Chinese Bites — with Janine｜HSK 2️⃣

In this episode, we’ll talk about daily routines — how to describe what you do every day in order using 先…再…, how to talk about future or past actions with 以后, and how to use 已经 to say ‘already.’ ☀️🕐每天早上，我七点起床。我先洗脸刷牙，再吃早饭。八点上班，下班以后去健身房。晚上回到家，我已经很累了，但还会看一会儿书。Měi tiān zǎo shang, wǒ qī diǎn qǐ chuáng.Wǒ xiān xǐ liǎn shuā yá, zài chī zǎo fàn.Bā diǎn shàng bān, xià bān yǐ hòu qù jiàn shēn fáng.Wǎn shang huí dào jiā, wǒ yǐ jīng hěn lèi le, dàn hái huì kàn yí huìr shū.先…再… — first… then…以后 — after / later / in the future已经 — already / 还没 - not yet

In this episode, something surprising happens on the subway! You’ll learn how to describe actions in progress with 正在, use 的时候 to talk about when something happened, and add excitement to your stories with 忽然. 🚇☕晚上，我坐地铁回家。我正在看手机的时候，忽然听到一个小孩子在哭。旁边的人都看过去，一个妈妈在安慰她的孩子。我笑了笑，心里想：“好可爱啊。”Wǎn shang, wǒ zuò dì tiě huí jiā.Wǒ zhèng zài kàn shǒu jī de shí hou, hū rán tīng dào yí gè xiǎo hái zài kū.Páng biān de rén dōu kàn guò qù, yí gè mā ma zài ān wèi tā de hái zi.Wǒ xiào le xiào, xīn lǐ xiǎng: “Hǎo kě ài a.”正在 — in the middle of (doing something)的时候 — when / at the time of忽然 — suddenly

In this episode, over dinner with a friend, we’ll talk about family — how to describe family members, compare people using 比, express contrast with 虽然…但是…, and talk about family habits with 每…都…. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🍲晚饭的时候，我们聊到了家人。她给我看了一张照片，说：“这是我妹妹，她比我高。”我笑着说：“你们长得很像！虽然我家人不多，但是我们很亲。”她点点头说：“我们家每个周末都一起吃饭。”Wǎn fàn de shí hou, wǒ men liáo dào le jiā rén.Tā gěi wǒ kàn le yì zhāng zhào piàn, shuō: “Zhè shì wǒ mèi mei, tā bǐ wǒ gāo.”Wǒ xiào zhe shuō: “Nǐ men zhǎng de hěn xiàng! Suī rán wǒ jiā rén bù duō, dàn shì wǒ men hěn qīn.”Tā diǎn diǎn tóu shuō: “Wǒ men jiā měi gè zhōu mò dōu yì qǐ chī fàn.”比 — to compare (A 比 B + adjective)虽然…但是… — although... but...每…都… — every... all...

In this episode, we’ll finally have dinner with a friend! You’ll learn how to make invitations, ask questions politely with 要不要 and 想不想, and use 还是 to offer choices naturally in Chinese. 🍲🥢星期五下班后，我给同事发消息。我说：“今晚一起吃晚饭吧？你想吃中国菜还是日本菜？”她回我：“我想吃日本菜！要不要去那家新开的餐厅？”我说：“好啊，我听说那里的寿司很好吃！”Xīng qī wǔ xià bān hòu, wǒ gěi tóng shì fā xiāo xī.Wǒ shuō: “Jīn wǎn yì qǐ chī wǎn fàn ba? Nǐ xiǎng chī Zhōng guó cài hái shì Rì běn cài?”Tā huí wǒ: “Wǒ xiǎng chī Rì běn cài! Yào bù yào qù nà jiā xīn kāi de cān tīng?”Wǒ shuō: “Hǎo a, wǒ tīng shuō nà lǐ de shòu sī hěn hǎo chī!”一起 — together还是 — or (used in questions)要不要 / 想不想 — would you like to / do you want to

In this episode, we’ll make weekend plans with a friend! You’ll learn how to express future intentions using 要, 打算, and 想 — and sound natural when talking about your upcoming plans in Chinese. 🌞☕星期五下午，下班前，新同事问我：“你周末打算做什么？”我说：“我打算去公园散步，还要去超市买东西。”她说：“我也想去公园，我们一起去吧！”我笑着说：“好啊，周六见！”Xīng qī wǔ xià wǔ, xià bān qián, xīn tóng shì wèn wǒ: “Nǐ zhōu mò dǎ suàn zuò shén me?”Wǒ shuō: “Wǒ dǎ suàn qù gōng yuán sàn bù, hái yào qù chāo shì mǎi dōng xi.”Tā shuō: “Wǒ yě xiǎng qù gōng yuán, wǒ men yì qǐ qù ba!”Wǒ xiào zhe shuō: “Hǎo a, zhōu liù jiàn!”打算 — plan to / intend to要 — will / going to / need to想 — want to / would like to

In this episode, something funny happens at work after lunch! You’ll learn how to ask What happened?, talk about recent events using 刚才, and express forgetting something naturally in Chinese. Perfect for everyday storytelling! 🏢☕午饭后，我们回到公司。老板问我：“刚才发生了什么？你们去哪儿了？”我笑着说：“我们去吃午饭了，我忘了带手机！”老板也笑了：“没事，下次别忘了！”Wǔ fàn hòu, wǒ men huí dào gōng sī.Lǎo bǎn wèn wǒ: “Gāng cái fā shēng le shén me? Nǐ men qù nǎr le?”Wǒ xiào zhe shuō: “Wǒ men qù chī wǔ fàn le, wǒ wàng le dài shǒu jī!”Lǎo bǎn yě xiào le: “Méi shì, xià cì bié wàng le!”发生了什么 — what happened刚才 — just now / a moment ago忘了 — forgot

In this episode, we’ll have lunch with a new colleague! You’ll learn how to say I like…, invite someone to eat together, and use the word 吧 to sound friendly and natural in Chinese. Perfect for small talk and making new friends over lunch! 🍜🥟中午，我和新同事一起去吃午饭。我问她：“你喜欢吃什么？”她说：“我喜欢吃中国菜。一起去那家饭店吧！”我笑着说：“好啊，我也喜欢！”Zhōng wǔ, wǒ hé xīn tóng shì yì qǐ qù chī wǔ fàn.Wǒ wèn tā: “Nǐ xǐ huan chī shén me?”Tā shuō: “Wǒ xǐ huan chī Zhōng guó cài. Yì qǐ qù nà jiā fàn diàn ba!”Wǒ xiào zhe shuō: “Hǎo a, wǒ yě xǐ huan!”喜欢 — to like (used with verbs or nouns)一起 — together (goes before the verb)吧 — softens suggestions (like “let’s”)

In this episode, we’ll learn how to ask Where do you live? in Chinese, how to talk about locations like ‘near’ or ‘far’, and how to describe places naturally. Perfect for everyday small talk in Chinese! 🏙️☕在咖啡店，我遇到了一个新同事。我问她：“你住在哪儿？”她说：“我住在公司附近。”我笑着说：“真好！我家离公司很远，每天都要坐地铁。”Zài kā fēi diàn, wǒ yù dào le yí gè xīn tóng shì.Wǒ wèn tā: “Nǐ zhù zài nǎr?”Tā shuō: “Wǒ zhù zài gōng sī fù jìn.”Wǒ xiào zhe shuō: “Zhēn hǎo! Wǒ jiā lí gōng sī hěn yuǎn, měi tiān dōu yào zuò dì tiě.”住在… — live in / live at在…附近 — near / around离…很远 / 很近 — far from / close to

In this episode, we’ll learn how to order drinks in Chinese — how to say I want a cup of coffee, how to use measure words like 杯, and how to ask politely using 请给我. Perfect for your next trip to a café in China! ☕🥟今天早上，我去咖啡店。我说：“请给我一杯咖啡。”服务员问：“要大杯还是小杯？”我笑着说：“小杯吧，谢谢！”(Jīn tiān zǎo shang, wǒ qù kā fēi diàn.Wǒ shuō: “Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi kā fēi.”Fú wù yuán wèn: “Yào dà bēi hái shì xiǎo bēi?”Wǒ xiào zhe shuō: “Xiǎo bēi ba, xiè xiè!”)一杯 — a cup of (measure word for drinks)请给我… — please give me (polite request)要…还是… — would you like… or…? (offering choices)

In this episode, we’ll learn how to say I’m late in Chinese, how to apologize politely, and how to talk about time and daily routines. Whether you’re late for work, for school, or just for lunch — this one’s going to help you sound natural in real life! ⏰☕今天早上，我起得太晚了。到公司的时候，老板已经来了。我说：“不好意思，我迟到了！”老板笑着说：“没关系，下次早点儿来。” (Jīn tiān zǎo shang, wǒ qǐ de tài wǎn le.Dào gōng sī de shí hou, lǎo bǎn yǐ jīng lái le.Wǒ shuō: “Bù hǎo yì si, wǒ chí dào le!”Lǎo bǎn xiào zhe shuō: “Méi guān xi, xià cì zǎo diǎnr lái.”)太…了 — too... (expressing excess or complaint)不好意思 — sorry / excuse me (soft and polite)下次早点儿来 — come earlier next time (a friendly reminder)

In this very first episode, we’ll learn how to talk about feeling unwell in Chinese — how to say you don’t feel good, how to rest, and how to sound natural when you’re under the weather. Don’t worry, it’s an easy and super practical lesson to start your Chinese journey! 🩺☕今天早上，我起得太晚了。到公司的时候，老板已经来了。我说：“不好意思，我迟到了！”老板笑着说：“没关系，下次早点儿来。”Jīn tiān zǎo shang, wǒ qǐ de tài wǎn le.Dào gōng sī de shí hou, lǎo bǎn yǐ jīng lái le.Wǒ shuō: “Bù hǎo yì si, wǒ chí dào le!”Lǎo bǎn xiào zhe shuō: “Méi guān xi, xià cì zǎo diǎnr lái.”起得很晚 — got up late (Verb + 得 + Adjective)有点儿 — a little (for small, often negative feelings)休息 — to rest (often used after 想 / 应该 / 需要)