Mainland vs Taiwan usage

The most visible difference is script: mainland China uses simplified characters (简体字), while Taiwan and Hong Kong use traditional characters (繁體字). Romanization also differs in practice — the mainland standard is Hanyu Pinyin, while Taiwan has historically taught reading with Zhuyin/Bopomofo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ) and often spells place and personal names with older systems (Taipei, not Táiběi).

Vocabulary genuinely differs in ways that can cause real confusion: 土豆 means 'potato' on the mainland but often 'peanut' in Taiwan, where potato is usually 馬鈴薯 (mǎlíngshǔ); a taxi is 出租车 (chūzūchē) on the mainland but 计程车 (jìchéngchē) in Taiwan; 'video' is usually 视频 (shìpín) on the mainland versus 影片 (yǐngpiàn) as a common Taiwan term. Even shared characters can be pronounced differently — 垃圾 ('garbage') is lājī on the mainland but commonly lèsè in Taiwan.

Politics is worth flagging as a genuinely sensitive area: terms like 大陆 ('the mainland') versus 内地, or how people refer to cross-strait relations, carry real political weight, and it's wise to avoid volunteering opinions on the topic with new acquaintances from either side. If you're studying mainland Mandarin and then travel to Taiwan (or the reverse), expect some real friction in vocabulary and character recognition — it's a normal adjustment, not a sign you've learned the language wrong.