English to Chinese Translation
English to Chinese translation starts with two separate decisions: which script — Simplified or Traditional — and which market, since Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore differ in terminology even where the script is shared. Getting either wrong makes a document read as intended for somebody else.
Simplified or Traditional Chinese?
Simplified Chinese serves Mainland China and Singapore. Traditional Chinese serves Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. This is a script difference, not a language difference, but it is not a font switch either: the two markets also use different technical and business terminology, so each needs its own translation pass.
Converting characters mechanically between the two scripts is the classic shortcut and the classic mistake. Taiwanese and Hong Kong readers recognise machine-converted Mainland text immediately, because the vocabulary comes with it: software terms, units, punctuation habits and loanword conventions all differ.
Hong Kong adds a further layer — written Traditional Chinese with Cantonese-influenced usage and a legal system whose English-language heritage shows in its terminology.
How does Chinese text length compare to English?
Chinese contracts rather than expands — typically 30 to 50 percent fewer characters than the English source. The layout risk inverts: interfaces and documents designed in English leave large gaps, and line-height, font size and character spacing need adjusting so dense CJK text stays readable.
- CJK text needs more line height than Latin text at the same point size
- Chinese has no word spaces, so line-breaking rules differ entirely
- Fixed-width UI elements designed for English will look empty
- Font choice matters: not every typeface covers the required character set
What do Chinese regulatory and legal filings require?
Mainland filings are typically submitted in Simplified Chinese, and many authorities require a translation stamped by a licensed translation company with its official seal rather than an individual's certification. The seal, not a translator's signature, is what most Mainland bodies check.
This differs sharply from the sworn-translator model used in Brazil or Spain. Tell us the receiving authority — a court, a customs office, a provincial regulator, a patent office — and we confirm the exact form of attestation it accepts before work starts.
Which names and terminology need deciding up front?
Company names, product names and key technical terms should be settled before translation, not during. Chinese renders foreign names by sound, by meaning or by a blend, and each choice carries connotations. Once a name is in market, changing it is expensive, so it is worth a glossary decision at the start.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mandarin the same as Simplified Chinese?
No. Mandarin and Cantonese are spoken varieties; Simplified and Traditional are writing systems. Mainland China speaks Mandarin and writes Simplified. Taiwan speaks Mandarin and writes Traditional. Hong Kong speaks Cantonese and writes Traditional.
Can you convert our existing Simplified files to Traditional?
We can, but we recommend a localisation pass rather than a pure script conversion. Conversion handles characters; it does not handle the terminology differences that make the text read as locally written.
Do you handle Chinese into English as well?
Yes, with English-native translators and, for technical or legal material, a subject-matter reviewer. Chinese to English work often needs more query handling, because source documents can be terser than an English reader expects.
Need English to Chinese translation?
Tell us the market and the script, and whether a company seal is required.
Request a quote