We all know how important China is as a market. After the US, China is the second largest economy in the world with a 2023 GDP of $17.7 trillion, over four hundred percent larger than third place Germany.

We also know that moving a business into China, or working Chinese partners, can be challenging because of the diversity of the Chinese language landscape which includes over 300 living languages.

As a Language Service Provider (LSP), we understand the trepidation our clients feel about trying to enter or interact with such a complicated, but crucial, market.

There’s no one way to get it right, but here are the main things to consider to smoothly move into China or operate with Chinese partners.

Top 5 Considerations for  Effective Translation and Localization in Chinese Markets

1. Get to Know the Main Languages and Dialects

There are eight main dialects and languages spoken throughout China. Here they are from the most widely spoken to the least spoken. Each of the languages listed below have sub-dialects so getting a clear understanding of the language your audience speaks is the first step to connecting with them.

• Mandarin – The most widely spoken language with over 830 million speakers. This makes Mandarin one of the most in-demand languages to translate.
• Wu – We drop down hugely to just over 75 million people that speak this language which is strongest in eastern China.
• Yue (includes Cantonese) - Spoken by over 70 million people, mostly in the Guangzhou area in the southeast of the country.
• Min – Over 60 million speakers in Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Hainan speak Min.
• Hakka – Almost as many speakers as Min, this is predominantly spoken in the south.
• Jin – About 45 million speak Jin in the north in the Shanxi, Hebei, Henan and Shaanxi provinces.
• Gan – Over 40 million people speak Gan in western China.
• Xiang – It has four subdialects closely related to Wu and is spoken by over 35 million people.

2. Localize into Specific Cultures

China is so vast, physically and culturally that it shouldn’t be viewed as a single country.
And how do you get around so many languages and sub-dialects?

By knowing your audience and focusing your localization efforts on their specific culture. What do they speak? How do they like to do business? Are there religious customs you need to consider to ingratiate your business into their way of life?

If you’re launching a product, does your packaging suit the area of the country? Chinese consumers don’t mind paying more for premium brands as they pay more attention to a brand’s credibility than price point.

3. Research Your Localization Strategy

Your localization strategy requires on-the-ground research. Find the right LSP to partner with and they’ll understand your goals and can put a team in place to decide on what is going to resonate with your audience.

A good LSP will have linguists with local knowledge to help not only translate, or transcreate in the case of marketing and advertising material, your content, but also advise on how the area likes to embrace new products or businesses.

4. Get Your Tech Right

Part of the market research is understanding that there are different social platforms, search engines and web browsers that you need to optimize for. Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat and Pinterest are all banned in China.

Whatsapp is replaced by WeChat which has about 1.3 billion active users (roughly 80% of the population). Baidu replaces Google and gets almost 85% of the country’s search traffic. TikTok, although owned by the Chinese internet technology company ByteDance, doesn’t exist in China.

The main video-sharing social platform is Douyin (also owned by ByteDance) which has a huge 755 million monthly subscribers in China alone according to Statista, which is three-quarters as many as TikTok has worldwide.

LinkedIn only runs a restricted local version…so know your marketing and communications channels and adjust your strategy accordingly.

5. Comply With Legal Requirements

The official spoken language of China is Mandarin. This isn’t a defacto decision based on it being the most popular language, it’s a legal requirement laid down by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The CCP has been in power since 1949 and it doesn’t look like anything is going to change any time soon. The law states that official and legal documents, or public-facing communication such as packaging and advertising, must be written in the Simplified Chinese form of Mandarin.

And, while it’s not a legal requirement, if you don’t use simplified Chinese characters and host your website on a Chinese server, you’re not going to show up on a Baidhu search, so you can say goodbye to SEO.

The Big Picture

China is huge. So is the opportunity there. The country needs to be treated as a multi-language, multi-ethnic land with due care and attention given to the details of your specific localization requirements – the culture and community you’re heading into.

Careful research is essential. Partner with an LSP that provides an on-the-ground perspective. Ensure you understand the specific language of your target audience. Adhere to linguistic legal responsibilities. Tailor your marketing for China’s technological platforms. Doing all this will position you to embrace the many benefits of working with the great people of China.

Get a Quote for Your Localization Needs

Navigating the diverse Chinese market requires a deep understanding of its languages and dialects, a targeted localization strategy, optimized technology, and strict compliance with legal requirements.

By mastering these key considerations, you position your business to effectively engage with Chinese consumers and partners

At LinguaLinx, we are committed to being your trusted partner in this journey. Our ISO 17100 and ISO 9001 certifications attest to our high standards of quality and reliability.

With over twenty years of professional translation experience, we ensure your message is accurately translated and culturally appropriate, enabling you to connect seamlessly with your audience.

Ready to take the next step? Schedule a consultation with us today.

Our team is here to guide you through the process and help you achieve success in the Chinese market. Consultations are free and come with no obligation. With LinguaLinx, you can confidently expand your reach without worrying about your message getting lost in translation.