Do you need to speak Cantonese to live in Hong Kong?

One of the biggest barriers when moving abroad can be language. So it is no wonder that this is one of the first questions we find ourselves answering – do I need to learn Cantonese to live in Hong Kong?

The answer to this question is no. In reality, there is little need to speak the local lingo – but it always helps and is also a good way to start immersing yourself in local life, and gain a bit of respect from your local friends and colleagues!

My secret weapon for all of my clients moving to Hong Kong is Taxi Translator App – which translates any English road into written Cantonese pictures to show your driver!

Here are some of the basics that (trust me!) will always help you :

Yes	係	Hai
No	唔係	Mh hai
I don’t understand	唔明白	Mh ming bak
I don’t speak Cantonese	我唔識講廣東話	Ngo mh sik gong gwong dong wa
How much is…	幾多錢…	Gei dor chin
What is your name?	你叫乜嘢名呀?	Nei giu mat yeh meng ah
My name is…	我個名叫…	Ngo goh meng giu

The pleasantries:

Hello	你好		Nei hou
Please	請		Ching
Thank you	唔該(when someone helps you )	多謝(when someone gives you a gift)	Mh goi	Dor jeh
Sorry	對唔住		Deui mh jyuh
Nice to meet you	幸會		Hahng wuih
How are you?	你好嗎?		Nei ho ma?
I am well.	我很好		Ngo hun ho
I’m not feeling too great	馬馬地		Ma ma Day
Excuse me	唔好意思		Mh hou yi si
Getting around:

Turn left	轉左	Jyun johr
Turn right	轉右	Jyun yauh
Stop here	係到停	Hai dou ting
Road	路	lo
How do I get to…	我點去…	Ngo dim heui

For some of my better Cantonese friends and followers – here are some great real estate phrases!

If you want to be a top real estate agent, you have to be a good Thai boxer as well	識打泰拳, 先可以做到頂級的地產代理	Sik da tai kyun, sin hor yi jo doh ding cup dic day chan doy ley
It’s better to be a landlord than a robber these days	收租好過打劫	Sao jo ho guo da geep
Hong Kong’s real estate market is forever on a roller coaster	香港個地產市場似坐過山車	Herng Gong goh day chan si cheung che chor gwo san chair