Greetings

1. 你好

   Lí hó

   Hello

   Usage

   The most basic Taiwanese greeting, widely used in everyday situations

   Grammar Note

   "Lí" is second person singular. "Hó" means good/well. Literally "you good?"

2. 多謝

   To-siā

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common expression of thanks in Taiwanese, used throughout southern Taiwan

   Grammar Note

   "To-siā" is the native Min Nan expression for thanks, distinct from Mandarin "xièxie"

3. 請問

   Tshiánn-mn̄g

   Excuse me / May I ask

   Usage

   Polite opener used before asking a question or addressing someone

   Grammar Note

   "Tshiánn" is a polite modal. Placed before a question to show respect

4. 對不起

   Tuì-put-khí

   I'm sorry / Excuse me

   Usage

   Standard apology or excuse-me expression used in daily situations

   Grammar Note

   Literally "cannot face you." A loan from Mandarin that is widely used in Taiwanese; the native apologies are 歹勢 pháinn-sè and 失禮 sit-lé

5. 再會

   Tsài-huē

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Standard farewell expression in Taiwanese

   Grammar Note

   Means "let's meet again." The standard Taiwanese goodbye expression

6. 你食飽未？

   Lí tsia̍h-pá-buē?

   Have you eaten yet?

   Usage

   A warm, culturally distinctive greeting in Taiwanese culture, equivalent to "how are you"

   Grammar Note

   "Tsia̍h-pá" means ate enough. "Buē" is a question/completion particle unique to Min Nan

7. 歡迎

   Huann-gîng

   Welcome

   Usage

   Used to welcome guests to a shop, home, or event

   Grammar Note

   Can stand alone as a greeting. In shops, "Huann-gîng kong-lîm" (welcome, grace us with your presence) is also common

8. 是，無問題

   Sī, bô-būn-tê

   Yes, no problem

   Usage

   Used to agree or confirm, especially when accepting a request

   Grammar Note

   "Sī" is the affirmative in Taiwanese. "Bô" is negation, so "bô-būn-tê" means no problem

9. 我是日本人

   Guá sī Ji̍t-pún-lâng

   I am Japanese

   Usage

   Used when introducing your nationality during self-introduction

   Grammar Note

   Word order is the same as Mandarin: subject + verb + object. "Lâng" is Min Nan for person

10. 恁貴姓？

    Lín kuì-sènn?

    What is your honorable name?

    Usage

    Formal way to ask someone's name when meeting for the first time

    Grammar Note

    "Kuì" is an honorific prefix. This formal phrasing is used when meeting someone for the first time

11. 便所佇佗位？

    Piān-sóo tī tó-uī?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential Taiwanese Min Nan phrase for asking where the restroom is

    Grammar Note

    "Tī" is the Taiwanese Min Nan verb for existence/location. "Tó-uī" is the question word for "where". Equivalent to Mandarin "洗手間在哪裡？"

12. 我袂曉講台語

    Guá bē-hiáu kóng Tâi-gí

    I can't speak Taiwanese (Min Nan)

    Usage

    Used to inform someone you cannot speak Taiwanese Min Nan — useful for non-native visitors

    Grammar Note

    "Bē-hiáu" means "cannot / don't know how to" in Taiwanese Min Nan, equivalent to Mandarin "不會". "Kóng" means to speak or say

13. 我會閣來

    Guá ē koh lâi

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

14. 我耍甲真歡喜

    Guá sńg kah tsin huann-hí

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

15. 多謝，掰掰

    To-siā, bâi-bâi

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

16. 好眠

    Hó-bîn

    Good night

    Usage

    Said just before going to sleep — not a farewell, but a bedtime greeting

17. 我欲出去矣

    Guá beh tshut-khì--ah

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

18. 我轉來矣

    Guá tńg-lâi--ah

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

19. 我先來去

    Guá sing lâi-khì

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

20. 免客氣

    Bián kheh-khì

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply when someone thanks you

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