Basic Nouns

1. 水

   Tsuí

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; works with a gesture

2. 食物

   Tsia̍h-mi̍h

   Food

   Usage

   The general word to use when you are looking for something to eat

3. 錢

   Tsînn

   Money

   Usage

   The basic word when talking about paying or changing money

4. 便所

   Piān-sóo

   Toilet

   Usage

   This single word is usually enough for someone to point the way

5. 面紙

   Bīn-tsuá

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking for paper at an eatery or a public toilet

6. 藥仔

   Io̍h-á

   Medicine

   Usage

   The general word to lead with at a pharmacy

7. 行李

   Hîng-lí

   Luggage

   Usage

   For storing, carrying, or collecting your bags

8. 鎖匙

   Só-sî

   Key

   Usage

   At a hotel front desk when handing over or collecting a key

9. 車票

   Tshia-phiò

   Ticket

   Usage

   Covers both travel tickets and entry tickets

10. 護照

    Hōo-tsiàu

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at check-in, money changers, and immigration

11. 電話

    Tiān-uē

    Phone

    Usage

    Used both for the device and for making a call

12. 充電器

    Tshiong-tiān-khì

    Charger

    Usage

    When you want to borrow one at a hotel or café, or buy one

13. 車頭

    Tshia-thâu

    Station

    Usage

    The most common landmark word when asking for directions

14. 病院

    Pēnn-īnn

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word to say when you feel seriously unwell

15. 警察

    Kíng-tshat

    Police

    Usage

    Who to ask for after a theft or an accident

16. 店

    Tiàm

    Shop

    Usage

    The general word when asking where you can buy something

17. 房間

    Pâng-king

    Room

    Usage

    For booking, changing, or checking availability at a hotel

18. 路

    Lōo

    Road

    Usage

    For asking the way, usually while showing a map

19. 厝內人

    Tshù-lāi-lâng

    Family

    Usage

    Comes up constantly in introductions and small talk

20. 名

    Miâ

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

21. 頭殼

    Thâu-khak

    Head

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

22. 目睭

    Ba̍k-tsiu

    Eye

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

23. 喙齒

    Tshuì-khí

    Tooth

    Usage

    Use at a dentist or pharmacy to show where it hurts

24. 嚨喉

    Nâ-âu

    Throat

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

25. 腹肚

    Pak-tóo

    Stomach / Belly

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

26. 尻脊骿

    Kha-tsiah-phiann

    Back

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

27. 腰

    Io

    Lower back / Waist

    Usage

    Use for lower-back pain, as distinct from the upper back

28. 跤

    Kha

    Leg / Foot

    Usage

    Point at your own leg or foot to narrow down which part you mean

29. 手

    Tshiú

    Hand

    Usage

    Point at your own hand while showing the card

30. 胸坎

    Hing-khám

    Chest

    Usage

    Use for chest pain or tightness (the chest, anatomically)

31. 耳仔

    Hīnn-á

    Ear

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

32. 頷頸

    Ām-kún

    Neck

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

33. 肩胛頭

    King-kah-thâu

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

34. 跤頭趺

    Kha-thâu-u

    Knee

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

35. 指頭仔

    Tsáinn-thâu-á

    Finger

    Usage

    Point at the injured or painful finger while showing the card

36. 皮膚

    Phuê-hu

    Skin

    Usage

    Use when reporting a rash, itching, or sunburn

37. 手骨

    Tshiú-kut

    Arm

    Usage

    Point at the body part card to show where it hurts

38. 鼻仔

    Phīnn-á

    Nose

    Usage

    Use when reporting a blocked or running nose

39. 飯店

    Pn̄g-tiàm

    Hotel

    Usage

    Point at it as your destination when asking for directions

40. 機場

    Ki-tiûnn

    Airport

    Usage

    Point at it as your destination in a taxi

41. 公車站

    Kong-tshia-tsām

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Point at it as your destination when asking for directions

42. 捷運

    Tsia̍t-ūn

    Subway / Metro

    Usage

    Point at it as your destination when asking for directions

43. 大使館

    Tāi-sài-kuán

    Embassy

    Usage

    Point at it as your destination if you lose your passport

44. 拍火車

    Phah-hué-tshia

    Fire engine

    Usage

    The vehicle that carries firefighting and rescue gear; Taiwanese also says "tsuí-lîng-tshia". Fire and ambulance in Taiwan is 119

45. 領事館

    Líng-sū-kuán

    Consulate

    Usage

    Where a consul handles consular affairs in a region of the host country; distinct from the embassy ("Tāi-sài-kuán")

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