Yue

Yue is a term used in Chinese history, linguistics, and geography to refer to several related but distinct concepts. It commonly denotes an ancient state, the peoples who lived in southern China and parts of northern Vietnam, and the modern designation associated with Guangdong and its language.

Ancient Yue refers to a state that existed in the region around the lower Yangtze River and southern China during the Spring and Autumn and subsequent periods. It was a contemporary of other ancient Chinese states such as Wu and Chu and was ultimately absorbed into later political entities. The Yue are described in classical sources as a collection of non-Han groups inhabiting the southeastern coast, whose culture and language contributed to the shaping of regional identities.

The Yue peoples were the diverse ethnic groups living in what is now southern China and northern Vietnam. Over centuries, interactions with Han Chinese states and migrations led to varying degrees of assimilation. The historical term Yue also functioned as an umbrella label for these communities, and its use appears in sources ranging from regional chronicles to ethnographic descriptions.

Yue languages form a branch of the Sinitic language family that includes Cantonese, also known as Yueyu. Today, Yue languages are spoken in Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as in Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas communities. Cantonese is the most widely known variety, with distinct phonology, vocabulary, and written traditions, especially in traditional Chinese characters.

In modern Chinese usage, the character 粤 (Yue) is the abbreviation for Guangdong Province, and the term Yue is often used in reference to the region’s language, culture, and cuisine. Yue is also a Chinese surname (often written 岳), distinct from 越 and 粤 in origin and meaning.