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

The Buddha’s Birthday in Hong Kong is a major holiday, and the most important day for Buddhists around the world. In this article, you’ll learn about Buddha’s Birthday traditions, the prevalence of Buddhism in Hong Kong, and pick up some new vocabulary along the way. Let’s get started! 1. What is the Birthday of the Buddha? This is the most important day in 佛教 (fat6 gaau3), or Buddhism, and it’s a time for people to reflect on the Buddha’s teachings, show respect to ancestors, and work on bettering themselves. The main purpose of celebrating Buddha's Birthday is to remind people to use the Buddha's wisdom to wash away the pollution of the inner self and to purify the mind. In particular, Buddhism's code of ethics guides... Show more

The Chinese Lantern Festivals that take place in Hong Kong each year are quite a sight, and offer an exhilarating experience! Traditionally based on many Chinese legends and stories, this holiday is a time to be with loved ones, admire beautiful Chinese lanterns, and maybe even find or reunite with your true love. In this article, you’ll learn all about the Hong Kong Spring Lantern Festival, from its traditional meaning to modern-day celebrations. Are you ready? Let’s get started! 1. What is the Chinese Lantern Festival in Hong Kong? In Chinese culture, the Lantern Festival, or 元宵節 (jyun4 siu1 zit3), is considered a time of passion and romance. This holiday also goes by the name of "Chinese Valentine's Day." This is... Show more

During the Winter Solstice Festival, Hong Kong prepares to celebrate the coming New Year with family and loved ones. In this article, you’ll learn about how Hongkongers celebrate the Chinese Winter Solstice, and why! At CantoneseClass101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative—starting with this article. Let’s delve into this rich and cozy aspect of Hong Kong culture together! 1. What is the Winter Solstice? In Chinese tradition, there’s a saying that says Winter Solstice is more important than the Lunar New Year. That is because ancient China was an agricultural community, and cultivation had to be done according to the season. Why do the Chinese celebrate the... Show more

The Chung Yeung Festival in Hong Kong stretches down into history as far as the Han Dynasty, and is an integral part of Hong Kong’s culture and identity. This holiday comprises largely of two concepts: warding off ill luck and respecting one’s ancestors. In this article, you’ll learn about the various Chung Yeung Festival traditions and the meaning behind them—including why HongKongers drink chrysanthemum wine and climb mountains on this day! You’ll soon see how essential knowing about the Chung Yeung Festival is to really understanding Cantonese culture today. And at CantoneseClass101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative! 1. What is Chung Yeung Festival? The Chung... Show more

When did Hong Kong go back to China? For Hong Kong, 1997 is one of the most significant years in its history; this is the year that British Hong Kong was reunified with China after many years of British rule. In the article, we’ll be discussing the Hong Kong protests, go more into the history of the question "When was Hong Kong given back to China?" and tell you about the day following Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day. In learning about this important holiday in Hong Kong, you’re allowing yourself to better understand the full extent of its culture. With this knowledge in mind, you’re also more likely to succeed in your Cantonese language studies! At CantoneseClass101.com, we hope to make your learning... Show more

Perhaps one of the most well-known Hong Kong celebrations around the world, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is held in commemoration of a poet’s suicide. This facet of the Dragon Boat Festival history may seem odd, and even dark, but it provides great insight into past and current Hong Kong culture. At CantoneseClass101.com, we hope to make learning about Hong Kong culture and the Cantonese language both fun and informative. Any successful language learner can tell you that comprehending and respecting a country’s culture is a vital step in mastering its language. That said, we hope you enjoy delving into the Dragon Boat Festival with us! 1. What is the Dragon Boat Festival? What is Dragon Boat Festival? The... Show more

Tomb Sweeping Day (or the Ching Ming Festival) in Hong Kong, is a day of great importance to HongKongers. This is because it's the day on which they fulfill their duties of filial piety by honoring deceased family and ancestors according to tradition. CantoneseClass101.com hopes to give you a better understanding of the Ching Ming Festival in Hong Kong, and to give you a good idea of Tomb Sweeping Day's meaning. In learning about this significant aspect of Hong Kong culture, you're not only immersing yourself in the country of your target language, but you're allowing yourself to find more purpose in your language-learning journey. Let's begin by answering the following question: "What is Tomb Sweeping Day?" 1. What is the... Show more

In Hong Kong, people celebrate the beginning of the new lunar year, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. The Hong Kong New Year celebrations can take many forms—from lion dances, to fireworks, and even the Hong Kong New Year countdown. Many of these celebrations for the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong have their roots in tradition, and thus learning about this holiday and how it’s celebrated will help you know more about the Hong Kong culture as a whole. At CantoneseClass101.com, we seek to provide you with all the info you need to better understand Hong Kong, its people, and its language. By learning about these things, you’re both enabling yourself to master the Cantonese language and nuances, and showing respect for the country you... Show more

Learn all the Cantonese New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join CantoneseClass101 for a special Cantonese New Year celebration! Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March - December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated. So, how do you say Happy New... Show more