Is Chinese language necessary to Hong-Kong and HK airport ?

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Girl in The World

Yes.

minijumbofly

At the airport, hotels 4 star and above, shops, bars, restaurants etc etc in tourist areas. ( i.e. the northern part of the island and southern part of the pennisula) No. You can do fine speaking english. Most transportation and signs are bilingual.
If you venture farther into the peasant areas and the rural districts, get some company.

Great Muslim

Depends on what chinese language you refer to. Mandarin is getting more and more used in HK, but Cantonese is the language you need.

At famous places in (some) big shops and in hotels you can manage with English, but don't count on it !!

Webballs

Well, it is essential and highly recommended but not necessary in the airport.

We are not terrorists ÙŠØ§ Ø¹ÙŠÙ†ÙŠ

Preferable and useful, but not absolutely necessary. I've travelled to HK (and China) several times and always found my way around thanks to local people who have always been friendly, as long as you have the right attitude. I must honestly admit that mandarin is not getting into my head even though it is at the top of my to-do list, but the good news is that in HK, and in China, many Chinese speak English to varying degrees and there is always someone ready and happy to help, be it at the airport, restaurant, in the metro, on the street. Once in HK, I was lost and asked someone for directions, she did not know the directions but she did not hesitate to ask a couple of other passer-by for assistance on my behalf. This happened many times, in China as well.

Ning

hell no, china's more modernized than you americans think...
airport (esp. international airports) employees speak both english and chinese very well...

even middle-upper class hotels speak chinese...
so theres no need... but it's impressive if you know a few words ^^

Chasiufan

I've lived in HK for five years and I speak practically no Cantonese nor Mandarin whatsoever. This rarely causes me problems, so I would suggest that Chinese language skills are absolutely not necessary for HK. Particularly not in the airport, where all staff members speak English.

Having said that, if you're spending any time in HK and want to eat in cheaper (but still very decent) restaurants, or you want to be able to chat with the locals, then Cantonese might come in useful. There are times I wish I knew Cantonese, and when I have some spare time I certainly intend to start learning some phrases.

sayajaya

If you mean whether one needs to know Chinese Language in HK or HK Airport, the answer is no. Signages in English are everywhere and the populace is also conversant in many languages other than Chinese. However, if you mean whether Chinese Language should be used in HK or HK Airport, the answer is an obvious and emphatic yes. HK is part of China and the Chinese Language is therefore a must.

Microstorm

You should have no problem with English in HK...

tiiista

It will be very good and handy for you if you could speak Cantonese (thats their language in HK, not mandarin). However, having said that, i found that in most establishments in HK these days (airport, hotels, cafes, bars) they have every sign/menu in both canton and english. The people in those establishments normally speaks good english. However those on the street speak basic english.

As I normally travelled 2-4 times a year to Hong Kong, I recommend you to know very basic Canton such as greetings, name of places (they have different name of places such as Keswick st. would be called "'King Sing Kai" and numbers. It helped me lots of times when I went to places where english seems to be a language from another planet..

Good luck and have fun wit ur trip! :D

RENDEVOUS

Yes it is necessary for the Chinese traveller to Hong Kong. But must have English also. English is the international language.

learn some cantonese, but i got around fine speaking english. if you happen to know mandarin, some people might know some, so that could help too.

Allan M

not really, as there are alot that can converse in english too

calvin o

No. All signs are in English and airport staff speak fine english too.

FairGround

Not exactly, many Hong Kong people understand and speak English, and at airport, they hire people who know english well, so you need not worry much.

Kria

not necessary, but the last time i flew through hong kong, one of the guys caused me a lot of confusion, made me miss my flight... they're rather difficult to deal with. Always ask to speak to senior person in the field., if you have any problems.

paul h

It depends on what you need to do and who you need to deal with.
You can get by with English since, their official langugages are Chinese (Cantonese) and English ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong ) You can speak English at the airport and hotels and with the bus or taxi drivers, etc. and it's easy to ask people around to do some quick translation for you if needed.

If you really want to live like a regular local person, you may need to learn Cantonese: http://www.happyjellyfish.com/articles.htm

Where to start learning Cantonese?
http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/index.html

Good luck

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