Hong Kong Code vs Speak Cantonese
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Hong Kong Code
This dictionary app helps foreigners understand English terms used in Hong Kong Cantonese and assists Cantonese speakers in appreciating this mixed language. It deciphers the rules of code-mixing and explores its sociolinguistic aspects.
- Code-mixing definitions
- Sociolinguistic exploration
- Hong Kong Cantonese focus
- English term integration
- Colonial era language study
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This is a dictionary app made for foreigners who seek to understand the beauty and intricacy of using English terms in Hong Kong Cantonese, as well as Cantonese speakers who support the existence of such a mixed language. 此字典原於協助外籍人士理解香港廣東話夾雜英語的美妙奇趣之處,以及寫給支持中英夾雜的人士。 Also known as 'code-mixing' in academic terms, which refers to the insertion of words and phrases from a foreign language into one's mother-tongue conversation, this is a habit or talking style that has been adopted into the colloquial language of Hong Kong by Cantonese speakers since the colonial days but has never been deemed explicable due to its complexity. 說母語時夾雜外語字詞,或學術上稱為"語碼混合",這種說話方式自從香港殖民地時代已經融入了香港人的日常廣東話對話裡。不過,由於夾雜語言的規律比較繁複,從來都沒有人把這種語言解釋得淋漓盡致。 With definitions mostly written and/or refined by the author and backed up by credible sources, this app aims to decipher the hidden rules and constraints of code-mixing in Hong Kong Cantonese used by different language groups in Hong Kong, while also trying to investigate whether the concept of class from the English language can be incorporated into the Cantonese language through code-mixing from the perspective of sociolinguistics. 此字典集合了開發者和熱愛中英夾雜人士親自寫的定義以及可靠的資料來源,務求研究出香港廣東話的中英夾雜之奧妙規律和定律,還有從社會語言學(sociolinguistics)的角度探討英語的"階級"(class)概念能否帶入廣東話裡。
Speak Cantonese
Learn Cantonese with a daily phrase, native pronunciation, and context. This app focuses on practical vocabulary and a gentle learning habit for heritage speakers. It offers a structured approach to reconnecting with the language.
- Daily phrase with context
- Native Hong Kong pronunciation
- Jyutping romanization
- Top 100 useful phrases
- Two-minute daily practice
- Streak tracking and XP
- Dark mode and themes
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Reconnect with Cantonese — one phrase at a time. Speak Cantonese gives you one carefully chosen phrase each day: native Hong Kong pronunciation, Jyutping romanization, and the little bit of context that makes it stick. No firehose of vocabulary. No streaks you dread. Just a quiet daily habit that brings the language of home back to your tongue. Built for heritage learners — the children and grandchildren of Cantonese speakers who understand a little, or used to, and want to find their way back. What you get —A new phrase every morning, chosen to be genuinely useful —Tap any character to hear it on its own —Native Hong Kong pronunciation, with a slow-listen mode —Jyutping romanization on every phrase —The Top 100 phrases that really come up — greetings, family, yum cha, shopping, getting around —A two-minute daily practice: listen, match, and say it aloud —Track your streak, earn XP, and watch your level grow —Three calm themes and a full dark mode Whether you are getting ready to visit family, planning a trip to Hong Kong, or simply keeping a connection alive, Speak Cantonese meets you where you are — a few minutes a day, every day. 加油 — add oil. Let’s begin.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Hong Kong Code at free against Speak Cantonese's ad-supported. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Hong Kong Code ships an update every 4 weeks, Speak Cantonese fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hong Kong Code | Speak Cantonese |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stanley Yeung | Nico Liu |
Customer experience
Hong Kong Code
Speak Cantonese
In-app purchases
Hong Kong Code
No in-app purchases
Speak Cantonese
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Hong Kong Code free?
Is Speak Cantonese free?
Do Hong Kong Code or Speak Cantonese have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hong Kong Code or Speak Cantonese?
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