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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 謝 | xiè /xièxie | Other | to thanks, to thank you | |
| 謝謝 | xiè /xièxie | Other | to thanks, to thank you | |
| 證明 | zhèngmíng | Other | ||
| 讀 | dú | Other | to read; to go to/ attend school or college | |
| 讀 | dú | verb | to read | |
| 讀書 | dúshū | Other | to study, to read | |
| 變 | biàn | Other | ||
| 變成 | biànchéng | Other | ||
| 變更 | biàngēng | Other | ||
| 讓 | ràng | Other | ) | |
| 豐富 | fēngfù | Other | ||
| 負擔 | fùdān | Other | to bear (an expense, a responsibility etc)/burden | |
| 負責 | fùzé | Other | ||
| 貢獻 | gòngxiàn | Other | to contribute/to dedicate/to devote/contribution | |
| 貴 | guì | Other | to be expensive | |
| 買 | mǎi | verb | to buy | |
| 買 | mǎi | verb | to buy | |
| 買 | mǎi | Other | tp buy | |
| 貼 | tiē | Other | ||
| 賣 | mài | Other | to sell | |
| 購買 | gòumăi | Other | ||
| 贏 | yíng | Other | ||
| 走 | zǒu | verb | to walk, go | |
| 走 | zǒu | Other | to walk | |
| 走走 | zŏuzŏu | Other |
Free Traditional Chinese Vocab List and Flashcard PDFs to Download
Use the buttons below to download your free printable vocabulary resources — no signup required.
