Cantonese is a different language from Mandarin, so check that an app's speaking practice is for Cantonese before you start. Then choose how you want to practice: repeat after audio, talk with a partner, or book a tutor. Most speaking apps work in English, and each app below says how you get help. For all the ways to learn, see our Cantonese apps comparison, and for reading and listening, see our Cantonese comprehensible input comparison.
Bubblegum
For serious learners, Bubblegum is the best app to learn Cantonese. You learn from Cantonese you can mostly understand, which is called comprehensible input.
Tell Poppy, your AI tutor, your level and what you like, and she writes your Cantonese lessons. If a sentence is hard to follow, ask Poppy to explain it.
With Regenerative Review™, words you save show up again in new lessons, so you review them in new contexts without flashcards.
- Cantonese lessons are written in Traditional characters, and Poppy explains them in English.
- Ask Poppy to roleplay a conversation in Cantonese, then ask her to explain any sentence you did not follow.
- Clear, expressive AI voices read every lesson aloud, with a different voice for each speaker.
- Learn every letter and its sound in the free Cantonese Jyutping course.
- Cantonese lessons in Bubblegum are mainly for reading and listening, so a tutor or a partner is how a person hears your tones.
- Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read.
- Regenerative Review™
- Teaches Jyutping
- Traditional characters
Mobile
Pimsleur
Pimsleur plays a prompt, you say your answer out loud, and then you hear the model answer. The Cantonese page says its Voice Coach uses speech recognition to give feedback.
- Cantonese has its own Pimsleur course page, separate from Mandarin.
- The Cantonese course starts with a 7-day free trial, and the instructions are in English.
- Doesn't teach Jyutping
MobileWeb
Glossika
Glossika's Cantonese course builds speaking from whole sentences. Its menus come in English and Chinese.
- Cantonese sentences come with audio you repeat aloud and later recall.
- The Cantonese course has a 7-day trial that needs no credit card.
- Doesn't teach Jyutping
- Traditional characters
MobileWeb
Preply
Preply lets you book a paid tutor for live lessons. Check the languages on a profile before you book, because a tutor who explains in Mandarin may not help you if you read English.
- Cantonese tutor profiles list the languages the tutor speaks, such as English, Mandarin, or both.
- You and the tutor can agree on conversation, roleplay, or pronunciation work.
MobileWeb
HelloTalk
HelloTalk pairs you with Cantonese speakers who want to learn your language, so you trade help in both directions. Basic use is free, and the VIP plan adds unlimited translations.
- HelloTalk has a Cantonese page, and you can send voice notes or join voice rooms and calls.
- Partners can correct your messages, and translation tools help when you get stuck.
MobileWeb
Other Apps We Looked At (1)
- TandemA language-exchange app with text, voice notes, and audio and video calls, plus group audio parties. Partners can correct your messages, and Pro adds unlimited translations.
Each number is how many languages the app's US iPhone App Store listing shows, and Bubblegum's number is the languages you can use its menus in. Lessons and explanations may be offered in fewer.
| App | How You Practice | Who Gives Feedback | Languages You Can Use It In | Full List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | Ask Poppy questions or a roleplay about a lesson | Poppy | 76 | Full list
|
| Pimsleur | Answer prompts aloud | The app's Voice Coach, and you by comparing with the model answer | 3 | Full list |
| Glossika | Repeat and recall sentences aloud | You, by listening | 2 | Full list |
| Preply | Live lessons with a tutor | The tutor | 19 | Full list |
| HelloTalk | Text, voice notes, voice rooms, and calls | Your partner | 16 | Full list |
| Tandem | Text, voice notes, and calls | Your partner | 14 | Full list |
Which Cantonese app should a beginner choose for speaking?
If you are serious about learning Cantonese, start with Bubblegum. Poppy, your AI tutor, writes lessons at your level about things you like. To say your first sentences aloud, add Pimsleur or Glossika, which both start with a 7-day trial. Then book a trial lesson with a Preply tutor and say you are learning Cantonese, not Mandarin.
Does any app score my Cantonese tones?
Pimsleur's Cantonese course page says its Voice Coach uses speech recognition to give feedback. For tones, ask a tutor or a partner on Preply, HelloTalk, or Tandem to listen and tell you what they hear.
Can I get help in English while I practice Cantonese?
Pimsleur and Glossika teach in English. With Preply, the tutor's profile lists English, Mandarin, or both. With HelloTalk and Tandem, help depends on your partner, so pick someone who also speaks English.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read. Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons.
Sources
- Pimsleur: Cantonese course
- Pimsleur: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Glossika: Learn Cantonese
- Glossika: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Preply: Cantonese tutors
- Preply: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- HelloTalk: Cantonese
- HelloTalk: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Tandem: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Bubblegum
