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As one of the main dialects of the Chinese language, Cantonese is widely spoken in Southern China and is in fact, the official language of Hong Kong. Cantonese as a language is famous for its rich array of tones and unique phonology which might confuse even the most fluent of Mandarin speakers.
If you’re trying to pick up Cantonese, be it for a trip to Hong Kong or simply for the love of learning a new language, I, a true blue local, have got you covered. While there are some Cantonese books you can pick up, the best way to learn this unique Chinese dialect is by downloading a Cantonese learning app!
Here are nine of the best apps to learn Cantonese that are suitable for all levels of proficiency!
Top picks
Before we dive right in, I just wanted to take the time to highlight some of the apps that even native speakers like myself find useful:
- Use Pimsleur to hone your listening skills and pronunciation
- Expand your word bank with uTalk
- Get connected with a Cantonese tutor on italki or Preply
- Practice what you’ve learned on Clozemaster
With that out of the way, let’s check out these amazing apps to learn Cantonese!
1. Pimsleur
When it comes to the best app to learn Cantonese, I personally recommend Pimsleur. That’s because the most important aspect of mastering Cantonese is pronunciation. As a whole, there are six different tones in Cantonese, two more than in Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin.
Most of the lessons on Pimsleur’s Cantonese course are delivered via audio and video clips that are aimed to help you get comfortable with speaking Cantonese.
The lessons often focus on phrases and words that are usually used during daily conversation, helping you pick up essential vocabulary whilst improving your Cantonese pronunciation.
Find out more about this awesome app with this in-depth Pimsleur review.
Why you should learn Cantonese with Pimsleur:
- Delivers engaging audio lessons with pristine pronunciation
- Effectively introduces learners to essential vocabulary for daily conversations
- Fully focused on getting you to speak the language quickly
Pricing: Pimsleur subscription is $14.95/month for Audio-Only; $19.95/month for Premium (with Bonus Materials), or $20.95/month for All Access. Start your full access, 7-day free trial.
Devices: iOS and Android
2. Ling App
One of my personal favorite apps to learn Cantonese is Ling App, developed by real language experts at Simya Solutions.
Its Cantonese course consists mainly of smart flashcards and spaced repetition to help learners acquire new vocabulary and phrases. What’s more, its self-directed learning system gives users the flexibility to choose which topics they want to learn when they want to learn them.
Add to that the easy-to-use interface and memorable aesthetics, and what you have is an engaging Cantonese learning app that keeps you hooked for the long run.
Why you should learn Cantonese with Ling app:
- Offers a comprehensive course that covers all aspects of the language
- Comes with interactive exercises that make reviewing what you learn a fun process
- Suitable for all levels of proficiency
Pricing: A monthly subscription costs $14.99/month and gives you access to all content!
Devices: iOS and Android
3. CantoneseClass101
Rather than focus only on certain aspects of the language, CantoneseClass101 is one of the few holistic apps to learn Cantonese that offers a variety of lessons touching on listening, writing, and reading.
New lessons are delivered on a weekly basis and come in the form of flashcards, word lists, and even audio clips. They cover a wide range of topics that help prepare learners to master the language in a shorter amount of time.
You can even work out a personalized learning plan with your very own personal tutor on the app.
Why you should learn Cantonese with CantoneseClass101:
- Offers lessons in a variety of different formats to keep learners interested
- Fresh content uploaded weekly to keep topics relevant
- Offers personalized lesson plans and even 1-on-1 tutoring sessions
Pricing: Weekly short lessons are free while a basic monthly subscription that unlocks more features starts from $4/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
4. uTalk
If you’re focused on building a strong, practical vocabulary, uTalk is definitely worth checking out. It offers Cantonese among its 150+ languages, focusing on real-world words and phrases rather than just grammar drills.
You’ll learn over 2,500 essential words and phrases across more than 60 everyday topics through a series of fun, engaging games. Plus, the app’s voice recording function lets you practice your spoken Cantonese and compare your pronunciation directly with native speakers until you sound just right.
Why you should learn Cantonese with uTalk:
- Best for quickly learning a large volume of practical words and phrases
- Five progressively challenging games keep learning engaging and test retention
- Voice recording and comparison feature to perfect your accent
Pricing: Limited content for free. Starts from $8.33/month for the Premium version. Find the latest uTalk promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
5. italki
When it comes to Cantonese, the best way to improve is simply to speak the language regularly. To that end, italki is one of the best apps to learn Cantonese, especially if you’re a beginner.
Unlike other apps on this list, italki isn’t strictly a language learning app. Instead, it is a platform that connects avid learners to native speakers and certified tutors.
The tutors on italki can design a personalized course to help you improve your Cantonese, as well as provide personal feedback whenever they spot something you can improve on. Most importantly, as you engage with your tutors in real time, you’ll get to practice speaking Cantonese in a real-world situation.
Here’s a detailed walk-through of italki. You can also find fellow language learners and tutors to practice with on platforms like AmazingTalker and Wyzant.
Why you should learn Cantonese with italki:
- Highly effective 1-on-1 tutoring sessions with native speakers
- Learners can choose between a casual chat or a formal lesson
- Offers the chance to practice normal conversation with a native speaker
Pricing: Tutors on italki set their own prices. Cantonese lessons usually cost an average of $5 to $20/hour. Check out discounted lessons here.
Devices: iOS and Android
6. Skritter
As a native speaker, I can once again confirm that Cantonese is an aural language that relies more on speaking and listening than reading or writing.
That said, it is also useful to read and write Cantonese, especially if you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong soon. When it comes to the best Cantonese learning app to read and write Cantonese, I recommend Skritter. After all, it is one of the few apps that actually teach how to read and write Traditional Chinese, which is used in Cantonese.
That said, I personally view Skritter as more of a supplementary resource just to learn how to read and write Traditional Chinese characters. For a better understanding of Cantonese, it’s better to combine Skritter with other apps to learn Cantonese.
Why you should learn Cantonese with Skritter:
- One of the few apps that offer Traditional Chinese writing lessons
- Comes with a proper writing and pronunciation guide
- Quick and easy to use
Pricing: A basic subscription starts at $14.99/month. Before subscribing, you can choose to try out a seven-day free trial.
Devices: iOS and Android
7. Preply
Similar to italki, Preply has a community of native Cantonese speakers who can help you learn their language as well as their culture.
Preply tutors go through a rigorous vetting process, which means you’re getting the best. You can browse the tutor profiles to see their specialty, other languages the tutors speak (most of them speak a minimum of three languages), and their availability. You can also read reviews from former students.
That said, Preply offers free tutor replacement if you somehow don’t end up satisfied after your first session. This helps you match up with a tutor that really meets your learning styles and needs!
Why you should learn Cantonese with Preply:
- Large database of highly-qualified Cantonese tutors to choose from
- Speak with native speakers who can give personalized feedback
- Option to pay in bulk
Pricing: You can hire tutors for as low as $4. Find the latest Preply promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
8. Mango Languages
Speaking of apps to learn Cantonese for beginners, Mango Languages helps eager learners to learn the language from zero, gradually honing their fluency and proficiency over a course of 10 different chapters.Â
Mango Languages uses a guided course to teach beginners the basics of Cantonese. The app holds your hand as it introduces you to basic phrases and words along with pronunciation guides and explanations. It also regularly revises what you’ve learned in the previous chapter to ensure that you’re able to commit the lessons to memory.
Another similar app you can check out is Gus on The Go, which is an interactive language learning app that specifically caters to children. That said, beginners might still be able to learn valuable lessons from the app!
Why you should learn Cantonese with Mango Languages:
- Features a well-structured course that is ideal for total beginners
- The lessons are well-paced and suitable for new learners
- Bite-sized daily lessons that don’t take much time to go through
Pricing: A basic monthly subscription starts at $7.99/month. Try it FREE here!
Devices: iOS and Android
9. Clozemaster
While it’s possible to learn Cantonese using flashcard apps, a problem that I often find with those kinds of apps is that they teach Cantonese words without actually considering the context in which they are used.
That problem does not exist with Clozemaster. The app uses multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions to help you learn new words whilst paying close attention to the correct context in daily conversation. Once you’ve selected your answer, the app reads the sentence aloud and encourages you to follow along with romanized spelling.
One downside to Clozemaster is that it caters more to intermediate learners who can already read Cantonese. If you’re a total beginner, you might want to first master the basics with some other Cantonese learning app.
Why you should learn Cantonese with Clozemaster:
- Teaches new vocabulary and contextualizes them
- Gamifies the learning process to keep you interested
- Comes with audio repetition with romanized spelling to help improve your pronunciation
Pricing: The basic features of the app are free. However, you can sign up for a monthly subscription program from $8/month to unlock additional features.
Devices: iOS and Android
10. Drops
Like when studying Mandarin, one of the main ways to improve your fluency in Cantonese is simply to expand your vocabulary. And one of the best apps to learn Cantonese vocabulary is Drops.
Using beautiful illustrations, Drops delivers bite-sized daily lessons that focus on practical Cantonese vocabulary that you can actually use in proper conversations.
What’s more, the app uses engaging micro-games to help you regularly review what you’ve learned and keeps you hooked from the very beginning.
Why you should learn Cantonese with Drops:
- Allows you to quickly learn new Cantonese vocabulary effectively
- Vivid illustrations and animations help with memorizing new phrases and words
- A simple-to-use interface that’s perfect for beginners
Pricing: Free 5-minute daily lessons. Subscriptions start at $9.99/month and offer you unlimited access and additional features. Check out the latest Drops promo here.
Devices: iOS and Android
11. Simply Learn Cantonese
For those who are trying to learn just enough Cantonese for a week-long trip to Hong Kong, try Simply Learn Cantonese, another app developed by Simya Solutions.
Unlike the more holistic Ling App, Simply Learn Cantonese focuses more on teaching you essential vocabulary for a trip to Hong Kong. The lessons come in the form of a travel phrasebook with over 10,000 essential words and phrases for the savvy globetrotter.
Each word/phrase is pronounced accurately by a native speaker and the app uses spaced repetition and quizzes to help you remember the words you’ve learned.
Why you should learn Cantonese with Simply Learn Cantonese:
- Helps travelers prepare for a trip to Hong Kong
- Lessons are presented in a light and casual manner
- It is completely free!
Pricing: The app itself is free. However, you can opt for a subscription starting from $0.99/month to get rid of ads.
Devices: iOS and Android
Learn Cantonese: FAQ
What is the best app to learn Cantonese?
Personally, I recommend Pimsleur, Ling App, and Clozemaster. The comprehensive course on Ling App is just what a beginner needs to quickly learn the basics of Cantonese while Clozemaster provides a great platform to practice.
More importantly, with Cantonese being a more “spoken“ kind of language, Pimsleur’s audio courses are great in helping learners improve their fluency. you may also benefit from native-speaking tutors on italki and Preply.
What’s the benefit of using apps to learn Cantonese?
There are many reasons why using an app to learn Cantonese simply works. For one, Cantonese is an extremely complicated language to learn. Most apps tend to break down the language into easy-to-understand sections that help beginners find an effective way into the language.
What’s more, since Cantonese is usually considered more of a dialect than an actual language, there may be a shortage of traditional learning materials for Cantonese. Apps are one of the more accessible ways to learn the language but you can also check out books to learn Cantonese.
Can I learn Cantonese on Duolingo?
As of writing, Duolingo Cantonese for English speakers is not yet available. While you wait, I would advise improving your Cantonese vocabulary using other apps like uTalk instead!
Is there a difference between Cantonese and Mandarin?
Yes, there are a lot of differences between Cantonese and Mandarin!
Many learners make the mistake of thinking Cantonese is a breeze to learn because they’re fluent in Mandarin. After all, they use similar characters. However, the way most words are pronounced in Cantonese is profoundly different from Mandarin.
What’s more, the way different characters are combined in Cantonese is also not the same. While Cantonese and Mandarin are linguistically similar, it is best to treat them as separate languages.
Which countries speak Cantonese?
Cantonese is widely spoken in Hong Kong, Macau, and most parts of Southern China. You can also find Cantonese speakers in Singapore and Malaysia!
How long will it take to master Cantonese?
A lifetime. You see, Cantonese is a cultural language that is very often influenced by the times. Cantonese today probably sounds quite alien to those who spoke the language just 100 years ago.
Instead of setting a concrete target of mastering Cantonese in x months/years, just take it slow and enjoy the process of learning this colorful language. Eventually, you’ll be able to converse fully in Cantonese like a local!
Is there a way to learn Cantonese faster?
Yes! Watch Hong Kong dramas! There are so many great TVB dramas that you can easily pick up any title you like and binge-watch it over the weekend. Trust me, the more dramas you watch, the more Cantonese you’ll inevitably pick up!
Conclusion
Cantonese is definitely a difficult language to learn, at least in the beginning. However, once you’ve started getting into the rhythm, you’ll find that it’s actually quite easy to pick up, especially if you constantly immerse yourself in a Cantonese-speaking environment.
So, pick up that phone and download those Cantonese learning apps! Your journey to speaking Cantonese fluently begins today!
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