🇹🇼

Taiwan · Mandarin (Taiwan) Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    你好
    Hello “ni hao”
  2. 2
    謝謝
    Thank you “xie xie”
  3. 3
    不好意思
    Excuse me / Sorry (to get attention or apologize) “bu hao yi si”
  4. 4
    對不起
    I'm sorry (apology) “dui bu qi”
  5. 5
    沒關係
    It's okay / No problem “mei guan xi”
  6. 6
    再見
    Goodbye “zai jian”
  7. 7
    麻煩你了
    Sorry to trouble you (when asking a favor) “ma fan ni le”
Local etiquette
  • Taiwanese people are generally gentle and polite. Speak softly and courteously and you'll be treated very warmly.
  • Using "xie xie" (thanks) and "bu hao yi si" often makes a great impression; the latter means both "excuse me" and "sorry."
  • Politics (cross-strait relations) is a sensitive topic. It's best not to bring it up first.

Basics

  1. 1
    對 / 不對
    Yes / No (correct / not correct) “dui / bu dui”
  2. 2
    我聽不懂
    I don't understand “wo ting bu dong”
  3. 3
    我不會說中文
    I don't speak Chinese “wo bu hui shuo zhong wen”
  4. 4
    請說慢一點
    Please speak slowly “qing shuo man yi dian”
  5. 5
    你會說英文嗎？
    Do you speak English? “ni hui shuo ying wen ma?”
  6. 6
    請寫下來
    Please write it down “qing xie xia lai”
  7. 7
    這是什麼？
    What is this? “zhe shi shen me?”
  8. 8
    可以拍照嗎？
    May I take a photo? “ke yi pai zhao ma?”
Local etiquette
  • Taiwan uses traditional characters, which differ from mainland simplified ones — don't get thrown off on maps and menus.
  • Google, LINE and Instagram all work fine. LINE especially is the go-to messenger, handy for bookings and inquiries.
  • At temples, stay quiet and don't touch or turn your back on statues and altars for photos.

Shopping

  1. 1
    多少錢？
    How much is it? “duo shao qian?”
  2. 2
    可以刷卡嗎？
    Can I pay by card? (most convenience stores and marts accept it) “ke yi shua ka ma?”
  3. 3
    可以用悠遊卡嗎？
    Can I pay with an EasyCard (悠遊卡)? (works at stores and for small buys) “ke yi yong you you ka ma?”
  4. 4
    我要這個
    I'll take this one “wo yao zhe ge”
  5. 5
    有袋子嗎？
    Do you have a bag? (often paid or bring-your-own) “you dai zi ma?”
  6. 6
    可以試穿嗎？
    Can I try this on? “ke yi shi chuan ma?”
  7. 7
    算便宜一點好嗎？
    Could you make it a bit cheaper? (only some night-market stalls) “suan pian yi yi dian hao ma?”
Local etiquette
  • An EasyCard (悠遊卡) or iPASS covers convenience stores, MRT, buses and small purchases. Top one up as soon as you arrive.
  • Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) are everywhere and handle payments, parcels, ticketing and even toilets.
  • Fixed prices are the norm, so don't haggle in shops or department stores. Light bargaining is only for some night-market stalls.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    菜單
    Menu (please) “cai dan”
  2. 2
    有推薦的嗎？
    What do you recommend? “you tui jian de ma?”
  3. 3
    我要這個
    This one, please “wo yao zhe ge”
  4. 4
    不要香菜
    No cilantro (coriander), please “bu yao xiang cai”
  5. 5
    內用還是外帶？
    For here or to go? (staff often ask this) “nei yong hai shi wai dai?”
  6. 6
    我要外帶
    To go, please “wo yao wai dai”
  7. 7
    微辣
    Mildly spicy, please “wei la”
  8. 8
    買單/結帳
    Check, please “mai dan / jie zhang”
Local etiquette
  • There's no tipping culture, though some restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill.
  • Takeout is big, so staff often ask "for here or to go?" (nei yong / wai dai). Have your answer ready.
  • At night markets, just point and say "this one." Sample lots of small plates and skewers.
  • Cilantro (香菜) is used generously, so say "bu yao xiang cai" up front if you don't want it.

Getting around

  1. 1
    廁所在哪裡？
    Where is the toilet? “ce suo zai na li?”
  2. 2
    捷運站在哪裡？
    Where is the metro (MRT / 捷運) station? “jie yun zhan zai na li?”
  3. 3
    我要搭計程車
    I'll take a taxi (計程車 = taxi) “wo yao da ji cheng che”
  4. 4
    去這個地址
    Take me to this address (show driver the screen) “qu zhe ge di zhi”
  5. 5
    怎麼去這裡？
    How do I get here? “zen me qu zhe li?”
  6. 6
    到了請告訴我
    Please tell me when we arrive “dao le qing gao su wo”
  7. 7
    我迷路了
    I'm lost “wo mi lu le”
Local etiquette
  • Eating and drinking are banned inside the MRT (捷運) — even water can get you a fine.
  • Stand on the right of escalators and leave the left side clear for people walking.
  • A taxi is a 計程車 (ji cheng che). They run on the meter; late-night and airport trips may add a surcharge.

Hotel

  1. 1
    我有訂房
    I have a reservation “wo you ding fang”
  2. 2
    我要辦入住
    I'd like to check in “wo yao ban ru zhu”
  3. 3
    幾點退房？
    What time is check-out? “ji dian tui fang?”
  4. 4
    可以幫我寄放行李嗎？
    Could you hold my luggage? “ke yi bang wo ji fang xing li ma?”
  5. 5
    Wi-Fi密碼是多少？
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “wai fai mi ma shi duo shao?”
  6. 6
    冷氣怎麼開？
    How do I turn on the air conditioner? (冷氣 = A/C) “leng qi zen me kai?”
Local etiquette
  • You'll need your passport at check-in, including at guesthouses and homestays.
  • Trash is thrown directly into the musical "garbage truck" (垃圾車) that comes at set times, so check your lodging's sorting and pickup schedule.

Emergency

  1. 1
    救命！
    Help! (emergency) “jiu ming!”
  2. 2
    請幫幫我
    Please help me “qing bang bang wo”
  3. 3
    請叫警察
    Please call the police “qing jiao jing cha”
  4. 4
    請叫救護車
    Please call an ambulance “qing jiao jiu hu che”
  5. 5
    醫院在哪裡？
    Where is a hospital? “yi yuan zai na li?”
  6. 6
    我的護照不見了
    I lost my passport “wo de hu zhao bu jian le”
Local etiquette
  • Police 110, ambulance/fire 119. Tourist police and neighborhood police boxes make it easy to get help.
  • If you lose your passport, contact your country's representative office in Taipei (Taiwan has no formal embassies).
  • For minor needs, use the widespread pharmacies (藥局); for anything serious, go to a hospital ER.