Feelings in Taiwanese: 28 Travel Phrases with Audio

歡喜
Huann-hí
Happy / glad
Usage
The everyday Taiwanese word for happy — used where Mandarin would say 高興
幸福
Hīng-hok
Blessed / fortunate
Usage
A lasting sense of good fortune — common in song lyrics and wedding toasts
心適
Sim-sik
Amusing / interesting
Usage
A native Taiwanese word, literally "suiting the heart" — the counterpart of Mandarin 有趣
好笑
Hó-tshiò
Funny
Usage
The reaction to a joke. Aimed at someone's mistake it sounds like mockery
興奮
Hing-hùn
Excited
Usage
Anticipation about what is coming — for talking about your travel plans
有面子
Ū bīn-tsú
Proud / it does me credit
Usage
Literally "to have face". Taiwanese often frames pride as standing well in front of others rather than as a private feeling
放心
Hòng-sim
Relieved / at ease
Usage
When a worry lifts. To reassure someone, say "Lí hòng-sim"
爽
Sóng
Refreshed / satisfying
Usage
That refreshed feeling after a hot spring or a massage. Colloquial — for friends, not elders or strangers
佮意
Kah-ì
To like
Usage
The native Taiwanese word, not Mandarin 喜歡. Works for things and people alike
我愛你
Guá ài lí
I love you
Usage
Weighty — for a partner or family. Said in Taiwanese rather than Mandarin it lands much more intimately
數念
Siàu-liām
To miss someone
Usage
The native Taiwanese word, not Mandarin 想念. Also used for missing home or someone who has died
傷心
Siong-sim
Heartbroken / sad
Usage
Deep sadness — a staple word of Taiwanese ballads
可惜
Khó-sioh
What a pity
Usage
A shame, a waste — for when bad weather robbed you of the view
失望
Sit-bōng
Disappointed
Usage
When something falls short. Aimed at a person it sounds like blame — keep it about the situation
孤單
Koo-tuann
Lonely
Usage
The loneliness of being on your own — for describing how solo travel feels
受氣
Siū-khì
Angry
Usage
The native Taiwanese word, not Mandarin 生氣. It is strong — describe the situation rather than aim it at a person
厭氣
Iàn-khì
Aggrieved / fed up
Usage
A native Taiwanese word for the resentful, deflated feeling of being treated unfairly — a way of naming the feeling rather than shouting
煩惱
Huân-ló
Worried
Usage
In Taiwanese this simply means to worry — lighter than the Mandarin sense. "Bián huân-ló" means "don't worry"
驚
Kiann
Afraid
Usage
The native Taiwanese word, not Mandarin 害怕. "Guá kiann káu" means "I am scared of dogs"
著驚
Tio̍h-kiann
Startled
Usage
The jolt of a sudden noise or event, as distinct from the lasting fear of 驚
壓力
Ap-li̍k
Pressure / stress
Usage
"Ap-li̍k tsin tuā" means "the pressure is heavy"
見笑
Kiàn-siàu
Embarrassed / ashamed
Usage
In Taiwanese this means to feel ashamed, not the Mandarin "to be laughed at". Safe about yourself, but harsh if aimed at someone else
歹勢
Pháinn-sè
Sorry / how embarrassing
Usage
Possibly the most-used phrase in Taiwanese — a light apology, and also the polite opener before asking a stranger anything. Safe with anyone
無聊
Bô-liâu
Bored
Usage
Bored, or dull. Aimed at a person or thing it becomes a put-down — keep it about yourself
忝
Thiám
Tired / worn out
Usage
The native Taiwanese word, not Mandarin 累. "Tsiok thiám" means "really worn out"
愛睏
Ài-khùn
Sleepy
Usage
The native Taiwanese word, literally "wanting to sleep" — distinct from 忝 (tired)
無爽快
Bô sóng-khuài
Not feeling well
Usage
爽快 means feeling well in body and mind; the negative is what to show first when you cannot name a symptom
真勇
Tsin ióng
I am in good health
Usage
In Taiwanese 勇 means physically robust — a good answer when an older person asks after your health

More Taiwanese (Min Nan) phrases

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More Taiwanese (Min Nan) phrases