Interested in learning Cantonese?
Book a trial lesson now
Book a trial lesson now
Interested in learning Cantonese?
Book a trial lesson now
Interested in learning Cantonese?
Book a trial lesson now
Survival Cantonese: Essential phrases for travel and daily life
Want to feel at home in Hong Kong from day one? This pathway equips you with the must-know Cantonese for real situations like ordering food, asking for directions, shopping, and meeting people. In just a few lessons, you’ll gain the confidence to handle everyday interactions smoothly, guided step by step by a native tutor.
Best for:
Travellers
Travellers
Travellers
Expats
Expats
Expats
Exchange students
Exchange students
Exchange students
What's included with Survival Cantonese lessons:
What's included:
PDF phrase guides – quick references for essential expressions
PDF phrase guides – for essential expressions
Vocabulary decks - focused word lists for travel and daily needs
Vocabulary decks - focused word lists for travel
Pronunciation training - drills to master common travel phrases
Pronunciation training - master travel phrases
Cultural notes – guidance on etiquette and local customs
Cultural notes – guidance on local customs
Who should take this pathway?
Survival Cantonese is designed for learners who want to pick up the essentials quickly. It’s perfect for travellers visiting Hong Kong or Southern China, professionals on short work trips, or anyone who wants to manage everyday situations without committing to long-term study. Even if you only have a few weeks to prepare, this pathway gives you practical skills to get by with confidence.
With focused lessons, you’ll cover key phrases, tones, travel vocabulary, and real-life dialogues for common situations like ordering food, shopping, transport, and greetings. Whether you’re staying for a week or a few months, this pathway gives you just enough Cantonese to connect and feel more at home.
Who should take this pathway?
Survival Cantonese is designed for learners who want to pick up the essentials quickly. It’s perfect for travellers visiting Hong Kong or Southern China, professionals on short work trips, or anyone who wants to manage everyday situations without committing to long-term study. Even if you only have a few weeks to prepare, this pathway gives you practical skills to get by with confidence.
With focused lessons, you’ll cover key phrases, tones, travel vocabulary, and real-life dialogues for common situations like ordering food, shopping, transport, and greetings. Whether you’re staying for a week or a few months, this pathway gives you just enough Cantonese to connect and feel more at home.
About this pathway
Survival Cantonese is designed for learners who want to pick up the essentials quickly. It’s perfect for travellers visiting Hong Kong or Southern China, professionals on short work trips, or anyone who wants to manage everyday situations without committing to long-term study. Even if you only have a few weeks to prepare, this pathway gives you practical skills to get by with confidence.
With focused lessons, you’ll cover key phrases, tones, travel vocabulary, and real-life dialogues for common situations like ordering food, shopping, transport, and greetings. Whether you’re staying for a week or a few months, this pathway gives you just enough Cantonese to connect and feel more at home.
What you'll learn
By the end of this pathway, you’ll be able to handle common travel and daily situations in Cantonese with confidence. From simple greetings to ordering food, asking for directions, and making small talk, you’ll build a practical toolkit of words and phrases to get by smoothly.
✈️
Handle essential travel situations
Pick up the must-know phrases for real travel scenarios — from ordering dim sum and buying an Octopus card to asking for directions or checking into a hotel. You’ll learn how to sound natural and polite, and avoid the common mistakes that confuse locals.
🧠
Build a core travel-ready vocabulary
Develop a solid base of Cantonese words and sentence structures for day-to-day needs. Whether it’s numbers, food, shopping, money, or transport, you’ll gain the vocabulary that matters most when navigating Hong Kong or Southern China.
👂🏻
Speak and listen with confidence
Train with real dialogues so you can understand and respond quickly in fast-paced situations. From short exchanges at shops to casual small talk, you’ll build confidence holding conversations in Cantonese instead of relying only on English.
👀
Read key Chinese characters on the go
Recognise the most useful traditional characters for travel and daily life — things like menus, signs, and transport notices. You’ll gain the confidence to read simple information around you and feel more at ease in real-world environments.
What you'll learn
By the end of this pathway, you’ll be able to handle common travel and daily situations in Cantonese with confidence. From simple greetings to ordering food, asking for directions, and making small talk, you’ll build a practical toolkit of words and phrases to get by smoothly.
✈️
Handle essential travel situations
Pick up the must-know phrases for real travel scenarios — from ordering dim sum and buying an Octopus card to asking for directions or checking into a hotel. You’ll learn how to sound natural and polite, and avoid the common mistakes that confuse locals.
🧠
Build a core travel-ready vocabulary
Develop a solid base of Cantonese words and sentence structures for day-to-day needs. Whether it’s numbers, food, shopping, money, or transport, you’ll gain the vocabulary that matters most when navigating Hong Kong or Southern China.
👂🏻
Speak and listen with confidence
Train with real dialogues so you can understand and respond quickly in fast-paced situations. From short exchanges at shops to casual small talk, you’ll build confidence holding conversations in Cantonese instead of relying only on English.
👀
Read key Chinese characters on the go
Recognise the most useful traditional characters for travel and daily life — things like menus, signs, and transport notices. You’ll gain the confidence to read simple information around you and feel more at ease in real-world environments.
What you'll learn
By the end of this pathway, you’ll be able to handle common travel and daily situations in Cantonese with confidence. From simple greetings to ordering food, asking for directions, and making small talk, you’ll build a practical toolkit of words and phrases to get by smoothly.
✈️
Handle essential travel situations
Pick up the must-know phrases for real travel scenarios — from ordering dim sum and buying an Octopus card to asking for directions or checking into a hotel. You’ll learn how to sound natural and polite, and avoid the common mistakes that confuse locals.
🧠
Build a core travel-ready vocabulary
Develop a solid base of Cantonese words and sentence structures for day-to-day needs. Whether it’s numbers, food, shopping, money, or transport, you’ll gain the vocabulary that matters most when navigating Hong Kong or Southern China.
👂🏻
Speak and listen with confidence
Train with real dialogues so you can understand and respond quickly in fast-paced situations. From short exchanges at shops to casual small talk, you’ll build confidence holding conversations in Cantonese instead of relying only on English.
👀
Read key Chinese characters on the go
Recognise the most useful traditional characters for travel and daily life — things like menus, signs, and transport notices. You’ll gain the confidence to read simple information around you and feel more at ease in real-world environments.
How this pathway is structured
Survival Cantonese is a short, focused curriculum designed to get you speaking fast. Across just six lessons, you’ll cover the essential phrases and skills you need for travel, daily situations, and connecting with locals in Hong Kong or Southern China. Each session builds on the last, giving you practical Cantonese you can use right away.
Lesson 1 – Greetings & essentials
Learn how to say hello, introduce yourself, and use polite expressions. Master the basics like “please”, “thank you”, and “sorry” to handle first encounters smoothly.
Lesson 2 – Ordering food & drinks
Pick up key vocabulary for restaurants, cafés, and street food. Learn how to order confidently, ask for recommendations, and understand numbers for bills and menus.
Lesson 3 – Getting around
Cover essential phrases for transport, from buying tickets and asking for directions to telling a taxi driver where you’re going. Build confidence navigating Hong Kong’s transport system.
Lesson 4 – Shopping & money
Learn how to ask prices, bargain politely, and handle everyday shopping situations. Get familiar with numbers, sizes, and useful money terms.
Lesson 5 – Social basics & small talk
Pick up simple conversation tools for meeting locals, talking about your background, and expressing likes or dislikes. Build confidence in casual social settings.
Lesson 6 – Putting it all together
Practise real-life dialogues combining everything learned so far. From checking into a hotel to ordering food and making small talk, you’ll run through scenarios that prepare you for real travel situations.
How this pathway is structured
Survival Cantonese is a short, focused curriculum designed to get you speaking fast. Across just six lessons, you’ll cover the essential phrases and skills you need for travel, daily situations, and connecting with locals in Hong Kong or Southern China. Each session builds on the last, giving you practical Cantonese you can use right away.
Lesson 1 – Greetings & essentials
Learn how to say hello, introduce yourself, and use polite expressions. Master the basics like “please”, “thank you”, and “sorry” to handle first encounters smoothly.
Lesson 2 – Ordering food & drinks
Pick up key vocabulary for restaurants, cafés, and street food. Learn how to order confidently, ask for recommendations, and understand numbers for bills and menus.
Lesson 3 – Getting around
Cover essential phrases for transport, from buying tickets and asking for directions to telling a taxi driver where you’re going. Build confidence navigating Hong Kong’s transport system.
Lesson 4 – Shopping & money
Learn how to ask prices, bargain politely, and handle everyday shopping situations. Get familiar with numbers, sizes, and useful money terms.
Lesson 5 – Social basics & small talk
Pick up simple conversation tools for meeting locals, talking about your background, and expressing likes or dislikes. Build confidence in casual social settings.
Lesson 6 – Putting it all together
Practise real-life dialogues combining everything learned so far. From checking into a hotel to ordering food and making small talk, you’ll run through scenarios that prepare you for real travel situations.
Pathway structure
Survival Cantonese is a short, focused curriculum designed to get you speaking fast. Across just six lessons, you’ll cover the essential phrases and skills you need for travel, daily situations, and connecting with locals in Hong Kong or Southern China. Each session builds on the last, giving you practical Cantonese you can use right away.
Lesson 1 – Greetings & essentials
Learn how to say hello, introduce yourself, and use polite expressions. Master the basics like “please”, “thank you”, and “sorry” to handle first encounters smoothly.
Lesson 2 – Ordering food & drinks
Pick up key vocabulary for restaurants, cafés, and street food. Learn how to order confidently, ask for recommendations, and understand numbers for bills and menus.
Lesson 3 – Getting around
Cover essential phrases for transport, from buying tickets and asking for directions to telling a taxi driver where you’re going. Build confidence navigating Hong Kong’s transport system.
Lesson 4 – Shopping & money
Learn how to ask prices, bargain politely, and handle everyday shopping situations. Get familiar with numbers, sizes, and useful money terms.
Lesson 5 – Social basics & small talk
Pick up simple conversation tools for meeting locals, talking about your background, and expressing likes or dislikes. Build confidence in casual social settings.
Lesson 6 – Putting it all together
Practise real-life dialogues combining everything learned so far. From checking into a hotel to ordering food and making small talk, you’ll run through scenarios that prepare you for real travel situations.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How many lessons should I book for Survival Cantonese?
The full Survival Cantonese pathway is six lessons. You’ll get the most benefit by completing all of them, since each lesson builds on the last. Most learners book a package of six lessons upfront, while some prefer 12 lessons to go at a slower pace or add extra practice — but 6 lessons is the sweet spot to cover all the essentials with confidence.
Do I need any Cantonese experience to join?
Nope! Survival Cantonese is for absolute beginners. You’ll start with greetings and essentials, then build up step by step.
What if I want to learn more after Survival Cantonese?
If you’d like to go further, you can continue with the Complete Cantonese pathway, which takes you all the way from beginner to advanced fluency (if you stick at it!)
How long will it take me to finish?
That depends on your schedule, but most learners complete the 6 lessons within 3–6 weeks. You can go faster or slower depending on how often you would like to schedule your lessons.
Is this useful if I’m only visiting Hong Kong for a short trip?
Yes — the whole point of this pathway is to give you the essentials you’ll need for travel, like ordering food, asking directions, and handling everyday interactions.
Will I learn to read Chinese characters?
You’ll be introduced to a few useful characters for signs, menus, and daily life, but the main focus is speaking and listening.
How many lessons should I book for Survival Cantonese?
The full Survival Cantonese pathway is six lessons. You’ll get the most benefit by completing all of them, since each lesson builds on the last. Most learners book a package of six lessons upfront, while some prefer 12 lessons to go at a slower pace or add extra practice — but 6 lessons is the sweet spot to cover all the essentials with confidence.
Do I need any Cantonese experience to join?
Nope! Survival Cantonese is for absolute beginners. You’ll start with greetings and essentials, then build up step by step.
What if I want to learn more after Survival Cantonese?
If you’d like to go further, you can continue with the Complete Cantonese pathway, which takes you all the way from beginner to advanced fluency (if you stick at it!)
How long will it take me to finish?
That depends on your schedule, but most learners complete the 6 lessons within 3–6 weeks. You can go faster or slower depending on how often you would like to schedule your lessons.
Is this useful if I’m only visiting Hong Kong for a short trip?
Yes — the whole point of this pathway is to give you the essentials you’ll need for travel, like ordering food, asking directions, and handling everyday interactions.
Will I learn to read Chinese characters?
You’ll be introduced to a few useful characters for signs, menus, and daily life, but the main focus is speaking and listening.
How many lessons should I book for Survival Cantonese?
The full Survival Cantonese pathway is six lessons. You’ll get the most benefit by completing all of them, since each lesson builds on the last. Most learners book a package of six lessons upfront, while some prefer 12 lessons to go at a slower pace or add extra practice — but 6 lessons is the sweet spot to cover all the essentials with confidence.
Do I need any Cantonese experience to join?
Nope! Survival Cantonese is for absolute beginners. You’ll start with greetings and essentials, then build up step by step.
What if I want to learn more after Survival Cantonese?
If you’d like to go further, you can continue with the Complete Cantonese pathway, which takes you all the way from beginner to advanced fluency (if you stick at it!)
How long will it take me to finish?
That depends on your schedule, but most learners complete the 6 lessons within 3–6 weeks. You can go faster or slower depending on how often you would like to schedule your lessons.
Is this useful if I’m only visiting Hong Kong for a short trip?
Yes — the whole point of this pathway is to give you the essentials you’ll need for travel, like ordering food, asking directions, and handling everyday interactions.
Will I learn to read Chinese characters?
You’ll be introduced to a few useful characters for signs, menus, and daily life, but the main focus is speaking and listening.
Book a lesson
Book a lesson
Book a lesson
Trial lesson (35 minutes)
With Ficke
Take a gentle first step into your Cantonese journey with a 35 minute trial lesson, where we’ll explore your goals and begin to connect with the language at your own pace.
30.00 GBP
The trial lesson fee is refundable after the purchase of any lesson package within 24 hours of your trial. Available to first-time learners only.
Trial lesson (35 minutes)
With Ficke
Take a gentle first step into your Cantonese journey with a 35 minute trial lesson, where we’ll explore your goals and begin to connect with the language at your own pace.
30.00 GBP
The trial lesson fee is refundable after the purchase of any lesson package within 24 hours of your trial. Available to first-time learners only.
Trial lesson (35 minutes)
With Ficke
Take a gentle first step into your Cantonese journey with a 35 minute trial lesson, where we’ll explore your goals and begin to connect with the language at your own pace.
30.00 GBP
The trial lesson fee is refundable after the purchase of any lesson package within 24 hours of your trial. Available to first-time learners only.
One lesson (50 minutes)
With Ficke
Enjoy a focused 50-minute lesson tailored to your needs, designed to help you make meaningful progress in Cantonese.
62.00 GBP
One lesson (50 minutes)
With Ficke
Enjoy a focused 50-minute lesson tailored to your needs, designed to help you make meaningful progress in Cantonese.
62.00 GBP
One lesson (50 minutes)
With Ficke
Enjoy a focused 50-minute lesson tailored to your needs, designed to help you make meaningful progress in Cantonese.
62.00 GBP
Six lessons (50 minutes x 6)
With Ficke
Commit to six lessons and follow a structured path that ensures steady progress, with personalised support every step of the way.
349.00 GBP
Saving 5%
Six lessons (50 minutes x 6)
With Ficke
Commit to six lessons and follow a structured path that ensures steady progress, with personalised support every step of the way.
349.00 GBP
Saving 5%
Six lessons (50 minutes x 6)
With Ficke
Commit to six lessons and follow a structured path that ensures steady progress, with personalised support every step of the way.
349.00 GBP
Saving 5%
12 lessons (50 minutes x 12)
Most popular
With Ficke
Get the most out of your Cantonese journey with a package of 12 lessons, designed to build your skills step by step and help you progress with confidence.
669.00 GBP
Saving 10%
12 lessons (50 minutes x 12)
Most popular
With Ficke
Get the most out of your Cantonese journey with a package of 12 lessons, designed to build your skills step by step and help you progress with confidence.
669.00 GBP
Saving 10%
12 lessons (50 minutes x 12)
Most popular
With Ficke
Get the most out of your Cantonese journey with a package of 12 lessons, designed to build your skills step by step and help you progress with confidence.
669.00 GBP
Saving 10%
24 lessons (50 minutes x 24)
With Ficke
For those who are serious about mastering Cantonese. Over 24 lessons, you’ll follow a proven path with all the support and structure you need to succeed.
1259.00 GBP
Saving 15%
24 lessons (50 minutes x 24)
With Ficke
For those who are serious about mastering Cantonese. Over 24 lessons, you’ll follow a proven path with all the support and structure you need to succeed.
1259.00 GBP
Saving 15%
24 lessons (50 minutes x 24)
With Ficke
For those who are serious about mastering Cantonese. Over 24 lessons, you’ll follow a proven path with all the support and structure you need to succeed.
1259.00 GBP
Saving 15%
Lessons are confirmed and scheduled via Calendly immediately after payment. For multi-lesson packages, schedule your first lesson and we’ll coordinate the remaining sessions together. Payments are securely processed by Stripe.
