A Lesson in Basic Conversational-Chinese Phrases

One of the greatest challenges migrants face when they arrive in Taiwan is in the language barrier they experience. How do you order food or purchase clothes from a store if you can’t speak any Chinese? We have included a brief overview of some basic Chinese phrases that may help new migrants to function in daily life in Taiwan. (For more in-depth Chinese lessons, please contact us and ask when we will next offer a free Chinese language lesson.)

■ In Chinese: 你 好 (pronounced “Ni How.“)
English translation: “Hello.” (Greeting words, sending regards to other people.)

■ In Chinese: 謝 謝 (pronounced “Xie-xie.”)
English translation: “Thank you.” (Thanking people, a showing of gratitude.)

■ In Chinese: 對 不 起 (pronounced “Dui Bu Chi.”)
English translation: “I am sorry.” (An expression of regret.)

■ In Chinese: 我 愛 你 (pronounced “Wo Ai Ni.”)
English translation: “I love you.” (An expression of fondness to a person.)

■ In Chinese: 再 見 (pronounced “Zhai Jian.”)
English translation: “Goodbye.” (Words to express while departing, and hoping to see each other again in the future.)

■ In Chinese: 多 少 錢 (pronounced “Duo Shao Chian?“)
English translation: “How much is this?” (Words to use while pointing to commodity and asking price.)

■ In Chinese: 到 臺 北 車 站 怎 麼 走 (pronounced “Dào táiběi chēzhàn zěnme zǒu“)
English translation: “How do I get to Taipei Station?” (Words for asking directions.)