Expanding your business into Chinese-speaking markets brings up one key question: should you use Simplified or Traditional Chinese? This choice is vital for clear, culturally appropriate communication. Simplified Chinese is mainly used in Mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia, while Traditional Chinese is dominant in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and many overseas communities. In this post, we explain the differences between these scripts, clarify distinctions among Mandarin, Cantonese, and Taiwanese, and offer practical tips for choosing the right option for your business.
Understanding where each script is used is essential for localisation. Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese are two different writing systems. Simplified characters have fewer strokes and simpler forms, while Traditional characters are older and more detailed. For example, the word for "translate" is written as "譯" in Traditional Chinese and as "译" in Simplified Chinese, showing the simpler style of the latter.
• Simplified Chinese – This script is officially used in Mainland China and Singapore, and it is also common in large communities in Malaysia. If your target market includes these regions, Simplified Chinese is usually the best choice.
• Traditional Chinese – This script is the dominant writing system in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, and is widely used by overseas Chinese communities.
Using the right script for each region helps ensure your message is clear and culturally appropriate.
It’s important to distinguish between the spoken language and the writing system. Today, Mandarin Chinese is the world’s second most spoken language. In daily use, a standard form of Mandarin is used for official purposes: in Mainland China it’s called "Putonghua", in Taiwan "Guoyu", and in Singapore and Malaysia "Huayu". Although these forms are largely similar, slight differences in pronunciation and vocabulary reflect local customs.
Cantonese, mainly spoken in Hong Kong and Macau, has its own set of words and expressions. Although written texts in these regions are usually in Traditional Chinese, the spoken language differs significantly from Mandarin.
"Taiwanese" usually refers to the Hokkien dialect spoken in Taiwan. Even though official documents are in standard Mandarin (using Traditional Chinese), everyday conversation often includes local slang and expressions.
Choosing the right Chinese script is key for clear business communication and customer engagement. If you pick the wrong one, it can cause confusion and may imply that your brand hasn’t done its homework. Here are a few points to consider:
People feel more comfortable with the script they use every day. Most people in Mainland China have always used Simplified Chinese, so they might find Traditional Chinese confusing. Similarly, readers in Taiwan and Hong Kong expect Traditional characters. Using the familiar script avoids confusion.
The script you choose shows respect for local culture. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, the writing system is a key part of local identity. For example, when a Hong Kong TV station switched its subtitles from Traditional to Simplified Chinese, it led to over 10,000 complaints. This reaction shows how important it is to align with local preferences.
For online content, the right script boosts your website’s performance. Search engines like Baidu work best with Simplified Chinese, while users in Hong Kong and Taiwan search using Traditional Chinese. Using the correct script improves your search rankings and makes your site more accessible to your target audience.
If your business uses Chinese-language content, it’s important to pick the right script. Here are some simple steps to help you decide:
Identify the regions you want to reach. Use Simplified Chinese for customers in Mainland China, Singapore, or Malaysia; opt for Traditional Chinese if your focus is Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau. For global reach, consider offering both—such as a website with a language toggle.
If you’re unsure, consult a translation or localisation expert. They can review your content and suggest changes for different regions. Sometimes it’s not just the characters that vary, but also the wording. For instance, "software" is written as "软件" (ruǎn jiàn) in Simplified Chinese and "軟體" (ruǎn tǐ) in Traditional Chinese. Although there are automated tools to convert between Simplified and Traditional Chinese, a human review ensures the nuances are right.
Before a full launch, run a soft test with native speakers from your target area. Their feedback will show if the language feels natural. For example, content written for Taiwan might sound odd in Hong Kong because of slang differences.
By following these steps, you can choose the best script for your audience and ensure your message is clear and engaging.
In Mainland China, "software" is known as "软件" (ruǎn jiàn), whereas in Taiwan, it is written as "軟體" (ruǎn tǐ). In Hong Kong, you will often see it as "軟件" (jyun5 gin6). This shows how even a common term can vary so much.
The word for "Internet" is "网络" (wǎng luò) in Simplified Chinese. In Taiwan, it is "網路" (wǎng lù), and in Hong Kong, it often appears as "網絡" (mong5 lok6).
For example, the football club "Arsenal" is called "阿森纳" (ā sēn nà) in Mainland China, "兵工廠" (bīng gōng chǎng) in Taiwan, and in Hong Kong it is commonly referred to as "阿仙奴" (aa3 sin1 nou4), a name that sounds closer to the English original.
The term "digital" is "数字" (shù zì) in Mainland China, "數位" (shù wèi) in Taiwan, and usually "數碼" (sou3 maa5) in Hong Kong.
As you can see, it’s not just about converting characters – it’s about localising your content to match the language, culture, and everyday usage of your target market.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when choosing between Simplified and Traditional Chinese. The best choice depends on who you want to reach. By understanding the differences in these writing systems and respecting local language and cultural habits, your business can succeed in Chinese markets. Good localisation is more than translation—it makes your content feel native to your audience.
Take the time to choose the right script (or even offer both) for each audience. This strategy can lead to better customer engagement, smoother market entry, and fewer cultural mix-ups. Many companies have already succeeded by speaking to customers in the right form of Chinese. With the right strategy, you can too.
Our experts at ICS-translate are here to help, guiding you through everything from script selection to fine-tuning your message for each market. Feel free to contact us for personalised advice or support.
