Its speakers are officially classified as ethnic Yao but speak Hmongic languages.
Strecker (1987) had classified Bunu proper as a Western (Chuanqiandian) Hmongic language, and the other "Bunu" languages—Younuo (Yuno), Wunai (Hm Nai), and Jiongnai (Kiong Nai)—as distinct branches of Hmongic.
They can be divided into three major clusters, namely Bunu, Baonao, and Numao.
[1] Intelligibility among these varieties is difficult, and they may also be considered separate languages.
Strecker (1987) suggested they may not form a group at all, but separate languages within West Hmongic.