Matsu dialect

Matsu dialect
馬祖話 / Mā-cū-huâ
平話 / Bàng-huâ
Pronunciation[mɑ˧˩ tsu˥ uɑ˩˧˩] / [paŋ˧˩ ŋuɑ˩˧˩]
Native toTaiwan
RegionMatsu Islands
EthnicityFuzhounese
Early forms
Chinese characters, Foochow Romanized and Matsu Fuchounese Bopomofo
Official status
Official language in
Matsu Islands, Taiwan (as local language)
Recognised minority
language in
One of the statutory languages for public transport announcements in the Matsu Islands, Taiwan
Language codes
ISO 639-3
GlottologNone
Linguasphere79-AAA-ico
IETFcdo-u-sd-twlie
Location of Matsu Islands

The Matsu dialect (Eastern Min: Mā-cū-uâ / 馬祖話) is the local dialect of Matsu Islands, Taiwan. Native speakers also call it Bàng-huâ (平話), meaning the language spoken in everyday life. It is recognised as one of the statutory languages for public transport announcements in Lienchiang County, Taiwan.

The dialect is a subdialect of the Fuzhou dialect of Eastern Min. The Matsu dialect is quite similar to the Changle dialect, another subdialect of the Fuzhou dialect.