Traditional Chinese - Hesitation

Lesson 91 of 152

A cozy Taiwan café scene for a Traditional Chinese Taiwan Mandarin lesson on hesitation, with two friends chatting while thinking of the right words. Speech bubbles show natural pause phrases in Traditional Chinese.

Goal: Sound more natural when you’re thinking out loud.

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

Sometimes the smoothest Mandarin is not perfect Mandarin—it’s the little pause that keeps the conversation moving.

Level A2: In this lesson, you’ll practice friendly hesitation phrases like 就是，___ (Jiùshì, ___), 比較像是 ___ (Bǐjiào xiàng shì ___), 之類的。 (Zhīlèi de.), and 等一下，我是說 ___ (Děng yíxià, wǒ shì shuō ___). These are tiny social-glue phrases people use in Taiwan when they’re thinking, approximating, or gently correcting themselves. Yak Yacker says: a good “uh…” can be surprisingly powerful.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Use 就是，___ (Jiùshì, ___) to softly start an idea while you think.
  • Use 比較像是 ___ (Bǐjiào xiàng shì ___) to describe something when the exact category is fuzzy.
  • Add 之類的。 (Zhīlèi de.) after an approximate idea to mean “or something like that.”
  • Use 等一下，我是說 ___ (Děng yíxià, wǒ shì shuō ___) to pause and self-correct naturally.
A learner studies Traditional Chinese phrases for Taiwan Mandarin hesitation at a small desk with tea, notes, and a phone for listening practice. The scene feels warm, casual, and beginner-friendly.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

就是，___

Jiùshì, ___

You know, ___.

Meaning: 就是，___ (Jiùshì, ___) means “You know, ___” or “It’s like, ___.” In Taiwan Mandarin, it’s often used to gently start a thought while buying a little time.

When to use: Use it at the start of a sentence when you are thinking, explaining, or softening what you say.

Tip: Don’t translate it too literally as “you know.” It often works more like a soft “well…” or “it’s like…” in spoken Mandarin.

就是，我有一點累。

Jiùshì, wǒ yǒu yìdiǎn lèi.

You know, I’m a little tired.
就是，這個地方有點吵。

Jiùshì, zhège dìfāng yǒudiǎn chǎo.

You know, this place is a little noisy.

比較像是 ___

Bǐjiào xiàng shì ___

It's more like ___.

Meaning: 比較像是 ___ (Bǐjiào xiàng shì ___) means “It’s more like ___.”

When to use: Use it when you are describing something approximately, especially if you are not sure of the exact word, category, or feeling.

這裡比較像是咖啡店。

Zhèlǐ bǐjiào xiàng shì kāfēi diàn.

This place is more like a café.
那比較像是朋友聚會。

Nà bǐjiào xiàng shì péngyǒu jùhuì.

That’s more like a friends’ gathering.

之類的

Zhīlèi de.

Or something like that.

Meaning: 之類的。 (Zhīlèi de.) means “or something like that.”

When to use: Put it after a rough description or example when you want to show you are not being exact.

Tip: 之類的。 (Zhīlèi de.) usually comes after the vague thing, not at the very beginning of the sentence.

這裡很放鬆之類的。

Zhèlǐ hěn fàngsōng zhīlèi de.

This place is relaxing, or something like that.
他可能是老師之類的。

Tā kěnéng shì lǎoshī zhīlèi de.

He might be a teacher or something like that.

等一下，我是說 ___

Děng yíxià, wǒ shì shuō ___

Wait, I mean ___.

Meaning: 等一下，我是說 ___ (Děng yíxià, wǒ shì shuō ___) means “Wait, I mean ___.”

When to use: Use it when you realize you said the wrong word or need to clarify your idea while speaking.

Tip: Use this to correct yourself, not to interrupt someone sharply. Keep your tone light and friendly.

等一下，我是說明天。

Děng yíxià, wǒ shì shuō míngtiān.

Wait, I mean tomorrow.
等一下，我是說右邊。

Děng yíxià, wǒ shì shuō yòubiān.

Wait, I mean the right side.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David are sitting in a quiet café in Taipei, trying to describe the feeling of the place.

Anna and David talk in a Taiwanese café during a Traditional Chinese Taiwan Mandarin lesson on hesitation. They look relaxed as they describe the café style using soft, natural spoken phrases.

What are Anna and David mainly describing?

Portrait of Anna in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

你覺得這間咖啡廳怎麼樣？

Nǐ juéde zhè jiān kāfēi tīng zěnmeyàng?

What do you think of this café?

Portrait of David in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

David

就是，有點安靜，也很溫暖。

Jiùshì, yǒudiǎn ānjìng, yě hěn wēnnuǎn.

You know, it’s a little quiet, and also very warm.

Portrait of Anna in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

對，比較像是朋友家的客廳之類的。

Duì, bǐjiào xiàng shì péngyǒu jiā de kètīng zhīlèi de.

Right, it’s more like a friend’s living room or something like that.

Portrait of David in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

David

等一下，我是說不是家，是很舒服的店。

Děng yíxià, wǒ shì shuō bú shì jiā, shì hěn shūfú de diàn.

Wait, I mean not a home, but a very comfortable shop.

Portrait of Anna in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

哈哈，我懂。就是，很適合慢慢聊天。

Hāhā, wǒ dǒng. Jiùshì, hěn shìhé màn man liáotiān.

Haha, I get it. You know, it’s really good for chatting slowly.

Portrait of David in a Traditional Chinese lesson dialogue

David

沒錯，我們下次再來。

Méi cuò, wǒmen xià cì zài lái.

Exactly. Let’s come again next time.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase helps you softly start a thought while buying time?

Which phrase means “It’s more like ___”?

Which phrase adds uncertainty after an approximate statement?

Which phrase do you use to pause and correct yourself?

This place is more like a friend’s living room.

這家咖啡店不太像店，___ 朋友家的客廳。

I want to go to somewhere a bit quieter, or something like that.

今天這裡太吵了，我想去安靜一點的地方，___。

Wait, I mean not today, tomorrow.

我們今天見面——___ 不是今天，是明天。

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:

就是，___

Jiùshì, ___

You know, ___

Say this phrase out loud:

比較像是 ___

Bǐjiào xiàng shì ___

It's more like ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

之類的

Zhīlèi de.

Or something like that.

Say this phrase out loud:

等一下，我是說 ___

Děng yíxià, wǒ shì shuō ___

Wait, I mean ___.