- Categories:
- Cultural
- Tags:
- CulturalEducationalFood
- Where:
- China
- Date change rule:
- Every April 20
- Holiday emoji:
- 🇨🇳
Chinese Language Day recognizes the profound impact and rich history of one of the world’s most spoken languages every April 20. Established by UNESCO, this day celebrates Chinese as an official language of the United Nations and honors Cangjie, the legendary inventor of Chinese characters. Explore its cultural depth, learn a new phrase, or discover the beauty of its calligraphy.
Want to sponsor Chinese Language Day? Learn how
Expected Chinese Language Day Deals
Chinese Language Day focuses more on cultural appreciation and educational initiatives than commercial deals, but opportunities for engagement abound. Language learning platforms like Duolingo and Rosetta Stone often offer special discounts on Chinese courses or free trial periods around this time. Cultural institutions and community centers may host free workshops on calligraphy, traditional music, or cooking, sometimes with support from brands like Panda Express or local Asian markets. Online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble might feature promotions on Chinese literature, dictionaries, and cultural guides. Look for special events at Confucius Institutes and local libraries. We will update this page with confirmed live deals and cultural events as April 20 approaches.
Platform Guide for Chinese Language Day
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #ChineseLanguageDay. Share insights on the global impact of Chinese in business and technology.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #ChineseLanguageDay. Share interesting facts about Chinese characters or famous quotes.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #ChineseLanguageDay. Share cultural events, recipes, or personal stories related to Chinese language learning.
Chinese Language Day Hero
Cangjie
Chinese Language Day timeline
Canjie invented the written Chinese language.
Mandarin became the national language after Dr. Sun Yat Sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
Still, the UN did not commonly use Chinese at first. The situation improved after the People's Republic of China regained lawful rights in the UN 25 years later.
The UN Security Council would soon follow suit — making Chinese its "working language" in 1974. After that, more and more UN offices and staff members began to work with Chinese.
Around 1.3 billion people speak some form of Chinese — ranking it No. 1 in the world. Standard Mandarin remains the official language in the largest part of mainland China and Taiwan. It's also an official idiom of the United Nations.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Chinese Language Day
Local businesses can honor Chinese Language Day by showcasing the beauty and utility of the language. Restaurants might offer special menus with traditional Chinese dishes and provide basic Chinese phrases for ordering. Bookstores can feature displays of Chinese literature, language learning guides, and cultural books. Language schools could host free introductory classes or workshops on Chinese calligraphy. Tech companies might highlight their translation services or offer insights into AI-powered language tools. Businesses engaging with Chinese-speaking communities can use this day to strengthen cultural ties and promote understanding.
Chinese Language Day FAQs
When is Chinese Language Day?
In 2027, Chinese Language Day falls on Tuesday, April 20. It’s a global recognition of the language’s historical significance and its role in contemporary culture.
How many people speak Chinese?
With over 1.1 billion speakers worldwide, Chinese continues to be a dominant global language. This includes various dialects, with Mandarin being the most prevalent and widely taught.
Why was Chinese Language Day created?
The United Nations created Chinese Language Day to promote the use and appreciation of Chinese within the organization and globally. It highlights the language’s vast cultural heritage and its contribution to global communication.
What is the difference between Mandarin and Cantonese?
While both are Chinese dialects, Mandarin is the most widely spoken and taught, often referred to as ‘Standard Chinese.’ Cantonese, with its nine tones compared to Mandarin’s four, is primarily used in southern China and by many overseas Chinese communities.
Chinese Language Day Activities
Learn some Chinese
To say, "Thank you" you say, "xiexie." Written phonetically, it's like "she-ye she-ye." Just say it all together like one word. Easy right? Now you know some Chinese!
Visit a Chinese restaurant
Most everyone has a favorite Chinese dish, but if you don't, try Peking duck. You will never taste anything else like it. Then, at the end of your meal with taste buds in nirvana, you can prove you're a citizen of the world by thanking your server — in Chinese of course.
Watch a Chinese movie
You're in luck. Some of the most visually stunning movies in the world come from China. Maybe start with "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." After realizing how beautiful the Mandarin language sounds and how great Chinese movies are, you'll have a whole new genre with thousands of films to explore on Chinese Language Day.
Why We Love Chinese Language Day
We can say thank you to China
It's the day we get to say "xiexie" (thank you) for the wonderful stuff China has brought us. Like spaghetti? It came from Italy, but the noodles (the critical part) originated in China. We can thank China for inventing paper. Who could live without it? Plus, do you like Earl Grey tea? Captain Picard did. Despite the name, the tea originated in the Chinese Imperial court. Think about all that during Chinese Language Day.
China has some choices
China can claim 11 languages — lumping together related ones — with Mandarin as the national language. Adding to that, the Chinese speak more than 1,500 different dialects.
The stars speak Chinese
Chinese movie stars rock, and they speak Chinese. Jackie Chan is arguably the world's funniest stuntman and Jet Li is the world's most famous martial artist. Michelle Yeoh was a gorgeous and deadly Bond girl. Zhang Ziyi has starred in some great films. The facts bear the truth: some of the world's coolest people speak Chinese.
Social Media Tips for Chinese Language Day
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