Verbs are the engine of Traditional Chinese conversations-without them, you’re just pointing and hoping. This collection rounds up around 1,000 of the most common verbs you’ll actually need, whether you’re ordering dumplings, sharing a funny story, or texting a friend. No dusty textbook relics, just practical action words that keep your sentences moving.
Each verb packs a clear meaning and a realistic example sentence, so you see exactly how it behaves in wild, everyday Chinese. We’ve added audio playback for every entry-your ears need practice just as much as your eyes. When you’re ready to study offline, grab the free PDF using the download button right below the table.
This isn’t a curated list for a specific exam. It’s built for general learners who want a clean reference, not a stuffy grammar lecture. Think of it as your go-to verb cheat sheet whether you’re a beginner hungry for the basics or a more confident learner filling gaps.
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 verbs into memory? The quick quiz below gives you a friendly nudge-no stress, just a way to spot the ones that need a second look.
Browse the Full List
| Word | Pinyin | Type | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 實際 | shíjì | Other | ||
| 寫 | xiě | verb | to write | |
| 寫 | xiě | Other | to write | |
| 寬 | kuān | Other | ||
| 寶貴 | băoguì | Other | ||
| 專心 | zhuānxīn | Other | ||
| 尊敬 | zūnjìng | Other | ||
| 尋找 | xúnzhăo | Other | ||
| 對 | duì | Other | answer, reply, treat | |
| 對不起 | duìbùqǐ | Other | I'm sorry; Excuse me | |
| 小 | xiǎo | Other | to be small | |
| 小心 | xiǎoxīn | Other | to be careful | |
| 少 | shǎo | Other | few, less | |
| 居住 | jūzhù | Other | ||
| 工作 | gōngzuò | verb | to work | |
| 左右 | zuǒyòu | Other | left and right/nearby/approximately/attendant/to control/to influence | |
| 差 | chà / chā | Other | difference | |
| 布/佈置 | bùzhì | Other | ||
| 希望 | xīwàng | Other | to hope, to wish | |
| 帥 | shuài | Other | ||
| 帶 | dài | verb | to bring/take | |
| 帶 | dài | Other | to bring | |
| 帶來 | dàilái | Other | ||
| 帶領 | dàilĭng | Other | ||
| 幫 | bāng | verb | to help |
Free Traditional Chinese Vocab List and Flashcard PDFs to Download
Use the buttons below to download your free printable vocabulary resources — no signup required.




