However, Mandarin has many different dialects which can sometimes be difficult to understand for speakers of other dialects. The two most widely spoken dialects of Mandarin are:
* Putonghua: This is the standard dialect used in government, education, and media across China. It is also the dialect most commonly taught to non-native speakers.
* Cantonese: This dialect is predominantly spoken in Guangdong province and Hong Kong. While it's not as widely spoken as Putonghua, it has a significant number of speakers and is often considered a distinct language.
Therefore, while Mandarin is the single official language, it's important to consider the many dialects that exist within it, including Putonghua and Cantonese, which are the two most widely spoken.