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Archive for the 'Cantonese Culture' Category

The 20+ Best Cantonese Quotes for Learners

Quotes can be a great tool to help you stay motivated. They also offer cultural insight, provide universal words of wisdom, and tastefully season a pleasant conversation. Do you want to put some Cantonese quotes in your pocket? We’ve compiled some of the greatest Cantonese quotes with English translations and equivalents, handpicked just for you! Without further delay, here are the top twenty quotes in Cantonese. Table of Contents Quotes About Life Quotes About Love Quotes About Wisdom Quotes About Success Bonus: Quotes About Language Learning How CantoneseClass101.com Can Help You Learn More Cantonese 1. Quotes About Life What is life all about, and how should a person live? These are questions people... Show more

Your Guide to Basic Cantonese for Business

The world of work can be wildly different from one country to another, and when traveling somewhere—either permanently or as a visitor—you’ll have to quickly leave a good impression to make the best of your new business environment. Mastering the local language certainly helps.  This is just as true for visitors to Hong Kong as it is for visitors to any other country. Even though English is one of the official languages, many local businesses and companies prefer candidates who can speak Cantonese. Knowing even basic Cantonese for business will definitely help you maintain good relationships with your colleagues and business partners! Can’t wait to put some Cantonese business phrases in your pocket? Keep reading and let... Show more

Learn Cantonese: YouTube Channels You’ll Love Learning With

Learning Cantonese can be a real headache—after all, with nine tones and 20k+ characters, Cantonese is one of the most difficult languages to master! But, with the right tools, you can certainly learn Cantonese a lot quicker and more effectively.  Did you know that in your search for effective Cantonese lessons, YouTube can be an excellent resource?  Just think of all those nights aimlessly scrolling through YouTube videos, watching one after another. Before you know it, it’s three in the morning and...what time was your alarm clock set for?  What if you could combine YouTube and language learning to get the best of both worlds? Faster progress and endless entertainment! As a learner myself, I strongly believe in the power of... Show more

How to Say Goodbye in Cantonese

Do you want to leave a dashing and lasting impression after meeting someone new? It’s time to work on your grand exit! Earlier on this blog, you learned the various ways to say hello. Now it's time to study how to say goodbye in Cantonese when it’s time to part ways.  A proper goodbye shows courtesy and respect, and helps you hone your relationships. This is especially true in Asian societies like Hong Kong, where we value politeness, good manners, and filial piety. There are many ways to say goodbye depending on the situation. In this article, we’ll cover the most common ways to say goodbye in Cantonese so you can be ready for any situation. What are you waiting for? Start with a bonus, and download the Must-Know Beginner Vocabulary... Show more

Your Ultimate Guide to Cantonese Pronouns

Pronouns can help you better articulate and express your ideas by allowing you to avoid repeating the same nouns over and over again. There are various pronouns in English, such as personal pronouns like "he," "she," "it," "our," and "theirs"; demonstrative pronouns like "this" and "that"; and indefinite pronouns like "somebody" and "nowhere."  These pronouns are very useful when it comes to facilitating communication—think how clumsy it would sound to say "Peter really likes Peter’s own voice and Peter’s own appearance," and "Sharon and Sharon’s sister are looking for Sharon’s mother!"  Have you ever wondered what Cantonese pronouns there are? Are you curious to learn how you can use them to communicate your thoughts more... Show more

Your Guide to Cantonese Word Order

Word order refers to the order in which words are structured to form a sentence. One example is the "Subject + Verb + Object" pattern in English. One can not speak, read, or write properly without knowing how to put sentences together.  That’s why we’ve decided to introduce you to Cantonese word order and grammar. Let CantoneseClass101.com be your guide to mastering Cantonese! Table of Contents Cantonese Word Order Overview Basic Word Order with Subject, Verb, and Object Word Order with Prepositional Phrases Word Order with Modifiers How to Form a Negative Sentence Bonus: Translation Exercises Conclusion: How CantoneseClass101.com Can Help You Learn More Cantonese 1. Cantonese Word Order Overview ... Show more

The 20+ Most Useful Compliments in Cantonese

Being a HongKonger myself, I would say that Hong Kong has nurtured many very beautiful citizens—both in mind and body. To praise us (don’t be shy!), here are twenty of the most useful Cantonese compliments that you can use. And the next time you want to compliment a Cantonese girl, you’ll know very well what to say! Table of Contents Compliments on Looks Compliments on Work Compliments on Skills Compliments on Character / Disposition How to Make Your Compliments Sound More Sincere What to Expect After Giving Compliments How CantoneseClass101.com Can Help You Learn More Cantonese 1. Compliments on Looks 1 - 你好靚 Meaning: "You’re very beautiful." Romanization: nei5 hou2 leng3 Format: Spoken Cantonese Example... Show more

Getting Angry in Cantonese without Cantonese Curse Words

Even though Hong Kong might be one of the most polite cities, Hongkongers—like everyone else in the world—do have tempers. Have you ever wondered how to express yourself when you’re angry in Cantonese, especially without needing to use Cantonese swear words? Here at CantoneseClass101.com, we’re introducing the top twenty angry Cantonese phrases. Sit back, "relax," and learn how to let someone know you’re very angry in Cantonese! Table of Contents Angry Imperatives Angry Warnings Angry Blames Describing How You Feel The "Whats" Bonus: How to Calm Yourself Down When You're Angry Conclusion: How CantoneseClass101.com Can Help You Learn More Cantonese 1. Angry Imperatives 1- 收聲 Meaning: Shut up. Romanization:... Show more

Celebrating the Buddha’s Birthday in Hong Kong

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

Hong Kong Life Events: Happy New Year in Cantonese and More!

Important life events are a great opportunity to practice Cantonese. Not only do they give you an opportunity to express your friendliness and caring to your native friends, but they can also serve as very good conversation starters. Can’t wait to learn Happy New Year in Cantonese, and more? Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to Cantonese life events and messages! Table of Contents Birthday Chinese New Year New Year Other Holidays Graduation New Job/Promotion Retirement Wedding Injured/Sick Pregnancy and Birth Conclusion: How CantoneseClass101.com Can Help You Learn More Cantonese 1. Birthday Most Hong Kongers have two birthdays: one expressed in Gregorian format, and... Show more