TOCFL Vocabulary and Grammar Hub
Everything you need to understand the TOCFL—plus quick links to each level’s vocabulary list and a giant grammar list. Topic name in Chinese: 華語文能力測驗 (Huáyǔwén Nénglì Cèyàn).
If you’re learning Traditional Chinese (Taiwan Mandarin) and want a clear goal, TOCFL is the “official-style” milestone. This page explains what TOCFL is, how the levels work, what’s on the test, and where to study (without turning your brain into flashcard soup).
Yak Reality Check: “I’ll just learn Chinese” is cute. “I’m aiming for TOCFL Level X by Month Y” actually gets results.
What Is The TOCFL?
TOCFL stands for Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language. In Taiwan, it’s the standardized Mandarin proficiency test for non-native speakers. It’s administered by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education through the testing committee (often called SC-TOP / 華測會), and it’s widely used as proof of Chinese ability for study, scholarships, and work.
You’ll also see TOCFL referred to by its Chinese name: 華語文能力測驗 (Huáyǔwén Nénglì Cèyàn). The modern version has multiple bands and levels, designed to line up with international proficiency frameworks (like CEFR). You can take it in Traditional or Simplified characters—so yes, you can keep your beautiful Traditional Chinese and still test officially.
Want the official homepage and the quick Wikipedia overview? Here you go: TOCFL Official Site and TOCFL on Wikipedia.
What’s On The Test?
TOCFL is built around four skill areas: Listening (聽力 tīnglì), Reading (閱讀 yuèdú), Speaking (口說 kǒushuō), and Writing (寫作 xiězuò). Many test-takers start with Listening + Reading and add Speaking/Writing when they need them for a program or job requirement.
Novice Special Note: The TOCFL-Novice Listening + Reading test is designed for true beginners. It’s built around about 300 high-frequency words and uses lots of picture-based, real-life situations. The timing is shorter than higher-level formats.
2026 Note: Starting in 2026, TOCFL has been moving toward digital score reports and certificates (so keep your email and account info tidy).
TOCFL Levels At A Glance
TOCFL is commonly described as four bands with eight levels: Novice 1–2, then Level 1–6 (Band A/B/C). On YakYacker, this hub links to Novice 1–2 and Level 1–5 lists (Level 6 is the “boss level” and may be added later).
| Band | Level | Chinese Name | Typical Vocabulary Target | Who It Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novice | Novice 1–2 | 準備級 (zhǔnbèi jí) | ~300 words | Brand-new learners building survival basics |
| Band A | Level 1 | 入門級 (rùmén jí) | ~500 words | Daily-life basics with simple sentences |
| Band A | Level 2 | 基礎級 (jīchǔ jí) | ~1,000 words | Solid beginner → low-intermediate foundation |
| Band B | Level 3 | 進階級 (jìnjiē jí) | ~2,500 words | Everyday competence + longer listening/reading |
| Band B | Level 4 | 高階級 (gāojiē jí) | ~5,000 words | Confident work/school communication |
| Band C | Level 5–6 | 流利級 (liúlì jí) / 精通級 (jīngtōng jí) | ~8,000+ words | High-level fluency, academic/professional range |
Jump To Your TOCFL Vocabulary Lists
Pick your target level. Then study vocabulary + grammar together (because vocabulary without grammar is just… a pile of words).
Band Novice
Band A
Band B & C
Your Grammar Shortcut
Vocabulary gets you recognition. Grammar gets you points. If you’re serious about TOCFL, use this master list (yes, it’s huge):
Five High-Utility Grammar Patterns (With Real Examples)
| Pattern | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 先…再… (xiān… zài…) | First… then… | 我先背單字，再做聽力。 | Wǒ xiān bèi dānzì, zài zuò tīnglì. | I’ll memorize vocabulary first, then do listening practice. |
| 因為…所以… (yīnwèi… suǒyǐ…) | Because… so… | 因為我想升級，所以每天複習。 | Yīnwèi wǒ xiǎng shēngjí, suǒyǐ měitiān fùxí. | Because I want to level up, I review every day. |
| 為了… (wèile…) | In order to… | 為了通過考試，我改成每天讀新聞。 | Wèile tōngguò kǎoshì, wǒ gǎichéng měitiān dú xīnwén. | To pass the exam, I switched to reading news every day. |
| 只要…就… (zhǐyào… jiù…) | As long as… then… | 只要你每天練習，就會進步。 | Zhǐyào nǐ měitiān liànxí, jiù huì jìnbù. | As long as you practice daily, you’ll improve. |
| 越…越… (yuè… yuè…) | The more… the more… | 你越常聽，聽力越好。 | Nǐ yuè cháng tīng, tīnglì yuè hǎo. | The more you listen, the better your listening gets. |
Starter TOCFL Vocabulary Cards (Exam + Study Words)
華語文能力測驗
Huáyǔwén Nénglì Cèyàn — TOCFL (the exam’s Chinese name)
我今年要考華語文能力測驗。
Wǒ jīnnián yào kǎo Huáyǔwén Nénglì Cèyàn.
I’m taking the TOCFL this year.
報名
bàomíng — to register
我已經在網路上報名了。
Wǒ yǐjīng zài wǎnglù shàng bàomíng le.
I’ve already registered online.
聽力
tīnglì — listening (skill/test)
我的聽力比較弱。
Wǒ de tīnglì bǐjiào ruò.
My listening is relatively weak.
閱讀
yuèdú — reading
我每天練習閱讀十分鐘。
Wǒ měitiān liànxí yuèdú shí fēnzhōng.
I practice reading for 10 minutes every day.
口說
kǒushuō — speaking
口說要多開口，別怕丟臉。
Kǒushuō yào duō kāikǒu, bié pà diūliǎn.
For speaking, talk more—don’t be embarrassed.
寫作
xiězuò — writing
寫作最怕時間不夠。
Xiězuò zuì pà shíjiān bù gòu.
Writing is hardest when you run out of time.
考試
kǎoshì — exam
明天有考試，今晚要早點睡。
Míngtiān yǒu kǎoshì, jīnwǎn yào zǎodiǎn shuì.
The exam is tomorrow, so I should sleep early tonight.
證書
zhèngshū — certificate
通過以後，我想申請證書。
Tōngguò yǐhòu, wǒ xiǎng shēnqǐng zhèngshū.
After I pass, I want to apply for the certificate.
Useful TOCFL Study And Test-Day Sentences
- 我想考準備級。
Wǒ xiǎng kǎo zhǔnbèi jí.
I want to take the Novice level. - 這個等級需要多少詞彙？
Zhège děngjí xūyào duōshǎo cíhuì?
How much vocabulary does this level require? - 我先背單字，再做聽力。
Wǒ xiān bèi dānzì, zài zuò tīnglì.
I’ll memorize vocab first, then do listening practice. - 我每天都做模擬考。
Wǒ měitiān dōu zuò mónǐ kǎo.
I do mock tests every day. - 這題我聽不懂。
Zhè tí wǒ tīng bù dǒng.
I can’t understand this question. - 你可以再說一次嗎？
Nǐ kěyǐ zài shuō yí cì ma?
Can you say that again? - 我需要提高答題速度。
Wǒ xūyào tígāo dátí sùdù.
I need to answer faster. - 時間快到了。
Shíjiān kuài dào le.
Time is almost up. - 我差一點就及格了。
Wǒ chà yìdiǎn jiù jígé le.
I almost passed. - 我想把分數提高到Level 3。
Wǒ xiǎng bǎ fēnshù tígāo dào Level sān.
I want to raise my score to Level 3. - 考試當天要帶護照。
Kǎoshì dāngtiān yào dài hùzhào.
You need to bring your passport on exam day. - 我在台灣考，考場很方便。
Wǒ zài Táiwān kǎo, kǎochǎng hěn fāngbiàn.
I’m taking it in Taiwan; the test center is convenient.
Quick Reference Tables
Exam Logistics Vocabulary
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 准考證 | zhǔnkǎozhèng | admission ticket | 我把准考證放在包包裡。 | Wǒ bǎ zhǔnkǎozhèng fàng zài bāobāo lǐ. | I put the admission ticket in my bag. |
| 考場 | kǎochǎng | test center | 考場離捷運站很近。 | Kǎochǎng lí jiéyùn zhàn hěn jìn. | The test center is close to the MRT station. |
| 座位 | zuòwèi | seat | 我的座位號碼是十二號。 | Wǒ de zuòwèi hàomǎ shì shí’èr hào. | My seat number is 12. |
| 身分證明 | shēnfèn zhèngmíng | ID document | 進場前要出示身分證明。 | Jìnchǎng qián yào chūshì shēnfèn zhèngmíng. | You must show ID before entering. |
| 護照 | hùzhào | passport | 外國考生通常要帶護照。 | Wàiguó kǎoshēng tōngcháng yào dài hùzhào. | Foreign test-takers usually need to bring a passport. |
| 監考 | jiānkǎo | to invigilate / proctor | 監考老師會提醒考試規則。 | Jiānkǎo lǎoshī huì tíxǐng kǎoshì guīzé. | The proctor will remind you of the rules. |
| 鉛筆 | qiānbǐ | pencil | 我多帶了一支鉛筆。 | Wǒ duō dài le yì zhī qiānbǐ. | I brought an extra pencil. |
| 橡皮擦 | xiàngpí cā | eraser | 答錯可以用橡皮擦擦掉。 | Dá cuò kěyǐ yòng xiàngpí cā cā diào. | If you answer wrong, you can erase it. |
| 選擇題 | xuǎnzé tí | multiple-choice question | 這份考試大多是選擇題。 | Zhè fèn kǎoshì dàduō shì xuǎnzé tí. | This exam is mostly multiple-choice. |
| 分數 | fēnshù | score | 我希望這次分數更高。 | Wǒ xīwàng zhè cì fēnshù gèng gāo. | I hope my score is higher this time. |
Study Plan Vocabulary
| Hanzi | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 單字 | dānzì | vocabulary word | 我今天要背三十個單字。 | Wǒ jīntiān yào bèi sānshí gè dānzì. | I’m going to memorize 30 words today. |
| 詞彙 | cíhuì | vocabulary (set) | 這個等級的詞彙比較生活化。 | Zhège děngjí de cíhuì bǐjiào shēnghuóhuà. | This level’s vocabulary is more everyday-life focused. |
| 文法 | wénfǎ | grammar | 我用文法表整理重點。 | Wǒ yòng wénfǎ biǎo zhěnglǐ zhòngdiǎn. | I organize key points with a grammar table. |
| 練習 | liànxí | practice | 每天練習，比一次拼命更有效。 | Měitiān liànxí, bǐ yí cì pīnmìng gèng yǒuxiào. | Practicing daily is more effective than cramming once. |
| 模擬考 | mónǐ kǎo | mock test | 我週末會做一回模擬考。 | Wǒ zhōumò huì zuò yì huí mónǐ kǎo. | I’ll do a mock test on the weekend. |
| 題庫 | tíkù | question bank | 我用題庫練習閱讀速度。 | Wǒ yòng tíkù liànxí yuèdú sùdù. | I use a question bank to practice reading speed. |
| 進步 | jìnbù | improvement | 我覺得這個月進步很多。 | Wǒ juéde zhège yuè jìnbù hěn duō. | I feel I improved a lot this month. |
| 目標 | mùbiāo | goal | 我的目標是Level 2。 | Wǒ de mùbiāo shì Level èr. | My goal is Level 2. |
| 安排 | ānpái | to plan/schedule | 我把複習時間安排在早上。 | Wǒ bǎ fùxí shíjiān ānpái zài zǎoshang. | I schedule my review time in the morning. |
| 複習 | fùxí | review | 睡前複習十分鐘就好。 | Shuì qián fùxí shí fēnzhōng jiù hǎo. | Reviewing 10 minutes before bed is enough. |
Mini Practice: Make Your Own TOCFL Plan
Swap the bracket parts to match your life. Say it out loud (yes, really):
- 我的目標是［Level 1／Level 2／Level 3…］。
Wǒ de mùbiāo shì [Level…].
My goal is [Level…]. - 我每天［背單字／練習閱讀／做聽力］［10／20／30］分鐘。
Wǒ měitiān [bèi dānzì / liànxí yuèdú / zuò tīnglì] [shí / èrshí / sānshí] fēnzhōng.
I [study vocab / practice reading / do listening] for [10/20/30] minutes daily. - 我先［複習文法］，再［做模擬考］。
Wǒ xiān [fùxí wénfǎ], zài [zuò mónǐ kǎo].
I first [review grammar], then [do a mock test]. - 只要我［每天練習］，就會［進步］。
Zhǐyào wǒ [měitiān liànxí], jiù huì [jìnbù].
As long as I [practice daily], I’ll [improve].
Final Yak Box
If you’re stuck choosing a level, pick the one where you understand about 60–70% of a sample listening/reading set. Too easy = you’re bored. Too hard = you’re crying into your bubble tea. The sweet spot is “challenged but not wrecked.”
Then do the simple combo: level vocabulary list + grammar list + weekly mock test. It’s not glamorous, but it works. (Annoyingly well.)
