chinese translation
中文
“Chinese” refers to several Sinitic language varieties. For a reliable translation, the spoken variety, origin and characters used must be clearly identified.
Sinitic languages are spoken by more than one billion people in total; Mandarin accounts for the largest single group.
Geographical distribution of Chinese
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
China
Taiwan
Singapore
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Macau Special Administrative Region
Malaysia
United States
Schematic selection of key areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders; the map is not a comprehensive population statistic.
Language profile
Chinese at a glance
- Native name
- 中文
- Language family
- Sinitic language group
- Script
- Chinese characters, simplified or traditional
- Language code
- zh
Documents and uses
Common uses for this language combination
The language alone is not decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste also considers the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and requested language direction.
Request a document review- Diplomas and university records
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Commercial-register and company documents
- Certificates and technical documents
- Contracts and powers of attorney
Origin and development
How the language developed
The Chinese writing tradition extends back several millennia. Spoken varieties can differ considerably, while shared written forms long enabled communication across regions.
Documents today primarily use simplified characters in the People's Republic of China and Singapore, and traditional characters in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. This distinction has practical importance for names, stamps and forms.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Names can follow different orders
Family names and given names may be ordered differently from those on German forms. An existing passport spelling is particularly helpful.
Stamps carry information
Official seals, company stamps and marginal notes may contain essential information and must not be treated as merely decorative.
A brief introduction to the language
Three introductory expressions
The transliteration is intended only as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello |
| 谢谢 | xièxie | Thank you |
| 请 | qǐng | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded estimates and may vary depending on the definition, survey year and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Chinese languages
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources current as at 14 July 2026. The information will undergo a specialist review before the production launch.
Chinese FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Chinese
Can I have documents translated from Chinese into German and from German into Chinese?
Both directions can be requested. Binding confirmation is provided after the document type, subject area, certification requirements, appointment and intended use have been assessed.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Chinese?
Diplomas and university records, birth and marriage certificates, commercial-register and company documents, certificates and technical documents are common examples. Other types of documents can also be assessed from a clear photo or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check in Chinese documents?
The review covers the language direction, document type, simplified or traditional Chinese characters, names, stamps, subject area, intended use and any potential need for certification.
Do I need a certified translation of my Chinese document?
The receiving authority, court, notary or other requesting body decides this. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted so that the requirements can be assessed appropriately.
Is a photo sufficient for the initial review?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually sufficient for an initial quotation review. Depending on the assignment, the original may also be required later.
Request a specific review of Chinese ↔ German
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally assess the language direction, document, intended use and certification requirements.
