1. Cantonese:
* Spoken by over 60 million people, primarily in southern China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
* Known for its distinct tonal system and unique vocabulary.
* Often used in Cantonese opera and traditional Chinese medicine.
2. Wu:
* Spoken by over 77 million people, primarily in the Yangtze River Delta region, including Shanghai and Hangzhou.
* Has a complex tonal system and is known for its use of "wu tones".
* Has a rich literary history and is used in local theater and music.
3. Min:
* A group of dialects spoken by over 70 million people, primarily in southeastern China, including Fujian, Taiwan, and parts of Guangdong.
* Known for its diverse sub-dialects and the use of "Minnan" (Southern Min) in Hokkien and Teochew communities worldwide.
* Popular in overseas Chinese communities and has a strong influence on the Taiwanese language.