Taiwan’s rich history has created a cultural melting pot, where languages, traditions, and generations blend into something truly unique.
While Mandarin Chinese is the official language, Taiwanese phrases are still heard in local markets, taxis, and small shops, spoken by the older generation in Taiwan.
Picture yourself walking through a bustling night market. A vendor greets you with lí chia̍h pá bōe? (汝食飽未?), which means “Have you eaten yet?”—a phrase that also serves as a warm hello. If someone helps you along the way, you can show your gratitude with a heartfelt kám-siā (感謝), meaning “thank you, I appreciate it.”
These simple exchanges can spark smiles and open doors, turning ordinary interactions into memorable cultural moments.
In this article, we’ll cover 30 useful Taiwanese phrases you can use to connect with Taiwanese people. Let’s dive in!
30 Everyday Taiwanese Hokkien Phrases For Travelers
We’ve summarized 30 of the most useful Taiwanese Hokkien survival phrases for you.
From commonly used greetings like lí hó (你好), which means hello in Taiwanese, to essentials like “Where’s the toilet?“- piān-só· tī tó-uī? (便所佇佗位？).These are the Taiwanese phrases every traveler should have up their sleeve to connect with locals, especially the elderly, and get around with a bit more confidence.
| English | Taiwanese | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | 你好 | Lí hó |
| Hello (informal) | 食飽未？ | Chia̍h pá bōe? |
| How are you? | 你好無？ | Lí hó-bô? |
| Fine, thank you | 好，感謝 | Hó, kám-siā |
| Not bad | 袂䆀 | Bē-bái |
| What is your name? | 你叫啥物名？ | Lí kiò siánn-mi̍h miâ? |
| My name is… | 我叫___ | Guá kiò ___ |
| Nice to meet you | 我真歡喜佮你熟似 | Góa chin hoaⁿ-hí kah lí se̍k-sāi |
| Please | 拜託 | Pài-thok |
| Thank you | 感謝 | Kám-siā |
| Thanks a lot | 多謝 | To-siā |
| You’re welcome | 免客氣 | Bián kheh-khì |
| Yes | 是 | Sī |
| No | 毋是 | M̄-sī |
| Excuse me / Sorry | 歹勢 | Pháinn-sè |
| Sorry (formal) | 失禮 | Sit-lé |
| Goodbye | 再見 | Tsài-kiàn |
| Goodbye (friendly) | 平安 | Pêng-an |
| Good morning | 爻早 | Gâu-chá |
| Good afternoon | 午安 | Gō-an |
| Good evening | 暗安 | Àm-an |
| Good night | 晚安 | Bóan-an |
| Where’s the bathroom? | 便所佇佗位？ | Piān-só· tī tó-uī? |
| I don’t understand | 我聽無 | Guá thiaⁿ bô |
| Do you speak English? | 你敢講英語？ | Lí kám kóng Eng-gú? |
| Be careful! | 小心！ | Sió-sim! |
| Help! | 救命！ | Kiù-mia! |
| How much? | 偌濟？ | Goā-choē? |
| That one | 彼个 | Hit-ê |
| Cheers! | 予焦啦！ | Hōo ta lah! |
| Have a good journey | 順行 | Sūn-kiâⁿ |
Tips: How To Learn Pe̍h-ōe-jī (POJ) As A Beginner Traveler
If you’re only visiting Taiwan for a short time, you don’t need to master the full Hokkien writing system or memorize hundreds of characters.
That’s why locals and even language teachers use Pe̍h-ōe-jī (POJ): a romanization system that helps you pronounce words accurately.
Note: The Han characters provided follow the Taiwanese Minnan Recommended Hanzi Usage (台灣閩南語推薦用字), promoted by the government of Taiwan.
Here’s how to start.
1. Match The Letters To What You Already Know
Many POJ letters sound just like English (m, n, k, l), which makes learning easier.
Others, however, don’t have exact English equivalents.
For instance, POJ uses alveolar (ch, s) and alveolo-palatal (chi, si) sounds that English speakers often confuse because they’re subtle in Hokkien.
Pay attention to which ones do feel familiar, and flag the ones that don’t, so you know where to slow down and listen carefully.
2. Focus On Tones Before Spelling Perfection
Taiwanese Hokkien has seven tones, marked with little symbols like ´, `, or ˆ over vowels.
These tones can change meaning completely: lí (you) vs. lī (pear).
Instead of worrying about writing tones perfectly, train your ear first: listen to locals, repeat phrases slowly, and get the melody right.
Even if your tones aren’t flawless, locals will recognize and appreciate the effort.
3. Expect Regional Variations And Stay Flexible
Not every “correct” POJ spelling matches what you’ll hear on the street.
For example, in Zhangzhou-type varieties (spoken in northeast Taiwan around Yilan, parts of Malaysia, and Penang), you might hear words like “egg”- nūi (卵) or “cooked rice”- pūiⁿ (飯), which merge differently in mainstream Taiwanese.
So don’t be surprised if a vendor in Taizhong says a phrase differently from a bus driver in Yilan; both are right in their own context.
For travelers, the key is to listen, adapt, and not get stuck on one “perfect” version.
How Do You Say “Taiwanese Phrases” In Taiwanese?
You can say Tâi-gí ūng-ji̍p (台語用語), which literally means “Taiwanese expressions.”
Learning even a few of these will instantly make your trip smoother. With apps like Ling, you can practice them on the go and be ready to surprise locals with more than just Chinese phrases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taiwanese Phrases
What Is “I love You” In Taiwanese?
“I love you” in Taiwanese is Guá ài lí (我愛你).
While it’s not something you’ll throw around casually, using it with close friends or your partner in Taiwan feels more intimate than the Mandarin Chinese version.
Saying it in Hokkien carries warmth and depth, showing you care about the Taiwanese culture as much as the person.
How Do You Say Hello In Taiwanese?
To say hello in Taiwanese, you say Lí-hó (你好), literally “you good.”
But don’t be surprised if locals greet you with Chia̍h pá bōe? (食飽未？) “Have you eaten yet?” It’s a very Chinese way of asking if you’re doing well.
Practicing common greetings like this with Ling before your trip can help you break the ice with Taiwanese people and start conversations naturally.
What Are Some Japanese Loanwords In Taiwanese?
During Japan’s rule over Taiwan (1895–1945), many Japanese words entered everyday Taiwanese Hokkien, and surprisingly, influenced the language till the present day.
For example, ah-básán (from Japanese obasan – おばさん) refers to an older woman or “auntie.”
Food culture also left its mark: piān-tong (from bentō 弁当) means “lunchbox,” and bi̍t-sò (from ajinomoto 味の素) refers to MSG seasoning.
These loanwords are little time capsules; reminders of Taiwan’s layered history. As a traveler, spotting them is like overhearing echoes of the past in modern-day conversations.
Your First Step Into Taiwan’s Heart
As you get ready for your trip, remember that learning even a little bit of Taiwanese Hokkien can completely change the way locals welcome you.
From the 30 Everyday Taiwanese Hokkien Phrases For Travelers that will help you navigate markets and taxis, these small steps show big respect for Taiwanese culture.
Every phrase you learn is more than just a word; it’s a bridge.
With tools like Ling, you’ll not only be ready for this trip but also leave Taiwan with stories, smiles, and connections that will make you want to return again.
Master Taiwanese Hokkien And Travel Confidently With Ling
Learning a few key Taiwanese phrases will do more than help you get by. It allows you to connect with locals more confidently, handle everyday situations with ease, and experience Taiwan in a way that feels genuine and authentic. Even simple words can open doors to conversations, smiles, and friendships.
With Ling, you can start to learn Taiwanese Hokkien step by step and turn every interaction into a cultural adventure. Download the app today and begin exploring Taiwan with confidence!
