Meaning of Hanyu Pinyin | Babel Free

Definitions

A system of romanization for Mandarin Chinese. Usually called Pinyin.

Equivalents

Examples

“Mr. Jenner has also provided the Note on Pronunciation at p. 196, for Chinese names which are romanized in this volume according to the Hanyu Pinyin system.”

“I follow McKhann in using Naxi pinyin to transliterate sainii and paq but retain regular Hanyu pinyin for dongba instead of using Naxi pinyin dobbaq since this is the most familiar form.”

“This paper points out that since the 1986 National Conference of Language Works, Hanyu Pinyin and Hanzi no longer have equal status in the Chinese writing system. Hanyu Pinyin has assumed a subordinate status to Hanzi, and it is no longer regarded as an evolving alphabetized writing system to replace Hanzi in the future. This posture is much lower than that preferrred by Mao Zedong in the early stage of New China.”

“Introducing Hanyu Pinyin is about convenience and consistency, but should not, through autocratic rules, become a new front in the battle over identity. Pragmatism is exactly why we would see the retention of “Taipei,” “Kaohsiung” and “Hsinchu” instead of “Taibei,” “Gaoxiong” and “Xinzhu,” and is the most sensible way to proceed in a politicized environment.”

“Kaohsiung City Government said Wednesday that it will continue using the Tongyong Pinyin Mandarin romanization system on its street signs, passing on plans by the city's previous mayor to transition to the more widely-used Hanyu Pinyin system.[…] In May 2019, former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) proposed adopting the Hanyu Pinyin system for the city's street signs at an estimated cost of NT$73 million (US$2.54 million), though the plan was ultimately delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Some use romanization to make a political statement, a legacy of the “Great Tongyong-Pinyin Wars” of the 2000s. Here's a useful trick: if you notice someone is using the Hanyu Pinyin system that is standard in China for their name, they are likely pan-blue (pro-KMT), and if they use Taiwan’s Tongyong Pinyin, they are probably pan-green (pro-DPP).”

“Around twenty years ago, during Taiwan’s romanization wars (when President Chen wanted to impose Tongyong Pinyin upon Taiwan and a great many foreigners and others reacted with dismay and disgust), a popular claim of the Tongyong supporters was, “If Taiwanese use Hanyu Pinyin for their names, no one will be able to tell Taiwanese from Chinese anymore.””

CEFR level