Cantonese translation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cantonese translation is

A Cantonese translator converts material between English and Cantonese, handling written Chinese conventions and the spoken usage your audience expects. Cantonese is used in Hong Kong, Guangdong and many overseas communities, and written Cantonese differs from the standard written Chinese used in many official documents.

Signs you need it

  • Your readers are Cantonese speakers, and a standard written Chinese text would not read the way they speak.
  • You have a notice, letter or form for a Hong Kong, Guangdong or overseas community that must be clear to them.
  • You are preparing a script or recording in Cantonese and need the written text to match how it will be spoken.
  • You have a Chinese document that must be read in English for a business, legal or family purpose.
  • A machine translation has used a written form that Cantonese readers would not expect.
  • You need a Cantonese version of a website or product guide that customers will use.

What the pro does

  • Confirms who the readers are, whether the text will be read or spoken, and the level of formality.
  • Decides whether the text uses standard written Chinese, written Cantonese or a mix, and explains the choice.
  • Builds a glossary of names, product terms and titles, with the Chinese form each one will use.
  • Translates the text, keeping its meaning and tone, and checks dates, figures and names against the source.
  • Reviews the text for natural reading and returns it with notes on the written choices you should approve.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Word count or page count, and the number of documents.
  • Whether the text is in standard written Chinese, written Cantonese or both.
  • Subject complexity, such as legal, medical, technical or marketing text.
  • Whether the text will be spoken or recorded, which needs a review of the spoken version.
  • Formatting, such as layout, tables and forms.
  • Whether a second reviewer checks the text.

What a written quote should spell out

  • The word count or page count, and the language direction.
  • The written form used, standard written Chinese or written Cantonese, and the reason for it.
  • The glossary step, and who approves the names and terms.
  • Whether a second review and a spoken check are included.
  • The file format returned, and whether the layout is recreated.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Who are the readers, and do they read standard written Chinese or write Cantonese themselves?
  • Will the text be read silently or spoken aloud, and does that change the choices?
  • How do you handle names, titles and addresses in Cantonese?
  • Can you show a sample passage for readers like mine?
  • Will a second Cantonese speaker review the text?
  • Can you also produce a version in standard written Chinese if my readers need both?

Red flags

  • Does not ask who the readers are or how the text will be read.
  • Uses the same written form for every reader without explaining the choice.
  • Changes names, figures or dates without checking the source.
  • Cannot describe the difference between written Cantonese and standard written Chinese.
  • Promises the translation will be accepted by an office without checking its requirements.

What you can do yourself

You can list who will read the text, the names and terms that must stay the same, and the level of formality you want, then have a Cantonese speaker from the readers' community read a draft. Hire a translator when the text is official, will be published or spoken, or contains legal, medical or technical terms where a wrong word changes the meaning.

Licenses and permits

Cantonese translation is not commonly licensed, so a license is usually not required for this work. Check with the office or organization that will receive the document, since some set their own rules for accepted translations, and ask the translator for Cantonese samples in your subject as proof of skill.

Cantonese translation questions

Is Cantonese written the same as Mandarin?

Not always. Formal Cantonese text is often written in standard written Chinese, but everyday writing can use Cantonese-specific words and grammar. Ask the translator which form they will use and why.

Can Mandarin speakers read a Cantonese translation?

Standard written Chinese is widely readable across regions, while written Cantonese may read less easily to some Mandarin speakers. Decide who your readers are before you choose the form.

Do names have to be translated?

Personal names often have an established Chinese form, and place names may too. Agree each form in the glossary before translating, since a literal translation may not match what readers know.

Pro reviewers

Pros who offer cantonese translation remotely can improve this guide, like Wikipedia. We check every edit before it goes live. Every approved edit is credited in the edit history and on the pro's profile.

Edit history

How guide reviews work

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More writing, editing and translation guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request cantonese translation