1,000 Traditional Chinese Phrases and Expressions: Quiz and Free PDF

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.

PhrasePinyinMeaning
美術měishùart
美麗měilìbeautiful
習慣xíguànhabit
老人lǎorénold man/woman
老太太(˙ㄊㄞ)lăotàitaiold lady
老師lǎoshīteacher
老闆/老板lăobănboss
老闆娘/老板娘lăobănniángfemale boss
考試kǎoshìtest, exam/ to take a test
而且érqiěalso
耳朵ěrduoear
聊天(兒)liáotiān(ér)to chat/ chatting
聊天/聊天兒liáotiān/liáotiānrchat
聰明cōngmíngto be intelligent
聲音shēngyīnsound, voice
聲音/聲shēngyīnsound
聽見tīngjiànto hear
聽說tīngshuōhear, hear it said
聽起來不錯tīng qǐ lái bù cuòSounds good
肚(子)dù(zi)stomach
肚子dùzistomach, belly, abdomen
肥皂féizàosoap
背包bēibāobackpack
背後bèihòubehind
背景bèijĭngbackground