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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 招待 | zhāodài | Other | ||
| 拿 | ná | verb | to hold/to take | |
| 拿 | ná | Other | to bring, to carry (in one's, or with one's hand) | |
| 拿手 | náshŏu | Other | ||
| 指 | zhĭ | Other | ||
| 挑戰 | tiăozhàn | Other | ||
| 掉 | diào | Other | drop, fall, come off, lose, be missing, fall behind, change, turn | |
| 掌握 | zhăngwò | Other | ||
| 排 | pái | Other | ||
| 排隊 | páiduì | Other | to line up | |
| 掛 | guà | Other | to hang | |
| 掛號 | guàhào | Other | to register (at a hospital etc)/to send by registered mail | |
| 採用 | căiyòng | Other | ||
| 接 | jiē | Other | ||
| 接(到) | jiē(dào) | Other | to receive, to meet, to come into contact with | |
| 接受 | jiēshòu | Other | ||
| 接觸 | jiēchù | Other | ||
| 推 | tuī | Other | push, decline, refuse, reject, put off, postpone, delay | |
| 推薦 | tuījiàn | Other | ||
| 推銷 | tuīxiāo | Other | ||
| 描寫 | miáoxiě | Other | ||
| 提 | tí | Other | ||
| 提供 | tígōng | Other | ||
| 提到 | tídào | Other | ||
| 提高 | tígāo | Other |
Free Traditional Chinese Vocab List and Flashcard PDFs to Download
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