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

Answer 1

Yes.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

I go to hong kong once a year and I know there are plenty of taxis at the airport. Also there are many public buses as well leaving from the airport. The public transportation at the airport is very efficent and orderly. Some taxi cab drivers don't speak english so you may print out a hotel name in chinese but most of them do know the name of the hotel if you say it slowly and have the address with you in writing. Hope this helps. As a matter of fact I will be in Hong Kong in mid March.

Answer 5

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

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

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

Answer 8

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 !!

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

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.

Answer 11

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.