汉语

汉语 (Hànyǔ) is the formal name for the Chinese language, literally 'language of the Han' — the Han being the dominant ethnic group of China. It is the term used in academic and pedagogical settings: the HSK test is short for 汉语水平考试 (Hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì, 'Chinese Proficiency Test'), and Chinese-as-a-second-language textbooks usually say 汉语 in the title. In daily conversation Chinese speakers more often say 中文 (Zhōngwén), which can refer to written or spoken Chinese and feels less technical. A finer distinction: 汉语 emphasizes the spoken language (the suffix 语 means 'spoken language'), while 中文 (literally 'Chinese writing') leans toward the written form, though both are now used interchangeably in practice. For Mandarin specifically as opposed to other Chinese languages, native speakers say 普通话 (Pǔtōnghuà, 'common speech').

Note: Slightly more formal/academic than 中文. Used in textbook titles, language tests (HSK = 汉语水平考试), and linguistic discussion. In casual speech, 中文 is more common.

Memory hook: 汉 (Han) + 语 (language) = the language of the Han people.