Taiwan Glossary
While Taiwanese people are very welcoming, they will be even warmer if you show interest in their culture and Mandarin. In addition to being a sign of respect, this can be very useful when interacting with locals (who in most cases will have a basic knowledge of English for the younger ones) and when haggling in a small shop.
Mandarin is the official language, followed by Taiwanese (the local dialect), which means that most residents today grow up bilingual. Other local languages such as Hakka and other aboriginal languages can be heard here and there.
Note: Some older people in Taiwan grew up speaking only Taiwanese, and therefore do not speak Mandarin. However, this is quite rare.
Common expressions in Mandarin:
Hello/Good evening : 你好 Nǐhǎo (the “h” is pronounced like the French “r”, but slightly more aspirated)
Goodbye : 再見 Zàijiàn (the “j” is pronounced “dj”)
Yes : 是的/對 Shìde／Duì (the “shì” is pronounced “sheu”)
No : 不 Bù
Thanks : 謝謝 Xièxiè (the “x” is pronounced “ch”)
Please : 請…Qǐng…(to be placed at the beginning of the sentence; the “q” is pronounced “tch”)
I don’t understand : 我不懂 Wǒbù dǒng
Sorry : 對不起 Duìbùqǐ
My name is…: 我叫…Wǒjiào…
I am French : 我是法國人 Wǒshì fàguó rén (the “r” is pronounced like the “j” sound)
How much does it cost? : 這個多少錢？Zhège duōshǎo qián ? (the “zh” is pronounced “dj”)
Where is/Where is …?: ….在哪裡？…zài nǎlǐ ? (to be placed at the end of the sentence)
I would like to go…: 我想去…Wǒxiǎng qù…(to be placed at the beginning of the sentence)
Don’t hesitate to ask the guides and locals for your lesson number 2!