Traditional Chinese - Giving Examples

Lesson 40 of 152

A lively Taiwan Mandarin lesson scene with Traditional Chinese phrases about giving examples floating around a cozy desk. The topic focuses on explaining ideas clearly with examples.

Goal: Make your point clearer with natural example phrases

Free traditional Chinese lessons with Taiwan Mandarin audio and speaking practice.

Welcome to Lesson 40! Today your Mandarin gets a very useful little upgrade: examples. Because sometimes the best explanation is not more grammar—it’s one good “like this.”

We’ll keep it practical and conversational, with phrases you can drop into real Taiwan Mandarin chats right away.

Level B1: You’ll practice natural ways to introduce examples, from quick casual phrases like 像___ (Xiàng ___) to clearer explanation starters like 我舉個例子 (Wǒ jǔ ge lìzi). These chunks help you sound more organized when you explain opinions, choices, habits, or situations. Think of them as tiny bridges between your idea and the “aha!” moment.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Use B1-friendly phrases to give examples clearly in conversation.
  • Choose between casual example phrases like 像___ (Xiàng ___) and more careful ones like 舉例來說，___ (Jǔlì lái shuō, ___).
  • Clarify what you mean with 我的意思是，___ (Wǒ de yìsi shì, ___) and 我舉個例子 (Wǒ jǔ ge lìzi).
  • Point to a specific case with 拿___來說好了 (Ná ___ lái shuō hǎo le).
Two learners in Taiwan look at a phone map and café menu while practicing Traditional Chinese example phrases. The Taiwan Mandarin lesson topic is giving examples in everyday conversation.

Ready? Let's go!

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1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

比如說，___。

Bǐrú shuō, ___.

For example, ___.

Meaning: For example, ___.

When to use: Use this very common spoken phrase when you want to add a clear example right after your point.

Tip: Don’t overthink it—比如說 (Bǐrú shuō) is very natural in everyday speech.

比如說，週末可以去夜市。

Bǐrú shuō, zhōumò kěyǐ qù yèshì.

For example, we can go to a night market on the weekend.
比如說，你可以先問店員。

Bǐrú shuō, nǐ kěyǐ xiān wèn diànyuán.

For example, you can ask the clerk first.

舉例來說，___。

Jǔlì lái shuō, ___.

For instance, ___.

Meaning: For instance, ___.

When to use: Use this when you want your example to sound a little more organized or careful.

舉例來說，很多人下班後會去運動。

Jǔlì lái shuō, hěn duō rén xiàbān hòu huì qù yùndòng.

For instance, many people go exercise after work.
舉例來說，這個 app 可以幫你記帳。

Jǔlì lái shuō, zhè ge app kěyǐ bāng nǐ jìzhàng.

For instance, this app can help you track expenses.

像___

Xiàng ___.

Like ___.

Meaning: Like ___.

When to use: Use this short casual phrase to toss in a quick example.

Tip: 像 (Xiàng) is casual and quick; it usually sounds best after you already gave a general idea.

我喜歡簡單的早餐，像飯糰。

Wǒ xǐhuān jiǎndān de zǎocān, xiàng fàntuán.

I like simple breakfasts, like rice balls.
台灣有很多方便的地方，像便利商店。

Táiwān yǒu hěn duō fāngbiàn de dìfāng, xiàng biànlì shāngdiàn.

Taiwan has many convenient places, like convenience stores.

像___之類的。

Xiàng ___ zhīlèi de.

Things like ___.

Meaning: Things like ___.

When to use: Use this to give one or more examples of a category in a natural spoken way.

Tip: Use 之類的 (zhīlèi de) when you mean “and things like that,” not when you are naming only one exact thing.

我想買一些小東西，像貼紙、明信片之類的。

Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yìxiē xiǎo dōngxi, xiàng tiēzhǐ, míngxìnpiàn zhīlèi de.

I want to buy some small things, like stickers, postcards, things like that.
他喜歡喝甜的飲料，像珍珠奶茶之類的。

Tā xǐhuān hē tián de yǐnliào, xiàng zhēnzhū nǎichá zhīlèi de.

He likes sweet drinks, things like bubble tea.

例如___

Lìrú ___.

Such as ___.

Meaning: Such as ___.

When to use: Use this to introduce examples that belong to a group or category. It works in both speaking and writing.

台灣有很多好吃的小吃，例如滷肉飯和蚵仔煎。

Táiwān yǒu hěn duō hǎo chī de xiǎochī, lìrú lǔròufàn hé ézǐjiān.

Taiwan has many tasty snacks, such as braised pork rice and oyster omelet.
我想去幾個城市，例如台北和台南。

Wǒ xiǎng qù jǐ ge chéngshì, lìrú Táiběi hé Táinán.

I want to go to a few cities, such as Taipei and Tainan.

我舉個例子

Wǒ jǔ ge lìzi.

Let me give you an example.

Meaning: Let me give you an example.

When to use: Use this before explaining something with an example.

這個規則有點難懂。我舉個例子。

Zhè ge guīzé yǒudiǎn nán dǒng. Wǒ jǔ ge lìzi.

This rule is a little hard to understand. Let me give you an example.
我知道你不太懂。我舉個例子。

Wǒ zhīdào nǐ bù tài dǒng. Wǒ jǔ ge lìzi.

I know you don’t quite understand. Let me give you an example.

舉個例子，___。

Jǔ ge lìzi, ___.

To give you an example, ___.

Meaning: To give you an example, ___.

When to use: Use this at the start of a sentence before giving specific details.

舉個例子，這家店只收現金。

Jǔ ge lìzi, zhè jiā diàn zhǐ shōu xiànjīn.

To give you an example, this shop only takes cash.
舉個例子，我昨天等公車等了二十分鐘。

Jǔ ge lìzi, wǒ zuótiān děng gōngchē děng le èrshí fēnzhōng.

To give you an example, I waited twenty minutes for the bus yesterday.

其中一個例子是___。

Qízhōng yí ge lìzi shì ___.

One example is ___.

Meaning: One example is ___.

When to use: Use this when there are several possible examples, and you are giving one of them.

其中一個例子是捷運很準時。

Qízhōng yí ge lìzi shì jiéyùn hěn zhǔnshí.

One example is that the MRT is very punctual.
其中一個例子是很多店開到很晚。

Qízhōng yí ge lìzi shì hěn duō diàn kāi dào hěn wǎn.

One example is that many shops stay open very late.

拿___來說好了。

Ná ___ lái shuō hǎo le.

Take ___, for example.

Meaning: Take ___, for example.

When to use: Use this casual Taiwan Mandarin phrase when you want to point to one specific case to explain a bigger idea.

拿交通來說好了，台北的捷運很方便。

Ná jiāotōng lái shuō hǎo le, Táiběi de jiéyùn hěn fāngbiàn.

Take transportation, for example—the Taipei MRT is very convenient.
拿早餐來說好了，台灣的選擇很多。

Ná zǎocān lái shuō hǎo le, Táiwān de xuǎnzé hěn duō.

Take breakfast, for example—Taiwan has many choices.

一個很好的例子是___。

Yí ge hěn hǎo de lìzi shì ___.

A good example is ___.

Meaning: A good example is ___.

When to use: Use this when the example is especially clear or representative.

一個很好的例子是便利商店。

Yí ge hěn hǎo de lìzi shì biànlì shāngdiàn.

A good example is convenience stores.
一個很好的例子是台灣的夜市文化。

Yí ge hěn hǎo de lìzi shì Táiwān de yèshì wénhuà.

A good example is Taiwan’s night market culture.

舉例來說，___。

Jǔlì lái shuō, ___。

To show what I mean, ___.

Meaning: To show what I mean, ___.

When to use: Use this to make an idea clearer by adding an example. It is the same phrase as 舉例來說 (Jǔlì lái shuō), but here the focus is clarification.

舉例來說，如果下雨，我們就改去咖啡店。

Jǔlì lái shuō, rúguǒ xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù gǎi qù kāfēi diàn.

To show what I mean, if it rains, we’ll switch to going to a café.
舉例來說，你可以先傳訊息給他。

Jǔlì lái shuō, nǐ kěyǐ xiān chuán xùnxí gěi tā.

To show what I mean, you can message him first.

我的意思是，___。

Wǒ de yìsi shì, ___.

Here's what I mean: ___.

Meaning: Here’s what I mean: ___.

When to use: Use this when you want to clarify your previous point with a concrete example.

我的意思是，我們可以先試一個星期。

Wǒ de yìsi shì, wǒmen kěyǐ xiān shì yí ge xīngqí.

Here’s what I mean: we can try it for one week first.
我的意思是，不一定要今天決定。

Wǒ de yìsi shì, bù yídìng yào jīntiān juédìng.

Here’s what I mean: we don’t necessarily have to decide today.

你想像一下：___。

Nǐ xiǎngxiàng yíxià: ___.

Imagine this: ___.

Meaning: Imagine this: ___.

When to use: Use this to ask the listener to picture a simple situation before you explain.

你想像一下：你剛到台灣，手機沒有網路。

Nǐ xiǎngxiàng yíxià: nǐ gāng dào Táiwān, shǒujī méiyǒu wǎnglù.

Imagine this: you just arrived in Taiwan, and your phone has no internet.
你想像一下：下班後突然下大雨。

Nǐ xiǎngxiàng yíxià: xiàbān hòu túrán xià dà yǔ.

Imagine this: after work, it suddenly starts pouring.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David are talking in a Taipei café about why Taiwan feels convenient for daily life.

Anna and David chat in a bright Taipei café, using Traditional Chinese phrases to give examples and clarify ideas. The Taiwan Mandarin conversation shows how examples make explanations feel natural.

What general topic are Anna and David giving examples about?

Portrait of Anna in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

我覺得在台灣生活很方便。

Wǒ juéde zài Táiwān shēnghuó hěn fāngbiàn.

I think living in Taiwan is very convenient.

Portrait of David in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

David

真的嗎？我舉個例子。

Zhēn de ma? Wǒ jǔ ge lìzi.

Really? Let me give an example.

Portrait of David in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

David

拿便利商店來說好了，很多事情都可以在那裡辦。

Ná biànlì shāngdiàn lái shuō hǎo le, hěn duō shìqíng dōu kěyǐ zài nàlǐ bàn.

Take convenience stores, for example—you can handle lots of things there.

Portrait of Anna in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

對，比如說，可以繳費，也可以買票。

Duì, bǐrú shuō, kěyǐ jiǎo fèi, yě kěyǐ mǎi piào.

Right, for example, you can pay bills and also buy tickets.

Portrait of David in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

David

還有很多吃的，像飯糰、茶葉蛋之類的。

Hái yǒu hěn duō chī de, xiàng fàntuán, cháyèdàn zhīlèi de.

And there’s lots of food, things like rice balls and tea eggs.

Portrait of Anna in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

我的意思是，日常生活的小事都變簡單了。

Wǒ de yìsi shì, rìcháng shēnghuó de xiǎo shì dōu biàn jiǎndān le.

Here’s what I mean: small daily-life tasks become easy.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase means “Like night markets” in a quick, casual way?

You want to say “Let me give you an example.” Which phrase fits best?

Which phrase means “Take transportation, for example”?

Which phrase is best for clarifying a previous point with “Here’s what I mean”?

I like quiet places. For example, libraries or small cafés.

我喜歡安靜的地方。___，圖書館或小咖啡店。

This city is convenient. To give you an example, the MRT is fast, and there are many buses.

這個城市很方便。___，捷運很快，公車也很多。

I want to drink a sweet drink, things like bubble tea.

朋友問我想喝什麼，我說：「我想喝甜甜的飲料，___」

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

比如說，___。

Bǐrú shuō, ___.

For example, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

舉例來說，___。

Jǔlì lái shuō, ___。

To show what I mean, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

像___

Xiàng ___.

Like ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

像___之類的。

Xiàng ___ zhīlèi de.

Things like ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

例如___

Lìrú ___.

Such as ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

我舉個例子

Wǒ jǔ ge lìzi.

Let me give you an example.

Say this phrase out loud:

舉個例子，___。

Jǔ ge lìzi, ___.

To give you an example, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

其中一個例子是___。

Qízhōng yí ge lìzi shì ___.

One example is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

拿___來說好了。

Ná ___ lái shuō hǎo le.

Take ___, for example.

Say this phrase out loud:

一個很好的例子是___。

Yí ge hěn hǎo de lìzi shì ___.

A good example is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

舉例來說，___。

Jǔlì lái shuō, ___。

To show what I mean, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

我的意思是，___。

Wǒ de yìsi shì, ___.

Here's what I mean: ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

你想像一下：___。

Nǐ xiǎngxiàng yíxià: ___.

Imagine this: ___.