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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 結婚 | jiéhūn | Other | to marry, to get married | |
| 結束 | jiéshù | Other | ||
| 給 | gěi | Verb | to give | |
| 經 | jīng | Other | ||
| 經過 | jīngguò | Other | to pass by, to pass through | |
| 經驗 | jīngyàn | Other | experience/to experience | |
| 維持 | wéichí | Other | ||
| 緊 | jĭn | Other | ||
| 緊張 | jǐnzhāng | Other | to be nervous, to be tense | |
| 練 | liàn | Other | ||
| 練習 | liànxí | Other | to practice, to drill/ practice, exercise | |
| 繼續 | jìxù | Other | ||
| 罵 | mà | Other | ||
| 美 | měi | Other | to be beautiful | |
| 美好 | měihăo | Other | ||
| 美麗 | měilì | Other | beautiful | |
| 翻譯/翻/譯 | fānyì/fān/yì | Other | ||
| 老 | lǎo | Other | old, aged | |
| 老實 | lăoshí | Other | ||
| 考 | kăo | Other | ||
| 考試 | kǎoshì | Other | to take an exam/exam/CL:次[ci4] | |
| 聊 | liáo | Other | ||
| 聊天(兒) | liáotiān(ér) | Other | to chat/ chatting | |
| 聊天/聊天兒 | liáotiān/liáotiānr | Other | to chat/to gossip | |
| 聚 | jù | Other |
Free Traditional Chinese Vocab List and Flashcard PDFs to Download
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