The Hailu dialect (; Hailu Hakka Romanization System: hoi´ liug` kiong`), also known as the Hoiluk dialect or Hailu Hakka (), is a dialect of Hakka Chinese that originated in Shanwei, Guangdong. It is also the second most common dialect of Hakka spoken in Taiwan.

Classification The first edition of the Language Atlas of China places the Hakka dialects spoken in Haifeng and LufengIncluding Luhe, which was carved out of Lufeng in 1988. into the Xin–Hui cluster () of the Yue–Tai subgroup () of Hakka. In the second edition, it is given its own subgroup known as the Hai–Lu subgroup () separate from the Yue–Tai subgroup.

Chang Song-hing and Zhuang Chusheng propose that it should be grouped as the Hai–Lu cluster () of the Mei–Shao subgroup ().

Distribution In China, the Hailu dialect is spoken in Shanwei, Guangdong, particularly in Haifeng, Lufeng, and Luhe. As of 2012, there are around 1.18 million speakers of the dialect in these three areas.

In Taiwan, it is spoken in Hsinchu County (Xinfeng, Xinpu, Hukou, Qionglin, Hengshan, Guanxi, Beipu, Baoshan, Emei, and Zhudong), Hsinchu City (Xiangshan and Xinfeng), Taoyuan (mostly in Guanyin, Xinwu, and Yangmei; also pockets in Pingzhen, Zhongli, and Longtan), Hualien County (Ji'an, Shoufeng, Guangfu, Yuli, Ruisui, and Fenglin), and Miaoli County (Toufen, Sanwan, Nanzhuang, Xihu, Houlong, Zaoqiao, Tongxiao, and Tongluo). In 2013, 41.5% of Hakka people in Taiwan were reported to be able to communicate in the Hailu dialect.

In Indonesia, a local variety of Hakka, that is loosely based on the Hailu dialect, is widely spoken in northern West Kalimantan, including Singkawang, Sambas, and Pemangkat.

Phonology

Tones The Hailu dialect has seven lexical tones: Tone name dark level( / ) light level( / ) rising( / ) dark departing( / ) light departing( / ) dark entering( / ) light entering( / ) Example / Tone letter Hetian, Luhe (53) (55) (213) (31) (22) (34) (54) Hsinchu (53) (55) (24) (11) (33) (5) (2)

Notes

References