Usage note
“汉语”是指中国人说的语言，比如在学校里学的普通话。
“Hànyǔ” shì zhǐ Zhōngguó rén shuō de yǔyán, bǐrú zài xuéxiào lǐ xué de Pǔtōnghuà.
This word refers to the spoken and written language of Chinese people, especially Mandarin as taught in school.
Context note
当你想说一个人说话或写字用的语言时，就可以用“汉语”。它属于日常生活中的学习话题。
Dāng nǐ xiǎng shuō yīgè rén shuōhuà huò xiězì yòng de yǔyán shí, jiù kěyǐ yòng “Hànyǔ”. Tā shǔyú rìcháng shēnghuó zhōng de xuéxí huàtí.
Use this word when talking about the language someone speaks or writes. It belongs to the topic of learning in daily life.
5 examples
你好
nǐ hǎo
Hello
再见
zài jiàn
Goodbye
谢谢
xiè xiè
Thank you
多少钱
duō shǎo qián
How much?
我喜欢汉语
wǒ xǐ huān Hànyǔ
I like Chinese
5 mini stories
妈妈教我汉语。爸爸说汉语很好学。
māma jiàojiào wǒ Hànyǔ. dàbà shuō Hànyǔ hěn hǎoxué.
Mom teaches me Chinese. Dad says it's easy to learn.
我们一起去超市，用汉语问价格。
wǒmen yīqǐ qù gòushì, yòng Hànyǔ wèn jià gé.
We go to the supermarket together and ask about prices in Chinese.
朋友教我唱一首歌，用汉语。
péngyǒu jiào wǒ chàng yī shǒu gē, yòng Hànyǔ.
A friend teaches me to sing a song in Chinese.
我在电视上看到汉语节目。
wǒ zài diànshì shàng kàndào Hànyǔ júpái.
I see Chinese programs on TV.
我每天学习汉语，进步很快。
wǒ měitiān xuéxí Hànyǔ, bùjìn hěn kuài.
I learn Chinese every day and make great progress.
Mini dialogue
学习汉语
A
你在学汉语吗？
Nǐ zài xué Hànyǔ ma?
Are you learning Chinese?
B
是的，我觉得汉语很有意思。
Shì de, wǒ juéde Hànyǔ hěn yǒu yìsi.
Yes, I think Chinese is very interesting.
说汉语
A
你会说汉语吗？
Nǐ huì shuō Hànyǔ ma?
Can you speak Chinese?
B
我会说一点点。
Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎndiǎn.
I can speak a little bit.
Related words and contrasts
similar
中文
Zhōngwén
Chinese (language)
Often used interchangeably with 汉语, especially for written Chinese.
related
普通话
Pǔtōnghuà
Mandarin; common speech
The standard spoken form of modern Chinese.