Slang

1. 讚

   Tsán

   Great / awesome

   Usage

   A compliment that spread from Taiwanese into Mandarin. Safe with anyone — "tsiok tsán" means "really great"

2. 食飽未

   Tsia̍h-pá--buē

   Have you eaten?

   Usage

   The warmest Taiwanese greeting. It is not really an offer of food — it functions as "how are you". Safe with anyone, and especially appreciated by older people

3. 好佳哉

   Hó-ka-tsài

   Thank goodness

   Usage

   What you say after a near miss. A distinctly Taiwanese expression, safe with anyone

4. 免驚

   Bián-kiann

   No need to be afraid

   Usage

   A reassurance, safe with anyone — useful when you are helping someone who is anxious

5. 阿莎力

   A-sá-lih

   Decisive and generous

   Usage

   From Japanese "assari" — praise for someone who decides quickly and gives generously. It is a compliment, so safe with anyone

6. 俗擱大碗

   Sio̍k koh tuā-uánn

   Cheap and generous

   Usage

   Literally "cheap and a big bowl too" — the classic praise for an eatery or night-market stall. Owners love hearing it

7. 上青

   Siōng tshinn

   The freshest

   Usage

   Spread by a beer advert. Use it to praise the freshness of seafood or vegetables — food only

8. 緣投

   Iân-tâu

   Handsome

   Usage

   The Taiwanese compliment for a man's looks, equivalent to Mandarin 帥. Said jokingly to an older man it usually gets a laugh

9. 鬥相共

   Tàu-sann-kāng

   To lend a hand

   Usage

   A native Taiwanese phrase, literally "to gather together for each other". Warm and safe with anyone when offering help

10. 凍蒜

    Tòng-suàn

    You've got this!

    Usage

    The Taiwanese reading of 當選 (to be elected), made famous by campaign rallies and now used as a general cheer. It carries political colour, so read the room during election season

11. 小黃

    Sió-n̂g

    Yellow cab

    Usage

    All Taiwanese cabs are yellow, hence the affectionate nickname. Safe with anyone

12. 運將

    Ūn-tsiàng

    Driver (friendly)

    Usage

    From Japanese "un-chan" — a friendly way to address a taxi or bus driver. Perfectly polite to use to their face

13. 膨風

    Phòng-hong

    To exaggerate

    Usage

    Literally "puffed up with wind" — a joking response to a friend's boast. Avoid it with strangers or elders, where it sounds like calling them a liar

14. 吐槽

    Thuh-tshàu

    To call someone out (jokingly)

    Usage

    A Taiwanese word that spread into Mandarin — teasing someone by poking a hole in what they said. For close friends only

15. 烏白來

    Oo-pe̍h-lâi

    To do things any old way

    Usage

    Literally "to go at it black and white alike". Safe when laughing at your own mess; aimed at someone else it is a sharp accusation

16. 秀逗

    Siù-tòo

    On the blink

    Usage

    From English "short" via Japanese. Safe about a malfunctioning machine — aimed at a person it is an insult, so keep it to objects only

17. 莫按呢

    Mài án-ne

    Don't be like that

    Usage

    A soft way of asking someone to stop — also useful for declining a pushy sales pitch. Safe with anyone

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