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240 chunk-based lessons for real conversation

240 lessons

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Sentences and conversations

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A1 to B2

Beginner to upper intermediate

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About 60 hours

If you work through the lot

Learn Traditional Chinese through useful chunks

Traditional Chinese rewards you for showing up often rather than showing up exhausted. Each lesson is short enough to finish on a commute, and long enough to teach something real.

That’s chunk learning — ready-made phrases and words you can actually say.

Every lesson comes with Taiwan Mandarin audio, a short practice, and a line you can record.

Your Traditional Chinese learning path

The course runs from A1 to B2, in lesson order.

A1: Your first characters and survival phrases

You start with the shapes, sounds, and greetings that get you through a first conversation. By the end of A1 you can read simple sentences and introduce yourself without panicking.

A2: Everyday talk, from food to directions

Now you handle restaurants, transit, and small talk in traditional characters. The lessons lean on Taiwan-flavored everyday vocabulary you'll hear on the street.

B1: Opinions, stories, and longer reading

You move from surviving to actually chatting, with opinions, past events, and short texts. This is where reading starts to feel less like decoding and more like reading.

B2: Work, news, and real conversations

The last stretch: longer talks, work and news topics, and saying what you mean with more nuance. By the end you can hold your own in a real conversation, not just get by.

A free Traditional Chinese course that’s actually useful

Order in a Taipei night market, chat in Hong Kong, or follow a drama with fewer subtitles. These lessons aim at the traditional characters those places actually use.

Every Chinese line shows pinyin and zhuyin, with Taiwan Mandarin audio.

Tiny lessons, tiny wins. That’s the deal.

The tone stays friendly. The learning logic is still serious: useful input, retrieval, context, then saying it out loud.

Bookmark this page. If you work through the lot, figure on about 60 hours, not a weekend miracle.

Progress stays as long as your cookies stay. We might add Google or Apple login later.

Built on practical, effective language-learning theory

A few choices we made on purpose, because characters play by different rules.

The aim is simple: get you understanding and speaking Traditional Chinese faster than a grammar-first approach would.

Recognition before writing

You learn to recognize traditional characters long before you're asked to produce them by hand. Reading first, writing later, sanity throughout.

Audio on everything

Traditional Chinese isn't phonetic the way an alphabet is, so hearing each word while you learn it keeps pronunciation anchored.

Say it

Say the line out loud, and the lesson checks what it heard.

Browse all Traditional Chinese lessons

Start lesson 1
Lessons 1–60In course order

In course order. The level on each card is that lesson’s level.

  1. 01Hello, how are youA1 · Greet someone, say good morning or good afternoon, and answer how you are.
  2. 02Come in, sit downA1 · Welcome someone in, offer a seat, and bounce the question back.
  3. 03What's your nameA1 · Say your name, ask someone's name, and give a name to call you.
  4. 04Nice to meet youA1 · Say you are pleased to meet someone, say where you come from, and say you are new.
  5. 05Please and thank youA1 · Ask for something politely and say thank you and you're welcome.
  6. 06Excuse me, sorryA1 · Get attention, pass through a crowd, apologise and accept an apology.
  7. 07See you tomorrowA1 · Say goodbye, say you have to go, and say when you will see someone again.
  8. 08Safe trip and take careA1 · Wish someone well when they leave, travel, or head home.
  9. 09Yes and noA1 · Answer yes/no questions with a verb, not just yes or no.
  10. 10Is it or isn't itA1 · Ask a yes/no question by repeating the verb: 是不是, 有沒有, 要不要.
  11. 11Say what? I don't understandA1 · Say you did not understand, ask what a word means, and say how much Chinese you have.
  12. 12Slower, pleaseA1 · Ask someone to repeat, slow down, write it, or say how to say something.
  13. 13What is thisA1 · Ask what, who and when about things in front of you.
  14. 14Numbers one to tenA1 · Count from one to ten and say zero.
  15. 15How much is itA1 · Ask the price and say a price in dollars.
  16. 16Bigger numbersA1 · Say numbers from eleven to a thousand and understand a bill.
  17. 17One cup, one bowlA1 · Count things with 個, 杯 and 碗.
  18. 18Tickets, books, people, petsA1 · Use 張, 本, 位, 隻 and 台 with the right nouns.
  19. 19Order breakfastA1 · Order a breakfast item and a drink and say that is all.
  20. 20Eat here or take awayA1 · Say eat here, take away, and no extras at a food counter.
  21. 21I wantA1 · Say what you want and what you need.
  22. 22No thanks, that's enoughA1 · Turn things down politely and say that is enough.
  23. 23I haveA1 · Say what you have and don't have.
  24. 24Whose is thisA1 · Say whose something is and whether it is yours.
  25. 25Where is itA1 · Ask where something is and say it is here or there.
  26. 26In front, behind, besideA1 · Say where one thing is in relation to another.
  27. 27What time is itA1 · Ask and tell the time on the hour and the half hour.
  28. 28Days of the weekA1 · Say today, tomorrow and the days of the week.
  29. 29Can I?A1 · Ask permission with 可以 and answer yes or no.
  30. 30What's allowedA1 · Say what you can and cannot do in a place.
  31. 31Can you help meA1 · Ask for help and thank people for it.
  32. 32Borrow a phoneA1 · Ask to use a phone, call someone, and say what to do.
  33. 33Something's wrongA1 · Say something is lost, broken or won't work.
  34. 34I forgot and I'm lateA1 · Say you forgot something, missed something or are late.
  35. 35Sugar and iceA1 · Order a drink with the sweetness and ice level.
  36. 36Bubble tea sizes and toppingsA1 · Order a drink by size, flavour and topping.
  37. 37Looking for somethingA1 · Say what you are looking for in a shop and ask if they have it.
  38. 38Pay with cash or cardA1 · Say how you will pay, hand things over and get change.
  39. 39At the 7-Eleven counterA1 · Answer the clerk: bag, heat it up, receipt, and carrier code.
  40. 40Where is the MRTA1 · Ask where a station, a shop or a toilet is.
  41. 41Straight, left, rightA1 · Follow directions: go straight, turn, and where it is on the way.
  42. 42The MRT and EasyCardA1 · Enter the MRT, tap the EasyCard, and find the exit.
  43. 43Top up your EasyCardA1 · Top up the card and handle a low balance.
  44. 44Where I liveA1 · Say where you live and what the place is like.
  45. 45The keys from Mr. WangA1 · Receive keys and ask the landlord simple questions.
  46. 46Your phone numberA1 · Give and take a phone number and an email.
  47. 47Add me on LINEA1 · Add a friend on LINE and send things.
  48. 48FamilyA1 · Say who is in your family and how many.
  49. 49Wake up, sleep, and mealsA1 · Say when you get up, eat and go to bed.
  50. 50DatesA1 · Say the month, day and date, and ask when.
  51. 51Colours and sizesA1 · Describe something by colour and size.
  52. 52What I likeA1 · Say what you like, love and don't like.
  53. 53Food I can't eatA1 · Say what you don't eat, and ask if something has an ingredient.
  54. 54Hot, cold, rainyA1 · Describe today's weather.
  55. 55Write it down for meA1 · Ask for something to be spelled, written or shown.
  56. 56Auntie, boss, missA1 · Address people the Taiwan way.
  57. 57Are you from around hereA2 · Ask a neighbour where they live, how they got here, and keep in touch.
  58. 58Small talk at the co-working spaceA2 · Make small talk about a busy day, the weekend, and getting a coffee.
  59. 59Running into the same personA2 · Welcome a coworker you've heard of, check in on a project, and not keep them.
  60. 60And then what happenedA2 · Ask follow-up questions that keep a story going.
Lessons 61–120In course order

In course order. The level on each card is that lesson’s level.

  1. 61Tell me moreA2 · Ask for an example, a reason and how often it happens.
  2. 62Say it a different wayA2 · Ask someone to rephrase, raise their voice or confirm what you heard.
  3. 63What the neighbourhood is likeA2 · Describe the area where you live.
  4. 64How my family isA2 · Say how old family members are, where they live and what they do.
  5. 65What do you doA2 · Say your job and ask about someone else's.
  6. 66My work scheduleA2 · Say your hours, when you start, finish and take time off.
  7. 67School and studyA2 · Say what you study, when classes are and what you like best.
  8. 68Homework and testsA2 · Say you are late with work, ask for more time and how a test went.
  9. 69Asking your teacherA2 · Ask the teacher to repeat, explain, or answer a question.
  10. 70What we're doing in classA2 · Say what you need and ask what to do in class.
  11. 71Free timeA2 · Say what you do in your free time and ask what others do.
  12. 72How good I am at itA2 · Say how long and how well you do a hobby and why you like it.
  13. 73Evening and weekend routineA2 · Describe a longer routine in order.
  14. 74What I usually doA2 · Say what you usually do on weekdays and weekends.
  15. 75First this, then thatA2 · Say the order of what you do and what you do before or after.
  16. 76Once a weekA2 · Say how many times and for how long.
  17. 77Always, often, neverA2 · Use frequency words from always to never.
  18. 78This one or that oneA2 · Choose between two things and say why.
  19. 79Foods I love, foods I skipA2 · Describe food you like and dislike with details.
  20. 80Sharing a tableA2 · Ask to sit with others and say who is still coming.
  21. 81Getting a tableA2 · Ask for a table, a booking, and for the wait.
  22. 82Questions at the caféA2 · Ask what is in a dish, whether it comes with something, and fix the bill.
  23. 83Try it onA2 · Ask to try something, ask for other sizes and colours, and decide.
  24. 84Refunds and holdsA2 · Ask about exchanges, refunds and keeping an item for later.
  25. 85Excuse me, may I?A2 · Interrupt, queue and take turns politely.
  26. 86Everyday etiquetteA2 · Leave your things, ask if you can take photos, and say you'll be back.
  27. 87Taiwan small reactionsA2 · React the Taiwan way to what someone says.
  28. 88Soft repliesA2 · Say "later" and "not now" without a flat no.
  29. 89Maybe and almost thereA2 · Say you're on your way, it might work, or it's too late.
  30. 90Good news, bad newsA2 · React to good and bad news.
  31. 91Wow, really?A2 · React to a surprise, from "no way" to "seriously".
  32. 92Agree and go alongA2 · Agree, go along, and accept a plan.
  33. 93BecauseA2 · Give a reason with 因為, 所以 and 為什麼.
  34. 94More, less, sameA2 · Compare two things with 比, 跟…一樣 and 沒有.
  35. 95Best and even betterA2 · Use 最 and 更 to talk about the best.
  36. 96Taking the busA2 · Ask which bus goes where and when it leaves.
  37. 97Getting offA2 · Ask to get off, say you missed your stop, and pay.
  38. 98YouBikeA2 · Rent a YouBike, find a dock, and fix a problem.
  39. 99High-speed railA2 · Buy a high-speed rail ticket, find the platform and pick a seat.
  40. 100Hail a taxiA2 · Tell a taxi driver where to go and ask how long it takes.
  41. 101Left something in the carA2 · Report something left in the car and fix the fare.
  42. 102Hotel bookingA2 · Check in, ask about breakfast, and ask the check-out time.
  43. 103Hotel problemsA2 · Report a problem with the room.
  44. 104Where it hurtsA2 · Name body parts and say where it hurts.
  45. 105At the clinicA2 · Sign in at the clinic and answer the nurse.
  46. 106Telling the doctorA2 · Say your symptoms, how long and how bad.
  47. 107The doctor's questionsA2 · Answer the doctor about pain, allergies, and what to do next.
  48. 108At the pharmacyA2 · Ask for medicine and say what you need it for.
  49. 109How to take itA2 · Ask how often, how many and when to take medicine.
  50. 110Filling in the formA2 · Ask what to write, ask about stamps and signatures, and handle scanning problems.
  51. 111Making an appointmentA2 · Make an appointment and ask which times are free.
  52. 112Change or check an appointmentA2 · Move, cancel or check what to bring for an appointment.
  53. 113Making plansA2 · Invite someone, suggest a time and ask what's good.
  54. 114Fix the time and placeA2 · Agree on a time and place and confirm.
  55. 115Cancel plansA2 · Say you can't make it and why.
  56. 116RescheduleA2 · Suggest a new time and say you might be late.
  57. 117Last weekendA2 · Say what you did last weekend with 了.
  58. 118This weekendA2 · Say what you're doing this weekend and ask about theirs.
  59. 119What I did todayA2 · Say what you did today with 了 and what you haven't done yet.
  60. 120Have you everA2 · Say you have or haven't done something, using 過.
Lessons 121–180In course order

In course order. The level on each card is that lesson’s level.

  1. 121When it happenedA2 · Say when something happened in the past and how it went.
  2. 122Trip storiesA2 · Say where you went, what was best, and what surprised you.
  3. 123Plans for laterA2 · Say what you plan to do and what you haven't decided.
  4. 124Looking aheadA2 · Say what you're looking forward to, saving for, and what you won't do.
  5. 125What I can doA2 · Say what you can and can't do and how well.
  6. 126Still learningA2 · Say what you are still learning and what you've never tried.
  7. 127EmergenciesA2 · Call for help in an emergency.
  8. 128Emergency helpA2 · Tell people what to do and how to stay safe.
  9. 129Phone callsA2 · Ask for someone, leave a message and say who is calling.
  10. 130Bad signalA2 · Talk about missed calls, bad signal and messages.
  11. 131Looking for a flatA2 · Ask about a flat for rent, the price and the date.
  12. 132Signing the leaseA2 · Ask what to prepare, about repairs and how to leave.
  13. 133What's in the flatA2 · Name things in the apartment and what is broken or missing.
  14. 134Rent and billsA2 · Ask about the rent date, the bills and how to pay.
  15. 135The night marketA2 · Order street food at a night market and ask what's in it.
  16. 136Fruit and bargainingA2 · Buy fruit, ask the price per kilo and ask for a better price.
  17. 137The LINE groupA2 · Join a group chat, send stickers and voice messages.
  18. 138Phone, charger and Wi-FiA2 · Ask for a charger, Wi-Fi and fix common phone trouble.
  19. 139Packages and deliveryA2 · Pick up a parcel or tell a driver where to leave the food.
  20. 140The usualA2 · Say "the usual" and talk about a stamp card.
  21. 141Treating friends to dinnerA2 · Pay for a meal, offer to treat and split the bill.
  22. 142Weather forecastA2 · Read the forecast and ask if it will rain tomorrow.
  23. 143The typhoon is comingA2 · Get ready for a typhoon: stock up, stay home, check for closures.
  24. 144The lost umbrellaA2 · Describe a lost item and ask lost-and-found.
  25. 145A birthday at the shopA2 · Wish someone a happy birthday and give a small gift.
  26. 146The temple in the parkA2 · Visit a small temple quietly and talk about luck.
  27. 147Put it thereB1 · Say where you put or move something, using 把.
  28. 148It got wet, it got takenB1 · Say what happened to someone or something, using 被.
  29. 149Understood, found, finishedB1 · Show a result with a verb plus 完 / 好 / 到 / 懂.
  30. 150Come in, go out, go upB1 · Use directional complements for movement.
  31. 151Explaining a problemB1 · Explain what is wrong and what has changed.
  32. 152What happened firstB1 · Describe the steps that led to a problem and what you think the cause is.
  33. 153Set up a meetingB1 · Ask for a meeting time and agree on an agenda.
  34. 154The meeting runs longB1 · Move a meeting along and say what is left.
  35. 155Project updatesB1 · Give a short progress update: done, in progress, blocked.
  36. 156A polite message at workB1 · Write a short polite work message in LINE or email.
  37. 157The LINE misunderstandingB1 · Notice a misunderstanding in a chat and fix it kindly.
  38. 158What do you thinkB1 · Ask and give opinions about something.
  39. 159Mixed feelingsB1 · Say you have mixed feelings and weigh both sides.
  40. 160I agreeB1 · Agree with different strengths.
  41. 161I disagreeB1 · Disagree politely and say what you think instead.
  42. 162Soften the noB1 · Add a cushion before disagreeing.
  43. 163Going along with itB1 · Agree with a plan or a view in a natural way.
  44. 164Why that wayB1 · Explain why you chose something and why it happened.
  45. 165For exampleB1 · Give an example to explain a point.
  46. 166When that happensB1 · Describe typical situations.
  47. 167On the one handB1 · Contrast two options in a longer sentence.
  48. 168The short versionB1 · Give the point first, then explain.
  49. 169In other wordsB1 · Restate, explain a rule and say what it means.
  50. 170A trip that went wrongB1 · Tell what went wrong on a trip and how you got through.
  51. 171Planning TainanB1 · Plan a weekend trip: transport, hotel, what to eat.
  52. 172How it turned outB1 · Say how things turned out, in hindsight.
  53. 173The wrong trainB1 · Deal with a wrong train or platform and ask station staff.
  54. 174The famous snackB1 · Order a famous local snack and say what it tastes like.
  55. 175Old streets and a templeB1 · Describe an old place and its history.
  56. 176The story growsB1 · Retell something and notice how it grows with each telling.
  57. 177Wait, what?B1 · Follow up on a surprise and ask what happened.
  58. 178That must be hardB1 · Respond to someone's hard day.
  59. 179Listening to a friendB1 · Say you're there and that their feeling makes sense.
  60. 180It's not your faultB1 · Comfort and reassure.
Lessons 181–240In course order

In course order. The level on each card is that lesson’s level.

  1. 181Keep goingB1 · Encourage someone who's learning or struggling.
  2. 182We'll do it togetherB1 · Share the effort and tell someone they tried their best.
  3. 183What I'm intoB1 · Talk about a new interest and why.
  4. 184Never gets oldB1 · Share recommendations and what you like to hear about.
  5. 185My goalsB1 · Say what you want to achieve and what it takes.
  6. 186Small stepsB1 · Report progress, what's hard, and the next small goal.
  7. 187Are you followingB1 · Check someone is following and offer to repeat.
  8. 188What's unclearB1 · Ask which part is unclear and whether the answer helps.
  9. 189Thinking out loudB1 · Use fillers while you think.
  10. 190Change the subjectB1 · Bring up another topic.
  11. 191Linking what you sayB1 · Connect two points smoothly.
  12. 192Being unsureB1 · Buy time and say you're not sure.
  13. 193Moving onB1 · Close a topic and move to the next.
  14. 194Typhoon day indoorsB1 · Spend a typhoon day inside and listen to a half-told story.
  15. 195Cooking at homeB1 · Follow and give a simple recipe in steps.
  16. 196How I'm feelingB1 · Describe your mood and what caused it.
  17. 197Online shopping and returnsB1 · Order online, track delivery and send it back.
  18. 198Giving adviceB1 · Give friendly advice with 應該, 最好 and 別.
  19. 199Asking for a recommendationB1 · Ask for and give recommendations for food and places.
  20. 200DeadlinesB1 · Say when something is due and whether you can make it.
  21. 201If, thenB1 · Make conditions and predictions with 如果 and 要是.
  22. 202Although, butB1 · Concede a point and still make your own.
  23. 203While and evenB1 · Do two things at once, and say even this.
  24. 204A leaking tapB1 · Report a repair in the flat and arrange a visit.
  25. 205At the post office and bankB1 · Send a parcel, change money, or ask about an account.
  26. 206Taking a day offB1 · Ask your boss for time off and explain.
  27. 207I heardB1 · Say what you heard from others and pass it on.
  28. 208Telling people what someone saidB1 · Pass on a message accurately.
  29. 209Festivals and red envelopesB1 · Greet people at festivals and talk about traditions.
  30. 210Borrow and returnB1 · Borrow something from a neighbour and say when you will return it.
  31. 211Run the meetingB2 · Open, chair and close a short work meeting.
  32. 212Say no kindlyB2 · Disagree with a client or friend without losing the relationship.
  33. 213Negotiate a deadlineB2 · Ask for more time and agree on what is delivered when.
  34. 214Give feedbackB2 · Say what works, what doesn't, and what to change.
  35. 215A short presentationB2 · Open, present three points and close.
  36. 216Sound naturalB2 · Use native-sounding fillers and hedges.
  37. 217Steer the conversationB2 · Take the lead and steer a conversation back on track.
  38. 218Link a storyB2 · Move through a story with linking words.
  39. 219Correct yourselfB2 · Correct yourself and say what you actually meant.
  40. 220If onlyB2 · Express wishes and what would have been.
  41. 221Not what I expectedB2 · Say that something turned out unlike what you expected.
  42. 222Now I seeB2 · Realise something and say what was missing.
  43. 223Persuade someoneB2 · Make a case, answer objections and ask for a decision.
  44. 224A polite complaintB2 · Complain at a shop and ask for a fix.
  45. 225The repair argumentB2 · Argue politely with the landlord about a repair and who pays.
  46. 226The noise next doorB2 · Raise a neighbour problem without making enemies.
  47. 227Accepting a complaintB2 · Receive a complaint, apologise formally and fix it.
  48. 228Helping a newcomerB2 · Help a newer foreigner order and explain Taiwan habits.
  49. 229The neighborhood meetingB2 · Take part in a residents' meeting: propose, object, vote.
  50. 230Everyday idiomsB2 · Use a handful of common idioms in speech.
  51. 231Back home and hereB2 · Compare life back home with life in Taiwan, fairly.
  52. 232Reading notices and signsB2 · Read a building notice, a sign and a short formal message.
  53. 233Say thanks properlyB2 · Write a formal thanks and a farewell note.
  54. 234News and opinionsB2 · Talk about a local news item and give a balanced view.
  55. 235Let it restB2 · Close a topic with grace.
  56. 236Retelling the yearB2 · Tell the story of your year with a point.
  57. 237The Tainan story, told properlyB2 · Retell one story with details and a punchline.
  58. 238Renew the leaseB2 · Agree to renew, ask what changes and say you will stay.
  59. 239Everyone around the counterB2 · Thank people one by one and say what you will keep doing.
  60. 240The last breakfastB2 · Auntie Lin reads the slip; A-Li finishes his drink and says goodbye for real.

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