Are you planning on studying or teaching in Hong Kong? Do you know the most common classroom phrases in Cantonese for students or teachers alike? Whether you’re about to join a university as a foreign student or to teach your native language as a teacher, you will have to learn how to communicate in the classroom. If you’re a student, not only will you need to learn how to address your teachers, but also to understand their instructions. And vice versa if you’re in the teacher’s shoes! You will also need to learn some basic vocabulary, such as school subjects, supplies, and infrastructure. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know as a teacher or a student, from common phrases to vocabulary, instructions, and a list of... Show more

Hong Kong is a food paradise! Not only does it have the highest density of restaurants in the world, but there is also a great variety of local dishes and mouth-watering delicacies worth trying. On top of the famous dim sum, there are other Cantonese foods, such as egg tarts and fish balls, that are too good to be missed. There's a saying in Cantonese that reveals how much we care about food: 民以食為天 (man4 ji5 sik6 wai4 tin1) - "Food is god to people."  Indeed, food is one of the most important aspects of life: it brings you energy and joy, and you need it every single day. To ensure that you won’t miss out on the great food in Hong Kong, we have compiled a list of Cantonese phrases for you to navigate through the local... Show more

What’s your favorite animal? Do you have any pets?  Questions like these make great conversation starters. Animals are a topic of interest for many people, and we sure do love our pets! What better way to break the ice and get to know someone than by asking about their favorite furry, scaly, or feathery creatures? Fancy putting some Cantonese animal words in your pocket? In this article, you’ll learn many animal names in Cantonese for different categories: pets, farm animals, wild beasts, sea creatures, birds, and all sorts of tiny bugs. We’ll spice it up with some animal proverbs and the “Twelve Zodiac Animals” story. Read on! Table of Contents At Home (Pets) On the Farm (Farm Animals) In the Wild / Forest / Safari... Show more

Love is quite an unexplainable matter—it can cause you to feel happy, excited, and a number of other emotions. Considering the vast breadth of feelings you’re experiencing, how can you properly express your love in Cantonese to that special someone?  In this article, we’ll not only cover the most common love phrases like "I miss you," and "I love you," in Cantonese, but we’ll also teach you how to express your interest and affection during each stage of your relationship. As a bonus, we’ll share some love quotes at the end (but we don’t recommend using them in your dating life unless you want to sound...cheesy). Do note that most Hongkongers (and other people living in the Cantonese-speaking regions) are more subtle and reserved when... Show more

Considering the huge number of languages in the world, why learn Cantonese? You might already be aware of how different Cantonese is compared to Western languages. After all, Cantonese is a tonal language with its own writing system based on 3000-4000 Chinese characters!  Even though Cantonese sounds complicated, it’s not that hard to master when you’re using the right tools and approach. Plus, learning Cantonese can open up lots of opportunities and enable you to fully experience the local culture. Still not convinced? Let CantoneseClass101.com share with you our top 10 reasons why you should learn Cantonese! Table of Contents Knowing Cantonese will unlock more career options. It will help you navigate the city. ... Show more

Proverbs allow us to articulate our ideas and ways of thinking in a fun way! Like quotes, they provide us with wisdom and insight—they can even serve as a window into other cultures! Do you want to put some Cantonese proverbs and idioms in your pocket? Without further delay, let’s review our top thirty selections! Table of Contents Animal-Related Idioms Ghost-Related Sayings Food-Related Sayings Sayings About People Tree-Related Proverbs Other Sayings How CantoneseClass101.com Can Help You Learn More Cantonese 1. Animal-Related Idioms There are plenty of Cantonese proverbs and idioms featuring animals. Below, we’ll introduce you to our favorites!  豬乸會上樹 Romanization: zyu1 naa2 wui5... Show more

Hong Kong is a colorful city with lots to offer. With a breathtaking skyline, numerous shopping arcades and markets, a great deal of bustling bars, and the highest concentration of restaurants offering both international and local cuisines, this tiny city has it all. Can’t wait to visit Hong Kong and see one of the world’s greatest cities? Then dive into this Hong Kong travel guide from CantoneseClass101.com for practical travel tips, a list of places you just have to see, and some survival phrases in Cantonese to help you make the most of your trip! Table of Contents Before You Go Must-See Places for a 1-3 Day Trip Highly Recommended Places for a 4-7 Day Trip (or Longer) Personal Picks Cantonese Survival Phrases ... Show more

Did you know that English is quite popular in Hong Kong? In fact, many HongKongers love mixing English words into their Cantonese conversations. The history of Hong Kong English dates back to when Hong Kong was a British colony. Even after the 1997 Handover of Hong Kong from the U.K. to China, English remained one of the official languages alongside Cantonese. English is widely used in the government, business, and education sectors. Road signs, railway signs, government websites, and paper notes are all bilingual! Table of Contents What is Hong Kong English? Hong Kong English Examples Loanwords from English in Cantonese English Words Derived from Cantonese Bonus: Famous Names in Cantonese How... Show more

Hong Kong is truly an amazing place—it’s one of the world’s greatest cities and boasts a unique "East meets West" culture. Wondering why this crowded, tiny city (we’re 293 times smaller than Norway with 1.4 times the population) attracts millions of visitors every year? Or would you like to know a bit more about Hong Kong’s culture before settling here? In either case, you’ve come to the right place. In this lesson from CantoneseClass101, we’ll give you a practical overview of Cantonese culture, so read on! Table of Contents Core Values and Beliefs Arts Food Holidays Bonus: Our Everyday Lives Why is CantoneseClass101 the Best Place to Learn Cantonese? 1. Core Values and Beliefs A key element in... Show more

Hong Kong is a food paradise! Not only does it have the highest density of restaurants in the world, but there is also a great variety of local dishes and mouth-watering delicacies worth trying. On top of the famous dim sum (which we have an entire section on later), there are other Cantonese foods, such as egg tarts and fish balls, that are too good to be missed. There's a saying in Cantonese that reveals how much we care about food: 民以食為天 (man4 ji5 sik6 wai4 tin1) - "Food is god to people."  Indeed, food is one of the most important aspects of life: it brings you energy and joy, and you need it every single day. It's also a great way to experience another culture and it makes for a lovely conversation starter.  Can’t wait... Show more