Traditional Chinese - Reactions

真的嗎

Zhēn de ma?

Really?

Meaning: 真的嗎？ (Zhēn de ma?) means “Really?”

When to use: Use it when you feel surprised or interested and want the other person to say more.

Tip: Don’t use it only for doubt. In Taiwan Mandarin, it often simply shows interest.

糟糕

Zāogāo!

Oh no!

Meaning: 糟糕！ (Zāogāo!) means “Oh no!”

When to use: Use it when you hear bad news or notice a sudden problem.

這真是好消息

Zhè zhēn shì hǎo xiāoxí。

That's great news.

Meaning: 這真是好消息。 (Zhè zhēn shì hǎo xiāoxí.) means “That’s great news.”

When to use: Use it when someone shares good news and you want to respond positively.

聽到這個我很難過。

Tīng dào zhège wǒ hěn nánguò。

I'm sorry to hear that.

Meaning: 聽到這個我很難過。 (Tīng dào zhège wǒ hěn nánguò.) means “I’m sorry to hear that.”

When to use: Use it to show sympathy after someone shares sad or difficult news.

Tip: This is softer and more caring than translating “sorry” word-for-word.

那真可惜

Nà zhēn kěxí。

That's too bad.

Meaning: 那真可惜。 (Nà zhēn kěxí.) means “That’s too bad.”

When to use: Use it for mild disappointment or sympathy, like canceled plans or missed chances.

發生什麼事了

Fāshēng shénme shì le?

What happened?

Meaning: 發生什麼事了？ (Fāshēng shénme shì le?) means “What happened?”

When to use: Use it when you notice something is wrong or hear that something happened.

你還好嗎

Nǐ hái hǎo ma?

Are you okay?

Meaning: 你還好嗎？ (Nǐ hái hǎo ma?) means “Are you okay?”

When to use: Use it to check on someone after troubling news or when they seem upset.

我真不敢相信

Wǒ zhēn bù gǎn xiāngxìn。

I can't believe it.

Meaning: 我真不敢相信。 (Wǒ zhēn bù gǎn xiāngxìn.) means “I can’t believe it.”

When to use: Use it for strong surprise, whether the news is good, bad, or just unexpected.

聽起來很___。

Tīng qǐlái hěn ___。

That sounds ___.

Meaning: 聽起來很___。 (Tīng qǐlái hěn ___.) means “That sounds ___.”

When to use: Use it before a simple adjective or feeling, like fun, scary, tiring, or interesting.

Tip: Remember to add an adjective after 很 (hěn). The blank needs a feeling or description.

聽到這個我很高興。

Tīng dào zhège wǒ hěn gāoxìng。

I'm glad to hear that.

Meaning: 聽到這個我很高興。 (Tīng dào zhège wǒ hěn gāoxìng.) means “I’m glad to hear that.”

When to use: Use it when good news makes you happy or relieved.

好令人興奮喔

Hǎo lìng rén xīngfèn o!

How exciting!

Meaning: 好令人興奮喔！ (Hǎo lìng rén xīngfèn o!) means “How exciting!”

When to use: Use it for exciting plans, big news, or something someone is looking forward to.

那我就放心了

Nà wǒ jiù fàngxīn le.

That's a relief.

Meaning: 那我就放心了。 (Nà wǒ jiù fàngxīn le.) means “That’s a relief.”

When to use: Use it when you were worried, but now the news makes you feel calm.

我真替你開心

Wǒ zhēn tì nǐ kāixīn.

I'm happy for you.

Meaning: 我真替你開心。 (Wǒ zhēn tì nǐ kāixīn.) means “I’m happy for you.”

When to use: Use it when someone shares personal good news and you want to be warm and supportive.