Chinese, Hakka

A language of China

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Hokka, Ke, Kechia, Kejia, Majiahua, Tu Guangdonghua, Xinminhua

Autonym

客家話‎ (Hakkafa)

Population

43,500,000 in China (Asher and Moseley 2007). Total users in all countries: 48,467,490 (as L1: 48,219,490; as L2: 248,000).

Location

Guangdong province: greatest concentrations east and northeast; Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, south Jiangxi, and Sichuan provinces: west and southwest. Widespread with other dialects.

Language Maps

Southeastern China

Cambodia

Taiwan

Language Status

5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality: Han.

Classification

Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

Dialects

Yue-Tai (Meixian, Raoping, Taiwan Kejia), Yuezhong, Huizhou, Yuebei, Tingzhou (Min-Ke), Ning-Long (Longnan), Yugui, Tonggu, Huayang, Hailu, Changting, Pingdong. Yue-Tai (Meixian) is standard dialect. Lexical similarity: with Gan Chinese [gan]. A member of macrolanguage Chinese [zho].

Typology

SVO; tonal.

Language Use

Used by all. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by She [shx].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 91% (2000 census, Han nationality). Highly literate in Chinese and they use that literature. Literature. Newspapers. Periodicals. Radio. Videos. Grammar. Bible: 1916–2012.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Chinese, Hakka

Writing

Han script, Traditional variant [Hant]. Latin script [Latn], used since early 19th century.

Also spoken in:

Expand All

Collapse All

Brunei

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

3,000 in Brunei (2004 J. Leclerc).

Location

Major cities.

Status

5* (Developing).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Brunei

Cambodia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

500 in Cambodia (2011 SIL).

Location

Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces: border areas, 2 enclaves along Sesan river.

Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Cambodia

China–Hong Kong

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

289,300 in China–Hong Kong, all users. L1 users: 42,300 in China–Hong Kong (2016 census). L2 users: 247,000 (2016 census).

Location

New Territories.

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Most also use Yue Chinese [yue], especially young people.

View other languages of China–Hong Kong

China–Taiwan

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

2,580,000 in China–Taiwan (2015).

Location

Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, Miaoli, Pingtung, and Taoyuan counties; New Taipei Municipality.

Dialects

Hailu (Hi-Lu, Hoilluk, Hoiluk), Sanhsien (Shi Xien, Shigen, Shixien).

Status

5* (Developing).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Saisiyat [xsy].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Settled in Taiwan for 200 years. Sanhsien closely resembles Yuetai of Mainland China. Hailu closely resembles Yong-Ting or Yuqui of Mainland China.

View other languages of China–Taiwan

French Guiana

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

13,800 in French Guiana (2016).

Location

Cayenne, Kourou, Macouria, Matoury, and Remire-Montjoly communes, especially in urban concentrations. Central coast.

Status

5* (Developing).

Language Use

Use is being maintained.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of French Guiana

French Polynesia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

1,100 in French Polynesia, all users. L1 users: 100 in French Polynesia (2015 census). L2 users: 1,000 (2015).

Location

Windward Islands.

Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Home, church. Adults only. Also use Tahitian [tah].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.

View other languages of French Polynesia

Indonesia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

640,000 in Indonesia (1982).

Location

Widespread. Provinces: Aceh, Bangka-Belitung, Java (5 provinces), Lampung, Maluku (Ambon island), Papua (Jayapura city), Riau Islands (Batam island), North and South Suluwesi, North and South Sumatra; West Kalimantan: Singkawang city; South Kalimantan: Banjarmasin city.

Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Older adults only. Most remaining speakers are of the grandparent generation.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Indonesia

Malaysia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

1,090,000 in Malaysia (2000). Ethnic population: 2,920,000 (2014).

Location

Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor: scattered, especially in major towns.

Dialects

Loong Chun, Her Po.

Status

5 (Developing).

Language Use

Stronger in Sabah, weakening in Semenanjung. Spoken as L2 by anyone attending Chinese school, or employed by Chinese (of any Chinese ethnicity), or with Hakka classmates. Home, Friends. Mixed use: Religion, Work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng], Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Sabah Malay [msi], Yue Chinese [yue]. Many also use Rungus [drg], Standard Malay [zsm]. A few also use Min Nan Chinese [nan]. Used as L2 by Brunei [kxd], Bugis [bug], Kadazan Dusun [dtp], Keningau Murut [kxi], Lotud [dtr], Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Min Dong Chinese [cdo], Min Nan Chinese [nan], Pu-Xian Chinese [cpx], Rungus [drg], Tahol Murut [mvv], Tatana [txx], Timugon Murut [tih], Yue Chinese [yue].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 100% in Roman script (Pinyin); many are able to read the language in Chinese script. Literacy rate in L2: 100% in English [eng]; 100% in Sabah Malay [msi]; 75% in Standard Malay [zsm]; 50% in Chinese Mandarin [cmn].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

View other languages of Malaysia

Panama

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

27,000 in Panama (2017 JoshuaProject).

Location

Panamá province: Salsipuedes, a suburb of Panama City.

Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Language Use

Also use Spanish [spa].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Panama

Singapore

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

233,000 in Singapore (2010 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Hokka, Ke, Kechia, Kehia, Kek, Khek

Status

6b* (Threatened).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Singapore

Suriname

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

7,300 in Suriname (2005 J. Leclerc), decreasing. Ethnic population: 12,000 (1971). Includes Yue [yue].

Location

Saramacca district: scattered.

Alternate Names

Kejia

Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Home, friends. Older adults only. Neutral attitudes.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Suriname

Thailand

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

58,800 in Thailand (1984).

Location

Chiang Mai province; Krung Thep province: Samphanthawong district; Nakhon Ratchasima and Udon Thani provinces: urban areas; Nan province: Mueang district and municipal districts.

Status

5* (Developing).

Language Use

Also use Northern Thai [nod] (Luangthongkum 2010), Thai [tha] (Luangthongkum 2010).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Chinese, Hakka [hak] children in Nan province are literate in Thai [tha] also use Northern Thai [nod].

View other languages of Thailand

Ethnologue

Chinese, Hakka

Primary tabs

A language of China

Also spoken in:

Browse by

Current Edition

Products

Related Sites