Should I Learn Mandarin or Cantonese?
The definitive guide to choosing between Mandarin and Cantonese.
Sensoba Team
So you’ve decided to learn Chinese. Sweet!
But now you’ve run straight into the Great Wall of Decision: Mandarin or Cantonese? Both are fascinating dialects… And both will make your brain feel like it’s doing gymnastics.
So which one should you learn? Let’s figure it out.
First, What’s the Difference Anyway?
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “They’re basically the same thing,” please know that person is lying to you. (Or they’re an idiot.)
Mandarin and Cantonese are both forms of Chinese, yes. But they’re about as similar as British English and Klingon.
Mandarin
- Spoken by over a billion people.
- Official language of China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
- Uses simplified characters (in mainland China).
- Has four tones (plus a neutral tone).
Cantonese
- Spoken by around 85 million people (still a ton, but far fewer).
- Used in Hong Kong, Macau, and parts of southern China like Guangdong.
- Uses traditional characters.
- Has six to nine tones depending on who you ask (yes, it’s complicated).
So basically, Mandarin is the language of the Chinese-speaking world at large, while Cantonese is the language of dim sum, kung fu movies, and people who like a challenge.
Actually you know what? Who am I kidding. Chinese in general is for people who like a challenge.
The “Where Are You Going?” Question
One of the easiest ways to decide is to think about where you want to go.
Mainland China
Planning to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, or anywhere else on the mainland? Then you’ll want Mandarin. It’s the official language of government, education, and pretty much every street sign.
Taiwan
Taiwan uses Mandarin too — but they write in traditional characters, not simplified ones. (Think of it as “classic Chinese.”)
Hong Kong or Macau
Now here’s where Cantonese takes the stage. Hong Kong’s heart beats to the rhythm of Cantonese. It’s what you’ll hear in shops, taxis, and on TV dramas that somehow always involve business deals or family arguments.
According to 2021 cencus data, 88.2% of the population in Hong Kong aged 5 and over speak Cantonese.1 So if your heart’s set on going to Hong Kong, Cantonese is the language for you.
Chinatowns Around the World
It depends!
- Older Chinatowns (like in San Francisco or Vancouver) often have Cantonese roots.
- Newer immigrant communities (like in Sydney or Toronto) lean more Mandarin these days. (Or so I’m told…)
So if your goal is to chat with your local dim sum chef, Cantonese might win. But if you’re thinking about global communication, Mandarin rules the table.
What’s Your Purpose?
Let’s be real– not everyone wants to learn Chinese for the same reason. Let’s look at some possible motives.
1. Business or Career
If you want to do business in China or with Chinese companies, Mandarin is the clear winner. It’s the official working language of one of the world’s largest economies.
2. Culture and Entertainment
Do you love classic Hong Kong cinema, Cantopop, or Stephen Chow’s ridiculous comedies? That’s Cantonese territory.
But if you’re into Chinese dramas, pop idols, or anime-level historical epics that last 87 episodes, Mandarin will open that door.
3. Family or Heritage
If your family speaks one of these, your choice is already made. No point in telling your grandmother you learned Mandarin when she speaks Cantonese. (Wouldn’t that be super embarrassing?)
4. Travel and Everyday Use
Mandarin will help you get by in way more places. Even in Cantonese-speaking areas like Hong Kong, many people understand Mandarin (especially younger folks). The reverse? Not so much.
The Learning Curve
Both languages are tough for English speakers, but they each have their own flavor of difficulty.
Mandarin: The “Official” Hard Mode
- Fewer tones (four), which is nice.
- Grammar that’s surprisingly simple — no verb tenses, no plurals, no gender.
- Pronunciation can still be tricky, but it’s consistent once you get used to it.
Cantonese: The “Expert” Hard Mode
- Six to nine tones (depending on who you ask and how brave you feel).
- Some sounds that don’t exist in English.
- Traditional characters, which have more strokes — beautiful, yes, but also like drawing tiny works of art every time you write something.
If Mandarin is like learning to drive a manual transmission car, Cantonese is like driving a manual transmission car too…
…On a mountain road.
…In the rain.
Availability of Learning Resources
Let’s be honest: Mandarin has a monopoly on the learning market.
Apps like Duolingo and Sensoba? Mandarin.
University programs? Mandarin.
HSK tests, textbooks, podcasts, YouTube lessons, grammar guides, AI tutors? You guessed it:
Cantonese resources exist, but they’re harder to find, less standardized, and sometimes use different romanization systems (because apparently one wasn’t confusing enough).
So unless you enjoy digging through obscure internet corners for materials, Mandarin will make your life easier.
The Writing Systems: Simplified vs. Traditional
This part is important.
Mandarin learners usually study simplified characters, used in mainland China and Singapore. They were created to make reading and writing faster, which, to be fair, they do. (…Kinda. But Korea really figured this one out with Hangul.)
Cantonese, on the other hand, mostly uses traditional characters (like in Hong Kong and Taiwan). They’re gorgeous and full of history, but also take longer to learn and write.
If you love calligraphy and don’t mind memorizing more strokes than there are stars in the sky, traditional is beautiful. If you just want to send a text message in under an hour, simplified might be your new best friend.
Do Happen To Know Japanese?
Here’s something not a lot of language learners know:
The Japanese writing system actually borrows more traditional characters from Chinese. When the Japanese adapted Chinese characters (kanji), the simplified Chinese characters didn’t yet exist.
So, you’ll have a huge leg up if you know Japanese and decide to learn Cantonese (or vice versa).
But don’t get too excited. The Japanese have their own simplifications called shinjitai, which are different from the Chinese simplified characters. So it’s not a perfect overlap by any means.
The Japanese language also has unique characters invented from scratch, called kokuji.
That’s not to mention the fact that spoken Japanese and spoken Cantonese are completely different languages. So you’ll get a small head start, sure, but it’s honestly not a huge help.
But hey, worth a mention, right? 🤷
How Far Will It Take You?
Learning Mandarin gives you access to a massive community– over a billion speakers worldwide. You can travel across China, talk to people in Taiwan and Singapore, and be understood by most Chinese speakers anywhere.
Learning Cantonese makes you part of a smaller but tight-knit group with deep cultural pride. You’ll unlock a rich media scene and connect with people in Hong Kong and parts of southern China in a way tourists never can.
So the real question is: Do you want to talk to more people? Or talk to a specific group more deeply?
Okay, But Which One Should I Actually Pick?
If you’re still torn after all that, here’s the short answer:
👉 Learn Mandarin.
It’s more practical, more widely spoken, and far easier to find good learning resources for. It’s the language of business, education, and most modern Chinese media.
That said, if your heart belongs to Hong Kong cinema, your family speaks Cantonese, or you’re a masochist, go for Cantonese. You’ll earn major respect points and have great stories to tell.
(And don’t forget: You can always learn the other one later.)
Final Thoughts
Mandarin is the highway. Cantonese is the mountain road.
Both routes lead you to incredible culture, history, and connection. But if you’re standing at the crossroads, scratching your head, unsure which direction to go…
Take the highway first. Learn Mandarin. You can always take the scenic route later.
FAQs
Should I learn Mandarin or Cantonese?
If you're on the fence, learn Mandarin first. It's more widely spoken and has more learning resources. But if you're passionate about Hong Kong culture or have family ties, Cantonese is a great choice.
Is it easier to learn Cantonese or Mandarin?
It's generally easier to learn Mandarin due to its simpler tone system and more abundant learning resources.
Can I learn Mandarin and Cantonese at the same time?
It's possible, but would be highly inefficient and frustrating. It's better to focus on one language at a time.
Should I learn Mandarin or Cantonese for Hong Kong?
Cantonese.