Thanksgiving Vocabulary in Traditional Chinese: 120+ Words, Phrases, and Expressions for Real-Life Dinner Talk

Thanksgiving Vocabulary in Traditional Chinese

Learn the words you actually say at dinner (food, feelings, and polite survival). 感恩節詞彙

Below you’ll get Traditional Chinese characters, pinyin with tone marks, clear meanings, and real example sentences you can reuse without sounding like a robot.

Use the 🔊 buttons to hear Taiwan-style Mandarin (zh-TW). Yes, you can absolutely tap “火雞” ten times. No one will stop you.

Yak Snark (early):

Thanksgiving small talk is hard in any language. In Chinese, you just need a few key lines: “吃飽了” (I’m full) and “謝謝你們” (thank you). Everything else is optional glitter.

High-Utility “Visual Cards” the stuff you’ll say first

感恩節

Gǎn’ēn Jié

Thanksgiving (holiday)

火雞

huǒjī

turkey

南瓜派

nánguā pài

pumpkin pie

餡料

xiànliào

stuffing (bread filling)

肉汁

ròuzhī

gravy

蔓越莓醬

mànyuèméi jiàng

cranberry sauce

感謝

gǎnxiè

to thank; gratitude

吃飽了

chī bǎo le

I’m full (polite, useful, true)

Relevant Phrases and Dinner-Saving Sentences copy-paste your way to confidence

感恩節快樂！

Gǎn’ēn Jié kuàilè!

Happy Thanksgiving!

祝你們感恩節快樂！

Zhù nǐmen Gǎn’ēn Jié kuàilè!

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving!

謝謝你邀請我。

Xièxiè nǐ yāoqǐng wǒ.

Thanks for inviting me.

謝謝你邀請我來吃飯。

Xièxiè nǐ yāoqǐng wǒ lái chīfàn.

Thanks for inviting me over for dinner.

這道菜好好吃！

Zhè dào cài hǎo hǎo chī!

This dish is so delicious!

這道菜好好吃，我可以再來一點嗎？

Zhè dào cài hǎo hǎo chī, wǒ kěyǐ zài lái yìdiǎn ma?

This dish is so good—can I have a bit more?

我很感恩能和大家一起。

Wǒ hěn gǎn’ēn néng hé dàjiā yìqǐ.

I’m grateful to be with everyone.

我很感恩今年能和家人一起過節。

Wǒ hěn gǎn’ēn jīnnián néng hé jiārén yìqǐ guòjié.

I’m grateful I can spend the holiday with family this year.

你想先吃哪一道？

Nǐ xiǎng xiān chī nǎ yí dào?

Which dish do you want to try first?

菜很多，你想先吃哪一道？

Cài hěn duō, nǐ xiǎng xiān chī nǎ yí dào?

There’s a lot of food—what do you want to try first?

我可以幫忙嗎？

Wǒ kěyǐ bāngmáng ma?

Can I help?

我可以幫忙端菜或洗碗嗎？

Wǒ kěyǐ bāngmáng duān cài huò xǐ wǎn ma?

Can I help bring dishes out or wash up?

你要不要再來一點？

Nǐ yào bú yào zài lái yìdiǎn?

Do you want a little more?

這個南瓜派很好吃，你要不要再來一點？

Zhège nánguā pài hěn hǎo chī, nǐ yào bú yào zài lái yìdiǎn?

This pumpkin pie is really good—do you want some more?

不用了，謝謝，我吃飽了。

Bú yòng le, xièxiè, wǒ chī bǎo le.

No thanks, I’m full.

不用了，謝謝，我真的吃飽了。

Bú yòng le, xièxiè, wǒ zhēn de chī bǎo le.

No thanks, I’m really full.

祝你一路平安。

Zhù nǐ yílù píng’ān.

Have a safe trip (home).

回家路上小心，祝你一路平安。

Huíjiā lùshàng xiǎoxīn, zhù nǐ yílù píng’ān.

Be careful on the way home—have a safe trip.

我們來乾杯！

Wǒmen lái gānbēi!

Let’s make a toast!

為了家人和健康，我們來乾杯！

Wèile jiārén hé jiànkāng, wǒmen lái gānbēi!

For family and health—cheers!

你今年最感恩的是什麼？

Nǐ jīnnián zuì gǎn’ēn de shì shénme?

What are you most thankful for this year?

你今年最感恩的是什麼？我最感恩的是家人。

Nǐ jīnnián zuì gǎn’ēn de shì shénme? Wǒ zuì gǎn’ēn de shì jiārén.

What are you most thankful for? I’m most thankful for family.

A quick Taiwan Mandarin note useful

Thanksgiving isn’t a traditional holiday in Taiwan, so you’ll hear a mix: people say 感恩節, or just talk about “聚餐 / 家庭聚會” (a get-together / family gathering). If you can talk about food + gratitude, you’re winning.

Thanksgiving Vocabulary Tables all the extra goodies

Holiday + People + Hosting

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
節日 jiérì	jiérì	holiday; festival	感恩節是一個家人聚在一起的節日。	Thanksgiving is a holiday when families get together.
假期 jiàqī	jiàqī	vacation; holiday break	感恩節假期你要去哪裡？	Where are you going for the Thanksgiving break?
家庭聚會 jiātíng jùhuì	jiātíng jùhuì	family gathering	我們感恩節有一個家庭聚會。	We have a family gathering on Thanksgiving.
親戚 qīnqī	qīnqī	relatives	很多親戚都會來吃晚餐。	A lot of relatives will come for dinner.
主人 zhǔrén	zhǔrén	host (person)	主人準備了很多菜。	The host prepared lots of dishes.
客人 kèrén	kèrén	guest	客人到了，我們開始吃吧。	The guests are here—let’s start eating.
邀請 yāoqǐng	yāoqǐng	to invite	他邀請我們來家裡過感恩節。	He invited us to his home for Thanksgiving.
帶一道菜 dài yí dào cài	dài yí dào cài	bring a dish (potluck)	他說每個人都要帶一道菜。	He said everyone needs to bring a dish.
準備 zhǔnbèi	zhǔnbèi	to prepare	我在廚房準備沙拉。	I’m preparing salad in the kitchen.
佈置 bùzhì	bùzhì	to decorate; set up	我們佈置餐桌，準備開吃。	We’re setting up the table, ready to eat.
餐桌 cānzhuō	cānzhuō	dining table	餐桌上擺滿了食物。	The dining table is full of food.
餐具 cānjù	cānjù	tableware (utensils, plates)	餐具不夠，我再拿一些。	We don’t have enough tableware—I’ll grab more.
餐巾 cānjīn	cānjīn	napkin	餐巾放在盤子旁邊。	The napkin is placed next to the plate.
盤子 pánzi	pánzi	plate	你要大盤子還是小盤子？	Do you want a big plate or a small plate?
刀叉 dāo chā	dāo chā	knife and fork	火雞要用刀叉切。	You cut turkey with a knife and fork.
杯子 bēizi	bēizi	cup; glass	我幫你倒飲料到杯子裡。	I’ll pour a drink into your glass.
剩菜 shèngcài	shèngcài	leftovers	感恩節的剩菜可以吃好幾天。	Thanksgiving leftovers can last for days.

Main Foods and Classic Dishes

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
烤火雞 kǎo huǒjī	kǎo huǒjī	roast turkey	烤火雞是感恩節的主角。	Roast turkey is the star of Thanksgiving.
火雞腿 huǒjī tuǐ	huǒjī tuǐ	turkey leg	我想要一隻火雞腿。	I want a turkey leg.
火雞胸 huǒjī xiōng	huǒjī xiōng	turkey breast	火雞胸比較瘦。	Turkey breast is leaner.
火腿 huǒtuǐ	huǒtuǐ	ham	有些人感恩節也會吃火腿。	Some people also eat ham on Thanksgiving.
馬鈴薯泥 mǎlíngshǔ ní	mǎlíngshǔ ní	mashed potatoes	馬鈴薯泥配肉汁超搭。	Mashed potatoes go great with gravy.
地瓜泥 dìguā ní	dìguā ní	mashed sweet potatoes	我喜歡地瓜泥，甜甜的。	I like mashed sweet potatoes—they’re sweet.
玉米 yùmǐ	yùmǐ	corn	玉米很甜，小朋友都愛。	The corn is sweet—kids love it.
玉米麵包 yùmǐ miànbāo	yùmǐ miànbāo	cornbread	玉米麵包可以做成餡料。	Cornbread can be used for stuffing.
四季豆 sìjìdòu	sìjìdòu	green beans	四季豆煮得剛剛好，還有脆度。	The green beans are cooked just right—still crisp.
四季豆砂鍋 sìjìdòu shāguō	sìjìdòu shāguō	green bean casserole	四季豆砂鍋是經典配菜之一。	Green bean casserole is a classic side dish.
醬汁 jiàngzhī	jiàngzhī	sauce	你要不要加一點醬汁？	Do you want to add a bit of sauce?
肉汁 ròuzhī	ròuzhī	gravy	肉汁淋在馬鈴薯泥上太讚了。	Gravy on mashed potatoes is amazing.
餡料 xiànliào	xiànliào	stuffing	餡料裡有麵包、洋蔥和香料。	Stuffing has bread, onions, and spices.
肉餡 ròuxiàn	ròuxiàn	meat filling (general)	這個餡料裡也有一點肉餡。	This stuffing also has a bit of meat filling.
烤箱 kǎoxiāng	kǎoxiāng	oven	火雞在烤箱裡烤了好幾個小時。	The turkey baked in the oven for hours.
烤 kǎo	kǎo	to roast; bake	我們打算烤火雞和蔬菜。	We plan to roast turkey and vegetables.
切片 qiēpiàn	qiēpiàn	to slice	火雞切片之後比較好分。	It’s easier to share after slicing the turkey.
配菜 pèicài	pèicài	side dish	配菜有很多種，你最喜歡哪個？	There are many side dishes—what’s your favorite?
沙拉 shālā	shālā	salad	吃點沙拉，平衡一下。	Have some salad to balance things out.
麵包捲 miànbāo juǎn	miànbāo juǎn	dinner rolls	麵包捲沾肉汁也很好吃。	Dinner rolls taste great dipped in gravy.
奶油 nǎiyóu	nǎiyóu	butter	麵包抹一點奶油就很香。	Bread with a bit of butter smells great.
奶油馬鈴薯 nǎiyóu mǎlíngshǔ	nǎiyóu mǎlíngshǔ	buttery potatoes (general)	這個奶油馬鈴薯味道很濃。	These buttery potatoes are very rich.
肉桂 ròuguì	ròuguì	cinnamon	南瓜派常常會加肉桂。	Pumpkin pie often has cinnamon.
香料 xiāngliào	xiāngliào	spices	這個餡料的香料味很香。	The spices in this stuffing smell great.
迷迭香 mídiéxiāng	mídiéxiāng	rosemary	烤火雞加迷迭香很經典。	Rosemary with roast turkey is classic.
百里香 bǎilǐxiāng	bǎilǐxiāng	thyme	百里香的味道很清香。	Thyme has a fresh aroma.

Desserts + Drinks

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
甜點 tiándiǎn	tiándiǎn	dessert	吃完主餐後我們再吃甜點。	After the main meal, we’ll have dessert.
派 pài	pài	pie	你想吃哪一種派？	What kind of pie do you want?
南瓜派 nánguā pài	nánguā pài	pumpkin pie	南瓜派配鮮奶油超好吃。	Pumpkin pie with whipped cream is delicious.
蘋果派 píngguǒ pài	píngguǒ pài	apple pie	蘋果派熱熱的，很香。	Warm apple pie smells amazing.
核桃派 hétáo pài	hétáo pài	pecan pie	核桃派很甜，適合配咖啡。	Pecan pie is sweet—great with coffee.
鮮奶油 xiānnǎiyóu	xiānnǎiyóu	whipped cream	南瓜派上面放一點鮮奶油。	Put a bit of whipped cream on the pumpkin pie.
咖啡 kāfēi	kāfēi	coffee	甜點配咖啡剛剛好。	Dessert with coffee is perfect.
茶 chá	chá	tea	吃完甜點喝杯茶比較舒服。	Tea after dessert feels nicer.
果汁 guǒzhī	guǒzhī	juice	你要蘋果汁還是葡萄汁？	Do you want apple juice or grape juice?
蘋果酒 píngguǒ jiǔ	píngguǒ jiǔ	cider (apple cider)	天冷的時候喝熱蘋果酒很舒服。	Warm cider is comforting when it’s cold.
熱紅酒 rè hóngjiǔ	rè hóngjiǔ	mulled wine (hot red wine)	有人喜歡感恩節喝熱紅酒。	Some people like mulled wine on Thanksgiving.

Feelings + Gratitude + Compliments

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
感恩 gǎn’ēn	gǎn’ēn	to be grateful	我很感恩你一直支持我。	I’m grateful you’ve always supported me.
感謝 gǎnxiè	gǎnxiè	thanks; to thank	感謝你今天的招待。	Thank you for hosting us today.
謝謝 xièxiè	xièxiè	thank you	謝謝你做的火雞，真的很好吃。	Thank you for the turkey—it’s really delicious.
多謝 duōxiè	duōxiè	many thanks (polite)	多謝你特地準備這一桌菜。	Many thanks for preparing this whole meal.
辛苦了 xīnkǔ le	xīnkǔ le	thanks for your hard work	你準備這麼多菜，辛苦了！	You prepared so much—thanks for your hard work!
招待 zhāodài	zhāodài	to host; to treat guests	謝謝你們的招待，我吃得很開心。	Thanks for hosting—I enjoyed the meal.
溫馨 wēnxīn	wēnxīn	warm; cozy; heartwarming	今天的聚會很溫馨。	Today’s gathering feels warm and cozy.
幸福 xìngfú	xìngfú	happy; blessed	和家人吃飯真的很幸福。	Eating with family feels truly blessed.
感動 gǎndòng	gǎndòng	moved; touched	你說的話讓我很感動。	What you said really touched me.
祝福 zhùfú	zhùfú	blessing; to bless; good wishes	我把最好的祝福送給你們。	I’m sending you my best wishes.
健康 jiànkāng	jiànkāng	health	我最感恩的是家人的健康。	I’m most thankful for my family’s health.

At the Table: Actions + Useful Verbs

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
開動 kāidòng	kāidòng	let’s start eating	菜都好了，我們開動吧！	The food’s ready—let’s dig in!
端菜 duān cài	duān cài	to carry out dishes	我去幫忙端菜。	I’ll help bring the dishes out.
盛飯 chéng fàn	chéng fàn	to serve rice/food into a bowl	我幫你盛一點馬鈴薯泥。	I’ll serve you a bit of mashed potatoes.
夾 jiá	jiá	to pick up (food) with chopsticks/tongs	我幫你夾一點四季豆。	I’ll get you a bit of green beans.
倒 dào	dào	to pour	我幫你倒一杯果汁。	I’ll pour you a glass of juice.
加 jiā	jiā	to add	你要不要加一點肉汁？	Do you want to add a little gravy?
傳一下 chuán yíxià	chuán yíxià	pass it (over) please	可以把鹽傳一下嗎？	Could you pass the salt?
再來一點 zài lái yìdiǎn	zài lái yìdiǎn	a little more	這個很好吃，我想再來一點。	This is delicious—I want a bit more.
吃飽了 chī bǎo le	chī bǎo le	I’m full	我吃飽了，但甜點還可以。	I’m full, but I can still do dessert.
打包 dǎbāo	dǎbāo	to pack (food to go)	剩菜可以打包帶回家嗎？	Can I pack leftovers to take home?
洗碗 xǐ wǎn	xǐ wǎn	to wash dishes	我來洗碗，你們去休息。	I’ll do the dishes—you all go rest.

Talk Topics: Travel, Family, and Polite Small Talk

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
放假 fàngjià	fàngjià	to have time off	感恩節放假幾天？	How many days off do you get for Thanksgiving?
回老家 huí lǎojiā	huí lǎojiā	go back to one’s hometown	很多人感恩節會回老家。	Many people go back to their hometown for Thanksgiving.
塞車 sāichē	sāichē	traffic jam	感恩節週末常常很塞車。	The Thanksgiving weekend often has heavy traffic.
訂位 dìngwèi	dìngwèi	reserve (a table/seat)	餐廳很滿，你有先訂位嗎？	The restaurant is packed—did you reserve?
聊天 liáotiān	liáotiān	to chat	大家一邊吃一邊聊天。	Everyone chats while eating.
分享 fēnxiǎng	fēnxiǎng	to share	我們輪流分享今年感恩的事情。	We take turns sharing what we’re thankful for this year.
輪流 lúnliú	lúnliú	take turns	我們輪流說一句感謝的話。	We take turns saying one sentence of thanks.
祝酒 zhùjiǔ	zhùjiǔ	toast (speech)	他站起來說了一段祝酒詞。	He stood up and gave a toast.
祝酒詞 zhùjiǔcí	zhùjiǔcí	toast speech	他的祝酒詞很短，但很真誠。	His toast was short but sincere.
真誠 zhēnchéng	zhēnchéng	sincere	謝謝你真誠的祝福。	Thank you for your sincere wishes.

Optional Variants: More Polite / More Casual / Handy Add-ons

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
不好意思 bù hǎoyìsi	bù hǎoyìsi	excuse me; sorry (polite)	不好意思，可以幫我把胡椒傳一下嗎？	Excuse me, could you pass the pepper?
沒關係 méi guānxi	méi guānxi	it’s okay; no problem	不好意思我來晚了。沒關係。	Sorry I’m late. No problem.
不好吃也要說好吃 bù hǎo chī yě yào shuō hǎo chī	bù hǎo chī yě yào shuō hǎo chī	even if it’s not great, say it’s great (joking)	第一次來別人家吃飯，不好吃也要說好吃。	When you’re a guest for the first time… you know the rule.
好吃 hǎo chī	hǎo chī	delicious	這個火雞真的好吃。	This turkey is really delicious.
太飽了 tài bǎo le	tài bǎo le	I’m too full	我太飽了，先休息一下。	I’m too full—I need a break.
胃 wèi	wèi	stomach	我的胃已經投降了。	My stomach has already surrendered.

Yak Snark (near the end):

If you only memorize three things, pick these: 感恩節 (the holiday), 謝謝你們的招待 (thanks for hosting), and 不用了，我吃飽了 (no, I’m full). That last one is basically a superpower.