Learning Cantonese That Are Actually Useful
Image: Jyuttoi
Cantonese is no doubt one of the hardest languages to learn due to its tonal system, out-of-the-norm structure, and a library of interjection and intonations that are unique to the language. Nonetheless, these are exactly the reasons why this Chinese dialect is so fun to learn: the lively expressions and slang for nearly every occasion that you might encounter in life, or the freedom to create your own character/expression that is not in any dictionary through exploiting the language’s lyrical nature. It might be impossible for people who live in a non-Cantonese-speaking region to fully adapt to the language, but there is no excuse for us in Hong Kong to not excel in the language that is so rich in both culture and humour.
Jyuttoi
Many would say the best entrance to a new language is through its curse words, or in this case, informal slang. If that’s also your approach, look no further than the YouTube channel and social page Jyuttoi. Handpicking interesting slang that responds to the time every day followed up with a real-life example of how you can incorporate it into everyday language, the platform introduces you to the dialect in a light-hearted, humourous way which would spice up your conversations with locals with a good laugh.
Chatty Cantonese
As for more integrated learners, a good podcast would be a step up to the game, like Chatty Cantonese. Unlike other platforms that go deep into semantics and grammatical rules that are most likely irrelevant in everyday use, the podcast covers the subtle yet crucial details in pronouncing the language from the learners’ angle. Especially for Cantonese, a lively and fun dialect which is completely different in its written and spoken forms, the show hosted by a teacher-student duo shares tips and insights, helping beginners to improve their listening ability.
