Chinese Translation Services
You are here:
Trusted Chinese Translation Services
Chinese Translation Services
AsiaLocalize provides professional Chinese translation services for companies reaching mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Chinese speakers worldwide. Native Chinese linguists translate life sciences, legal, technical, marketing and digital content in Simplified or Traditional Chinese, with Mandarin or Cantonese for audio, under an ISO 17100-certified process.
Trusted by the world’s leading companies
Quick definition
What are Chinese translation services?
Chinese translation services convert content between Chinese and other languages for readers in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Chinese communities worldwide. Professional Chinese translation starts by choosing Simplified or Traditional characters and the right regional vocabulary, then adapts tone, formats and terminology to that market.
Chinese translation at a glance
- Two writing systems: Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters
- Mandarin is the official spoken standard in mainland China and Taiwan
- Simplified characters are used in mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia
- Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau
- One of the six official languages of the United Nations
Published: · Last reviewed:
Language challenges
What makes Chinese translation difficult?
The US Foreign Service Institute places Mandarin and Cantonese in Category IV, its hardest group for English speakers. These are the issues we manage on every Chinese project:
Simplified or Traditional
The same text needs different characters, and often different words, for mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Regional vocabulary
Technology, legal and everyday terms differ between mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Mandarin and Cantonese
Written Chinese is shared, but spoken content, subtitles and voice-over must match the local spoken form.
No spaces between words
Line breaking, search and text length behave differently from English, so layouts need checking.
Legal and regulatory terms
Contracts and regulated content must follow local terminology and document conventions.
Brand names and slogans
Product names often need a Chinese name chosen for sound, meaning and cultural associations.
Simplified or Traditional Chinese: which do you need?
Choose the script and vocabulary your readers use. A translation for mainland China will not read naturally in Taiwan or Hong Kong without adaptation.
| Script | Main spoken form | Localization note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland China | Simplified | Mandarin (Putonghua) | Use mainland terminology and local formats |
| Singapore and Malaysia | Simplified | Mandarin, with local usage | Adapt some local terms and English loanwords |
| Taiwan | Traditional | Mandarin (Guoyu) | Use Taiwan vocabulary, which differs in many technical terms |
| Hong Kong and Macau | Traditional | Cantonese | Use Hong Kong written conventions; Cantonese for spoken and informal content |
Our linguists
Who translates your Chinese content?
We assign native Chinese linguists and subject-matter experts who know the conventions of your target market, from mainland China to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. They understand Mandarin and Cantonese usage and adapt your content so it reads naturally to local readers.
- Native Chinese translators matched to Simplified or Traditional
- Subject specialists for life sciences, legal, technical and marketing content
- Chinese to English and English to Chinese, plus German and French to Chinese
- Independent revision by a second linguist under ISO 17100
Specialist translation
Which types of Chinese translation do we provide?
Specialist Chinese translators for regulated, technical and creative content.
Life sciences translation
Clinical protocols, trial agreements, pharmaceutical documents and medical software manuals.
Explore →
Legal translation
Court documents, contracts and M&A documentation with precise legal terminology.
Explore →
eLearning and education
Courses, lectures and training material adapted for Chinese learners.
Explore →
Game localization
In-game text, UI and store content for Chinese-speaking players.
Explore →
Services
What other Chinese language services do we offer?
One native Chinese team for documents, digital products and media.
Document translation
Contracts, manuals, reports and certificates translated by native Chinese linguists.
Explore →
Website localization
Chinese websites with localized SEO, formats and region-specific vocabulary.
Explore →
App localization
UI strings and app store listings in Simplified or Traditional Chinese.
Explore →
Multimedia localization
Subtitles and voice-over in Mandarin or Cantonese.
Explore →
Interpreting
Mandarin and Cantonese interpreters by phone or video for meetings and appointments.
Explore →
Desktop publishing
Chinese typesetting with suitable fonts for print and digital files.
Explore →
Quality
How do we keep Chinese translations accurate?
Every project follows our ISO 17100-certified workflow, with a dedicated project manager as your point of contact.
- Translation by a qualified native Chinese linguist
- Revision by a second, independent linguist
- Glossaries and translation memory for consistent terminology
- Script, layout and in-context checks before delivery
Industries
Which other industries do our Chinese translators serve?
Native Chinese translators for regulated, technical and consumer content.
Telecom Chinese translation
Network documentation, plans and support content.
Explore →
Software Chinese localization
Interfaces, help centers and documentation.
Explore →
Ecommerce Chinese localization
Product listings and campaigns for Chinese marketplaces.
Explore →
Automotive Chinese translation
Manuals, parts catalogs and supplier documentation.
Explore →
Manufacturing Chinese translation
Specifications, SOPs and quality documentation.
Explore →
Marketing Chinese translation
Campaigns, brand names and social content.
Explore →
Financial Chinese translation
Annual reports, banking and investor content.
Explore →
Energy Chinese translation
Technical and HSE documents for oil, gas and renewables.
Explore →
More languages
Which other Asian languages do we translate?
Expanding across Asia? We translate the main languages of East and Southeast Asia.
Why Choose Us?
What clients say about our work
Need Chinese translation?
Tell us your target market, Simplified or Traditional, and your deadline, and we will send a clear quote. Native Chinese linguists handle translation and revision from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Translation
Should I translate into Simplified or Traditional Chinese?
Use Simplified Chinese for mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia, and Traditional Chinese for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Vocabulary also differs between these markets, so tell us where your readers are.
What is the most common Chinese dialect?
Mandarin, also called Standard Chinese, is the most widely spoken form and the official standard in mainland China and Taiwan. Other major varieties include Cantonese, spoken in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong, as well as Hakka, Hokkien and Wu.
Which direction is Chinese written in?
Modern Chinese is usually written horizontally from left to right, especially in digital content. Traditional vertical writing, read top to bottom and right to left, still appears in some books, newspapers and signage in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
How much does Chinese translation cost?
Chinese translation is usually priced per source word. The rate depends on subject matter, script, file format and turnaround. Send us your files and we will provide a detailed quote.
Do you provide certified Chinese translations?
Yes. We provide certified Chinese translations of legal, academic and business documents with a signed statement of accuracy. Requirements vary by authority, so tell us where the translation will be submitted.
Do you translate Chinese audio and video?
Yes. We provide Mandarin and Cantonese subtitles and voice-over scripts for training, marketing and entertainment content.
How do I get a quote for Chinese translation?
Send the files or describe the scope, the target market and your deadline. We assess the material and come back with a quote covering what the work involves.
