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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 穿 | chuān | Other | to wear, to put on | |
| 窮 | qióng | Other | ||
| 站 | zhàn | verb | to stand | |
| 笑 | xiào | Other | to smile, to laugh, to laugh at | |
| 符合 | fúhé | Other | ||
| 笨 | bèn | Other | ||
| 等 | děng | Other | to wait | |
| 等 | děng | verb | to wait | |
| 等待 | děngdài | Other | ||
| 答 | dá | Other | ||
| 答應 | dāyìng | Other | ||
| 算 | suàn | Other | to calculate | |
| 算了 | suànle | Other | ||
| 管 | guăn | Other | ||
| 管理 | guănlĭ | Other | ||
| 簡單 | jiǎndān | Other | to be simple, uncomplicated | |
| 簽名 | qiānmíng | Other | to sign (one's name with a pen etc)/to autograph/signature | |
| 糊塗 | hútú | Other | ||
| 紀念 | jìniàn | Other | to commemorate | |
| 約 | yuē | Other | make an appointment | |
| 約會 | yuēhuì | Other | ,個|个[ge4]/to arrange to meet | |
| 累 | lèi | Other | to be tired | |
| 細 | xì | Other | ||
| 細心 | xìxīn | Other | ||
| 結 | jié | Other |
Free Traditional Chinese Vocab List and Flashcard PDFs to Download
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