Um… Hmm… Well... Have you ever heard or used these words in a conversation? In linguistics, they’re called "filler words." While they may seem meaningless, and while many associate them with uncertainty and nervousness, filler words can actually be useful. For example, they can help your speech sound more genuine and diplomatic, and even help you jump into a conversation. Cantonese filler words have the potential to make or break a conversation, depending on when and how you use them. In this article, you’ll learn what the most common Cantonese filler words are and how to use them properly. Let’s dive in! Table of Contents Filler Words Explained The Top 10 Cantonese Filler Words Pros and Cons of Filler Words Bonus:... 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

There seems to be a stigma attached to saying "no" nowadays. In certain cultures and social circles, it’s even considered rude or inappropriate to do so! But contrary to popular belief, saying no is a powerful way to safeguard your emotional health. It shows that you take responsibility for yourself and that you respect your own desires, wishes, and emotions. Expressing negative statements or rejection appropriately is also vital to effective communication. Wondering how to express "no" and negate statements in Cantonese? In this article, we’ll guide you through the most important aspects of Cantonese negation so that you can start asserting yourself with confidence!  → By the way, you may also want to see our vocabulary list of... Show more

Depending on how long you’ve been learning Cantonese, you may already have an idea of how simple Cantonese grammar is. You may have even heard that Cantonese is "tenseless." But if that’s the case, how does one express the past, present, or future? In this article, CantoneseClass101.com will cover everything you need to know about expressing the different tenses in Cantonese—it’s easier than you think! Table of Contents Cantonese "Tenses" How to Express the Past How to Express the Present How to Express the Future How CantoneseClass101.com Can Help You Learn More Cantonese 1. Cantonese "Tenses" Cantonese is considered a tenseless language. In contrast to European languages like English or French, it... Show more

Some of you might have heard about how difficult it is to learn Cantonese. After all, Cantonese is a tonal language with its own writing system based on thousands of Chinese characters!  Do you fancy to learn Cantonese but want to get a rough idea of how long it’s gonna take? Or maybe you’ve already passed the beginner stage and would like to see how your progress compares to that of your peers? Today at CantoneseClass101, we’ll answer the question: How long does it take to learn Cantonese?  Our answers will be based on the three levels of Cantonese proficiency: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. This will give you a rough idea of what to expect throughout your Cantonese learning journey and serve as a benchmark.  Let’s... 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

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

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