The most useful Chinese terms for settling down in Taiwan - Common expressions & in restaurants

As an expat in Taiwan, While mastering Chinese takes years of dedicated practice, you can actually pick up the basics pretty quickly. As a "laowai" (a slang for "foreigner") in Taiwan, knowing some basic Chinese terms can be helpful for daily communication and navigating your way around. Here are some useful Chinese terms for new comers:

Common Expressions

1. 你好 (nǐ hǎo) - Hello

2. 謝謝 (xiè xiè) - Thank you

3. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) - Excuse me / Sorry

4. 請問 (qǐng wèn) - May I ask...?

5. 請 (qǐng) - Please

6. 是 (shì) - Yes

7. 不是 (bú shì) - No

8. 我聽不懂 (wǒ ting bù dǒng) - I don't understand

9. 我不會說中文 (wǒ bù huì shuō zhōng wén) - I can't speak Chinese

10. 英文 (yīng wén) - English

In restaurants

1. 餐廳 (cān tīng) - Restaurant

2. 桌子 (zhuō zi) - Table

3. 菜單 (cài dān) - Menu

4. 點菜 (diǎn cài) - To order food

5. 服務生 (fú wù sheng) - Waiter/Waitress

6. 請給我菜單 (qǐng gěi wǒ cài dān) - Please give me a menu.

7. 我要點這個 (wǒ yào diǎn zhè gè) - I want to order this.

8. 我要點餐 (wǒ yào diǎn cān) - I want to place an order.

9. 有英文菜單嗎？(yǒu yīng wén cài dān ma?) - Do you have an English menu?

10. 我對這個過敏 (wǒ duì zhè gè guò mǐn) - I am allergic to this.

11. 我要結帳 (wǒ yào jié zhàng) - Can I have the bill/check?

12. 服務費 (fú wù fèi) - Service charge

These are just a few basic terms to get you started. Learning more Chinese phrases and vocabulary will greatly enhance your ability to communicate and interact with locals in Taiwan.

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