This collection of around 1,088 Traditional Chinese phrases and expressions is built for learners who want language that actually gets used, not dusty textbook lines. Whether you’re ordering at a street stall in Taipei, texting a friend, or sharing an opinion, these are the go-to phrases that keep real conversations flowing.
Each phrase comes with a simple meaning and a practical example sentence, so you see exactly how it behaves in the wild. No guesswork-just vocabulary that helps you react, connect, and sound more like yourself. And when you’re ready to take your study offline, the free PDF download button right below the table has your back.
Want more than one list? Browse our Traditional Chinese section for more Yak Yacker study pages, printable lists, and quiz-friendly review material.
Quick Quiz
Think you’ve locked a few of these expressions already? Give the quick quiz a spin-it’s gentle, and it’ll show you exactly which phrases need a second look.
Browse the Full List
The Yak Yacker reference table below gives you meanings, examples where available for this list, and a free PDF download button below the table.
| Phrase | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 生氣 | shēngqì | to be angry; to take offense |
| 生活 | shēnghuó | life/ to live |
| 生病 | shēngbìng | to become ill, to be sick |
| 用功 | yònggōng | hardworking |
| 男人 | nánrén | man |
| 男孩(兒)(子) | nánhái(ér)(zi) | boy |
| 男生 | nánshēng | boy |
| 畢業 | bìyè | graduate |
| 畫/畫兒 | huà/huàr | painting |
| 畫家 | huàjiā | a painter (as in an artist ) |
| 當中 | dāngzhōng | among |
| 當時 | dāngshí | at that time |
| 當然 | dāng rán | Of course |
| 病人 | bìngrén | patient |
| 發燒 | fāshāo | fever |
| 發現 | fāxiàn | to discover |
| 發生 | fāshēng | to happen, to occur, take place |
| 白/白白 | bái/báibái | in vain |
| 白天(˙ㄊㄧㄢ) | báitian | daytime |
| 白色 | báisè | white |
| 白菜 | báicài | Chinese cabbage |
| 百貨公司 | bǎihuògōngsī | department store |
| 皮包 | píbāo | handbag, briefcase |
| 皮鞋 | píxié | leather shoes |
| 盒(子) | hé (zi) | box, case |
