How much Cantonese should I learn before studying abroad in Hong Kong?

Question

Hi, I have been taking Mandarin for 2 semesters at college. Next semester I am going to study abroad in Hong Kong, where Cantonese is predominantly spoken. I don't really want to give up learning Mandarin just because I'm going to Hong Kong for a semester, but I think that knowing some would be really useful.

How much Cantonese should I learn before going? For example, what sorts of phrases should I learn? (How much is this/that, hello, how are you, etc etc)

Or is a year of Mandarin study sufficient to get by in Hong Kong? Are there many businesses or people in Hong Kong that speak Mandarin? I have been told that policemen will all speak Mandarin, or at least understand it.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Everybody in

Hong Kong know's

madrin !!

its basically china's

number one known

language !

don't worry -

i've been there

plus i know cantonese

and mandrin

if you do want to learn

cantonese -

i think you should learn -

hello

how are you

how much is that / this

thank you

your welcome

bathroom

& other polite sayings

you don't have to learn

food items -

just point and they'll know !

if ur unsure-

just learn the basics -

chicken

noodles

fish

veggie

meat

drinks

madrarin is slightly

different than cantonese

some words sound the

same and mean the say

thing ! so you could pick up

a couple of words.

i think you'll do just fine !

every body know's madarin.

they just perfer / speak cantonese .

but if you are just worried

just learn the stuff above ^^

good luck !

:]]

Answer 2

just know basic/conversational canto and chinese would be fine. I'm pretty sure their are english speakers there because of the british rule. If you're not chinese but speak mando/canto, they'd be impressed....

basic stuff

how are you- "nei ho"

goodbye-"joy kin"

hello- just hi or hello

how much(money)-"g*y duo cheen"

do you have__-"ching mun nay you mo_____"

how to get to___-"ching mun____dim h*i"

yep... any more phrases you need to know just ask