Hou2Hou2Hong Kong Cantonese · iOS
Learn the Cantonese people actually speak in Hong Kong.
Not Mandarin. Not a phrasebook. A situation-led course that takes tones seriously — and works entirely offline.
Cantonese isn't on Duolingo, Babbel, or most big platforms. Around 85 million people speak it — more than Italian or Korean — yet it has a fraction of the learning resources. Hou²Hou² is built for the language as it's really spoken in Hong Kong.
Why generic apps leave you stuck
Three reasons the usual apps don't work for Hong Kong.
They teach Mandarin
“Learn Chinese” almost always means Mandarin — a different language from the Cantonese spoken on Hong Kong streets.
They skip the tones
Most apps gloss over tones. In Cantonese the tone carries the meaning, so skipping it means not being understood.
They aren't built for HK
Generic vocab lists don't prepare you for a cha chaan teng, a wet market, or your building's security desk.
The course
A tourist week, then a resident's first month.
Twenty chapters built around real situations, in the order you actually meet them — so every word arrives in context, not on a flashcard.
Get around and be understood
- Greetings, please and thank you that locals notice
- Ordering at a cha chaan teng and dai pai dong
- Taxis, the MTR, and asking the way
- Markets, prices, and bargaining
Start to live here
- Neighbours, building staff, and small talk
- Phones, deliveries, and appointments
- Pharmacies, clinics, and getting help
- The everyday phrases that make you a regular
The signature
Tones, taught — not skipped.
Cantonese has six tones, and the tone changes the word completely. The same syllable si is six different words depending on pitch. We teach them with pitch-contour visuals and ear training, and we colour the tone numbers in Jyutping so the pattern becomes second nature.
Read more in Cantonese tones explained.
Yours, offline. No account.
The whole course lives on your device. Nothing to sign up for, nothing that breaks on the MTR underground. Your progress syncs through your own iCloud — we don't run servers that hold your data.
Reviewed by a native speaker.
Every lesson is checked against how Hong Kong Cantonese is actually spoken today — including the lazy sounds (懶音) you'll hear on the street but won't find in a textbook.
Pricing
Start free. First two chapters, no card.
Keep going for US$9.99/month or US$49.99/year. See pricing →
Join the free betaQuestions
Good to know.
Is this Cantonese or Mandarin?
Cantonese — specifically the Hong Kong variety, with traditional characters and the natural local register. It is a different language from Mandarin, not an accent.
Do I need to be online to use it?
No. The course runs entirely on your device. There is no account to create and no server you depend on. Your progress syncs through your own iCloud if you choose.
Does it actually teach tones?
Yes — tones are the core, not an afterthought. You learn all six Cantonese tones with pitch-contour visuals and ear training, because in Cantonese the tone is the meaning.
How much does it cost?
The first two chapters are free, no card required. After that it is US$9.99 per month or US$49.99 per year. Local prices are set by the App Store.
When can I try it?
It launches on the App Store soon. You can get full access early by joining the free TestFlight beta.
Speak Cantonese in Hong Kong — for real.
Get full early access through the free TestFlight beta, and help shape the app before launch.
Join the free beta