The Hakka language, casually spoken | Dungsan speaking Hakka Chinese | Wikitongues

Hakka, also called Keija, is spoken by as many as 25 million people, primarily the Hakka culture of southern China and Taiwan. A Sinitic language, it is related to Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese, among others.
More from Wikipedia: "Hakka is a language group of varieties of Chinese, spoken natively by the Hakka people throughout Southern China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and throughout the diaspora areas of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and in overseas Chinese communities around the world. Due to its primary usage in scattered isolated regions where communication is limited to the local area, Hakka has developed numerous varieties or dialects, spoken in different provinces, such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guizhou, as well as in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Hakka is not mutually intelligible with Yue, Wu, Southern Min, Mandarin, or other branches of Chinese, and itself contains a few mutually unintelligible varieties. It is most closely related to Gan and is sometimes classified as a variety of Gan, with a few northern Hakka varieties even being partially mutually intelligible with southern Gan. There is also a possibility that the similarities are just a result of shared areal features. Taiwan (where Hakka is the native language of a significant minority of the island's residents) is a center for the study and preservation of the language. Pronunciation differences exist between the Taiwanese Hakka dialects and Mainland China's Hakka dialects; even in Taiwan, two major local varieties of Hakka exist. The Meixian dialect (Moiyen) of Northeast Guangdong in China has been taken as the "standard" dialect by the People's Republic of China. The Guangdong Provincial Education Department created an official romanization of Moiyen in 1960, one of four languages receiving this status in Guangdong."
This video was recorded by Laura Lyn and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license. To download a copy, please contact [e-mail].

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[@memomartinez4685]

I'm a native of Mexico, and I reconnect with my Chinese side and found out That my family is hakka, so I will try to learn greetings

[@gwho]

meixia or mexico?

[@memomartinez4685]

@@gwho México im mix indigenous and Chinese 😅

[@angrybutters]

I understand some of what he is saying but it's a different dialect to mine. But it is awesome indeed to know there are still people who still speak Hakka. There are a community in Australia, Victoria state that is speaks Hakka. Where are you in the world?

[@prettypurple7175]

Hola, yo soy hakka china de Hong Kong. La Chinita Bonita

[@Mikasawajima1234]

omg... I can understand his speaking 😳 it's nice to know there's still people who speaks this language 💖

[@loafofbread9400]

hey brother, beautiful to see people who speak hakka

[@roger38888]

Amazing, I can understand too.

[@wolfharry]

Amazing me too

[@michelleyong2366]

there's a big Hakka diaspora in Malaysia. My mother's side is Hakka and we still speak it on the daily

[@thunderstudios4403]

Me too, my dad’s side all speak. It’s a great language.

[@liweicai2796]

Native Cantonese speaker, never learned Hakka, but have extended family members that speak this particular variant of Hakka. Can confirm this video as well as their daily conversation is at least 60% intelligible to me. Other more "mainstream" Hakka variants are much less intelligible to Cantonese.

[@thunderstudios4403]

This is actually very cool. I speak Hakka, my dad does and my paternal. This is very special because this guys sounds a bit like my grandfather who passed away 9 yrs ago,.

[@MinaBellonaAckerman]

Very interesting! I speak another dialect of conversational Hakka at home that has lots of Vietnamese influence and a few missing tones ( like rising-falling tones being replaced with a nasal restriction along with a pause that sounds like 'aiyuh' or a tiny "click" ) so I find it really hard to understand this specific recorded dialect. It's so interesting how a dialect can continue splitting until it's mutually unintelligible. So yeah, great work! keep it up.

[@eb.3764]

that's cuz you speak a different language. hakka isn't one language as there is no standard

[@Hydramus89]

@@eb.3764 I think there is as a Hakka speaker but the dialects can range widely. I understood this guy well whereas Taiwan Hakka is slightly confusing

[@eb.3764]

@@Hydramus89 hakka is a language family

[@simonyip5978]

Vietnamese sounds very different to Hakka in my opinion, my family are Hakka from Lin Ma Hang in the New Territories of HK, so I am quite familiar with the differences between the various Chinese dialects, and I can immediately distinguish Chinese from other East Asian and South East Asian languages.

[@FrozenMermaid666]

They are different languages, not dialects - there are actually many Chinese languages! I am learning Icelandic and Norse and Dutch and Norwegian and Gothic etc, and there are also many Dutch-based languages and many Norwegian-based languages and East Norse and Greenlandic Norse etc, which are all different languages! Dialect is when only the accent is slightly different, for example British accent vs American accent, but it has the same spelling and grammar etc!

[@zeeelew1038]

I am Malaysian Chinese and I speak the same Hakka varient as him with my family. 😁

[@josechong8207]

that's awesome to know... my Hakka variant is nearly identical as his...

[@raeplaysval]

i still remember the absolute shock when i heard an indian guy speak hakka exactly like my grandparents

[@anonnymous4864]

I believe the Hakka in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, particularly in the Cheras area, speak the "Fui Chiew" variant of Hakka, which is what he admitted his Hakka to be.

[@EternalChairman]

It has a Cantonese flair!

[@paulinaruiz928]

You’re right! It does

[@liweicai2796]

This happens to be the variant closest to Cantonese, geographically and linguistically.

[@ReiKoko]

It sounds very similar to the dialect my dad spoke. He was from Hong Kong.

[@mrturtle1128]

You can pick up a word here and there if you listen closely.

[@gwho]

i can hear it

[@williamwilliam]

His Hakka is very similar to what's spoken in the Malaysian State of Sabah, Miri & Kuching in the State of Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh in Peninsular Malaysia.

[@tan9928]

Sarawak hakka is very different from Sabah hakka. The Hakka spoken by this gentleman is exactly the same as Sabah Hakka.

[@RahmanSL]

@@tan9928 Yes, you are correct as the Hakka, especially in Kuching areas, are Hopo-hak. Those in Miri (not sure where else) are similar to those spoken in Sabah.

[@palingsimpel]

It is also widely spoken in some parts of my hometown, Pontianak City, Indonesia.

[@moelai8489]

Same hakka around longgang Shenzhen., Tahiti hakka is the same as this old man ,

[@williamwilliam]

@@moelai8489 Thank you very much for info as I am planning an extended trip around China sometime in 2026 and wish to know just how far the Hakka language has deviated from the original in China. On another site, someone posted this info for me: a) The area where Guangdong, Fujiang, and Jiangxi provinces meet is predominantly Hakka. The city of Meizhou is considered to has the standard Hakka. b) Hakka is widely used in Meizhou. c) I've travelled through that region, there is a huge amount of Hakka influence, even down as far as HeYuan and into Dongguan d) Travel anywhere north of Heyuan and into Jiangxi, there is a huge amount of Hakka spoken and also some very traditional Hakka architecture, Heyuan has retained the hitory and has Hakka regions specifically retained as culturism tourist regions. Site: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2nFfHp8r7Zpa6M

[@blobba5442]

my dad's side of the family speaks Ngai Hakka. According to my dad, people who speak different hakka dialects cant understand Ngai but Ngai speakers can understand other hakka variants.

[@kumong]

My hakka grandpa was born in Thailand and his Hakka sounded just like this.

[@electronroom]

Sounds exactly like the Hakka we have in Brunei and also in Sabah, Malaysia. Some people call it 'Sinn On' but he calls it Fuizhou.

[@Slashplite]

thank you for sharing it

[@lin.1842]

His Hakka dialect is quite different from mine. I can still understand quite a bit of it. I speak more of Cantonese influenced Hakka. Than again I'm a Canadian born Hakka. My parents are from India but my grandparents all fled from China to India during WWII.

[@mimimosa259]

That’s interesting. My parents are also Hakka who migrated to Canada from India, but I can understand his dialect.

[@jackjackyphantom8854]

Is the uncle mixed or pure Chinese? Cuz he definitely look like Malay to me.

[@lin.1842]

@@jackjackyphantom8854 Well, he did say if I'm not mistaken that's he's born in Jamaica. So, he could be mixed or not. Again though Chinese are all not light skinned, some are darker like in this case.

[@jackjackyphantom8854]

@@lin.1842 I might be wrong, but his facial features do look Malay too, not just his skin tone.

[@awfully.average]

wow your background is so interesting!

[@lrt_unimog8316]

The Sinitic populations of Jamaica (as here) and Sarawak are distinguished not only by Hakka dominance, but also by originating from 寶安 (i.e. HK/深圳)! That said, I’m not sure that this is why Hakka can sometimes sound like Cantonese…

[@skiihigh12real]

Still looking for my Chinese family . I found out which part of Chinese I am . The south Chinese Guangzhou Hakka people came to Jamaica. They need to all come back . The other Chinese that just randomly came to Jamaica now just to build are not Hakka unless there mixed and they probably did not know there Hakka . They probably might be our family members that’s we don’t even know or they don’t know it. The Hakka people just need to come back .

[@Mr.Oblivian]

@@skiihigh12real Why do they 'just need to come back'?

[@josechong8207]

@@skiihigh12real I had no idea that Chinese immigrants to Jamaica were Hakka people and more specifically from Guangzhou which is where I trace my roots too.

[@KhoiNguyen-ll6cl]

@@skiihigh12realthat’s like saying Pontic Greeks should return to pontus

[@thomasfebyanto43]

Hi, i’m Hakka from Singkawang, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. I can understand,m what he said, but it’s have different accent. Hakka nyin thai ka ho

[@prettytse7762]

UNCLE!!! SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!!!

[@scotthughes7440]

My uncle was part African and Hakka Chinese from Jamaica and he went home to China to learn Hakka in the 50s when he was a teenager since the male chinese living in Jamaica went to China to either learn about their culture and language and see their ancestral villages which many never saw is they were 2nd generation.

[@MetalMonkey-ev4jq]

Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford are Hakka/Jamaican?

[@vampyricon7026]

I remember having no idea what he was saying when I first watched this, but I understand it now that I've learned it. I've also learned Hakka in the same dialect group as his so that probably helps a lot.

[@sandys-ei9iz]

How do u learn please i need some resources

[@kurt33lee]

this is awesome, im a ABC speaking cantonese and my grandparents speak hakka, i understand this dude completely even though i havent spoke this language in so long

[@meic2387]

I’m third generation Singaporean pure Hakka from both sides of my parents and Dungsan 叔’s spoken Hakka(baoann) is exactly the same as our 大捕 客家 taipu Hakka. Greetings Dungsan Uncle!

[@SLC-zf8kd]

Hakka is also spoken in Vancouver, Canada. According to Statistics Canada, there are over 2,000 speakers here.

[@wjd2867]

I'm Hakka from Gan Zhou, Jiangxi Province and it's really exciting that I can understand the majority of this hakka variant

[@phillpwong516]

阿哥!你的客家音好正!惠陽宝安音!好清!

[@gatimtse1598]

看着一个牙买加人在讲惠阳话的感觉真的很奇妙，这是我最熟悉的客家话了，东莞都是讲这种

[@elusive38yungkaito]

I am Hakka Chinese but I never heard or learnt Hakka in my life, my parents always chose to Hokkien, Mandarin and Cantonese so this is new to me

[@hakkalogin]

好片

[@joewong8D]

OMG He reminds me of my grandpa :*( I understood everything xoxo

[@AnkhGirl]

Most Jamaicans of Chinese descent are Hakka chinese. 🇯🇲

[@MetalMonkey-ev4jq]

Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford?

[@JulianJuanli]

I'm half hakka and half cantonese. can understand what he said perfectly.

[@skiihigh12real]

He might have Jamaican ancestors just like me except I’m Jamaican mixed but my great grandmother that’s Jamaican is a quarter south Chinese Hakka Guangzhou. I want them all to come back . I still can’t find my Chinese family from 1920’s or way before .

[@eb.3764]

he is! he's my friends dad.

[@Kelsen]

From Malaysia, I can 100% understand his hakka! And I’m speaking Fui-Chiu too! 😊

[@raydiane1]

I understand everything he just said. He sounds like my mother’s family. That is amazing he looks Blasian but speaks flawless Hakka! 👍👍💕❤️💞💖

[@yct6500]

Hakka is one big family. If you are Hakka, and speak and listen in Hakka, you will find more commonalities than differences. Just like English spoken by Irish, Scottish, Americans, or Australians.

[@wolfharry]

I am from Taiwan and I can understand your Hakka language.

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

BUDDHA BLESS THIS MAN

[@yct6500]

客家人是个大家族。如果你是客家人，会讲客家话和听客家话，你会发现各区的客家话的共性多于差异。 就像爱尔兰人、苏格兰人、美国人或澳大利亚人说的英语一样。

[@lis1548]

My grandparents spoke hakka! I'd love to learn it, does anyone know anywhere I can learn? I only remember food and animal names . My sister made a documentary about our family on vimeo, if anyone is able to identify dialects do let me know please:)

[@Adam10.]

There are many site for learn Taiwanese Hakka..is a bit different but is always hakka

[@simonw9332]

Does anyone know where hakka timor language comes from exactly cause mrs is hakka chinese born in east timor im trying to figure out where in china is her dialect from so i can secretly learn iv been around the language over 20yrs pick up a few words would seriously love to learn proply the chinese hakka is differant to mrs language so anyone knows be good to hear from u

[@Waffles440]

Where is this guy from? Is that a Taiwanese accent I hear?

[@user-ce8sm2rk6j]

I'm Taiwanese, I can understand what he said!

[@RienNaru]

What is the meaning of "dungsan"?

[@elvishassassin1]

Sounds very similar to Cantonese.

[@Mussi93]

Very interesting language. It doesn't sound very similar to Mandarin to me and reminds me more of native American or Polynesian languages.

[@tgyuidlodka3850]

royaume uni

[@tgyuidlodka3850]

:theyre using dress as a verb....

[@tgyuidlodka3850]

using dress as a verb

[@ilovesparky13]

Is it tonal? It doesn’t sound like it is to me.

[@shizishe4010]

There are tones but they vary across different varieties of Hakka

[@waltroskoh8650]

It sure is.

[@ahel2]

Yup- hakka has 7 tones (mandarin has 4 and Cantonese has 9)

[@nazarkgb1]

The comments under these videos are just always so dumb

[@skiihigh12real]

Excuse you

[@nazarkgb1]

@@skiihigh12real not yours, yours was fine

[@SimonMoniker]

Chi ka yin

[@manzhuurdaanisy5078]

Which Hakka dialect is this?

[@paulinaruiz928]

It might be the Meixian dialect or the Wuhua dialect but I would need someone to verify. My mom’s parents were Hakka and their dialect of Hakka sounded very similar to the one that the guy in the video was speaking. They tend to “sound” like Cantonese since they are spoken in the same province where Cantonese is spoken which is Guangdong

[@paulinaruiz928]

I think it is a Hong Kong Hakka dialect

[@Mindofjunk]

The man said his Hakka was Fuizhou/Guizhou variant. He said he was born in Jamaica, I believe he live in Canada now. I could understand what he saying about 80% cause I grew up in this kinda Hakka community in South East Asia.

[@paulinaruiz928]

@@Mindofjunk Ok. Thanks for the clarification. Always glad to learn something new

[@Mindofjunk]

@@paulinaruiz928 Anytime, I also still learning about my own dialect and I found out, Hakka subgroups was so many, here's if you interested to learn more : 1. Tong - Gui : Tonggu, Suichuan, Guidong 2. Yu - Xin : Ganxian, Yudu, Ruijin Ganxian is the prestige dialect of Northern Hakka. 3.Ning - Long : Ningdu, Longnan, Xunwu Originated from Ningdu 4. Tingzhou : Changting, Ninghua, Liancheng. Tingzhou Hakka originated from Ninghua 5. Yue - Tai : Meizhou, Heyuan, Huizhou, Taiwan Sixian. Moiyen/Meixian is the prestige dialect for Southern Hakka. 6. Yue - Bei : Wengyuan, Nanxiong, Shixing. Yue - Bei Hakka originated from Ganzhou 7. Hai - Lu : Haifeng, Lufeng, Luhe Hai - Lu Hakka is the second most common Hakka dialect in Taiwan & Singkawang (Indonesia) 8. Yue - Xi : Lianjiang, Xinyi, Bobai Yue - Xi Hakka is called 'Ngai Wa' by Non Hakka. That man in the video was using number 5 of the subgroups categories, Meixian and Huizhou/Guizhou dialect tone is similar but there's things they say it differently, such as : Porridge, Hungry, like that...etc

[@tgyuidlodka3850]

Мзм

[@siyabongamviko8872]

Is it spoken like this or does this man sound odd? It doesn't sound like other Sinitic languages

[@travellingaccordian]

sounds a lot like cantonese for me

[@cdsung6527]

It has a very typical profile of southern sinitic languages -p -t -k endings preserved 6 tones (compared to mandarin 4) Head first adverbial phrases

[@paulinaruiz928]

Hakka from Guangdong sounds like Cantonese because it has had a lot of Cantonese influence due to exposure from being in the same province but it is still it own language in terms of vocabulary and pronunciation

[@siyabongamviko8872]

Okay, thanks for your replies everyone. Perhaps my saying "does not sound a lot like 'Sinitic' languages" is a mistake but just that it sounds rather different to Mandarin. I will be listening to some Cantonese and also the southern languages in general and hear the typical sound. Thanks again

[@paulinaruiz928]

@@siyabongamviko8872 I am glad you learned something new today :)

[@tgyuidlodka3850]

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