Little Mandarin: Learn Chinese through conversations

🌸 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply!💖 Get 30% OFF your first class 🎉👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙It’s back-to-school season 📚! In this episode, let’s learn how to say school subjects in Mandarin — from English, Math, and History, to Philosophy, Law, and even Art. 🎨 Don’t forget to check Thursday’s episode where we talk about the cliché: Are Chinese people really good at math? ➕📌 Grammar of the Day👉 我喜欢 / 不喜欢 + [学科]= I like / don’t like [subject]👉 你最喜欢什么课？= What’s your favorite subject?🗂️ Key Vocabulary List英语 – English我喜欢学英语。I like studying English.数学 – Math数学很难，但是很重要。Math is difficult, but very important.语文 – Chinese (subject)我的语文老师很好。My Chinese teacher is very nice.化学 – Chemistry化学实验很有趣。Chemistry experiments are interesting.物理 – Physics我不太懂物理。I don’t really understand physics.生物 – Biology生物课要记很多词。Biology class requires memorizing many words.历史 – History我喜欢中国历史。I like Chinese history.地理 – Geography地理可以帮助我们了解世界。Geography helps us understand the world.政治 – Politics我们明天有政治考试。We have a politics exam tomorrow.法律 – Law她在大学学习法律。She studies law at university.哲学 – Philosophy哲学让我思考人生。Philosophy makes me think about life.宗教 – Religion他在大学学习宗教。He studies religion at university.经济学 – Economics经济学很实用。Economics is very practical.心理学 – Psychology心理学帮助我们理解别人。Psychology helps us understand others.音乐 – Music我会唱很多音乐课的歌。I can sing many songs from music class.美术 – Art美术课让我很放松。Art class makes me feel relaxed.体育 – P.E.我最喜欢体育课。I like P.E. class the most.信息技术 / 电脑 – I.T. / Computer Science他对电脑很感兴趣。He is very interested in computers.外语 – Foreign Language我在学一门外语。I am learning a foreign language.

🌸 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply!💖 Get 30% OFF your first class 🎉👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙🎉 China’s calendar is full of surprises! In this episode, we’ll explore some hidden holidays you may not know—like Laba Festival with warm porridge, Children’s Day just for kids, the spooky Ghost Festival, and more. Learn how to say “festival” in Mandarin, review key words, and practice with a fun dictée at the end! ✏️🎉 中国的节日远不止春节和中秋节！这一集我们一起看看一些特别的节日：冬天的腊八节、孩子们的儿童节、神秘的中元节……还会学习“节”这个字，复习重点词汇，最后做一个小听写练习。✏️📘 Grammar of the Day节 (jié) – festivalWhen you put 节 after a word, it usually becomes the name of a holiday.Examples:教师节 (Teacher’s Day)儿童节 (Children’s Day)中秋节 (Mid-Autumn Festival)👉 Sentences:中国有很多节。China has many festivals.儿童节是六月一号。Children’s Day is June 1st.我最喜欢的节是中秋节。My favorite festival is Mid-Autumn Festival.📚 Key Vocabulary with Sentence Examples腊八节 – Laba Festival腊八节我们喝腊八粥。On Laba Festival, we drink Laba porridge.劳动节 – Labor Day劳动节的时候，中国人常常出去旅游。During Labor Day, Chinese people often travel.青年节 – Youth Day青年节纪念了中国现代历史上的重要运动。Youth Day commemorates an important event in modern Chinese history.儿童节 – Children’s Day六一儿童节，孩子们很开心。On Children’s Day, children are happy.建军节 – Army Day八一建军节是中国军队的节日。August 1st Army Day is the holiday of the Chinese army.中元节 – Ghost Festival中元节的时候，人们会点灯笼祭拜祖先。On Ghost Festival, people light lanterns to honor ancestors.重阳节 – Double Ninth Festival重阳节我们去爬山。On Double Ninth Festival, we go mountain climbing.Festival Timeline Recap腊八节 – 农历十二月初八 (lunar Dec 8, usually Jan)劳动节 – 5月1日 (May 1, solar)青年节 – 5月4日 (May 4, solar)儿童节 – 6月1日 (June 1, solar)建军节 – 8月1日 (Aug 1, solar)中元节 – 农历七月十五 (lunar July 15, usually Aug/Sep)重阳节 – 农历九月初九 (lunar Sept 9, usually Oct)Small Dictée Exercise ✏️腊八节我们喝腊八粥。On Laba Festival, we drink Laba porridge.六一儿童节，孩子们很开心。On Children’s Day, the children are happy.重阳节我们去爬山。On Double Ninth Festival, we go mountain climbing.

🌸 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply!💖 Get 30% OFF your first class 🎉👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙It’s Teacher’s Day in China! Join me to learn how students celebrate this special day, discover cultural traditions, and practice some essential Mandarin phrases to say “thank you, teacher.” Don’t miss it—you’ll walk away with new words, grammar, and a little inspiration too! ✨教师节快乐！在这一集里，我们一起聊聊中国的教师节，学生们是如何庆祝的，以及一些表达感谢老师的中文词汇和句子。快来学习新的单词和语法吧！✨📘Grammar of the Day – 给 (gěi)Our grammar today is the word 给 (gěi).It means “to” or “for.” You can use it to say giving something to someone, or doing something for someone.👉 Structure: Subject + 给 + person + object/action我给老师一个礼物。I give a gift to the teacher.学生们给老师写卡片。The students write cards for the teacher.你可以给我打电话。You can call me.So remember, 给 is not just about physical gifts—it can also be about actions you do for someone.📚Vocabulary + Sentences老师 – Teacher老师教我们汉语。The teacher teaches us Mandarin.学生 – Student我是学生，我喜欢上课。I am a student, I like having class.学校 – School我们的学校很大。Our school is big.上课 – To have class现在上课了，快坐好！Class is starting, sit down quickly!下课 – Finish class / after class下课以后，我们去喝咖啡。After class, we go for coffee.作业 – Homework今天的作业很多。There’s a lot of homework today.考试 – Exam明天有考试，你准备好了吗？There’s an exam tomorrow, are you ready?礼物 – Gift我给老师一个小礼物。I give a small gift to the teacher.卡片 – Card学生们写卡片给老师。The students write cards for the teacher.感谢 – Gratitude / to thank我想感谢老师的帮助。I want to thank the teacher for the help.祝福 – Blessings我们送上最好的祝福。We send our best wishes.📖 Thank You Card NoteChinese:亲爱的老师，您教给我们的，不只是书本上的知识，还有看世界的方式。您把问题变成钥匙，把好奇心变成灯，让我们发现那些细小却闪光的瞬间，也学会走向更广阔的天地。祝您教师节快乐。English:Dear Teacher,What you’ve taught us is not only what’s written in books, but also a way of seeing the world. You turn questions into keys, and curiosity into light—helping us notice the small, shining moments, and also guiding us toward a wider world. Wishing you a Happy Teacher’s Day.

🌸 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply!💖 Get 30% OFF your first class 🎉👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙Back to School ✏️ September isn’t just for students — it’s for all of us! Think of it as your second New Year 🎉 … maybe the last chance to restart (or actually start) your resolutions before December arrives. In this episode, we’ll learn Mandarin words for school, study, and goals, and talk about how to make September feel like a fresh start. 📚开学啦 📖！九月不仅是学生的新学期，也是大人的新机会。九月就像第二个新年 🎉，可能是你最后一次开始目标和计划的机会。今天我们一起学习“开学”、 “计划”、 “目标”、 “坚持”等词，让九月成为新的开始～ ✨📘 Grammar of the Day要 (yào) + Verb = going to / need to我要学习中文。I’m going to study Mandarin.得 (děi) + Verb = must / have to我得坚持学习。I must keep studying.👉 要 = plan / going to, 得 = must / obligation.🗂️ Key Vocabulary + Examples开学 – kāixué – start of school今天开学了。School starts today.学校 – xuéxiào – school我的学校很大。My school is very big.学生 – xuéshēng – student我是中文学生。I’m a Chinese student.老师 – lǎoshī – teacher她是我的老师。She is my teacher.书包 – shūbāo – school bag我的书包很重。My school bag is heavy.课本 – kèběn – textbook这是中文课本。This is a Chinese textbook.笔记本 – bǐjìběn – notebook我买了一个新笔记本。I bought a new notebook.作业 – zuòyè – homework今天没有作业。There’s no homework today.考试 – kǎoshì – exam我下周有考试。I have an exam next week.成绩 – chéngjì – grade / result我的考试成绩很好。My exam results are very good.目标 – mùbiāo – goal我的目标是学好中文。My goal is to learn Mandarin well.计划 – jìhuà – plan我有一个学习计划。I have a study plan.新的开始 – xīn de kāishǐ – new beginning九月是一个新的开始。September is a new beginning.坚持 – jiānchí – to persist学习中文要坚持。Learning Mandarin requires persistence.努力 – nǔlì – to work hard你很努力学习。You study very hard.习惯 – xíguàn – habit我要养成早起的习惯。I want to build the habit of waking up early.机会 – jīhuì – opportunity九月是一个好机会。September is a good opportunity.挑战 – tiǎozhàn – challenge学中文是一个挑战。Learning Mandarin is a challenge.成功 – chénggōng – success坚持下去就会成功。If you keep going, you will succeed.失败 – shībài – failure失败也没关系。Failure is okay too.上课 – shàngkè – to attend class我每天早上八点上课。I attend class at 8 every morning.放学 – fàngxué – school is over孩子三点放学。Children finish school at 3 p.m.学习 – xuéxí – to study我每天学习中文。I study Mandarin every day.图书馆 – túshūguǎn – library我喜欢在图书馆学习。I like studying in the library. 复习 – fùxí – to review考试前要复习。You need to review before the exam.Profound Content 九月开学了。学生要回学校，大人也要学习新的东西。很多人一月有新年计划，可是过了几个月，目标没了，习惯也没了。所以九月很重要。你要有新的计划，你得坚持下去。比如说：我要每天学习中文，我得去图书馆复习；我要锻炼身体，我得早睡早起。九月就像第二个新年，给你一个机会。如果失败了，也没关系。重要的是：你要再开始，坚持下去，就会成功。

🌸 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply!💖 Get 30% OFF your first class 🎉👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙Back to work 🥲 Emails, meetings, coffee machines… September is here and our holidays are officially over! In this episode, let’s make the “back to work” season a little less painful by learning small talk in Mandarin about office life, meetings, coffee, and even complaining in a cute way.📘 Grammar of the Day要 (yào) + Verb = need to / going to我要上班。I need to go to work.我们要开会。We are going to have a meeting.老板要加班。The boss wants us to work overtime.👉 Super easy: 要 + verb = something you’re going to do or need to do.🗂️ Key Vocabulary + Examples上班 – shàngbān – to go to work我每天八点上班。I go to work at 8 every day.下班 – xiàbān – to get off work六点下班，太开心了！Getting off work at 6, so happy!加班 – jiābān – overtime今天要加班。Today I need to work overtime.请假 – qǐngjià – to ask for leave我想请假一天。I want to take one day off.同事 – tóngshì – colleague我的同事很友好。My colleague is very friendly.老板 – lǎobǎn – boss老板要开会。The boss wants a meeting.开会 – kāihuì – to have a meeting我们十点开会。We have a meeting at 10.报告 – bàogào – report我要写一个报告。I need to write a report.截止日期 – jiézhǐ rìqī – deadline截止日期是明天！The deadline is tomorrow!项目 – xiàngmù – project我们有一个新项目。We have a new project.电脑 – diànnǎo – computer我的电脑很慢。My computer is very slow.咖啡 – kāfēi – coffee没有咖啡，我不能上班。Without coffee, I can’t go to work.累 – lèi – tired上班五分钟，累一天。Five minutes at work, tired all day.工资 – gōngzī – salary工资到了！Salary arrived!假期综合症 – jiàqī zōnghé zhèng – holiday syndrome我有假期综合症。I have holiday syndrome.

🌸 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply!💖 Get 30% OFF your first class 🎉👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙🔁 Quick Grammar Review (from Tuesday)Let’s warm up with a quick grammar review.可以 + Verb Phrase + 吗？Can I...?可以点菜了吗？ Can we order now?可以不要辣吗？ Can it not be spicy?想要 + nounWould like...我想要一碗牛肉面。 I’d like a bowl of beef noodles.我们想要米饭。 We’d like rice.🥟 Extended Vocabulary (Intermediate)Let’s learn some dishes and words so you can talk like a true foodie:米饭 – mǐ fàn – rice面条 – miàn tiáo – noodles牛肉面 – niú ròu miàn – beef noodles炸酱面 – zhà jiàng miàn – soybean paste noodles鸡蛋炒饭 – jī dàn chǎo fàn – egg fried rice扬州炒饭 – yáng zhōu chǎo fàn – Yangzhou fried rice汤面 – tāng miàn – noodle soup干拌面 – gān bàn miàn – dry-mixed noodles粉丝 – fěn sī – vermicelli/glass noodles粥 – zhōu – congee 🧾 Example Sentences & Mini Dialogues你想吃米饭还是面？Do you want rice or noodles?我今天特别想吃一碗热热的牛肉面。Today I really want a hot bowl of beef noodles.可以换成米饭吗？Can I change it to rice?我吃不惯面条，我还是吃米饭吧。I’m not used to noodles. I’ll go with rice.这个炒饭特别香！你尝一下。This fried rice smells amazing! Try it.📖 Mini Mandarin Paragraph + TranslationMandarin (spoken-style):我从小在南方长大，每天都吃米饭。后来搬到北方，开始吃各种面条。现在我都喜欢。冬天的时候，来一碗热腾腾的汤面，真的很舒服！English Translation:I grew up in the south, and I ate rice every day. Later, I moved to the north and started eating all kinds of noodles. Now I like both. In winter, having a hot bowl of noodle soup is just so comforting.

🌸 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply!💖 Get 30% OFF your first class 🎉👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙🍜 Ready to order like a pro in Mandarin?In this episode, Eudora walks you through essential restaurant phrases, from asking for the menu to saying “no spice, please!”You’ll learn how to sound polite, confident, and natural when dining out in Chinese.Perfect for HSK1–2 learners who want to speak up at the table — no more silent pointing! ✋📖🥢🧾 Grammar of the Day (x2)1. 可以 + Verb Phrase + 吗？Can I…? / Is it okay to…?Used for polite requests.可以点菜了吗？Can we order now?可以给我菜单吗？Can I have the menu?可以不要辣吗？Can it not be spicy?2. 想要 + NounWould like… / Want (something)Used to express what you want in a soft and polite way.我想要一碗米饭。I’d like a bowl of rice.她想要菜单。She wants the menu.🍚 Key Vocabulary with Sentence Examples点菜 – to order food我们现在可以点菜了吗？Can we order now?菜单 – menu我想要菜单。I’d like the menu.服务员 – waiter/waitress服务员，我们要点菜。Waiter, we’d like to order.不要 – don’t want我不要辣的。I don’t want it spicy.辣 – spicy这个太辣了。This is too spicy.汤 – soup我想要一碗汤。I’d like a bowl of soup.打包 – to take away / get it to-go这个可以打包吗？Can I take this to-go?结账 – to pay the bill我们要结账。We’d like to pay the bill.🥢 Example Sentences Recap可以点菜了吗？Can we order now?我想要这个，不要辣的。I want this one — not spicy.可以给我一杯水吗？Can I have a glass of water?我想要一份饺子。I’d like one order of dumplings.可以分开结账吗？Can we pay separately?我们想要三碗米饭。We’d like three bowls of rice.可以打包吗？Can I take it to-go?

🚀 Join my 1-on-1 Mandarin classes on Preply  🎉 New students get 30% OFF your first class!👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s make Mandarin your favorite part of the day. 🌞🎧🔁 Grammar Review from TuesdayHere’s a quick grammar reminder from Tuesday:We use 第 (dì) + number to say first, second, third, etc.Example:第一个生肖 (dì yī gè shēngxiào) – the first zodiac第二个动物是牛 (dì èr gè dòngwù shì niú) – the second animal is the ox你是第几个生肖？(Nǐ shì dì jǐ gè shēngxiào?) – Which zodiac number are you?Good Match:🐭 鼠 Rat + 🐮 牛 Ox聪明 + 可靠 → 互相支持 (hùxiāng zhīchí)他们互相支持，是一个好团队。They support each other and make a great team.🐯 虎 Tiger + 🐖 猪 Pig勇敢 + 善良 → 互补 (hùbǔ)他们性格互补，一个保护，一个照顾。Their personalities complement each other.🐰 兔 Rabbit + 🐶 狗 Dog安静 + 忠诚 → 安全感 (ānquán gǎn)在一起很有安全感。They feel safe together.🐲 龙 Dragon + 🐵 猴 Monkey强大 + 聪明 → 合适 (héshì)他们很合适，都很有想法。A good match — full of ideas.🐴 马 Horse + 🐯 虎 Tiger自由 + 热情 → 一见钟情 (yí jiàn zhōng qíng)他们一见钟情，感情发展很快。They fell in love at first sight.🐍 蛇 Snake + 🐓 鸡 Rooster冷静 + 有条理 → 聪明搭配他们是聪明搭配，头脑很好用。A clever match with sharp minds.🐐 羊 Goat + 🐖 猪 Pig浪漫 + 温柔 → 温柔体贴 (wēnróu tǐtiē)他们温柔体贴，很会照顾人。They take good care of each other.🐵 猴 Monkey + 🐭 鼠 Rat有趣 + 机灵 → 默契 (mòqì)他们有默契，笑点一样。They have great chemistry.🐶 狗 Dog + 🐯 虎 Tiger诚实 + 大胆 → 真诚 (zhēnchéng)他们关系真诚，互相信任。They trust each other deeply.🐔 鸡 Rooster + 🐮 牛 Ox细节 + 耐心 → 踏实 (tǎshi)他们很踏实，适合一起生活。They are steady and dependable.🐍 蛇 Snake + 🐐 羊 Goat内敛 + 温暖 → 心灵相通 (xīnlíng xiāngtōng)他们心灵相通，很懂对方。They understand each other emotionally.🐲 龙 Dragon + 🐴 马 Horse有野心 + 爱自由 → 激情 (jīqíng)他们之间充满激情，生活不无聊。Their relationship is full of passion.💡 Some traditional “less ideal” matches (for fun):🐰 Rabbit + 🐔 Rooster – Rooster is too direct, Rabbit is sensitive.🐭 Rat + 🐴 Horse – Too different in life pace.🐲 Dragon + 🐶 Dog – Both want to lead.But remember 👉属相只是参考，真爱靠相处！Zodiac is just for reference — true love depends on how you get along!

🚀 Join my 1-on-1 Mandarin classes on Preply  🎉 New students get 30% OFF your first class!👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s make Mandarin your favorite part of the day. 🌞🎧🐭🐯 From clever rats to sleepy pigs — what does your Chinese zodiac say about you? In this episode, we dive into the legendary zodiac race, how to ask someone’s sign in Mandarin, and how to use simple grammar like “first,” “second,” and “third.” Perfect for beginner learners and curious minds!🧠 Grammar of the Day: Ordinal NumbersToday we’ll learn how to say “first,” “second,” “third” in Mandarin.The pattern is super easy: 第 (dì) + number = ordinal number第一 – first第二 – second第三 – thirdExamples:老鼠是第一名。The rat is first place.牛是第二名，因为它很努力。The ox is second because it worked hard.这是我第一次来中国。This is my first time coming to China.🌏 Cultural Background & Zodiac StoryIn Chinese culture, we use the 十二生肖 (shí'èr shēngxiào)—the twelve zodiac animals.Each year in the calendar is assigned one animal in a repeating 12-year cycle.Here’s the list:鼠 – rat牛 – ox虎 – tiger兔 – rabbit龙 – dragon蛇 – snake马 – horse羊 – goat猴 – monkey鸡 – rooster狗 – dog猪 – pig🗣️ Key Vocabulary (HSK1–2)十二 – twelve动物 – animal年 – year属 – to be born in the year of…第 – prefix for ordinal numbers喜欢 – to like聪明 – smart可爱 – cute

🚀 Join my 1-on-1 Mandarin classes on Preply  🎉 New students get 30% OFF your first class!👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s make Mandarin your favorite part of the day. 🌞🎧🍂 It’s still hot outside — but in China, autumn has already begun!In this episode, we’ll explore how Chinese seasons work through the lunar calendar and 24 solar terms, starting with today’s special one: 立秋 (lìqiū).You’ll learn practical Mandarin expressions, useful seasonal vocabulary, and fun traditions like 贴秋膘 (eating meat on the first day of autumn!).Plus, a quick preview of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival 🥮Let’s welcome autumn the Chinese way!Grammar – 虽然…但是… (suīrán… dànshì…)Structure:虽然 A，但是 B – "Although A, but B"Example:虽然今天是立秋，但是天气还很热。"Although today is lìqiū, the weather is still very hot."Now try this one:虽然我很忙，但是我还是想学中文。"Although I’m busy, I still want to learn Chinese."So what do people in China actually do on 立秋?北方人有一个说法：贴秋膘 (tiē qiū biāo)。夏天太热，大家瘦了，所以立秋这天要吃肉，比如红烧肉、炖排骨。🧡 我小时候，奶奶总会煮一锅红烧肉，说：“秋天来了，要补一补。”It’s a fun way to “prepare” your body for autumn and winter.Some families have the tradition of weighing themselves on lìqiū.看看夏天瘦了多少，然后说：“可以开始吃肉了！” 😂It’s like a small seasonal ritual — practical and funny.在南方农村，立秋后人们会把辣椒、玉米、豆子晒在院子里。It’s called 晒秋 (shài qiū) — autumn drying.地上、屋顶、墙边，到处都是金色和红色的农作物，特别有秋天的感觉。1. 吃肉 – Eating Meat2. 称体重 – Weighing Yourself3. 晒秋 – Drying Autumn CropsAutumn Festival – Mid-Autumn Festival (5–6 mins)秋天除了节气，还有一个非常重要的节日：中秋节 (Zhōngqiū jié) — Mid-Autumn Festival.它是在农历八月十五，是家人团聚的节日。People look at the full moon, eat 月饼 (yuèbǐng – mooncakes), and enjoy time with family.

🚀 Join my 1-on-1 Mandarin classes on Preply  🎉 New students get 30% OFF your first class!👉 https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s make Mandarin your favorite part of the day. 🌞🎧🌤️ Spring, summer, autumn, winter—how do you talk about your favorite season in Mandarin? In this episode, we’ll cover essential seasonal vocabulary, weather expressions, and grammar patterns to help you chat about the time of year like a local. Plus, a little sneak peek into how Chinese culture defines seasons using the Lunar calendar!Grammar of the DayHere are three sentence structures you can use:现在是 + season = It’s currently...Example: 现在是夏天。It’s summer now.我最喜欢 + season = I like ... the mostExample: 我最喜欢春天。I like spring the most.Season + 的时候，我喜欢... = During..., I like to...Example: 秋天的时候，我喜欢去公园。In autumn, I like to go to the park.Simple Vocabulary春天 – chūntiān – spring夏天 – xiàtiān – summer秋天 – qiūtiān – autumn/fall冬天 – dōngtiān – winter天气 – tiānqì – weather冷 – lěng – cold热 – rè – hot舒服 – shūfu – comfortable下雨 – xiàyǔ – to rain下雪 – xiàxuě – to snowExample Sentences今天是晴天，天气很好。Today is sunny. The weather is nice.夏天很热，我每天喝冰水。It’s hot in summer. I drink ice water every day.冬天我喜欢喝热茶。In winter I like to drink hot tea.秋天的天气很舒服。The weather in autumn is very comfortable.春天的时候，我每天去跑步。In spring, I go jogging every day.

🚀 Love learning Mandarin like this? Let’s level up together!Join my 1-on-1 Mandarin classes on Preply — personalized, fun, and built around real-life topics like food, travel, culture, and daily life. 💬🎒🥟🎉 New students get 30% OFF your first class!👉 Click here to book & save 30%Or check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s make Mandarin your favorite part of the day. 🌞🎧What if “washing your hair” didn’t mean rushing through shampoo at home—but lying down in a quiet room, wrapped in a blanket, getting your scalp massaged with ginger water?In today’s episode, we walk you through a traditional Chinese hair-washing & massage spa routine—all in beginner-friendly Mandarin. You’ll learn practical vocabulary for daily life (like shampoo, scalp, towel) and natural sentence patterns that help you describe a relaxing experience step-by-step.✨ Grammar of the day: using “先...然后...” (first..., then...) to describe sequences💡 Vocabulary: shampoo 洗发水, scalp 头皮, massage 按摩, ginger water 生姜水💬 All sentences include pinyin and translation for easy review.🧖‍♀️ Trust me, this is a kind of relaxing Mandarin input you don’t want to miss.💬 Mandarin and English Transcript (with Pinyin)你会安排在一个独立的小房间，躺下，店员会帮你盖上一个小毯子，开始帮你梳头，按揉头皮放松。Nǐ huì ānpái zài yí gè dúlì de xiǎo fángjiān, tǎng xià, diànyuán huì bāng nǐ gài shàng yí gè xiǎo tǎnzi, kāishǐ bāng nǐ shūtóu, ànróu tóupí fàngsōng.You’ll be arranged in a private room and lie down. The staff will cover you with a small blanket, comb your hair, and gently massage your scalp to relax.用一个木头梳子在干发时清理一下头皮，这样头皮屑、灰尘、油脂会和头皮分开。Yòng yí gè mùtou shūzi zài gānfà shí qīnglǐ yíxià tóupí, zhèyàng tóupíxiè, huīchén, yóuzhī huì hé tóupí fēnkāi.They use a wooden comb on your dry hair to clean the scalp. This helps separate dandruff, dust, and oil from your scalp.接下来开始洗头，一般可以选择温水或者生姜水。Jiē xiàlái kāishǐ xǐtóu, yìbān kěyǐ xuǎnzé wēnshuǐ huòzhě shēngjiāng shuǐ.Then the hair wash begins. Usually, you can choose between warm water or ginger water.我喜欢生姜水，因为可以生发，而且热热的很舒服。Wǒ xǐhuān shēngjiāng shuǐ, yīnwèi kěyǐ shēngfà, érqiě rè rè de hěn shūfu.I like ginger water because it helps with hair growth, and the warmth feels very comfortable.这时候会在按摩头发，用洗发梳。Zhè shíhou huì zài ànmó tóufà, yòng xǐfà shū.At this point, they massage your hair using a shampoo brush.充分湿润头皮之后，先清洁头皮，然后用洗发露开始洗全部的头发。Chōngfèn shīrùn tóupí zhīhòu, xiān qīngjié tóupí, ránhòu yòng xǐfàlù kāishǐ xǐ quánbù de tóufà.After fully wetting your scalp, they first clean the scalp, then wash all the hair with shampoo.我喜欢洗头发时的泡泡，很舒服。Wǒ xǐhuān xǐ tóufà shí de pàopào, hěn shūfu.I really like the bubbles during the wash—it feels so nice.洗完第一遍冲去油脂和污垢之后，会洗第二遍。Xǐ wán dì yī biàn chōng qù yóuzhī hé wūgòu zhīhòu, huì xǐ dì èr biàn.After the first round removes oil and dirt, they’ll do a second wash.这一遍会更加按摩整个头部，后脑勺，特别舒服。Zhè yí biàn huì gèngjiā ànmó zhěnggè tóubù, hòunǎosháo, tèbié shūfu.This round focuses more on massaging the whole head, including the back—super comfortable.冲干净之后，会抹上护发素，热蒸一会儿。Chōng gānjìng zhīhòu, huì mǒ shàng hùfàsù, rè zhēng yíhuìr.After rinsing, they apply conditioner and steam the hair for a few minutes.这个时候店员会帮你按摩肩和胳膊，我特别喜欢按摩。Zhège shíhou diànyuán huì bāng nǐ ànmó jiān hé gēbo, wǒ tèbié xǐhuān ànmó.At this time, they massage your shoulders and arms—I really enjoy this part.你也可以要热毛巾放在眼睛上热蒸。Nǐ yě kěyǐ yào rè máojīn fàng zài yǎnjīng shàng rè zhēng.You can also ask for a hot towel over your eyes for a steam treatment.最后冲洗干净，会坐在沙发上吹干头发。Zuìhòu chōngxǐ gānjìng, huì zuò zài shāfā shàng chuīgān tóufà.Finally, they rinse everything and let you sit on the sofa to blow-dry your hair.大概需要四十分钟。我特别喜欢。Dàgài xūyào sìshí fēnzhōng. Wǒ tèbié xǐhuān.It takes about 40 minutes. I really love it.

🚀 Love learning Mandarin like this? Let’s level up together!Join my 1-on-1 Mandarin classes on Preply — personalized, fun, and built around real-life topics like food, travel, culture, and daily life. 💬🎒🥟🎉 New students get 30% OFF your first class!👉 Click here to book & save 30%Or check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s make Mandarin your favorite part of the day. 🌞🎧✂️ Getting a haircut in a foreign country can be... terrifying. In this episode, we’ll make sure you walk out of the salon in China smiling — not crying 😅 Learn how to describe your hairstyle, say "just a little bit!", and avoid common haircut disasters — all in Mandarin.This episode is perfect for HSK1–3 learners who want real, useful, and funny Mandarin for everyday life.[Grammar of the Day – 4–5 min]Here are two grammar patterns you need to survive the salon:想 (xiǎng) + Verb – to want to do something我想剪头发。I want to cut my hair.我想换一个发型。I want to change my hairstyle.一下 (yīxià) – to soften a request我想问一下。I’d like to ask something.可以看一下颜色吗？Can I quickly see the color?再 (zài) + Verb – do something more再剪一点点。Cut just a tiny bit more.With just these, you can already start sounding more polite and more natural.[Vocabulary & Real-Life Survival Phrases – 8–10 min]Let’s break it down. I’m giving you the real words that will actually save your hair.💇‍♀️ Basic Actions剪头发 – jiǎn tóu fa – to cut hair我想剪头发。I want a haircut.洗头 – xǐ tóu – to wash hair请洗一下头。Please wash my hair.吹头发 – chuī tóu fa – blow-dry要吹干吗？Do you want it blow-dried?染头发 – rǎn tóu fa – to dye hair我想染头发。I want to dye my hair.挑染 – tiāo rǎn – highlights可以挑染一点吗？Can I get a few highlights?🎨 Describing Style & Length发型 – fà xíng – hairstyle我想换一个发型。I want a new hairstyle.刘海 – liú hǎi – bangs刘海不要太短。Don’t cut the bangs too short.层次 – céng cì – layers剪一些层次。Add some layers.修一点点 – xiū yì diǎn diǎn – trim a little只修一点点，真的一点点。Just trim a tiny bit. Really.不要太短 – bú yào tài duǎn – not too short上次太短了，我哭了。Last time was too short... I cried.自然一点 – zì rán yì diǎn – more natural可以自然一点吗？Can it be a bit more natural?柔顺 – róu shùn – soft and smooth我想做一个柔顺。I want a smoothing treatment.🚫 What You Don’t Want不要太蓬 – bú yào tài pēng – not too puffy我头发已经够蓬了。My hair is already too puffy.不要太卷 – bú yào tài juǎn – not too curly卷一点，但不要太卷。Some curls, not too much.不要染太亮 – bú yào rǎn tài liàng – not too bright要自然，我还要上班呢。I still have to go to work.不要动刘海 – bú yào dòng liú hǎi – don’t touch the bangs刘海我自己剪的，不要动！I cut my bangs myself. Don’t touch them!🙋‍♀️ Polite & Helpful Phrases你觉得我适合什么发型？What do you think suits me?帮我看一下哪里要剪。Can you help me see where to cut?我觉得这里不对称。This part seems uneven.[Survival Tips – 2–3 min]💡 Survival Tip 1: Bring a photo. Always. Mandarin or not, a picture is the real universal language.💡 Survival Tip 2: Say what you don’t want, even more than what you do.💡 Survival Tip 3: If you’re really nervous, say:“剪一点点就好。”“Just a little bit, please.”And say it twice. With eye contact.

🚀 Love learning Mandarin like this? Let’s level up together!Join my 1-on-1 Mandarin classes on Preply — personalized, fun, and built around real-life topics like food, travel, culture, and daily life. 💬🎒🥟🎉 New students get 30% OFF your first class!👉 Click here to book & save 30%Or check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s make Mandarin your favorite part of the day. 🌞🎧What does a peaceful 5 a.m. summer morning look like?In this episode, I share my full morning routine—from lemon water to French grammar to journaling with iced coffee. You’ll first hear the whole story in Mandarin, then we break it down sentence by sentence with English translation and tips.We’ll also review two useful grammar points:👉 “然后” (ránhòu) – then👉 “一边…一边…” (yìbiān... yìbiān...) – doing two things at the same timeFeel free to pause and repeat as you listen.🌿 Slow mornings are for coffee, quiet time, and… a little Mandarin.🔍 Check the episode description for all key vocabulary and grammar with English, Pinyin, and Chinese characters!我早上五点起床。I get up at 5 a.m.然后先喝一杯柠檬蜂蜜水。Then I drink a cup of lemon honey water to start the day.我用多邻国学习二十分钟的法语。I study French on Duolingo for 20 minutes.然后我做二十分钟的瑜伽。Then I do 20 minutes of yoga.有时候会时间长一点，但不能超过六点二十分。Sometimes I do it a bit longer, but it must not go past 6:20.然后我开始学习法语的语法。Then I begin studying French grammar.我有一本法语书，每天早上学习一个单元，每周学习三次。I have a French textbook. I study one unit each morning, three times a week.我大概学习一个小时左右。I usually study for about one hour.然后我一边听音乐，一边洗澡，化妆，需要三十分钟。Then I shower and put on makeup while listening to music. It takes about 30 minutes.👉 Grammar highlight: “一边……一边……” = doing two actions at the same time早上八点，我会做一杯咖啡。At 8 a.m., I make myself a coffee.冬天喝热咖啡，夏天喝冰咖啡。I drink hot coffee in winter, iced coffee in summer.我喜欢美式，加一点点椰奶。I like Americano with just a splash of coconut milk.我一边喝咖啡，一边写今天的日记，大约二十分钟。I write in my journal while drinking coffee, for about 20 minutes.然后我会用十分钟检查今天的日程，然后开始一天的工作。Then I take 10 minutes to review my to-do list and begin the workday.

🚀 Love learning Mandarin like this? Let’s level up together!Join my 1-on-1 Mandarin classes on Preply — personalized, fun, and built around real-life topics like food, travel, culture, and daily life. 💬🎒🥟🎉 New students get 30% OFF your first class!👉 Click here to book & save 30%Or check out my full profile:👉 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664Let’s make Mandarin your favorite part of the day. 🌞🎧What’s the first thing you do in the morning? 🌅 Do you hit snooze, go for a run, or grab your favorite matcha? In this episode, we’ll learn how to talk about your daily morning routine in Mandarin – from brushing your teeth to drinking lemon water 🍋☕.You’ll learn essential HSK1–2 vocabulary, an easy sentence structure using time and action words, and practice real-life examples like “I get up at 7” or “I drink coffee while checking my phone.”Whether your mornings are calm or chaotic, let’s build your Mandarin morning routine together!✨ Don’t forget: On Thursday’s Mandarin episode, I’ll share my full morning routine using the words from today — perfect for review and listening practice![Grammar of the Day] – Time + Actions + Linking WordsIn Mandarin, a very useful structure is:👉 Subject + Time + Verb + ObjectUse these connectors:以后 (yǐ hòu) – after然后 (rán hòu) – then最后 (zuì hòu) – finally一边…一边… (yì biān… yì biān…) – doing two things at onceLet’s try an example:我早上七点起床。然后，我刷牙。I get up at 7 a.m. Then, I brush my teeth.起床以后，我喝一杯柠檬水。After getting up, I drink a glass of lemon water.最后，我出门去上班。Finally, I go out to work.[Vocabulary Time]Let’s go through the core morning routine words with easy examples:🛏️ 起床 – qǐ chuáng – get up我每天六点半起床。I get up at 6:30 every day.🪥 刷牙 – shuā yá – brush teeth起床以后我刷牙。After getting up, I brush my teeth.🚿 洗脸 – xǐ liǎn – wash face然后我洗脸。Then I wash my face.👕 穿衣服 – chuān yī fu – get dressed我穿衣服以后吃早饭。I get dressed, then eat breakfast.🍳 吃早饭 – chī zǎo fàn – eat breakfast我喜欢吃鸡蛋和水果。I like eating eggs and fruit.☕ 喝咖啡 – hē kā fēi – drink coffee我每天都要喝一杯咖啡。I need a cup of coffee every day.🍵 喝抹茶 – hē mǒ chá – drink matcha我不喝咖啡，我喝抹茶。I don’t drink coffee, I drink matcha.🍋 喝柠檬水 – hē níng méng shuǐ – drink lemon water我早上喝柠檬水，加一点姜。In the morning, I drink lemon water with a bit of ginger.🏃 跑步 – pǎo bù – run / go jogging他每天早上跑步三十分钟。He runs for 30 minutes every morning.🧘 冥想 – míng xiǎng – meditate我喜欢冥想五分钟。I like to meditate for five minutes.🪞 照镜子 – zhào jìng zi – look in the mirror她每天照镜子化妆。She looks in the mirror and does her makeup every day.🚪 出门 – chū mén – go out八点我出门。I leave at 8 o’clock.🏢 上班 – shàng bān – go to work我坐地铁去上班。I take the metro to work.[Bonus Sentences & Practice]我一边吃早饭，一边看手机。I check my phone while eating breakfast.我喜欢早上安静的时间。I enjoy quiet time in the morning.我每天做一样的事。I do the same thing every day.✅ With Linking Words: 以后 / 然后 / 最后起床以后，我刷牙，然后喝一杯柠檬水。After getting up, I brush my teeth, then drink a glass of lemon water.我每天七点起床，然后去跑步三十分钟。I get up at 7 a.m. every day, then go for a 30-minute run.冥想以后，我洗脸，最后喝一杯抹茶。After meditating, I wash my face, and finally drink a cup of matcha.我穿衣服以后，吃早饭，然后出门上班。After getting dressed, I eat breakfast, then leave for work.刷牙以后，我坐在阳台喝咖啡。After brushing my teeth, I sit on the balcony and drink coffee.我一边吃早饭，一边看手机。I eat breakfast while checking my phone.他一边喝抹茶，一边听音乐。He drinks matcha while listening to music.我妈妈一边做早饭，一边看新闻。My mom cooks breakfast while watching the news.我每天早上七点半起床，然后去洗澡。I get up at 7:30 every morning, then take a shower.有时候我早上不吃早饭，只喝一杯柠檬水。Sometimes I don’t eat breakfast in the morning, I just drink lemon water.✅ With Grammar: 一边…一边… (do two things at the same time)✅ With Time Words: 每天 / 早上 / 有时候

🍹 Summer is here—and it’s getting toasty! In this chilled-out episode of Little Mandarin, we’re diving into everyone’s favorite summer boozy beverages, from beer and plum wine to rosé and sparkling cocktails. Learn how to say them in Mandarin, discover cultural drinking habits in China, and pick up fun vocabulary along the way (no hangover, promise!). This episode is explained in English—perfect for beginners and curious drinkers. 干杯！Cheers! 🥂📚 Grammar of the Day:“最……的之一” – one of the most…Use this to express favorites or top picks.🧾 Example Sentences:啤酒是我夏天最喜欢的酒水之一。Beer is one of my favorite summer drinks.法国是我最想去的国家之一。France is one of the countries I most want to visit.🧃 Key Vocabulary List (with pinyin + examples):啤酒 (píjiǔ) – beer我爸最喜欢喝啤酒。My dad loves drinking beer.鸡尾酒 (jīwěijiǔ) – cocktail这家店的鸡尾酒超好喝！The cocktails at this place are amazing!白葡萄酒 (bái pútaojiǔ) – white wine夏天喝白葡萄酒很清爽。Drinking white wine in summer feels refreshing.红葡萄酒 (hóng pútaojiǔ) – red wine我不太喜欢红葡萄酒。I don’t really like red wine.玫瑰红葡萄酒 / 粉红葡萄酒 (méiguīhóng / fěnhóng pútaojiǔ) – rosé wine她点了一杯粉红葡萄酒。She ordered a glass of rosé wine.香槟 (xiāngbīn) – champagne我们开香槟庆祝她的生日。We popped champagne to celebrate her birthday.梅子酒 (méizǐjiǔ) – plum wine梅子酒喝起来甜甜的。Plum wine tastes sweet.气泡酒 (qìpàojiǔ) – sparkling wine你喜欢喝气泡酒吗？Do you like drinking sparkling wine?柚子高球 (yòuzi gāoqiú) – yuzu highball我朋友点了一杯柚子高球。My friend ordered a yuzu highball.微醺 (wēixūn) – slightly tipsy我现在有点微醺，感觉刚刚好。I’m slightly tipsy now—it feels just right.清爽 (qīngshuǎng) – refreshing这个鸡尾酒味道很清爽。This cocktail tastes very refreshing.干杯 (gānbēi) – cheers来，干杯！夏天快乐！Come on, cheers! Happy summer!烧烤 (shāokǎo) – BBQ晚上吃烧烤配啤酒真的太爽了。BBQ with beer at night is the best.苏打水 (sūdáshuǐ) – soda water / sparkling water有时候我也只喝苏打水。Sometimes I just drink soda water too.冰块 (bīngkuài) – ice cubes帮我多加点冰块。Add more ice cubes for me, please.🗣️ Short DialogueA: 今晚你想喝点什么？What do you want to drink tonight?B: 我想喝点清爽的～来一杯玫瑰红葡萄酒？I want something refreshing. How about a glass of rosé?A: 好啊，我也想微醺一下～Sure! I want to get a little tipsy too.

☀️ Summer is here — and so is your iced latte, bubble tea, or smoothie! In this fun and refreshing episode of Little Mandarin, we’ll learn how to talk about your favourite drinks in Mandarin: from milk tea to soda, iced coffee to fruit juice. You’ll get to know useful vocabulary, everyday sentences, and one easy grammar pattern to help you say what you love to drink.Whether you’re a coffee fan or a smoothie lover — let’s toast to learning Mandarin together! 🧋🍹🎙️ Don’t forget to check out Thursday’s episode where we talk about summer alcohol drinks — and yes, it’ll have English explanations too, so beginners can join the fun! 🍺🧃 You can check today’s key vocabulary and key grammar in the description directly. It will help you to review.Grammar of the DayLet’s learn how to ask and answer that question.你喜欢喝什么？nǐ xǐhuān hē shénme?What do you like to drink?Let’s break it down:你 (nǐ) – you喜欢 (xǐhuān) – to like喝 (hē) – to drink什么 (shénme) – whatOther examples:我喜欢喝茶。I like to drink tea.我不喜欢喝咖啡。I don’t like to drink coffee.To express your favorite, we use:最 (zuì) – the most我最喜欢喝可乐。My favorite thing to drink is cola.You can also say:我更喜欢喝水。I prefer drinking water.Vocabulary TimeLet’s learn some easy drink vocabulary in Mandarin!水 (shuǐ) – water茶 (chá) – tea咖啡 (kāfēi) – coffee冰咖啡 (bīng kāfēi) – iced coffee可乐 (kělè) – soda / cola奶茶 (nǎichá) – milk tea果汁 (guǒzhī) – juice奶昔 (nǎixī) – smoothie / milkshake牛奶 (niúnǎi) – milk冰的 (bīng de) – iced热的 (rè de) – hot🎯 Example Sentences我想喝果汁。I want to drink juice.我每天早上喝咖啡。I drink coffee every morning.我不喝可乐。I don’t drink soda.你喜欢喝热的还是冰的？Do you like hot or iced?我要一杯冰奶茶。I want a cup of iced milk tea.夏天我最喜欢喝奶昔。In summer, I love drinking smoothies.Mini ConversationA: 你要喝什么？nǐ yào hē shénme?What do you want to drink?B: 我要一杯热咖啡。你呢？wǒ yào yì bēi rè kāfēi. nǐ ne?I want a cup of hot coffee. And you?A: 我最喜欢奶茶，我每天都喝！wǒ zuì xǐhuān nǎichá, wǒ měitiān dōu hē!I love milk tea. I drink it every day!Try this with a friend or record yourself!

Feeling confident with your Mandarin… until you hear teens talking and suddenly feel like a tourist in your own vocabulary? 😅 In this episode, we break down the hilarious, emotional, and expressive slang that young people actually use — from “发疯文学” to “嘴替” and “搭子.”You’ll hear real examples, fun comparisons with textbook Chinese, and small dialogues to help you actually sound like someone who lives in Mandarin — not just studies it.📖 vs 🧃Textbook says: “I’m tired.”Real life says: “我快炸了！” (I’m about to explode.)✨ Don’t miss this fun and practical breakdown of slang you’ll never learn in class — but absolutely need in real life.🔑 Vocabulary and grammar in the description.🗓️ And don’t miss Tuesday’s episode: “Talk Like a Teen.”Let’s start with a simple greeting.📖 Textbook Chinese:你好。nǐ hǎo – Hello.我很高兴认识你。wǒ hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ – I’m happy to meet you.🧃 Real-Life Teen Talk:哟，你来啦？yō, nǐ lái la? – Yo, you showed up!你也太社恐了吧！nǐ yě tài shè kǒng le ba! – You’re soooo socially awkward (playfully teasing).“你好” is too formal in real life. If you use it too seriously, people might think you’re either joking… or working in customer service.What the textbook says… vs. what young people actually say📖 Textbook🧃 Real-Life SlangExplanation你想做什么？– What do you want to do?咋整？– What’s the move? / What now?Super casual, usually when people are bored or indecisive.他生气了 – He’s angry他要发疯了 / 他有点离谱 – He’s about to lose it / He’s ridiculousAdds drama or judgment to make it funnier.我很忙 – I’m busy我快炸了 / 排满到明年 – I’m about to explode / Booked till next yearMakes “busy” sound more chaotic and relatable.不好意思 – Sorry / Excuse me社死了 – I died socially / 笑死我了 – I’m dead (from embarrassment)Expresses how awkward it felt, not just saying “sorry.”我不确定 – I’m not sure我脑子没转过来 / 我大脑宕机 – My brain’s lagging / I can’t processExpresses confusion in a tech-humor kind of way.我不喜欢 – I don’t like it有点下头 / 不行我拒绝 – It’s a turnoff / Nope, I reject thisMore emotionally charged and performative.我很尴尬 – I’m embarrassed太社死了 / 我要瞬移 – This is social death / I want to teleport awayVery visual and expressive!我很困 – I’m sleepy我要直接睡死 / 睡觉保命 – I’ll just pass out / Sleeping to surviveHyperbole to the rescue.没关系 – It’s okay / No problem好家伙 / 笑死 / 我裂开 – “Whoa”, “I’m dying (laughing)”, “I cracked”Often used to brush things off or react with humor.加油 – You can do it!冲！ / 搞起来！– Go for it! / Let’s get it!These are like Chinese hype phrases – full of energy and online vibes.真的吗？– Really?啥玩意儿？/ 不会吧？– What the heck? / No way?Adds surprise or disbelief in a more expressive way.

Are you tired of learning Mandarin only from textbooks? 😩In this episode, we dive into real-life teen slang that Chinese young people use every day — online and in person. From phrases like emo to yyds, we’ll show you how to speak the way people actually talk.Perfect for anyone who wants to sound native, relaxed, and cool 😎📚 Spoiler: “我很高兴认识你” is not how teens greet each other.✨ Stay tuned for Thursday’s episode, where we’ll compare more textbook expressions with the real slang used in daily life. You don’t want to miss it!🧠 Grammar of the DayStructure: 有点 + adjective / nounUsed to express subtle feelings, emotions, or add a soft/casual tone.🧾 Examples:今天有点累。I’m a bit tired today.他讲话有点怪。He talks kind of weird.这首歌有点上头。This song is kind of addictive.我最近有点emo。I’ve been feeling kinda down lately.💬 Key Vocabulary & Sentence Examples1. 上头 – shàng tóu – addictive / gets into your head这剧太上头了，我停不下来！This drama is so addictive, I can’t stop watching!2. emo – feeling down / depressed最近工作太累了，我有点emo。Work’s been exhausting — I feel kinda emo.3. yyds – 永远的神 – the GOAT / forever idol王一博跳舞是yyds！Wang Yibo’s dancing is GOAT-level!4. 内卷 – nèi juǎn – toxic competition / overworking我们公司好内卷，晚上10点都还在加班。Our company is so toxic — people are still working at 10pm.5. 搭子 – dā zi – buddy for a specific activity谁是我今天的奶茶搭子？Who’s my bubble tea buddy today?6. 发疯 – fā fēng – go crazy / emotionally collapse我明天要交五份作业，我快发疯了！I have five assignments due tomorrow — I’m about to lose it!7. 工具人 – gōng jù rén – someone being used他对你根本没感情，你只是他的工具人。He doesn’t care about you — you’re just someone he uses.8. 笑死我了 – xiào sǐ wǒ le – LOL / dying of laughter你讲的笑话真的笑死我了。Your joke totally killed me — I’m dying!9. 绝绝子 – jué jué zǐ – iconic / amazing / slay你这穿搭，绝绝子！Your outfit is iconic!10. 好家伙 – hǎo jiā huo – whoa / wow / damn好家伙，这手机要一万块？Whoa — this phone costs 10,000 yuan?!

Why is red such a big deal in Chinese culture? ❤️In this episode, we’ll explore what red really means in daily life—from lucky socks to major taboos.You’ll learn when you should wear red… and when you really shouldn’t.🎧 A great chance to boost your Mandarin listening with cultural tips, useful expressions, and real-life stories.你知道红色在中文世界里代表什么吗？🔴为什么过年、结婚要穿红色？为什么本命年要戴红腰带？但也有一些场合，红色是绝对不能穿的！本期播客带你了解红色背后的文化意义，教你什么时候穿红色最吉利，什么时候穿红色会“踩雷”。适合中高级学习者的中文听力练习，内容轻松有趣，也包含实用词汇和语法讲解📚📚Grammar of the Day: “最好 + verb” = It’s best to… / You’d better…A useful structure to give advice or polite warnings.It appears in many situations involving cultural rules or etiquette—just like our red color discussion!Example sentences:重要场合你最好不要穿红色。It’s best not to wear red on formal occasions.你本命年，最好戴一个红色的饰品。It’s best to wear something red in your zodiac year.去医院探病，最好不要送红花。You’d better not bring red flowers when visiting someone in the hospital.🧧Key Vocabulary List with Examples1. 红色 – red我最喜欢穿红色，因为很显气色。I love wearing red because it brightens my complexion.2. 本命年 – one’s zodiac year of birth她今年本命年，所以她穿红色袜子转运。She’s in her zodiac year, so she wears red socks for good luck.3. 喜庆 – festive, joyful结婚是很喜庆的事情，当然要穿红色。Weddings are festive, so of course you wear red.4. 避讳 – taboo; to avoid在中国文化里，穿红衣参加葬礼是大忌，要避讳。In Chinese culture, wearing red at a funeral is a major taboo.5. 寓意 – implied meaning, symbolism红包的寓意是祝你新年发财。The red envelope symbolizes wishes for prosperity in the new year.6. 吉利 – lucky; auspicious红色是一种很吉利的颜色，特别是在节日里。Red is considered a very lucky color, especially during festivals.7. 禁忌 – taboo你知道在中国有哪些颜色的禁忌吗？Do you know which colors are taboo in China?