How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Traditional Chinese words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Traditional Chinese vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Traditional Chinese vocabulary: greetings and polite phrases

Hello, thank you, please, sorry, see you soon: the polite Traditional Chinese phrases for greeting, thanking and starting a conversation.

Here are 100 Traditional Chinese words on “Politeness and small talk”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 39 words

Traditional Chinese	English
您先請	after you
乾杯	cheers
祝你好運	good luck
晚安	good nightWhen parting to go to sleep
再見	goodbye
生日快樂	happy birthday
新年快樂	happy New Year
祝你今晚愉快	have a good eveningWhen leaving someone early in the evening
你好	helloGreeting on arrival, during the day
嗨	hiInformal greeting
怎麼說	how do you say
我不知道	I do not know
我不懂	I do not understand
沒關係	it does not matter
加油	keep it up
別客氣	make yourself at home
需要幫忙嗎	may I help you
不是	no
沒問題	no problem
不用謝	not at all
當然可以	of course
好的	okay
稍等一下	one moment
待會見	see you shortly
回頭見	see you soon
那太好了	so much the better
對不起	sorryApology
謝謝	thank you
真可惜	that is a pity
結識	to get acquainted
介紹	to introduce
自我介紹	to introduce oneself
下次見	until next time
小心	watch out
是什麼意思	what does it mean
最近如何	what is new
非常樂意	with pleasureEnthusiastic acceptance
是的	yes
不客氣	you are welcomeEveryday use

Level 2: medium 35 words

Traditional Chinese	English
歉意	apology
致上祝福	best wishes
對話	conversation
可以請您	could you
交談	discussion
您會說英語嗎	do you speak English
請慢用	enjoy your meal
不好意思	excuse me
永別	farewell
請跟我來	follow me
早日康復	get well soon
晚上好	good eveningGreeting on arrival, from late afternoon onwards
握手	handshake
週末愉快	have a good weekend
請幫幫我	help me
我想要	I would like
引見	introduction
邀請	invitation
聖誕快樂	merry Christmas
慢一點	more slowly
算了	never mind
請	please
很高興認識您	pleased to meet you
責備	reproach
萬分感謝	thanks a million
您真好心	that is kind
賠罪	to apologise
上前搭話	to approach someone
打招呼	to greet
邀約	to invite
祝福	to wish
接待	welcomeNoun, the act of receiving someone
多麼遺憾	what a shame
您貴姓	what is your name
不敢當	you are welcomeFormal register

Level 3: hard 26 words

Traditional Chinese	English
容我	allow me
尷尬的沉默	awkward silence
請進	come in
安慰	comfort
讚美	compliment
勉勵	encouragement
用您稱呼	formal address
問候	greeting
喂	helloOn the phone, when picking up
請稍候	hold on
沒禮貌	ill mannered
誤會	misunderstanding
節哀順變	my condolences
幸會	nice to meet you
敬請稍候	please hold on
客套話	polite formula
客氣地	politely
禮貌	politeness
請再說一次	repeat
粗魯	rudeness
請坐	sit down
道賀	to congratulate
打擾	to disturb
打斷	to interrupt
親臉頰	to kiss on the cheek
稱你	to use informal address

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Traditional Chinese words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Traditional Chinese vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

How KoKo makes words stick

These lists come from KoKo, the app to learn Traditional Chinese vocabulary on iPhone.