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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