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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 休息 | xiūxi | verb | to rest | |
| 休息 | xiūxí | Other | to rest | |
| 低 | dī | Other | to be low | |
| 住 | zhù | verb | to live, to reside | |
| 住 | zhù | Other | to stay, to live | |
| 作 | zuò | Other | ||
| 作文 | zuòwén | Other | to write an essay/composition (student essay)/CL:篇[pian1] | |
| 使得 | shĭde | Other | ||
| 使用 | shĭyòng | Other | ||
| 來 | lái | verb | to come | |
| 來 | lái | Verb | to come | |
| 來 | lái | Other | to come | |
| 來不及 | láibùjí | Other | ||
| 來得及 | láidejí | Other | ||
| 依靠 | yīkào | Other | ||
| 便宜 | piányí | Other | to be cheap | |
| 保守 | băoshŏu | Other | ||
| 保證/証 | bǎozhèng | Other | guarantee/to guarantee/to ensure/to safeguard/to pledge | |
| 保護 | băohù | Other | ||
| 保養 | băoyăng | Other | ||
| 修 | xiū | Other | ||
| 修改 | xiūgăi | Other | ||
| 修理 | xiūlĭ | Other | ||
| 倒 | dǎo | Other | to pour, to dump out | |
| 借 | jiè | Other | to borrow, to lend |
Free Traditional Chinese Vocab List and Flashcard PDFs to Download
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