When Taiwanese Reply in English: Keeping It Mandarin

When someone in Taiwan answers your Mandarin in English, the most likely reason is kindness. They are trying to save you effort, or they enjoy the chance to use their English, or they simply assume that a foreign face means English. It is rarely a comment on your Mandarin. You can keep the conversation in Chinese by saying so politely, in Mandarin, and by continuing in Mandarin after you do.

This guide covers why it happens, phrases that work, and how to behave in the moment so that the switch happens less often.

Why It Happens

There are several common reasons, and more than one can apply at the same time.

• Hospitality. In Taiwan, making a guest comfortable is an important part of good manners. Switching to English can be a way of saying that you do not need to struggle.
• An assumption about foreigners. If you do not look local, people may assume English is the shared language before you have said a word.
• Wanting to practise. Most people in Taiwan studied English at school and some would like more chances to use it. The government’s Bilingual 2030 policy, launched in 2018, also promotes English, so interest in it is widely encouraged. A conversation with a foreigner is a rare chance to use it.
• Hesitation on your side. A pause, a wrong tone or a long search for a word can look like a request for help. People often switch to be helpful at that moment.
• Efficiency. In a busy shop, staff may choose whichever language they think will finish the exchange quickest.

None of these is rude. Understanding the reason helps you respond calmly, which makes a difference.

Phrases That Keep It in Mandarin

Say these with a smile and in Mandarin. Short is better.

Chinese	Pinyin	Use
沒關係,我聽得懂。	méi guānxi, wǒ tīng de dǒng.	”It’s fine, I understand.” Said right after they switch
我在學中文,想練習一下。	wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén, xiǎng liànxí yíxià.	”I’m learning Chinese and want to practise.”
可以跟我說中文嗎?	kěyǐ gēn wǒ shuō Zhōngwén ma?	”Could you speak Chinese with me?”
麻煩你說慢一點。	máfan nǐ shuō màn yìdiǎn.	”Please speak a bit slower.” Keeps Mandarin and sets the pace
謝謝你,我想用中文試試看。	xièxie nǐ, wǒ xiǎng yòng Zhōngwén shìshi kàn.	”Thank you, I’d like to try in Chinese.”

The readings of 練習 (liànxí), 麻煩 (máfan), 沒關係 (méi guānxi), 試試看 (shìshi kàn) and 聽 (tīng) follow the Ministry of Education dictionary. In speech, 一 and 不 change tone depending on the word after them, and the pinyin above shows them as spoken.

The second phrase makes a request, and it also tells the other person why you are asking. That tends to land better than a plain “please speak Chinese”, because it invites them to help you rather than asking them to change.

What to Do in the Moment

1. Answer in Mandarin first. If they reply in English, say one of the phrases above, then ask your next question in Mandarin.
2. Do not argue the point. If they switch back, one more polite attempt is enough. You can try again in the next exchange, or use English for the part that matters and return to Mandarin afterwards.
3. Say it with confidence. Use a clear, unhurried voice. People tend to follow the tone of the conversation.
4. Know the words for your task. Learn the phrases for the situation you are in, such as ordering food or buying a ticket, so you do not hesitate. A short script for an introduction or an order does a lot.
5. Use the other person’s language when you need to. Sometimes a clear English sentence is the sensible choice, such as at a pharmacy or the bank. Choose when to practise.

Where It Happens Less

These are tendencies and not rules, and individual people vary.

• Less often: neighbourhood restaurants, traditional markets, small shops and places where staff do not expect foreign customers to speak English. Outside the big cities it is also less common.
• More often: tourist areas, international workplaces, shops that serve many foreign visitors, and with younger people who enjoy practising English.
• Depends on you: a clear first sentence in Mandarin, delivered at a normal pace, makes it more likely that people stay in Mandarin. Your Mandarin does not have to be perfect to do this.

If you want regular Mandarin practice with a person, set it up deliberately. A language exchange lets you agree the split in advance, and our language exchange guide covers how to keep sessions in Mandarin. If you are wondering how much Mandarin you actually need day to day in Taiwan, see Do You Need to Speak Mandarin in Taiwan?.

A Note on Being Patient With Yourself

Being answered in English can sting, especially after you prepared a sentence. Remember that the other person is usually trying to help. A calm reply in Mandarin and a repeat of the plan next time is a better habit than frustration. And if you find that you understand but freeze when you speak, our guide to understanding Chinese but not speaking it has practices for that.

Related Reading

• Language Exchange in Taipei: Where to Find Partners
• Do You Need to Speak Mandarin in Taiwan?
• I Understand Chinese but Can’t Speak: How to Fix It