Learn Cantonese.
粵語
Learn Cantonese -- not Mandarin. A course designed for its six tones, unique grammar, and the colloquial written forms that textbooks rarely teach.
See the Cantonese courseWhy Cantonese
Cantonese is the language of Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong province, spoken by over 85 million people worldwide. It's the Chinese language of most overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Most language apps offer Mandarin and call it "Chinese." If your family speaks Cantonese, or you're interested in Hong Kong culture, cinema, or music, Mandarin won't get you there. Cantonese is its own language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context.
What makes Cantonese challenging: and how Maia helps
Six tones
Cantonese has six lexical tones (compared to Mandarin\'s four). The same syllable with different tones means completely different things. Maia uses Jyutping romanization and targeted exercises to build tone awareness from the start.
Written vs. spoken forms
Standard written Chinese uses Mandarin grammar. Colloquial written Cantonese -- used in texts, social media, and subtitles -- has its own characters and grammar. Maia teaches the spoken language you\'ll actually use.
Sentence-final particles
Cantonese uses particles at the end of sentences to convey mood, attitude, and nuance. There are dozens of them. Maia introduces these in context so you develop an intuitive feel for them.
What your course includes
- •Conversational lessons using Jyutping romanization and characters
- •AI podcast episodes with Cantonese and English hosts
- •Tone drills, vocabulary, and grammar exercises
- •Spaced repetition for characters and vocabulary
- •Adaptive curriculum for your level and goals
The course map
Cantonese
A1 → C2. Hong Kong Cantonese. Tones, not Mandarin.
- A1
- A2
- B1
- B2
- C1
- +1 more
Open this course
Free to start. No credit card required.