Level 1 · Learn
Hear each phrase, see what it means, then say it out loud. Nothing is scored here.
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你好
nǐ hǎo
hello
Say it like nee how
The everyday all-purpose greeting, any time of day. Tone note: two 3rd tones in a row run together, so 你好 sounds like ní hǎo - the first 3rd tone becomes a 2nd tone.
大家好
dàjiā hǎo
hello everyone
Say it like dah-jyah how
Use this when greeting a group, or opening to a room. 大家 means everybody.
謝謝
xièxie
thank you
Say it like syeh-syeh
The default thanks. Repeating the syllable keeps it light and friendly. Say it to shop staff, drivers, anyone.
非常感謝
fēicháng gǎnxiè
thank you very much
Say it like fay-chahng gan-syeh
Warmer and more formal than 謝謝. Good when someone has really gone out of their way.
不客氣
bú kèqi
you are welcome
Say it like boo kuh-chee
Literally "do not be polite". The standard reply to 謝謝.
對不起
duìbuqǐ
sorry, excuse me
Say it like dway-boo-chee
For apologies and for getting past someone. More apologetic than 不好意思.
沒關係
méi guānxi
it is okay, never mind
Say it like may gwan-shee
Literally "no relation". The standard answer to 對不起.
不好意思
bù hǎoyìsi
sorry to trouble you
Say it like boo how yee-suh
Softer than 對不起. Perfect when asking a stranger a question or being a bother.
請
qǐng
please
Say it like cheeng
Put it in front of a verb: 請說 "please speak", 請坐 "please sit".
早安
zǎo ān
good morning
Say it like dzow ahn
The usual morning greeting in Taiwan. 安 is a level-1 tone and stays calm and flat.
晚安
wǎn ān
good night
Say it like wahn ahn
Use when parting for the night or when someone is going to bed.
你好嗎
nǐ hǎo ma
how are you?
Say it like nee how ma
Adding 嗎 at the end turns a statement into a yes-or-no question. Tone note: 嗎 is neutral and light - do not stress it.
我很好
wǒ hěn hǎo
I am fine, very well
Say it like wuh hun how
很 here is less "very" and more a softener between the subject and the adjective.
你呢
nǐ ne
and you?
Say it like nee nuh
呢 bounces the same question back. Tone note: it is neutral and short.
再見
zàijiàn
goodbye
Say it like dzeye-jyehn
Literally "see again". The standard goodbye in any register.
掰掰
bāibāi
bye bye
Say it like bye bye
Casual, borrowed from English, and very common in Taiwan, especially with children.
明天見
míngtiān jiàn
see you tomorrow
Say it like meeng-tyehn jyehn
Swap 明天 for other times: 今天見, 等一下見.
好久不見
hǎojiǔ bú jiàn
long time no see
Say it like how-jyoh boo jyehn
Friendly and common. 好久 means "a long time".
很高興認識你
hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ
nice to meet you
Say it like hun gow-shing run-shir nee
For a first meeting. 認識 means to get to know someone.
保重
bǎozhòng
take care
Say it like bow-jong
Literally "protect your health". Warm, used when parting for a while.
歡迎
huānyíng
welcome
Say it like hwahn-yeeng
You will hear this at the door of every shop and restaurant.
沒問題
méi wèntí
no problem
Say it like may wun-tee
問題 means problem or question. Very handy.
是
shì
yes, it is
Say it like shir
Affirms that something is the case. Tone note: a crisp falling 4th tone.
不是
bú shì
no, it is not
Say it like boo shir
Note the tone change: 不 is 4th tone bù, but before another 4th tone it becomes 2nd tone bú.
對
duì
right, correct
Say it like dway
One syllable, used constantly to agree. Tone note: falling 4th tone, short and firm.
不對
bú duì
not right, incorrect
Say it like boo dway
The 不 shifts to a 2nd tone before the 4th tone of 對.
好
hǎo
okay, good
Say it like how
Doubles as "good" and as agreement. Tone note: the 3rd tone dips and rises; let it fall before rising.
請問
qǐngwèn
may I ask, excuse me
Say it like cheeng-wun
The polite way to open any question to a stranger: 請問, followed by your question.