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Cantonese for Absolute Beginners

Boon Hong Donovan So

4.4

Based on 381 ratings

, see reviews

Boon Hong Donovan So

Cantonese is one of the most ancient, culturally-rich and complex languages in the world. It has 100 million speakers from all around the world.

This course is suitable for absolute beginners. Although Cantonese itself can be complex, I promise I'll make it simple. I'll walk you through learning Cantonese slowly, clearly and systematically.

In Part 1 of the course, we will talk about the foundations of learning Cantonese: the 6 tones, the vowels and the consonants.

In Part 2 of the course, I'll teach you essential survival vocabulary that will be incredibly useful for anyone.

Cantonese is one of the most ancient, culturally-rich and complex languages in the world. It has 100 million speakers from all around the world.

This course is suitable for absolute beginners. Although Cantonese itself can be complex, I promise I'll make it simple. I'll walk you through learning Cantonese slowly, clearly and systematically.

In Part 1 of the course, we will talk about the foundations of learning Cantonese: the 6 tones, the vowels and the consonants.

In Part 2 of the course, I'll teach you essential survival vocabulary that will be incredibly useful for anyone.

In Part 3, I'll go over some basic Cantonese grammar. By the end, you'll be able to form sentences and hold simple conversations with native Cantonese speakers.

Many people might be reluctant to start learning Cantonese because they are intimidated by Chinese characters. That's why his course aims to get you off the ground by putting an emphasis on spoken Cantonese rather than written. Although you are still encouraged to try writing and remembering the characters, Jyutping (a Cantonese romanization system) will be given throughout the course, so memorizing characters is NOT required.

Don't wait to get started. I promise learning Cantonese is an eye-opener and an experience that you'll thoroughly enjoy.

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Learning objectives

Master the tones, consonants and vowels in cantonese
Learn basic vocabulary
Learn basic grammar

Hold casual conversations with native cantonese speakers
Have the knowledge foundation to pursue intermediate / advanced cantonese

Master the tones, consonants and vowels in cantonese
Learn basic vocabulary
Learn basic grammar
Hold casual conversations with native cantonese speakers
Have the knowledge foundation to pursue intermediate / advanced cantonese

Syllabus

Course introduction and overview

Introduction

Getting Started

Part 1: Jyutping - Cantonese Pronunciations

A review on the phrases and characters learnt in lesson 6

Correction: 奶 nai (milk) should be in the 5th tone

At around 10:05 on in the next lecture, I mistakenly put 奶 nai (milk) in the 3rd tone, but it should be in the 5th tone. Apologies for the mistake.

See you in the next lecture!

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Teaches practical, spoken Cantonese for beginners who are intimidated by Chinese characters, using the Jyutping romanization system

Provides a systematic approach to learning Cantonese, starting with pronunciation and building up to grammar and vocabulary

Covers a wide range of essential survival vocabulary, including greetings, numbers, food, and places

Introduces basic Cantonese grammar, enabling learners to form sentences and hold simple conversations

Suitable for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Cantonese or Chinese

Lays the foundation for further Cantonese learning at intermediate or advanced levels

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Reviews summary

Beginner spoken cantonese foundation

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in Cantonese, particularly focusing on spoken aspects. Students appreciate the clear explanations of fundamental elements like the six tones, vowels, and consonants, often citing the instructor's effective teaching style. The course structure, which breaks down complex concepts into manageable lessons, is frequently praised. Many find the focus on Jyutping helpful for getting started without needing to learn characters immediately. While the material is foundational, it's considered a great starting point for absolute beginners aiming for basic conversations.

Focus is on basics, not intermediate/advanced.

"This course is strictly for absolute beginners, it won't make you fluent."

"Covers the basics well, but I'll need another course for more advanced grammar or vocabulary."

"Don't expect to understand complex conversations after this."

"It's a great start, but just the tip of the iceberg."

Consistent personal practice is needed.

"Like any language, consistent practice outside the lessons is crucial."

"The course gives you the tools, but you have to put in the effort to practice speaking."

"I need to review the tone lessons multiple times to really get them down."

"You won't be fluent overnight, requires dedication."

Emphasizes speaking, uses romanization.

"The focus on spoken Cantonese using Jyutping is exactly what I needed to get started without being intimidated by characters."

"Using Jyutping throughout made pronunciation practice much easier."

"This course helped me practice speaking without worrying about writing."

"I appreciate that characters are optional and the focus is on sounds."

Instructor updates content based on feedback.

"Noticed the instructor added corrections, which shows they care about accuracy."

"It's good to see the course being updated with amendments for clarity."

"The correction notes in the syllabus are helpful."

"Seems like the instructor listens to feedback."

Lessons are manageable and logical.

"The course is well-structured and easy to follow."

"Lessons are broken down into bite-sized chunks, making it less overwhelming."

"I like the logical progression from sounds to words to basic sentences."

"The pace felt just right for someone starting from scratch."

Covers essential basics for beginners.

"Provides a very good foundation for absolute beginners."

"I learned essential vocabulary and grammar to start speaking simple sentences."

"The course covers all the fundamental building blocks you need."

"It's a great starting point if you know absolutely no Cantonese."

Instructor makes learning enjoyable and clear.

"The instructor is very clear and easy to understand."

"I found the teacher to be engaging and patient, which is great for beginners."

"Her explanations are concise and make complex ideas simple."

"Thank you for making learning Cantonese so accessible and fun!"

Mastering tones & pronunciation is key.

"The explanation of the 6 tones was very clear and helpful."

"I finally feel like I'm getting a handle on the tricky Cantonese tones thanks to the detailed breakdown."

"Pronunciation exercises were great, really helped differentiate sounds I couldn't hear before."

"Understanding the tones is critical, and this course explains them well."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Cantonese for Absolute Beginners with these activities:

Learn the Basics of Cantonese

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Get a head start on the basics of Cantonese by reviewing some key concepts and terminology to make the course more accessible.

Browse courses on Cantonese Pronunciation

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Review the six tones of Cantonese.
Learn the 19 consonants and seven vowels of Cantonese.
Start building your vocabulary by learning basic phrases and greetings.

Build Your Course Notes

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Compile and organize your notes, assignments, and resources from the course to enhance your understanding and retention of the material.

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Create dedicated notes for each module or section of the course.
Review and summarize the key concepts and ideas.
Include examples, diagrams, or personal reflections to enhance your understanding.
Organize the notes in a logical and accessible manner.

Tone Practice Drills

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Practice identifying and producing Cantonese tones accurately through focused exercises to improve your pronunciation and listening comprehension.

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Listen to native speakers pronouncing different tones.
Repeat the tones aloud, paying attention to the pitch and intonation.
Practice distinguishing between similar-sounding tones.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Explore Cantonese Culture and History

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Enrich your learning experience by exploring the cultural and historical context of Cantonese, which will provide a deeper understanding of the language and its nuances.

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Read articles or watch documentaries about Cantonese history and culture.
Visit a Chinese cultural center or museum.
Attend events or festivals that celebrate Cantonese heritage.
Listen to Cantonese music or watch Cantonese films.

Cantonese Resource Collection

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Compile a collection of useful resources, such as websites, apps, and learning materials, to support your Cantonese learning journey.

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Gather resources that cover different aspects of Cantonese learning.
Organize the resources into categories or topics.
Evaluate the resources and select the ones that are most valuable and effective.
Share the compilation with other learners or post it online.

Vocabulary Building Flashcards

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Create and use flashcards to memorize new Cantonese vocabulary. This will strengthen your memory and recall abilities.

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Write down new words and their meanings on flashcards.
Review the flashcards regularly, testing yourself on the meanings.
Use the words in practice exercises or conversations.

Cantonese Conversation Practice

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Engage in regular conversation practice with a native speaker or language partner to improve your fluency and speaking confidence.

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Find a language partner or tutor who can provide conversation practice.
Schedule regular conversation sessions.
Prepare topics or questions for discussion.
Practice actively listening and responding in Cantonese.
Seek feedback on your pronunciation and grammar.

Become a Cantonese Learning Mentor

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Become a mentor to other Cantonese learners to reinforce your knowledge and skills while helping others achieve their language goals.

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Identify opportunities to mentor new Cantonese learners.
Create lesson plans or materials to support their learning.
Provide regular feedback and encouragement.
Share your knowledge and experiences related to Cantonese.

Career center

Learners who complete Cantonese for Absolute Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Teacher

A Teacher may teach Cantonese as a second language. This course provides a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are essential to success as a Teacher of Cantonese.

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Translator

A Translator can leverage their knowledge of Cantonese and training in sentence structure to more effectively translate documents, websites, or other materials from Cantonese to English or vice versa. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Translator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Translator

Interpreter

An Interpreter can leverage their knowledge of Cantonese and training in sentence structure to more effectively assist their clients during meetings and other events. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as an Interpreter.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter

Media Researcher

A Media Researcher may need to collect and work with data in Cantonese. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Media Researcher who works with Cantonese sources or data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Media Researcher

Journalist

A Journalist may need to interview Cantonese speakers during the course of their work. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Journalist who interacts with Cantonese speaking sources on a regular basis. Additionally, the course can help build the Journalist's ability to hold casual conversations with Cantonese speaking sources, increasing trust and rapport.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

A Speech-Language Pathologist may work with patients who speak Cantonese. This course provides a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Speech-Language Pathologist who works with Cantonese speaking patients. Additionally, the course can help build the Speech-Language Pathologist's ability to hold casual conversations with Cantonese speaking patients, increasing trust and rapport.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech-Language Pathologist

Tour Guide

Tour Guides often interact with an international clientele, and this can include Cantonese speaking tourists. This course provides a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Tour Guide who interacts with Cantonese speakers on a regular basis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tour Guide

Travel Agent

A Travel Agent may assist Cantonese speaking clients in planning their travel. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Travel Agent who interacts with Cantonese speaking clients on a regular basis.

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Librarian

A Librarian may need to assist Cantonese speaking patrons. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Librarian who works with Cantonese speaking patrons.

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Analyst

An Analyst may need to collect and work with data in Cantonese. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as an Analyst who works with Cantonese sources or data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Analyst

Researcher

A Researcher may need to collect and work with data in Cantonese. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Researcher who works with Cantonese sources or data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Customer Service Representative

A Customer Service Representative may interact with Cantonese speakers on a regular basis and need to be able to understand and fulfill their requests. This course provides a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Customer Service Representative who works with a multi-lingual clientele.

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Bank Teller

A Bank Teller may interact with Cantonese speakers on a regular basis and need to be able to understand and fulfill their banking needs. This course provides a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Bank Teller who works with a multi-lingual clientele.

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Host

A Host can leverage their knowledge of Cantonese to more effectively interact with potential Cantonese speaking guests. The ability to engage in casual conversations, often required in this hospitality position, can be achieved through the course's third part: Basic Grammar. Additionally, the course's provision of Practical Vocabulary can be useful for hosts who serve primarily Cantonese speaking guests.

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Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager may interact with Cantonese speaking clients or partners. This course can help build a foundation in Cantonese's pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, all of which are important to success as a Business Development Manager who interacts with Cantonese speaking clients or partners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Cantonese for Absolute Beginners.

Basic Cantonese

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This is a step-by-step guide that thoroughly covers the basics of Cantonese pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

Cantonese for Absolute Beginners

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Beginner spoken cantonese foundation

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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