Learn Cantonese with the Vocabo Chrome Extension
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Master Cantonese vocabulary while browsing the web. Free Chrome extension for language learners. Cantonese is spoken by 85+ million people. Cantonese opens doors to Hong Kong business, cinema, and Cantonese cuisine.
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About Cantonese
Cantonese has 6-9 tones compared to Mandarin's 4, making it especially challenging.
Speakers
85+ million
Language Family
Sino-Tibetan
Writing System
Traditional Chinese characters
Difficulty
Very Hard
Spoken in
Why Learn Cantonese?
Cantonese opens doors to Hong Kong business, cinema, and Cantonese cuisine.
Common Cantonese Words
Start your Cantonese journey with these essential words and phrases.
你好
Hello
nei5 hou2
多謝
Thank you
do1 ze6
唔該
Please/Excuse me
m4 goi1
係
Yes
hai6
唔係
No
m4 hai6
水
Water
seoi2
嘢食
Food
je5 sik6
朋友
Friend
pang4 jau5
愛
Love
oi3
再見
Goodbye
zoi3 gin3
屋企
House/Home
uk1 kei2
書
Book
syu1
History of Cantonese
Cantonese is the prestige dialect of Yue Chinese, originating in Guangdong province. It preserves many Middle Chinese features lost in Mandarin. Cantonese spread globally through emigration from Guangdong, making it the dominant Chinese language in Chinatowns worldwide until recent decades. Hong Kong cinema made Cantonese internationally recognized.
Is Cantonese Hard to Learn?
Cantonese has 6-9 tones (depending on analysis) compared to Mandarin's 4, making tone mastery even more challenging. It uses traditional characters and has grammar that differs from Mandarin. However, learning Cantonese provides access to classic Chinese cinema and Hong Kong culture.
Similar Languages to Cantonese
If you're interested in Cantonese, you might also want to explore these related languages:
Start Learning Cantonese Today
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