From Simplified/Traditional to Mandarin/Pinyin and Cantonese/Jyutping

February 1, 2024

Are you struggling with translating Chinese sentences? Whether you are learning Mandarin or Cantonese, accuracy is key. In this article, we will introduce a powerful Python module that can convert Chinese sentences from Simplified or Traditional characters to Mandarin or Pinyin and Cantonese or Jyutping. Not only does it provide accurate translations, but it also includes diacritics for precise representation.

Introduction

This Python module was designed specifically for creating Mandarin and Cantonese flashcards. Developed by lucwastiaux, this module simplifies the process of converting Chinese sentences. The library uses the Jieba library for tokenizing the sentences. The words are then converted to Pinyin or Jyutping, either as a whole or character by character. For accurate conversion, the module embeds the MDBG CC-CEDICT dictionary.

Installation

To install the module, simply use the following command:

$ pip install pinyin_jyutping_sentence

Usage

Once installed, using the module is straightforward. Import the module and call the respective functions for Pinyin or Jyutping translations. Here’s an example:

import pinyin_jyutping_sentence

# Convert to Pinyin
pinyin_jyutping_sentence.pinyin("提高口语")
# Output: 'tígāo kǒuyǔ'

# Convert to Jyutping
pinyin_jyutping_sentence.jyutping("我出去攞野食")
# Output: 'ngǒ cēothêoi ló jěsik'

# Disable diacritics by using the tone_numbers argument
pinyin_jyutping_sentence.pinyin("忘拿一些东西了", tone_numbers=True)
# Output: 'wang4 na2 yi1xie1 dong1xi5 le5'

# Add spaces between each syllable using the spaces argument
pinyin_jyutping_sentence.pinyin("忘拿一些东西了", tone_numbers=True, spaces=True)
# Output: 'wang4 na2 yi1 xie1 dong1 xi5 le5'

# Convert to Jyutping with tone_numbers=True
pinyin_jyutping_sentence.jyutping("有啲好貴", tone_numbers=True)
# Output: 'jau5 di1 hou3 gwai3'

Google Sheets add-on

If you work extensively with Google Sheets, you’ll be glad to know that this module is also available as a Google Sheets add-on. Check out the article here for more information on how to use this module within Google Sheets.

How it Works

The module utilizes the Jieba library for tokenizing the sentence. It then converts the words to Pinyin or Jyutping using the CC-Canto dictionary. The conversion can be done either as a whole or character by character, allowing for flexibility. It’s worth mentioning that the Jyutping diacritic conversion used in this module may not be standard but is based on discussions in the Cantonese forum.

Conclusion

Translating Chinese sentences accurately is now more accessible thanks to the Python module Python-Pinyin-Jyutping-Sentence. With its ability to convert from Simplified/Traditional characters to Mandarin/Pinyin and Cantonese/Jyutping, this module is a valuable tool for language learners, educators, and anyone working with Chinese text. Give it a try and experience the convenience of accurate Chinese translations!

Remember, if you have any questions or need support, consider becoming a supporter of the module’s creator on Patreon. Happy translating!

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