Here's why:
* "Chinese" is a broad term. It encompasses several languages and dialects, with Mandarin being the most widely spoken. It's like saying "English" is the most spoken, which includes British, American, Australian, etc.
* Defining "most spoken" is tricky. Do we count native speakers? All speakers, including those who learned it as a second language? Do we consider regional variations as separate languages or dialects of the same language?
Here's a breakdown of why you might think this:
* Large Population: China has a massive population, and Mandarin is the official language. This means a huge number of people speak it.
* International Use: Mandarin is becoming increasingly important globally due to China's economic and political influence.
But here's why it's not quite straightforward:
* Hindi has a large number of native speakers, and the Indian subcontinent's population is vast.
* English has the most speakers overall, including those who learned it as a second language. It's the dominant language of international communication.
The answer ultimately depends on how you define "most spoken." There's no single, definitive answer!