Level 4 · Learn
Hear each phrase, see what it means, then say it out loud. Nothing is scored here.
JavaScript is off, so audio and the walkthrough are unavailable.
我餓了
wǒ è le
I am hungry
Say it like woh uh luh
餓 is 4th tone. 了 marks the new state.
我渴了
wǒ kě le
I am thirsty
Say it like woh kuh luh
渴 is 3rd tone and dips. Easy to confuse with 喝 "to drink" - listen for the tone.
好吃
hǎochī
delicious (food)
Say it like how-chir
Say it out loud at the table and people will be delighted.
好喝
hǎohē
delicious (drink)
Say it like how-huh
喝 is used for anything you drink. 好喝 for a drink, 好吃 for food.
我要
wǒ yào
I want
Say it like woh yow
Add what you want after it: 我要這個 "I want this one".
這個
zhège
this one
Say it like juh-guh
The most useful two syllables in a shop. Point as you say it.
那個
nàge
that one
Say it like nah-guh
Point further away. 那 is 4th tone nà.
辣
là
spicy
Say it like lah
4th tone, short and falling. Use it to describe food or ask for it.
不辣
bú là
not spicy
Say it like boo lah
不 shifts to a 2nd tone before the 4th tone of 辣.
一點點辣
yìdiǎndiǎn là
a little bit spicy
Say it like yee-dyehn-dyehn lah
The safe middle answer in Taiwan, where spice is usually optional.
會辣嗎
huì là ma
is it spicy?
Say it like hway lah ma
會 here asks whether something tends to have a quality. Very useful at night markets.
請不要辣
qǐng bú yào là
please make it not spicy
Say it like cheeng boo yow lah
不要 before a verb means "do not want it done". Clear and polite.
一碗
yì wǎn
one bowl (of noodles or rice)
Say it like yee wahn
碗 is the measure word for bowl-shaped food. 碗 is 3rd tone.
一杯
yì bēi
one cup (of tea or coffee)
Say it like yee bay
杯 is the measure word for drinks. 1st tone and flat.
一份
yí fèn
one portion, one order
Say it like yee fun
份 is the general measure word for an order of food. 4th tone.
我吃素
wǒ chī sù
I am vegetarian
Say it like woh chir soo
吃素 is the everyday way to say this in Taiwan, where Buddhist vegetarian food is common.
不要肉
bú yào ròu
no meat please
Say it like boo yow row
肉 is 4th tone. Point at the meat as you say it and you will be understood.
這是什麼
zhè shì shénme
what is this?
Say it like jeh shir shun-muh
The pointing phrase. Works on any stall, any menu.
出名
chūmíng
famous (for food)
Say it like choo-meeng
這個很有名 is "this is very famous" and gets a big reaction.
夠了
gòu le
that is enough
Say it like goh luh
Stop a vendor from piling on more. 夠 is 4th tone.
還要
hái yào
still want, more please
Say it like hi yow
還 is 2nd tone. Add a number or a food after it.
買單
mǎidān
the bill please
Say it like mye-dahn
Literally "buy the slip". The standard way to ask to pay in Taiwan.
外帶
wàidài
to take away, takeaway
Say it like why-dye
外帶 or 內用 is the first question at any counter.
內用
nèiyòng
to eat here, dine in
Say it like nay-yong
The pair of 外帶. 內 is 4th tone.
水
shuǐ
water
Say it like shway
3rd tone. Ordering: 一杯水 "one glass of water".
茶
chá
tea
Say it like chah
2nd tone. Taiwan is famous for it. Bubble tea is 珍珠奶茶.
飯
fàn
rice, a meal
Say it like fahn
4th tone. 吃飯 is both "eat rice" and "have a meal".
麵
miàn
noodles
Say it like myehn
4th tone. 一碗牛肉麵 is a bowl of beef noodle soup.
水餃
shuǐjiǎo
boiled dumplings
Say it like shway-jyow
餃 is 3rd tone. 蒸餃 are the steamed kind.
夜市
yèshì
night market
Say it like yeh-shir
The heart of Taiwanese food. 市 is 4th tone. 士林夜市 is the most famous.
甜
tián
sweet
Say it like tyehn
2nd tone and level. 不要太甜 is "not too sweet".
不要
bú yào
no thanks, I do not want it
Say it like boo yow
The standard polite refusal to a vendor. 不 shifts to a 2nd tone before the 4th tone of 要.