Chinese (Mandarin)

Mandarin is one of the largest languages in the world and is spoken by well over a billion people. Chinese boasts the longest unbroken literary tradition of any modern civilization, with the oldest texts dating to more than three thousand years ago. Chinese literature includes some of the great treasures of world heritage: the treatises of Confucius and Mencius; the works of Tang dynasty poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu and Wang Wei; and early modern vernacular novels such as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the Dream of the Red Chamber.

Program Overview

The University of Washington offers four years of Chinese language courses as well as one year of Classical Chinese. In addition to language classes, UW offers dozens of content courses about Chinese literature, history, linguistics, religion and politics.

Degree availability: Minor/ B.A / M.A /Ph. D

Years offered: 4 years, one year of Classical Chinese offered

Contact: Department of Asian Languages & Literature

StudyAbroad

Internships

  • ASIAN 491 Internship in Teaching Asian Languages and Cultures 
  • Teaching Chinese Endorsements

Course Information

Course Catalog

 

  • CHIN 101/102/103 First-Year Chinese for Non-Heritage Learners
  • CHIN 111/112/113 First-Year Chinese for Heritage Learners
  • CHIN 130/131 International Baccalaureate (IB) Beginning Chinese
  • CHIN 133 Advanced Placement (AP) Chinese Language
  • CHIN 134 First-Year Intensive Chinese for Non-Heritage Learners
  • CHIN 138 First-Year Intensive Chinese for Heritage Learners
  • CHIN 138 First-Year Intensive Chinese for Heritage Learners
  • CHIN 201/202/203 Second-Year Chinese for Non-Heritage Learners 
  • CHIN 211/212/213 Second-Year Chinese for Heritage Learners
  • CHIN 230 International Baccalaureate (IB) Advanced-Beginning Chinese
  • CHIN 231/232 Advanced Placement (AP) Chinese Language
  • CHIN 234 Second-Year Intensive Chinese for Non-Heritage Learners
  • CHIN 245 Foreign Study: Second-Year Chinese
  • CHIN 301/302/303 Third-Year Chinese for Non-Heritage Learners
  • CHIN 330 International Baccalaureate (IB) Intermediate Chinese
  • CHIN 331 Chinese Extensive Reading
  • CHIN 342 The Chinese Language
  • CHIN 345 Foreign Study: Third-Year Chinese
  • CHIN 373 Chinese Poetry
  • CHIN 374 Chinese Prose
  • CHIN 380 Pre-Modern Chinese Narrative
  • CHIN 381 Literature in Modern China
  • CHIN 385 Popular Culture in Twentieth-Century China
  • CHIN 395 Foreign Study: Intermediate Chinese Literature or Linguistics
  • CHIN 411/412/413 Fourth-Year Chinese
  • CHIN 431 Chinese Extensive Reading
  • CHIN 432 Social and Cultural Issues in Contemporary China
  • CHIN 433 Chinese Language Internship
  • CHIN 442 The Chinese Language
  • CHIN 443 Structure of Chinese
  • CHIN 445 Foreign Study: Fourth-Year Chinese
  • CHIN 451/452/453 Introduction to Classical Chinese
  • CHIN 461/462/463 History of Chinese Literature
  • CHIN 470 Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese
  • CHIN 473 Seminar in Early Medieval China
  • CHIN 482 Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese
  • CHIN 495 Foreign Study: Advanced Chinese Literature or Linguistics
  • CHIN 496 Special Studies in ChineseCHIN 499 Undergraduate Research
  • CHIN 531 Introduction to Historical Phonology
  • CHIN 540 Seminar in Linguistics
  • CHIN 545 Seminar in Applied Linguistics
  • CHIN 551/552/553 Introduction to Classical Chinese
  • CHIN 559 Introduction to Methods and Materials in Sinology
  • CHIN 561/562/563 History of Chinese Literature
  • CHIN 564 Introduction to Philology and Lexicology
  • CHIN 571/572 Readings in Pre-Modern Texts
  • CHIN 582 Seminar in Vernacular Literature
  • CHIN 583 Seminar in Modern Literature
  • CHIN 585 Seminar in Poetry
  • CHIN 587 Seminar in Modern Culture
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Faculty's Research

Publications

 

Global

  • Spoken by 900 million native speakers and more than 1.1 billion total speakers globally.
  • Mandarin is the official language of China, Taiwan, and Singapore, and a major spoken language across East and Southeast Asia.

Learning

  • It’s the top language to learn in the majority of countries, according to a 2025 Duolingo report. 
  • Top choice for learners seeking business or cultural connection.

Culture & Diplomacy

  • Mandarin is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, used in international diplomacy and global institutions.
  • Mandarin proficiency is highly valued in diplomacy, security, global policy, and international organizations.

Airplane IconTravel & Career

  • Makes exploring China, Taiwan, Singapore, and other Chinese-speaking regions far easier and more authentic. 
  • Opens doors to international jobs that value Mandarin: Tech & Engineering, Finance, International Trade & Business, Diplomacy & Gov’t, Tourism & Media, Journalism and Law.

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Visit Asian Languages and Literature | Chinese (Mandarin)

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    Scene of Taipei 101

  • Panda bear eating bamboo,

    Panda bear eating bamboo

    photo of a panda bear eating bamboo

  • Photo of Merlion in Singapore,

    Photo of Merlion in Singapore