How to master website translation for Chinese audiences

China represents the largest consumer population of any country on Earth. International brands with multilingual knowledge bases understand the potential of this rapidly expanding market. 

Tapping into this market requires that brands appeal to the diverse languages that make up Chinese culture. A brand that directly translates its website to Chinese languages with Google Translate may reach these audiences, but only careful localization will bring market penetration. 

This guide will explore the most commonly spoken Chinese languages and discuss the best website translation tools and practices for translating pages into Chinese.

Chinese languages

If you want to translate websites into Chinese, it’s important to recognize that “Chinese” isn’t just one language. China is home to rich linguistic diversity, with numerous spoken dialects that differ as much as separate languages. Although Mandarin is China’s most widely spoken and recognized language, other Chinese languages hold significant cultural and regional importance.

Understanding these different language varieties is the first step toward achieving a website translation that speaks directly to your Chinese audience, wherever they are in China. Here are the six primary Chinese languages you should consider when translating pages from English to Chinese:

Mandarin

Mandarin is the dominant language in most of northern China and parts of the south. Also known as Standard Chinese or Putonghua, the Beijing dialect of Mandarin is the official language of China and the most common first language in the world. It’s characterized by its simplified grammar and tonal variations, making it easier to learn. Other Chinese languages and dialects include complex fluctuations in pitch and stress that make them less accessible for new learners.

Cantonese

Cantonese is primarily spoken in Guangdong province, Hong Kong, and Macau. It’s known for its rich history and vibrant use in Cantonese opera and films. Cantonese features nine tones, making it highly tonal and distinct. It’s also widely spoken in overseas Chinese communities.

Wu

Wu is commonly spoken in Shanghai and surrounding regions (e.g., Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces). It’s famous for its soft, lilting tones and complex vowel sounds. Wu is often associated with Shanghainese, a variant spoken in the bustling metropolis of Shanghai.

Min

Min is used chiefly in Fujian province, parts of Guangdong, Hainan, Taiwan, and Singapore. This language is diverse, with many sub-dialects like Hokkien and Teochew. Min’s phonetic structure can be challenging, and its words often differ drastically from Mandarin.

Hakka

Hakka speakers are scattered across southern China—particularly in Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangxi—as well as diaspora communities. Known as the “guest language,” Hakka reflects its speakers’ migratory history. It’s tonal and shares similarities with Cantonese in some aspects of pronunciation.

Xiang

Xiang is primarily spoken in the Hunan province. Sometimes called Hunanese, Xiang is notable for its mix of older linguistic features and modern influences. It has both “old” and “new” varieties, reflecting shifts in regional communication styles.

5 methods to translate websites to Chinese languages effectively

Translating a website page into Chinese languages may seem daunting, but modern tools and methods make it surprisingly simple. From browser features to advanced translation platforms, you can ensure your content is accessible and localized for Chinese-speaking audiences.

Let’s explore five key methods to help you with your webpage translation:

Human translation

A human translator is an excellent option for accurate and culturally sensitive results. Professional translators—like the first-language experts at Smartling—understand the language and the nuances of cultural context, ensuring your content feels natural to readers. This method is ideal for businesses or individuals who want precise, high-quality translations that capture tone and intent, especially for marketing materials or detailed web pages.

Machine translation portals like Google Translate

Machine translation (MT) portals like Google Translate provide a quick and accessible way to translate a page. Many MT portals allow you to simply copy and paste the text or even enter the web page URL you want to translate and translate the content instantly. 

Consumers who frequently visit websites in different languages might enable Google Chrome’s automatic translation feature to save time. This feature detects the language of a web page and prompts you to translate the page instantly.

However, companies shouldn’t rely on consumers and their web browsers to translate content for them. Brands that take a proactive approach ensure users receive precisely the right message, making global users feel valued. 

Although MT engines are convenient translation tools, their outputs aren’t always perfectly accurate, especially when it comes to accounting for cultural nuances when translating content into Chinese languages. Companies can leverage MT as part of their website translation process, but relying solely on MT portals like Google Translate can become quite cumbersome when translating content at scale.

Other AI translation options

AI translation is one of the most efficient ways to translate websites into another language. These translation tools offer speed and scalability, making them a practical choice for companies seeking global expansion. 

Smartling’s range of AI solutions are ideal for timely production of multilingual content marketing that maintains a polished, professional presence without strenuous manual effort. For high-volume, low-visibility content, like old blog posts, use Smartling’s AI Translation solution that delivers cost-effective translations instantly, maximizing your budget and saving you time. For high traffic pages, like your homepage, leverage our AI-powered Human Translation solution for cost-effective translations polished by expert human translators.

Translation integrations for your tech stack

CMS platforms like WordPress and eCommerce platforms like Shopify often offer translation integrations (e.g., Smartling for WordPress or Smartling for Shopify) make translation easy with one simplified translation workflow. Translation integrations allow you to send content for translation from within your existing tech stack, reducing the manual steps typically required for managing a multilingual website. 

Translation integrations also often connect you with powerful translation software and solutions that can help you translate more content faster, more efficiently, and with higher accuracy. For example, if you use Smartling’s Shopify integration to translate your Shopify store, you can send content directly from your Shopify store for translation via AI Translation and get cost-effective translations delivered in minutes, rather than days or weeks. 

Best practices for translating web pages into Chinese languages

Following specific best practices, you can effectively translate web pages into Chinese to bring a seamless experience for your users. To make your website translation resonate with Chinese-speaking users, follow these tips:

1. Research cultural differences

Chinese culture emphasizes context, respect, and harmony, which should be reflected in your website’s tone and content. Consider cultural nuances such as symbolism, color meanings, and formal or informal language preferences. Aligning your content with these aspects helps build trust and relatability.

2. Select a script that’s familiar to your audience

Simplified Chinese is used in mainland China, whereas traditional Chinese dominates in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. Determine your target audience and translate your content with  the appropriate character set. If you’re catering to a diverse Chinese audience, consider offering both versions to ensure accessibility.

3. Leverage professional translation services

Although machine translation tools like Google Translate can deliver  translations quickly, they can fail to capture context and subtleties. Professional translators—especially Chinese language specialists—ensure accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and a natural flow.

4. Optimize for local search engines

Google isn’t the dominant search engine in China. Instead, Baidu and Sogou are the go-to options. Optimize your website SEO for these platforms by incorporating Chinese-language meta tags, keyword research, and locally relevant content. Smartling’s professional translation services simplify this process, ensuring your content uses keywords in a natural and nuanced way to ensure it ranks effectively on Baidu.

5. Adapt your website’s design and layout

Chinese text can vary in length compared to English, affecting your website’s layout. Be prepared to adjust design elements to accommodate text expansion or contraction, maintaining a user-friendly interface.

Smartling’s Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) Tool can assist with this process by providing translators with real-time visual context of the content they’re translating. This allows translators to preview the appearance of content and see how it will look once published on your site.

Unlock global expansion with Smartling

Multilingual websites, especially those targeting Chinese-speaking audiences, are more common than ever. Whether you’re trying to break into Chinese markets or connect with a global audience, knowing how to effectively use translation technology like AI translation tools will make the transition seamless. Accurate website translations go beyond the words on the page. They build trust, credibility, and authentic relationships with your audience.

Smartling’s translation management platform and solutions help you bridge language barriers. Smartling empowers users to easily translate content from English to Chinese languages with a wide variety of translation options.

Ready to take your translation strategy to the next level? Download our free eBook, “10 Strategies to Boost Translation Efficiency,” and discover how automation and the right translation mix can maximize your reach while staying within your budget. This guide offers insights into making data-driven decisions to connect with more of the world.

Reach out to Smartling today to start building meaningful connections across borders.