Learn Cantonese Fast!

Can We Really Have You Speaking Cantonese in Only Ten Days?

Hard to believe, isn't it? Till you ask yourself one simple question: How did you learn English as a child? Did you wade through text books? Did you struggle with grammar? Did you drive yourself crazy trying to get the accent right?

No. You just "picked it up." You heard adults speak, and you uttered your first word. Well, that's how the Pimsleur method works. It's the natural way to learn Cantonese.  

In easy half hour "bites" on CD, our scientifically sequenced lessons will have you speaking Cantonese the way the Chinese do–or you pay nothing. Guaranteed. Just give it a try.

Why it's Important to Learn Cantonese

Cantonese is the primary language spoken in the southeastern Chinese province of Guangdong, as well as some of the neighboring locations of Hong Kong and Macau.

The Guangdong province is one of the most important areas for China's economy. It boasts the third-highest gross domestic product in mainland China, and accounts for approximately 12 percent of the nation's economy. Partly because of its proximity to the coast, Guangdong is home to numerous production facilities and offices, both for Chinese and multinational corporations.

For this reason, learning Cantonese can present great benefits to a career with ties to southern China, and to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Companies that have a presence in these areas need bilingual employees to manage operations, and maintain communication between corporate headquarters and Chinese outposts. Should employment with such a company require relocation to southern China, being able to speak Cantonese will ease the transition, and make the assignment much easier and more enjoyable.

The capital of the Guangdong province, Guangzhou (also known to English-speakers as Canton), is also home to a United States consulate, making Cantonese an important language to learn for anyone wishing to pursue a career in the diplomatic corps.

China is steadily growing in popularity as a tourist destination. The Guangdong province offers many beautiful sights, including Dinghu Mountain, Seven Star Crags, and Star Lake. Speaking Cantonese will allow you to more fully experience the southern areas of China, to form relationships with the people there, and to properly order and enjoy Cantonese cuisine, which is very popular across China, and around the world.

Conversational Cantonese vs. Academic Cantonese

Learning Cantonese in an academic setting can prove to be quite a challenge, in large part because the language uses characters rather than letters from the Latin alphabet. Not only that, but in addition to characters from Standard Chinese, Cantonese adds an entire set of its own characters, requiring the non-native speaker to learn thousands of characters in order to read, write, and speak Cantonese

Thanks to Pimsleur, you don't have to worry about memorizing thousands of characters. All you have to do is listen to the native speakers in the audio lessons, and you'll learn how to speak and pronounce Cantonese words and phrases more quickly than if you had to attempt to read and write them. Some of the most common phrases such as "My name is…," "What time is it?," and "How are you?" are quickly mastered, making travel, work, and general communication with Cantonese speakers easy and comfortable.

By learning Cantonese the natural way, using idiomatic expressions the Chinese actually use rather than textbook phrases, you will benefit by speaking Cantonese that is "real" rather than academic.

A Logical Way to Learn Cantonese

Only after 20 years of scientific research did Dr. Pimsleur hit upon the right method to teach language–by watching his own children. Children have the ability to pick up languages quickly and naturally. What makes Pimsleur courses so successful are the specific scientific principles that replicate the speed and ease at which children learn languages. Read more about how this unique system–which has been purchased by the FBI–works.

No matter what situation you find yourself in–making new friends at a party, in a business meeting or negotiation, or just asking the way to the railway station or a good restaurant–you will find Pimsleur has given you the right Cantonese words and phrases, the ones that come naturally, without thinking. Read more about what you'll learn with Pimsleur.

Cantonese Facts

Cantonese is very similar to Mandarin Chinese. The two languages share quite a bit of vocabulary and grammar. Their main difference is in pronunciation. For this reason, learning one can be helpful in learning the other.

Several Cantonese words are used in everyday English. Among them are: bok choy, chop suey, chow mein, dimsum, ginseng, wok, wonton, and perhaps most surprisingly, ketchup.

Cantonese is spoken in many countries other than China. You'll find native speakers in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and also as far away as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.