Chinese Bites — with Janine | HSK3️⃣

When I arrived at the office this morning, everyone was looking out the window. I asked, “What’s going on?” Turns out, it was snowing heavily outside! Let’s learn how to say “what’s going on / what happened” in Chinese.怎么回事 （zěnme huí shì)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.今天早上我去公司，Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ qù gōngsī,This morning, I went to the office.刚进门，就看到大家都在窗边看外面。Gāng jìn mén, jiù kàn dào dàjiā dōu zài chuāngbiān kàn wàimiàn.As soon as I entered, I saw everyone standing by the window, looking outside.我问：“怎么回事？”Wǒ wèn: “Zěnme huí shì?”I asked, “What’s going on?”原来外面下起了大雪。Yuánlái wàimiàn xià qǐ le dà xuěTurns out, it was snowing heavily outside!

The cinema was too crowded, so I thought, “Better go home and watch a movie.” Let’s learn how to say “it’d be better to” in Chinese.不如 （bù rú)Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.今天本来想去看电影。Jīntiān běnlái xiǎng qù kàn diànyǐng.但是电影院人太多了。Dànshì diànyǐngyuàn rén tài duō le.我想了想：“不如回家看一部老电影吧。”Wǒ xiǎng le xiǎng: “Bùrú huí jiā kàn yí bù lǎo diànyǐng ba.”

Sometimes happiness doesn’t need a reason — it’s nothing special. Let’s learn how to say “nothing special / it’s nothing” in Chinese.没什么 （méi shénme)Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.今天一个朋友问我：“你今天为什么看起来这么开心？”Jīntiān yí gè péngyou wèn wǒ: “Nǐ jīntiān wèishénme kàn qǐlái zhème kāixīn?”我笑着说：“没什么，就是天气很好。”Wǒ xiào zhe shuō: “Méi shénme, jiù shì tiānqì hěn hǎo.”有时候，快乐真的没什么特别的原因。Yǒu shíhou, kuàilè zhēnde méi shénme tèbié de yuányīn.

A busy week, a chat with a friend, and a simple dinner suggestion —today’s story shows how four very natural Chinese expressions appear in real life:拿……来说 (take … for example)特别是 (especially)要不 (how about / why not)听说 (I heard that)Short story, clear patterns, and examples you can use right away.Perfect for HSK1–HSK3 learners looking for everyday, natural Chinese.Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我和朋友聊天，聊到最近的生活。Zuótiān wǒ hé péngyou liáotiān, liáo dào zuìjìn de shēnghuó.Yesterday my friend and I were chatting about our recent life.我就说，拿工作来说，我最近真的有点儿忙。Wǒ jiù shuō, ná gōngzuò lái shuō, wǒ zuìjìn zhēn de yǒudiǎnr máng.I said, take work for example, I've been a bit busy recently.特别是这周，有很多东西要准备。Tèbié shì zhè zhōu, yǒu hěn duō dōngxi yào zhǔnbèi.Especially this week — there’s so much to prepare.朋友听了以后说：Péngyou tīng le yǐhòu shuō:After hearing that, my friend said:“要不我们明天出去吃个好吃的？放松一下？”“Yàobù wǒmen míngtiān chūqù chī gè hǎochī de? fàngsōng yíxià?”“How about we go eat something nice tomorrow? Relax a bit?”我觉得这是个好主意，正想答应，Wǒ juéde zhè shì gè hǎo zhǔyì, zhèng xiǎng dāyìng,I thought it was a good idea and was about to say yes,朋友又说：Péngyou yòu shuō:Then my friend added:“我听说你家附近新开了一家餐厅，很不错！”“Wǒ tīngshuō nǐ jiā fùjìn xīn kāi le yì jiā cāntīng, hěn búcuò!”“I heard there’s a new restaurant near your place — it’s pretty good!”于是我们就决定明天去试试那家店。Yúshì wǒmen jiù juédìng míngtiān qù shìshi nà jiā diàn.So we decided to try it tomorrow.

Dinner plans that don’t work out, getting tired of the same food,a friend rushing home for homework —today’s story is full of small, everyday moments you definitely know.In this episode, you’ll learn four super practical expressions:矛盾 (conflict / disagreement)腻了 (fed up / tired of something)急着 (in a hurry to)稍微 (a little / slightly)Short story, clear examples, and expressions you can start using right away.Perfect for HSK1–HSK3 learners who want real everyday Chinese — naturally and without stress.Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我和朋友本来想一起吃晚饭，Zuótiān wǒ hé péngyou běnlái xiǎng yìqǐ chī wǎnfàn,Yesterday my friend and I planned to have dinner together,但是我们对吃什么有点儿矛盾。dànshì wǒmen duì chī shénme yǒudiǎnr máodùn.but we had a small disagreement about what to eat.我想吃中餐，他想吃披萨。Wǒ xiǎng chī Zhōngcān, tā xiǎng chī pīsà.I wanted Chinese food, he wanted pizza.我都腻了，不想再吃披萨了。Wǒ dōu nì le, bù xiǎng zài chī pīsà le.I was tired of pizza and really didn’t want it again.后来我朋友说他急着回家做作业，Hòulái wǒ péngyou shuō tā jízhe huí jiā zuò zuòyè,Later my friend said he was in a hurry to go home and do homework,我们就稍微聊了几分钟，wǒmen jiù shāowēi liáo le jǐ fēnzhōng,so we chatted for just a few minutes,最后决定晚饭改天再吃。zuìhòu juédìng wǎnfàn gǎitiān zài chī.and finally decided to have dinner another day.

Today I ran into all kinds of small office problems —a coworker coughing, a noisy room, and even unexpected rain.Perfect moments to use four super useful everyday expressions:离我远点儿 (stay away from me)受不了 (can’t stand it)偏偏 (just my luck / unfortunately)说实话 (to be honest)Listen to the story and learn how to use these expressions naturally in daily life!

My friend asked if he could borrow my new laptop.I said, “Don’t even think about it!”Let’s learn how to say “Don’t even think about it!” in Chinese.想都别想 (xiǎng dōu bié xiǎng)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天晚上，我的朋友突然给我发消息。Zuótiān wǎnshang, wǒ de péngyou tūrán gěi wǒ fā xiāoxi.Last night, my friend suddenly sent me a message.他说：“明天把你的新电脑借我一天吧！”Tā shuō: “Míngtiān bǎ nǐ de xīn diànnǎo jiè wǒ yì tiān ba!”He said, “Can you lend me your new laptop for one day tomorrow?”我一看，立刻回：“想都别想！这个我刚买的！”Wǒ yí kàn, lìkè huí: “Xiǎng dōu bié xiǎng! Zhège wǒ gāng mǎi de!”I saw the message and immediately replied, “Don’t even think about it! I just bought it!”朋友还回我一个笑脸，说：“好吧好吧，我开玩笑的。”Péngyou hái huí wǒ yí gè xiàoliǎn, shuō: “Hǎo ba hǎo ba, wǒ kāiwánxiào de.”My friend sent a laughing emoji back and said, “Okay, okay, I was joking.”

Before going out, I checked my schedule and found I had an important meeting.So I went to the office early and felt relaxed during the meeting.That’s why I always check my schedule first every day.Let’s learn how to say “this is why / that’s why” in Chinese.这就是为什么 (zhè jiù shì wèi shénme)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我出门前，先看了一下今天的安排。Zuótiān wǒ chūmén qián, xiān kàn le yíxià jīntiān de ānpái.Yesterday before going out, I checked my schedule for the day.我发现早上有一个很重要的会议。Wǒ fāxiàn zǎoshang yǒu yí gè hěn zhòngyào de huìyì.I noticed I had an important meeting in the morning.我心想：那今天一定要早点儿到公司。Wǒ xīn xiǎng: nà jīntiān yídìng yào zǎo diǎnr dào gōngsī.I thought, “Then I really need to get to the office early today.”结果我提早到了，还多准备了十分钟。Jiéguǒ wǒ tízǎo dào le, hái duō zhǔnbèi le shí fēnzhōng.I arrived early and even had ten extra minutes to prepare.开会的时候，我特别轻松。Kāihuì de shíhou, wǒ tèbié qīngsōng.During the meeting, I felt really relaxed.这就是为什么，我每天都会先看看自己的安排。Zhè jiù shì wèi shénme, wǒ měitiān dōu huì xiān kàn kàn zìjǐ de ānpái.And that’s why I always check my schedule first every day.

My coworker said something was “lípǔ,”and I asked, “What does that mean?”Let’s learn how to say “What does … mean?” in Chinese.什么叫…？ (shénme jiào …?)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我和同事聊天，他突然说：“哎，这件事很‘离谱’。”Zuótiān wǒ hé tóngshì liáotiān, tā tūrán shuō: “Āi, zhè jiàn shì hěn ‘lípǔ’.”Yesterday I was chatting with a coworker, and he suddenly said, “Wow, this thing is so ‘lípǔ’.”我一听有点儿懵，就问他：“什么叫‘离谱’？”Wǒ yì tīng yǒudiǎnr mēng, jiù wèn tā: “Shénme jiào ‘lípǔ’?”I didn’t quite get it and asked, “What does ‘lípǔ’ mean?”他笑着说：“就是很奇怪、很不正常的意思。”Tā xiào zhe shuō: “Jiùshì hěn qíguài, hěn bù zhèngcháng de yìsi.”He laughed and said, “It means something very strange or unreasonable.”我点点头，说：“啊，原来是这样！”Wǒ diǎn diǎn tóu, shuō: “A, yuánlái shì zhèyàng!”I nodded and said, “Ah, I see!”

I spent the whole day running around yesterday —the supermarket, the library, meeting a friend…A bit tiring, but overall, it was a happy day.Let’s learn how to say “overall / in general” in Chinese.总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我一整天都在外面跑来跑去。Zuótiān wǒ yì zhěng tiān dōu zài wàimiàn pǎo lái pǎo qù.Yesterday I was running around outside the whole day.早上去超市，中午去图书馆，下午又去见了朋友。Zǎoshang qù chāoshì, zhōngwǔ qù túshūguǎn, xiàwǔ yòu qù jiàn le péngyou.In the morning I went to the supermarket, then to the library at noon,and in the afternoon I met a friend.虽然有点儿累，Suīrán yǒu diǎnr lèi,Although I was a little tired,但总的来说，昨天还挺开心的。dàn zǒng de lái shuō, zuótiān hái tǐng kāixīn de.overall, it was a pretty good day.

My friend asked me to help with homework,and I said, “No way! You can do it yourself!”Let’s learn how to say “no way / not a chance” in Chinese.没门 （méi mén)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我朋友跟我说：“周末帮我写作业吧！”Zuótiān wǒ péngyou gēn wǒ shuō: “Zhōumò bāng wǒ xiě zuòyè ba!”Yesterday my friend said to me, “Can you help me with my homework this weekend?”我一听就笑了，说：“没门！你自己写吧！”Wǒ yì tīng jiù xiào le, shuō: “Méi mén! Nǐ zìjǐ xiě ba!”I laughed and said, “No way! You can do it yourself!”朋友假装生气地说：“哼，你一点都不帮我！”Péngyou jiǎzhuāng shēngqì de shuō: “Hēng, nǐ yì diǎn dōu bù bāng wǒ!”My friend pretended to be angry and said, “Hmph, you’re not helping me at all!”我也笑着说：“当然不帮，这可是你的作业！”Wǒ yě xiào zhe shuō: “Dāngrán bù bāng, zhè kě shì nǐ de zuòyè!”I laughed and said, “Of course not — it’s your homework!”

Yesterday I got home really late,and just as I lay down, my neighbor started singing karaoke!I just wanted to sleep — don’t even mention it!Let’s learn how to say “don’t even mention it / it was terrible” in Chinese.别提了 (bié tí le)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我加班到很晚，回家的时候已经十点多了。Zuótiān wǒ jiābān dào hěn wǎn, huí jiā de shíhou yǐjīng shí diǎn duō le.Yesterday I worked overtime until very late — it was already past ten when I got home.结果我刚躺下，邻居又开始唱卡拉OK！Jiéguǒ wǒ gāng tǎng xià, línjū yòu kāishǐ chàng kǎlā OK!Just as I lay down, my neighbor started singing karaoke!我真是想好好睡一觉都难，唉，别提了！**Wǒ zhēn shì xiǎng hǎohāo shuì yí jiào dōu nán, āi, bié tí le!I just wanted a good night’s sleep, but forget it — it was impossible!

This morning I saw the sky was cloudy and thought, “Maybe it’s going to rain later.” Turns out I was right! Let’s learn how to say “maybe / perhaps / it’s possible that” in Chinese.说不定 (shuō bù dìng)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.今天早上我出门的时候，看到天有点儿阴。Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ chūmén de shíhou, kàn dào tiān yǒu diǎnr yīn.This morning when I went out, the sky was a bit cloudy.我心想：说不定一会儿要下雨。Wǒ xīn xiǎng: shuō bù dìng yíhuìr yào xià yǔ.I thought, “Maybe it’s going to rain later.”所以我赶紧带了一把伞。Suǒyǐ wǒ gǎnjǐn dài le yì bǎ sǎn.So I quickly grabbed an umbrella.结果下午真的下雨了，我还挺庆幸的！Jiéguǒ xiàwǔ zhēn de xià yǔ le, wǒ hái tǐng qìngxìng de!And in the afternoon, it really did rain — I was so glad I brought it!

My friend asked if we should go to the beach or the mountains.I said, “Either is fine — you decide!” Let’s learn how to say “it’s up to you / you decide” in Chinese.你说了算 (nǐ shuō le suàn)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我和朋友一起准备周末去哪里玩。Zuótiān wǒ hé péngyou yìqǐ zhǔnbèi zhōumò qù nǎr wán.Yesterday my friend and I were planning where to go this weekend.她问我：“你想去海边还是去山上？”Tā wèn wǒ: “Nǐ xiǎng qù hǎibiān háishì qù shānshàng?”She asked, “Do you want to go to the beach or the mountains?”我想了想，说：“都行，你说了算！”Wǒ xiǎng le xiǎng, shuō: “Dōu xíng, nǐ shuō le suàn!”I thought for a moment and said, “Either is fine — it’s up to you!”结果她笑着说：“那就去海边吧！”Jiéguǒ tā xiào zhe shuō: “Nà jiù qù hǎibiān ba!”She laughed and said, “Then let’s go to the beach!”

My colleague told me, “If you rest well, you’ll work better too.” I thought — that really makes sense! Let’s learn how to say “makes sense / that’s true” in Chinese.有道理 (yǒu dàolǐ)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我在跟同事聊天。Zuótiān wǒ zài gēn tóngshì liáotiān.Yesterday I was chatting with a colleague.我说最近工作太多了，真想休息一下。Wǒ shuō zuìjìn gōngzuò tài duō le, zhēn xiǎng xiūxi yí xià.I said, “There’s been so much work lately. I really need a break.”同事笑着说：“你休息好了，工作也会做得更好。”Tóngshì xiào zhe shuō: “Nǐ xiūxi hǎo le, gōngzuò yě huì zuò de gèng hǎo.”My colleague smiled and said, “If you rest well, you’ll work better too.”我一听，觉得她说得真有道理**。****Wǒ yì tīng, juéde tā shuō de zhēn yǒu dàolǐ.When I heard that, I thought, “That really makes sense.”

My friend asked, “What do you want for dinner?” I said,“Whatever you want, I’ll eat that too.” Let’s learn how to say “whatever / anything goes” in Chinese.什么……就什么…… (shénme… jiù shénme…)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天我和朋友聊天，他问我：Zuótiān wǒ hé péngyou liáotiān, tā wèn wǒ:Yesterday I was chatting with a friend, and he asked me:“晚饭吃什么？”“Wǎnfàn chī shénme?”“What do you want for dinner?”我说：“你想吃什么，我就吃什么。”Wǒ shuō: “Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme, wǒ jiù chī shénme.”I said, “Whatever you want to eat, I’ll eat that too.”结果他笑了，说：“那就火锅吧！”Jiéguǒ tā xiào le, shuō: “Nà jiù huǒguō ba!”He laughed and said, “Then let’s have hotpot!”

This morning I saw the weather was beautiful and thought “Since it’s so nice out, I’ll just walk to work!” Let’s learn how to say “since / now that / given that” in Chinese.既然 (jì rán)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.今天早上出门的时候，我看到天气特别好。Jīntiān zǎoshang chūmén de shíhou, wǒ kàn dào tiānqì tèbié hǎo.This morning when I went out, the weather was amazing.我心想：既然这么好，就别坐地铁了，走路去公司吧。Wǒ xīn xiǎng: jì rán zhème hǎo, jiù bié zuò dìtiě le, zǒulù qù gōngsī ba.I thought, “Since the weather’s so nice, I might as well walk to work.”结果走了二十分钟，整个人都醒了，心情也更好了。Jiéguǒ zǒu le èrshí fēnzhōng, zhěng gè rén dōu xǐng le, xīnqíng yě gèng hǎo le.After a 20-minute walk, I felt completely awake and in a great mood.

My friend asked if I wanted to see a new movie. I said, “Of course! I’m definitely going!” Let’s learn how to say “absolutely / definitely / for sure” in Chinese.绝对 (jué duì)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天朋友问我：“你想不想去看那部新电影？”Zuótiān péngyou wèn wǒ: “Nǐ xiǎng bù xiǎng qù kàn nà bù xīn diànyǐng?”Yesterday my friend asked me, “Do you want to see that new movie?”我马上说：“当然想！我绝对要去！”Wǒ mǎshàng shuō: “Dāngrán xiǎng! Wǒ jué duì yào qù!”I said right away, “Of course! I’m definitely going!”因为那是我最喜欢的电影。Yīnwèi nà shì wǒ zuì xǐhuan de diànyǐng.Because it’s my favorite kind of movie.我觉得，这次一定也很好看。Wǒ juéde, zhè cì yídìng yě hěn hǎokàn.I think this one will definitely be good too.

I heard it’s going to rain this weekend, so I’m planning to stay home and watch a movie. Let’s learn how to say “I heard / people say” in Chinese.听说 （tīng shuō)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.听说这周末要下雨。Tīng shuō zhè zhōumò yào xià yǔ.I heard it’s going to rain this weekend.所以我打算在家休息，看一部新电影。Suǒyǐ wǒ dǎsuàn zài jiā xiūxi, kàn yí bù xīn diànyǐng.So I’m planning to stay home and watch a new movie.朋友告诉我，那部电影很好笑。Péngyou gàosu wǒ, nà bù diànyǐng hěn hǎo xiào.My friend told me it’s really funny.我想，既然外面下雨，笑一笑也不错。Wǒ xiǎng, jìrán wàimiàn xià yǔ, xiào yí xiào yě bú cuò.I thought, since it’s raining outside, having a laugh isn’t bad at all.

We went to a restaurant last night, but there were too many people, so I said, “How about we go somewhere else?”Let’s learn how to say “how about / otherwise / why not” in Chinese.要不 （yào bù)Hello，大家好，我是Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine.Hello everyone, I’m Janine.昨天晚上我和朋友约好出去吃饭。Zuótiān wǎnshang wǒ hé péngyou yuē hǎo chūqù chī fàn.Last night, my friend and I planned to go out for dinner.可到餐厅的时候，人太多了，要等一个小时。Kě dào cāntīng de shíhou, rén tài duō le, yào děng yí gè xiǎoshí.But when we got to the restaurant, it was packed — we had to wait an hour.我看了看朋友，说：要不我们换一家吧？Wǒ kàn le kàn péngyou, shuō: yào bù wǒmen huàn yì jiā ba?I looked at my friend and said, “How about we go somewhere else?”结果我们找到了一家新的餐厅，味道还挺不错。Jiéguǒ wǒmen zhǎo dào le yì jiā xīn de cāntīng, wèidào hái tǐng bú cuò.We ended up finding a new place, and the food was actually really good!