YOUR WAY INTO CANTONESE
Learn Cantonese.
A clear first step.
Learn Cantonese for the conversations you want to have. Start small, get to know the sounds, and give yourself a useful next step.
Complete browser course · No account or subscription needed
A lot to say.
Keep practising
01 / MAKE IT PERSONAL
Start with a reason
to say something.
“Learn Cantonese” is a big goal. Saying hello to a relative, finding your train or ordering your usual drink gives your first few words a purpose.
People you care about
Start with a greeting, an introduction and one question you would actually ask.
Meet and catch up ↗A trip to Hong Kong
Start with one journey: ask where to go, then practise checking the answer.
Find your way ↗A little everyday confidence
Start with a familiar routine, like ordering a drink and saying thank you.
Order something you like ↗Already know a little? Choose a situation you can almost handle. Work on understanding the next question and making your own reply.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
Sounds first.
Support beside you.
For everyday conversations in Hong Kong, start with spoken Hong Kong Cantonese. Learn a complete phrase and a likely response, alongside when you would use them.
Jyutping gives you letters and tone numbers to follow. Tone is part of a word’s pronunciation, so listen to the pitch as well as the consonants and vowels. Recordings let you hear the sound and rhythm. You can learn Chinese characters alongside speaking; you do not need to master them before you begin.
Include a way to ask for another chance, such as “Could you say that again?” Learning to keep a conversation going is part of learning the language.
02 / KEEP IT REPEATABLE
A small rhythm
you can come back to.
Set aside a little time for one exchange. Give listening, answering and remembering a place in the same session.
Listen
Pick one short exchange. Hear the recording, then follow the Jyutping and English meaning.
Get familiar with the sound.Try
Say the line back. Cover the English, think about the situation and try a reply before checking.
Give yourself a turn.Return
Come back tomorrow. Try to recall the line, listen again and choose one detail to improve.
Build on something familiar.
Progress can be small and specific: catching a question you missed yesterday, or replying with a little less help. When you can, try it with a person who can respond and give feedback.
03 / LET US HELP WITH THE NEXT STEP
Less wondering what to study.
More Cantonese.
The complete browser course brings the pieces together for free. Follow short everyday scenes, hear the Cantonese and practise your response. Its 260 lessons and checks are open without an account or subscription.
Prefer the app? Canto School for iPhone and Android brings offline lesson media, Build and personal flashcards into one place, with its own access terms.
- Learn for real situations.Meet people, order food, get around and ask for help.
- Hear it, then have a go.Audio, Traditional Chinese, Jyutping and English support sit beside listening and reply practice.
- Keep building on your practice.Save useful phrases, review tricky material and return to your course.
The full browser course stays free. The app is optional.
The app is free to download, with an optional Full Course monthly subscription. See current price and terms in your store. Browser and app progress are separate.
Take a closer look at the app
See the current App Store preview ↗
START EXPLORING HERE, TOO
A whole little world
to learn from.
Follow the free course, hear a word or get ready for a particular situation.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
A few natural questions.
Is Cantonese too difficult for a complete beginner?
The sounds and tones may be unfamiliar, but you can start with a small, useful exchange. Let a recording guide you, learn what the line means and practise a likely reply. Aim to make one conversation a little easier before moving to the next.
Do I need to learn Chinese characters first?
You can begin listening and speaking while learning the writing alongside it. Jyutping uses letters and tone numbers to help you follow Cantonese sounds. Keep it beside the recording; Traditional Chinese gives you another way to recognise and revisit a phrase.
How much should I practise?
Choose a short session you can realistically repeat. Ten minutes is a reasonable starting plan, not a promise about how quickly you will learn. Listen, try a reply and revisit earlier material. Add longer conversations and feedback as you become more comfortable.
What is free in Canto School?
The complete browser course, with 260 lessons and checks, is free. So are the recording library, guides, quizzes and themed flashcards. No account or subscription is needed, and progress stays in this browser. The optional iPhone and Android app is free to download and has its own access terms, including an optional Full Course monthly subscription. Check the current price and terms in your store. Browser and app progress are separate.
Can I use Canto School on Android?
Yes. Canto School is available on Google Play as well as the App Store. You can also take the complete free course and use the recordings, quizzes and themed flashcards in your browser. A tutor, language partner or Cantonese-speaking community can help with conversation and personal feedback.
YOU HAVE A STARTING POINT.
Now give yourself
a first lesson.
Start the free course Complete browser course · No account or subscription needed