Based on previous studies of the ideological nature on the distinctions between dialects and languages, the paper focuses on the phenomena that dialects are termed YU(language), and categories its motivations in three cases. In the Cantonese case, YU is a tradition from the ancient times for the major Chinese dialects which were generally termed YU. In the Hokkien case, YU reflects a fact that despite an insignifi cant dialect, in a relative autonomous administration, it is still elevated to the level of YU. For the Shanghai dialect case, it is termed YU due to its speakers’ inclination to highlight their Shanghainese identity. Against this backdrop, the paper also discusses different natures of these cases, and makes some tentative proposals for legislations and administrations, including to strength the awareness of China’s linguistic situation for the Party and government institutions and the media professionals. It is also necessary to make regulations for how to use the alternative terms, YU, Fangyan, based on history, social customs and political doctrines. I also recommend to adopt “dialect” as the standard term for major dialects for the general public.