Useful Commands in Traditional Chinese: 70+ Quick Phrases You Can Use Today (No Grammar Pain)
實用指令／口頭命令（繁體中文）
Traditional characters + pinyin + meanings + examples you can actually use in real life.
Want to tell someone what to do (politely) without sounding like a movie villain? Here are practical commands in Traditional Chinese, with pinyin, clear meanings, and example sentences.
Tap the speaker button to hear the Mandarin (Taiwan accent). Steal these phrases for cafés, taxis, meetings, and daily life. You’re welcome.
In Chinese, “commands” don’t have to feel bossy. Add 請 or 一下 and suddenly you’re “polite and normal,” not “angry robot.”
Quick command cards
These are the high-frequency “do this right now” phrases you’ll hear everywhere. Short. Useful. Slightly powerful.
請稍等。
Qǐng shāo děng.
Please wait a moment.
請稍等，我馬上回來。
Qǐng shāo děng, wǒ mǎshàng huílái.
Please wait a moment; I’ll be right back.
請過來。
Qǐng guòlái.
Please come here.
請過來這邊，我幫你看一下。
Qǐng guòlái zhèbiān, wǒ bāng nǐ kàn yíxià.
Please come over here; I’ll take a look for you.
請坐。
Qǐng zuò.
Please sit.
請坐，別客氣。
Qǐng zuò, bié kèqì.
Please sit—make yourself comfortable.
停一下！
Tíng yíxià!
Stop for a second!
停一下，我還沒準備好。
Tíng yíxià, wǒ hái méi zhǔnbèi hǎo.
Stop a second—I’m not ready yet.
小心！
Xiǎoxīn!
Careful!
小心，那邊很滑。
Xiǎoxīn, nàbiān hěn huá.
Careful—it’s slippery over there.
慢一點。
Màn yìdiǎn.
Slower.
你講太快了，慢一點。
Nǐ jiǎng tài kuài le, màn yìdiǎn.
You’re speaking too fast—slower.
再說一次。
Zài shuō yí cì.
Say it again.
我沒聽到，再說一次。
Wǒ méi tīng dào, zài shuō yí cì.
I didn’t hear it—say it again.
不要動。
Bú yào dòng.
Don’t move.
不要動，我幫你拍一張。
Bú yào dòng, wǒ bāng nǐ pāi yì zhāng.
Don’t move—I’ll take a photo for you.
Polite, real-life command sentences
These are the “I need something” sentences you can copy-paste into real life. They’re direct, but not rude.
麻煩你幫我一下。
Máfan nǐ bāng wǒ yíxià.
Could you help me for a sec?
麻煩你幫我一下，我找不到入口。
Máfan nǐ bāng wǒ yíxià, wǒ zhǎo bú dào rùkǒu.
Could you help me for a sec? I can’t find the entrance.
請跟我來。
Qǐng gēn wǒ lái.
Please follow me.
請跟我來，我帶你去座位。
Qǐng gēn wǒ lái, wǒ dài nǐ qù zuòwèi.
Please follow me—I’ll take you to your seat.
你可以寫下來嗎？
Nǐ kěyǐ xiě xiàlái ma?
Can you write it down?
你可以寫下來嗎？我怕我記錯。
Nǐ kěyǐ xiě xiàlái ma? Wǒ pà wǒ jì cuò.
Can you write it down? I’m afraid I’ll remember it wrong.
可以再說一遍嗎？
Kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma?
Can you say it again?
可以再說一遍嗎？我剛剛沒聽清楚。
Kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma? Wǒ gānggāng méi tīng qīngchǔ.
Can you say it again? I didn’t hear clearly just now.
請說慢一點。
Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.
Please speak slower.
請說慢一點，我在學中文。
Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn, wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén.
Please speak slower—I’m learning Chinese.
請不要拍照。
Qǐng bú yào pāizhào.
Please don’t take photos.
這裡是私人區域，請不要拍照。
Zhèlǐ shì sīrén qūyù, qǐng bú yào pāizhào.
This is a private area—please don’t take photos.
麻煩結帳。
Máfan jiézhàng.
Check, please.
我們吃完了，麻煩結帳。
Wǒmen chī wán le, máfan jiézhàng.
We’re done eating—check, please.
請給我菜單。
Qǐng gěi wǒ càidān.
Menu, please.
不好意思，請給我菜單。
Bù hǎoyìsi, qǐng gěi wǒ càidān.
Excuse me—menu, please.
不要辣。
Bú yào là.
No spicy.
我胃不舒服，不要辣。
Wǒ wèi bù shūfu, bú yào là.
My stomach isn’t great—no spicy.
少冰。
Shǎo bīng.
Less ice.
珍奶少冰，謝謝。
Zhēnnǎi shǎo bīng, xièxie.
Bubble tea, less ice—thanks.
外帶，謝謝。
Wàidài, xièxie.
To go, thanks.
這個外帶，謝謝。
Zhège wàidài, xièxie.
This one to go, thanks.
請在這裡下車。
Qǐng zài zhèlǐ xiàchē.
Please let me off here.
到前面路口就好，請在這裡下車。
Dào qiánmiàn lùkǒu jiù hǎo, qǐng zài zhèlǐ xiàchē.
The next intersection is fine—please let me off here.
請幫我叫計程車。
Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào jìchéngchē.
Please call a taxi for me.
麻煩，請幫我叫計程車到飯店門口。
Máfan, qǐng bāng wǒ jiào jìchéngchē dào fàndiàn ménkǒu.
Could you please call a taxi to the hotel entrance?
請開門。
Qǐng kāimén.
Please open the door.
我手上拿很多東西，請開門。
Wǒ shǒu shàng ná hěn duō dōngxī, qǐng kāimén.
My hands are full—please open the door.
How to sound firm without sounding rude
Quick trickMake your command softer by adding a “polite word” or a “softener.” Same meaning, less sharp.
請
Qǐng
Please (polite marker)
請坐一下。
Qǐng zuò yíxià.
Please sit for a moment.
麻煩
Máfan
Sorry to bother… / could you please…
麻煩等一下，我馬上到。
Máfan děng yíxià, wǒ mǎshàng dào.
Sorry—wait a second. I’ll be there right away.
拜託
Bàituō
Please (stronger, more pleading)
拜託小聲一點，我在開會。
Bàituō xiǎoshēng yìdiǎn, wǒ zài kāihuì.
Please be a bit quieter—I’m in a meeting.
一下
Yíxià
“a bit” (softens the request)
看一下這個，可以嗎？
Kàn yíxià zhège, kěyǐ ma?
Take a quick look at this—okay?
可以嗎？
Kěyǐ ma?
Is that okay?
我坐這裡，可以嗎？
Wǒ zuò zhèlǐ, kěyǐ ma?
Can I sit here?
More useful commands
Tables = fast scanning. Each row includes Traditional Chinese, pinyin, meaning, and a ready-to-use example.
Moving & positioning
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning (EN) | Example (ZH) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
站起來。 | Zhàn qǐlái. | Stand up. | 請站起來，我們要出發了。 Qǐng zhàn qǐlái, wǒmen yào chūfā le. | Please stand up—we’re about to leave. | |
坐下。 | Zuò xià. | Sit down. | 先坐下休息一下。 Xiān zuò xià xiūxi yíxià. | Sit down and rest for a bit. | |
轉身。 | Zhuǎnshēn. | Turn around. | 請轉身，我看一下後面。 Qǐng zhuǎnshēn, wǒ kàn yíxià hòumiàn. | Please turn around; I’ll check the back. | |
往前走。 | Wǎng qián zǒu. | Walk forward. | 往前走一點，就到了。 Wǎng qián zǒu yìdiǎn, jiù dào le. | Go forward a little and you’ll be there. | |
往後退。 | Wǎng hòu tuì. | Step back. | 往後退一點，謝謝。 Wǎng hòu tuì yìdiǎn, xièxie. | Step back a little, thanks. | |
左轉。 | Zuǒ zhuǎn. | Turn left. | 到路口左轉就看得到。 Dào lùkǒu zuǒ zhuǎn jiù kàn de dào. | Turn left at the intersection and you’ll see it. | |
右轉。 | Yòu zhuǎn. | Turn right. | 下一條巷子右轉。 Xià yì tiáo xiàngzi yòu zhuǎn. | Turn right at the next alley. | |
排隊。 | Páiduì. | Line up. | 請在這裡排隊。 Qǐng zài zhèlǐ páiduì. | Please line up here. |
Speaking & understanding
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning (EN) | Example (ZH) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
說大聲一點。 | Shuō dàshēng yìdiǎn. | Speak louder. | 可以說大聲一點嗎？我聽不清楚。 Kěyǐ shuō dàshēng yìdiǎn ma? Wǒ tīng bù qīngchǔ. | Can you speak louder? I can’t hear clearly. | |
小聲一點。 | Xiǎoshēng yìdiǎn. | Quieter. | 小聲一點，寶寶在睡覺。 Xiǎoshēng yìdiǎn, bǎobǎo zài shuìjiào. | Quieter—the baby is sleeping. | |
請重複一遍。 | Qǐng chóngfù yí biàn. | Please repeat. | 我沒聽清楚，請重複一遍。 Wǒ méi tīng qīngchǔ, qǐng chóngfù yí biàn. | I didn’t hear clearly—please repeat. | |
我不懂，請再說。 | Wǒ bù dǒng, qǐng zài shuō. | I don’t understand—please say it again. | 我不懂，請再說一次。 Wǒ bù dǒng, qǐng zài shuō yí cì. | I don’t understand—please say it one more time. | |
你聽得懂嗎？ | Nǐ tīng de dǒng ma? | Do you understand (by listening)? | 我講得太快嗎？你聽得懂嗎？ Wǒ jiǎng de tài kuài ma? Nǐ tīng de dǒng ma? | Am I speaking too fast? Do you understand? | |
請再解釋一次。 | Qǐng zài jiěshì yí cì. | Please explain again. | 這個我不太懂，請再解釋一次。 Zhège wǒ bù tài dǒng, qǐng zài jiěshì yí cì. | I don’t really get this—please explain again. | |
先聽我說。 | Xiān tīng wǒ shuō. | Listen to me first. | 先聽我說，我有一個辦法。 Xiān tīng wǒ shuō, wǒ yǒu yí ge bànfǎ. | Listen to me first—I have a solution. | |
先別說。 | Xiān bié shuō. | Don’t say it yet. | 先別說答案，我想先猜。 Xiān bié shuō dá’àn, wǒ xiǎng xiān cāi. | Don’t tell me the answer yet—I want to guess first. |
Eating & ordering
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning (EN) | Example (ZH) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
請給我水。 | Qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ. | Water, please. | 麻煩，請給我水，謝謝。 Máfan, qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ, xièxie. | Could I have some water, please—thanks. | |
不要加香菜。 | Bú yào jiā xiāngcài. | No cilantro. | 這碗麵不要加香菜。 Zhè wǎn miàn bú yào jiā xiāngcài. | No cilantro in this bowl of noodles, please. | |
少糖。 | Shǎo táng. | Less sugar. | 奶茶少糖，謝謝。 Nǎichá shǎo táng, xièxie. | Milk tea, less sugar—thanks. | |
少鹽。 | Shǎo yán. | Less salt. | 這道菜少鹽就好。 Zhè dào cài shǎo yán jiù hǎo. | Less salt for this dish is fine. | |
多一點辣。 | Duō yìdiǎn là. | A bit spicier. | 可以多一點辣嗎？ Kěyǐ duō yìdiǎn là ma? | Can it be a bit spicier? | |
內用。 | Nèiyòng. | For here (dine in). | 我要內用。 Wǒ yào nèiyòng. | I’m eating here. | |
打包。 | Dǎbāo. | Pack it to go. | 吃不完，麻煩打包。 Chī bù wán, máfan dǎbāo. | I can’t finish it—please pack it up. | |
再來一份。 | Zài lái yí fèn. | One more (serving), please. | 這個很好吃，再來一份。 Zhège hěn hǎochī, zài lái yí fèn. | This is delicious—one more serving, please. |
Shopping & payments
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning (EN) | Example (ZH) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
給我一個袋子。 | Gěi wǒ yí ge dàizi. | Give me a bag. | 不好意思，給我一個袋子。 Bù hǎoyìsi, gěi wǒ yí ge dàizi. | Excuse me—could I have a bag? | |
刷卡。 | Shuākǎ. | Pay by card. | 我刷卡。 Wǒ shuākǎ. | I’ll pay by card. | |
付現。 | Fùxiàn. | Pay cash. | 我付現，可以嗎？ Wǒ fùxiàn, kěyǐ ma? | I’ll pay cash—is that okay? | |
給我收據。 | Gěi wǒ shōujù. | Give me a receipt. | 麻煩給我收據。 Máfan gěi wǒ shōujù. | Please give me a receipt. | |
幫我包起來。 | Bāng wǒ bāo qǐlái. | Wrap it up for me. | 這個幫我包起來，謝謝。 Zhège bāng wǒ bāo qǐlái, xièxie. | Please wrap this up for me—thanks. | |
可以便宜一點嗎？ | Kěyǐ piányí yìdiǎn ma? | Can it be cheaper? | 如果買兩個，可以便宜一點嗎？ Rúguǒ mǎi liǎng ge, kěyǐ piányí yìdiǎn ma? | If I buy two, can it be a bit cheaper? | |
幫我找零。 | Bāng wǒ zhǎo líng. | Give me change. | 我給你一千，麻煩幫我找零。 Wǒ gěi nǐ yìqiān, máfan bāng wǒ zhǎo líng. | I’m giving you 1000—please give me change. | |
退貨。 | Tuìhuò. | Return it. | 這個我想退貨。 Zhège wǒ xiǎng tuìhuò. | I’d like to return this. |
Travel & rides
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning (EN) | Example (ZH) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
請停車。 | Qǐng tíngchē. | Please stop the car. | 前面就好，請停車。 Qiánmiàn jiù hǎo, qǐng tíngchē. | The front is fine—please stop the car. | |
請開慢一點。 | Qǐng kāi màn yìdiǎn. | Please drive a bit slower. | 路很滑，請開慢一點。 Lù hěn huá, qǐng kāi màn yìdiǎn. | The road is slippery—please drive a bit slower. | |
在下一個路口左轉。 | Zài xià yí ge lùkǒu zuǒ zhuǎn. | Turn left at the next intersection. | 在下一個路口左轉就到了。 Zài xià yí ge lùkǒu zuǒ zhuǎn jiù dào le. | Turn left at the next intersection and you’ll arrive. | |
在這裡右轉。 | Zài zhèlǐ yòu zhuǎn. | Turn right here. | 到了，請在這裡右轉。 Dào le, qǐng zài zhèlǐ yòu zhuǎn. | We’re there—please turn right here. | |
給我一張票。 | Gěi wǒ yì zhāng piào. | Give me one ticket. | 給我一張到台北的票。 Gěi wǒ yì zhāng dào Táiběi de piào. | One ticket to Taipei, please. | |
請問往哪裡走？ | Qǐngwèn wǎng nǎlǐ zǒu? | Excuse me, which way do I go? | 請問往捷運站怎麼走？ Qǐngwèn wǎng jiéyùn zhàn zěnme zǒu? | Excuse me—how do I get to the MRT station? | |
請幫我看一下路線。 | Qǐng bāng wǒ kàn yíxià lùxiàn. | Please check the route for me. | 請幫我看一下路線，哪個比較快？ Qǐng bāng wǒ kàn yíxià lùxiàn, nǎ ge bǐjiào kuài? | Please check the route— which one is faster? | |
請把行李放上去。 | Qǐng bǎ xínglǐ fàng shàngqù. | Please put the luggage up there. | 可以請你把行李放上去嗎？ Kěyǐ qǐng nǐ bǎ xínglǐ fàng shàngqù ma? | Could you please put the luggage up there? |
Home & daily life
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning (EN) | Example (ZH) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
關燈。 | Guān dēng. | Turn off the light. | 睡覺了，關燈。 Shuìjiào le, guān dēng. | Time to sleep—turn off the light. | |
開燈。 | Kāi dēng. | Turn on the light. | 太暗了，開燈。 Tài àn le, kāi dēng. | It’s too dark—turn on the light. | |
開窗。 | Kāi chuāng. | Open the window. | 有點悶，開窗吧。 Yǒudiǎn mēn, kāi chuāng ba. | It’s a bit stuffy—open the window. | |
關窗。 | Guān chuāng. | Close the window. | 下雨了，關窗。 Xiàyǔ le, guān chuāng. | It’s raining—close the window. | |
把門鎖上。 | Bǎ mén suǒ shàng. | Lock the door. | 出門前把門鎖上。 Chūmén qián bǎ mén suǒ shàng. | Lock the door before you go out. | |
把垃圾拿出去。 | Bǎ lèsè ná chūqù. | Take the trash out. | 麻煩把垃圾拿出去。 Máfan bǎ lèsè ná chūqù. | Please take the trash out. | |
先洗手。 | Xiān xǐ shǒu. | Wash your hands first. | 吃飯前先洗手。 Chīfàn qián xiān xǐ shǒu. | Wash your hands before eating. | |
請保持安靜。 | Qǐng bǎochí ānjìng. | Please keep quiet. | 圖書館裡請保持安靜。 Túshūguǎn lǐ qǐng bǎochí ānjìng. | Please keep quiet in the library. |
Safety & online meetings
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning (EN) | Example (ZH) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
救命！ | Jiùmìng! | Help! | 救命！有人受傷了！ Jiùmìng! Yǒurén shòushāng le! | Help! Someone is injured! | |
叫救護車！ | Jiào jiùhùchē! | Call an ambulance! | 快！叫救護車！ Kuài! Jiào jiùhùchē! | Quick—call an ambulance! | |
別碰！ | Bié pèng! | Don’t touch! | 別碰！很燙！ Bié pèng! Hěn tàng! | Don’t touch—it’s hot! | |
先離開這裡！ | Xiān líkāi zhèlǐ! | Leave here first! | 有煙，先離開這裡！ Yǒu yān, xiān líkāi zhèlǐ! | There’s smoke—leave here first! | |
保持距離。 | Bǎochí jùlí. | Keep your distance. | 請保持距離，謝謝。 Qǐng bǎochí jùlí, xièxie. | Please keep your distance, thanks. | |
請關掉麥克風。 | Qǐng guān diào màikèfēng. | Please mute your mic. | 有回音，請關掉麥克風。 Yǒu huíyīn, qǐng guān diào màikèfēng. | There’s echo—please mute your mic. | |
請分享螢幕。 | Qǐng fēnxiǎng píngmù. | Please share your screen. | 你方便的話，請分享螢幕。 Nǐ fāngbiàn de huà, qǐng fēnxiǎng píngmù. | If you can, please share your screen. | |
請確認收到。 | Qǐng quèrèn shōudào. | Please confirm you received it. | 看完後請確認收到。 Kàn wán hòu qǐng quèrèn shōudào. | After you read it, please confirm receipt. |
Variants that save your social life
Same idea, different vibe. Use the softer one when you want to sound human.
| Phrase | Pinyin | Meaning (EN) | Example (ZH) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
不要… | Bú yào… | Don’t… (neutral/firm) | 不要吵，我在講電話。 Bú yào chǎo, wǒ zài jiǎng diànhuà. | Don’t be noisy—I’m on the phone. | |
別… | Bié… | Don’t… (often more casual) | 別擔心，我來處理。 Bié dānxīn, wǒ lái chǔlǐ. | Don’t worry—I’ll handle it. | |
等一下 | Děng yíxià | Wait a sec. | 等一下，我拿一下錢包。 Děng yíxià, wǒ ná yíxià qiánbāo. | Wait a sec—I’ll grab my wallet. | |
稍等 | Shāo děng | Please wait (a bit more formal) | 稍等，我幫你查一下。 Shāo děng, wǒ bāng nǐ chá yíxià. | Please wait—I’ll check for you. | |
麻煩你… | Máfan nǐ… | Could you please… (polite, common) | 麻煩你再說一次，謝謝。 Máfan nǐ zài shuō yí cì, xièxie. | Could you say it again, please? | |
拜託你… | Bàituō nǐ… | Please… (stronger / pleading) | 拜託你幫我一下，我真的很急。 Bàituō nǐ bāng wǒ yíxià, wǒ zhēn de hěn jí. | Please help me—I’m really in a hurry. |
If you blank out, say 不好意思 first. It’s basically the duct tape of Mandarin politeness. Then point at this list like a civilized yak.
