What is the most common dialect and official language for Chinese?

The most common dialect of Chinese is Mandarin, also known as Putonghua. It is the official language of mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore.

While there are many regional dialects of Chinese, Mandarin is the most widely spoken by far, with over 1 billion speakers worldwide. Its widespread use is largely due to its adoption as the official language in mainland China and its promotion as the standard language in education and media.

Here's a breakdown:

* Official language: Mandarin

* Most common dialect: Mandarin

Keep in mind that while Mandarin is the most common, there are many other dialects, including:

* Cantonese: Spoken in Hong Kong, Macau, and parts of southern China.

* Min: Spoken in Fujian and Taiwan.

* Wu: Spoken in Shanghai and surrounding areas.

* Hakka: Spoken in parts of southern and southeastern China.

These dialects are distinct languages in their own right and are not mutually intelligible with Mandarin.