Podcasts about learning chinese

主播：Flora（中国）+ 梅莉（法国） 音乐：Apple And Cinnamon最近，年度史诗级大片（epic blockbuster）《奥德赛》（The Odyssey）终于上映了（hit theaters）。不过，电影上映之后，一些网友却表示：“画面确实很震撼……但是剧情看得有点懵？”其实，不光是中国观众会有这种感觉，甚至一些英语母语者（English speaker）也觉得《奥德赛》有点难懂（find it confusing）。所以这期节目，我们没有 spoilers（剧透）电影，而是先给大家补充几个非常重要的背景。知道这些之后，再去看电影，很多原本让人一头雾水的地方，可能就会突然变得清晰起来。01. The Odyssey Wasn't Originally a Movie 《奥德赛》最初根本不是一部电影看《奥德赛》之前，首先要知道一件事：《奥德赛》最初既不是电影，也不是小说，而是一部 ancient Greek epic poem（古希腊史诗）。这部作品大约三千年前诞生，传统上被认为是( be traditionally attributed to )由古希腊诗人Homer（荷马）创作的。它也是今天依然被人们阅读的最古老的故事之一。而对于很多西方人来说，《奥德赛》并不是一部“突然出现的电影”，而是从小就听过、学过的经典故事。很多西方国家的孩子在学校里都会接触Homer以及《奥德赛》。这一点，其实很像中国孩子从小就会接触《西游记》。所以，当电影里出现Odysseus、Athena或者其他人物时，很多西方观众可能根本不需要电影重新介绍他们。They already know who they are（他们早就知道这些人物是谁了）。而这也正是一些中国观众看《奥德赛》时容易产生“信息差”的地方。02. Greek Mythology Is Everywhere 希腊神话，其实就在我们身边《奥德赛》背后的整个世界，都建立在一个非常重要的文化体系之上：Greek mythology（希腊神话）。这可不是一个只有《奥德赛》才会出现的东西。Greek mythology is everywhere in Western culture——books, movies, video games, even company names（书籍、电影、电子游戏，甚至公司名称）。《奥德赛》中会出现gods（众神）、goddesses（女神）、Titans（泰坦）、Cyclopes（独眼巨人）、Sirens（海妖），以及各种各样的神话生物和怪物。对于很多西方孩子来说，已经是文化常识(general knowledge)了。比如大家非常熟悉的运动品牌Nike，其实就来自希腊神话中的Nike——the goddess of victory（胜利女神）。再比如，我们英语里说的“地图册”是atlas。这个词同样来自希腊神话：Atlas是一个被惩罚、必须永远扛着天空的Titan（泰坦巨人）。所以，当你在英语世界里看到一些看似普通的单词、品牌名称或者文学表达（literary expressions）时，它们背后有时候藏着的，可能就是几千年前的希腊神话。所以，真正看懂《奥德赛》，有时候并不只是看懂剧情，而是要先打开这扇通往Greek mythology（希腊神话）的大门。03. Why Is It Called “Odyssey”? “Odyssey”为什么成了英语单词？除了是一部史诗的名字，odyssey这个词本身也已经进入了英语词典，成为了一个我们今天依然会使用的普通英语单词。它通常指的是：A long journey full of challenges and adventures（一次充满挑战和冒险的漫长旅程）。不过，odyssey和普通的journey（旅程）还是不太一样。Not every trip is an odyssey. An odyssey changes you.一次普通的旅行可能只是从A地去B地，但一段真正的odyssey，往往意味着你在这段旅程中经历了困难、挑战和意想不到的事情，最终也因此成为了一个不一样的人。所以，我们完全可以把这个词用在现实生活中。比如：Learning Chinese has been quite an odyssey.学习中文，就是一段漫长而充满挑战的旅程。又或者：Starting a business is an odyssey.创业，也可能是一场充满挑战的人生旅程。所以，当英语母语者听到odyssey这个词时，他们想到的往往不只是“旅行”，而是一段transformative journey（改变一个人的旅程）。而这其实也正是《奥德赛》这个故事最核心的含义之一：Odysseus经历的从来不只是一场漫长的旅途，他在这段旅程中不断面对危险、诱惑和选择，也在一次次经历中发生改变。04. Why Does The Odyssey Feel So Hard to Understand? 为什么很多人会觉得《奥德赛》难懂？很多人觉得《奥德赛》不好懂，还有一个非常重要的原因——里面出现的大量人物和生物，对很多中国观众来说可能非常陌生（unfamiliar）。但对西方观众来说，他们早就知道这些角色来自哪里。The Odyssey is not a superhero movie. It's based on Greek mythology(希腊神话).所以电影里的很多人物，并不是一个个突然出现的陌生角色，而是来自一个庞大的神话体系。比如：gods（众神）,goddesses（女神）,Titans（泰坦）,Cyclopes（独眼巨人）,Sirens（海妖）,以及各种各样的神话生物和怪物。而这也意味着，《奥德赛》里有很多情节，如果不了解这些文化背景(cultural background)，就很容易觉得：“这个人为什么突然出现？他为什么这么生气？他们为什么这么怕这个神？”但如果你知道这些人物背后的故事，就会发现，电影里的很多冲突其实都有自己的文化逻辑（Cultural Logic）。接下来，我们就来看看《奥德赛》里一个非常重要、却很容易被忽略的规则——Xenia。这个词甚至可以说是理解很多剧情的关键。05. Zeus' Law: The Most Important Rule “宙斯法则”到底是什么？如果说《奥德赛》里的怪物和冒险构成了故事的表面，那么rules（规则）则是理解这个故事非常重要的一层。其中有一条规则，我们可能第一次听说：Xenia。Xenia可以理解为Guest friendship（宾客之谊），也就是古希腊非常重要的sacred hospitality（神圣的待客之道）。在古希腊，陌生人来到你家，并不是简单地“客气一下”就够了，而应以神圣之礼相待 （be considered sacred），一个陌生人来到家中，主人应该先给他食物，让他休息、照顾好他，然后再询问：“你是谁？从哪里来？”也就是说，hospitality（待客之道）并不只是good manners（礼貌），而是一种神圣的责任。那么，为什么大家都必须遵守这套规则呢？因为在古希腊人的观念中，你根本不知道眼前这个陌生人是谁。Anyone could be sent by Zeus.也许他就是宙斯派来的客人。所以，如果你不好好招待客人，不仅仅是“没礼貌”，甚至可能是在冒犯（offend）众神之王。因此，这套规则有时也会被理解为Zeus's law（宙斯法则）。这也是为什么《奥德赛》里有一些冲突，看起来可能只是“主人为什么不让客人进来”“为什么一定要好好招待陌生人”，但放在古希腊文化背景中，这些行为的意义完全不一样。所以，下次再看《奥德赛》时，如果发现人物突然强调“客人”“招待”“食物”“庇护”这些事情，就要意识到：这背后可能不只是待客礼仪，而是Xenia在发挥作用。06. The Trojan Horse 特洛伊木马为什么这么有名？说到《奥德赛》背后的故事，还有一个几乎所有人都听过的名字：The Trojan Horse（特洛伊木马）。即使没有读过Greek mythology，很多人也听过这个故事。希腊人长期无法攻下特洛伊城，于是假装撤退（retreat），留下了一匹巨大的木马。特洛伊人以为这是希腊人留下的礼物，于是把木马搬进了城。然而到了晚上，躲在木马里的士兵偷偷出来，打开城门，最终帮助希腊人攻陷了特洛伊。这个故事之所以流传至今，是因为Trojan Horse早已经不只是一个神话故事，而成为了英语里的一个固定表达。如今，“特洛伊木马”一词指一种隐藏在看似无害（harmless）之物内部的危险事物。也就是说，某个东西表面上看起来完全无害，甚至像一份礼物，但里面却隐藏着危险，我们就可以把它比作一个Trojan Horse。最常见的例子可能就是电脑里的“木马病毒”。英语里直接叫：Trojan。因为这种恶意软件往往会伪装成正常的软件或文件，先骗你打开，然后偷偷进入电脑。所以，当你听到有人说：It's a Trojan Horse.他可能说的根本不是一匹木马，而是在提醒你：Be careful—there's something dangerous hiding inside.（小心，里面可能藏着危险。）07. The Monsters Aren't Really Monsters 怪物其实不只是怪物《奥德赛》里有大量令人印象深刻的怪物，但有意思的是，它们在故事中的作用，并不只是“制造恐怖”。这些怪物并非真正意义上的“怪物”，它们实则为某种象征（symbols)也就是说，这些怪物往往代表着人类面对的某种欲望、弱点或者困境。Cyclops 独眼巨人：野蛮与文明的冲突。首先是非常经典的Cyclops（独眼巨人）。在故事里，Cyclops当然是一个只有一只眼睛的巨大怪物，但它所代表的远不止外表。它象征着brutality（野蛮）、selfishness（自私），以及对文明规则（rules of civilization）的拒绝。Sirens 海妖：最危险的东西，有时恰恰最诱人另一个大家非常熟悉的角色是Sirens（海妖）。海妖最有名的就是迷人的歌声。她们不会拿着武器追杀你，而是用美妙的歌声让你主动走向危险。所以：真正危险的东西，有时候并不是因为它看起来可怕，而恰恰是因为它太tempting（诱人）了。所以在现代英语和文化中，人们有时也会用siren或者siren song来形容一种让人难以抗拒、却可能带来危险的诱惑。甚至有人会把现代社会中的social media（社交媒体）比作Sirens：Social media is like the Sirens—always calling for your attention, always tempting you to keep scrolling (诱惑你耍手机).不得不说，这个比喻放到今天实在太贴切了。你本来只想刷五分钟，结果一个视频接着一个视频，最后根本停不下来。Scylla & Charybdis：左右都是危险除了Cyclops和Sirens，《奥德赛》里还有一对非常有名的危险：Scylla and Charybdis。一个是可怕的海怪，另一个则是危险的漩涡。更麻烦的是，你往往很难同时避开它们。正如故事中的情况：避开（Avoid）其中一个，但却直接驶向另一个。所以英语里后来就有了一个非常有意思的表达：Between Scylla and Charybdis用来形容一种左右都是危险、进退两难的处境。这和我们中文里的“两害相权取其轻”有一点相似——当两种选择都存在风险时，你只能权衡之后，选择损失相对较小的那个。所以，《奥德赛》里的这些怪物，其实并不只是故事里的“怪兽”。它们也可以被看作人类在漫长人生旅途中不断遇到的各种困难：brutality、temptation、fear、difficult choices……而这也让《奥德赛》的故事在几千年之后，依然能够被现代人理解。08. What Is The Odyssey Really About? 《奥德赛》真正讲的是什么？很多人第一次听到《奥德赛》的故事，可能会觉得：这不就是一个充满怪物、战争和冒险的故事吗？但如果真正理解了这个故事，你会发现，《奥德赛》并非讲述冒险（adventures）的故事——它实则是在讲述寻找归途的故事。奥德修斯（Odysseus）经历了战争、怪物、风暴、诱惑和背叛，面对过无数危险。但无论经历什么，他真正想做的事情其实始终没有改变：He wants to go home.这里的home也不只是一个地理意义上的“家”。它代表的是他真正想回去的地方，以及他想重新找回的生活、身份和人与人之间的连接。所以，The Odyssey isn't about finding a new world. It's about finding your way home.这句话其实非常适合用来理解整部作品。而有意思的是，三千年过去了，odyssey这个词依然活跃在现代英语里。因为我们每个人的人生，也都可能经历属于自己的odyssey。有人经历一段漫长的求学之旅，有人经历创业，有人离开家乡去陌生的城市生活，也有人在人生低谷之后重新找到自己的方向。这些经历都不只是简单的journeys（旅程）。They change you.这或许也是《奥德赛》能够流传近三千年的原因，并非因为其中的怪物（monsters），也非因为那些战役（battles），而是因为每个人都能感受到在最终找到归宿之前，经历一段漫长旅程的感觉。我们可能没有遇到Cyclops，没有被Sirens诱惑，也没有在海上漂泊十年，但我们每个人都可能经历一段漫长而充满挑战的旅程。而当我们最终回头看的时候，也许才会发现：The journey changed us.这才是odyssey这个词真正迷人的地方——它不仅是一段旅程，更是一段让你在经历之后，成为另一个自己的旅程。如果最近你准备去看《奥德赛》，希望今天这些背景知识，能够帮助你更好地理解电影。以后当我们再次听到odyssey这个词时，它就不仅仅是一部三千年前的史诗，也不仅仅是一部电影，而可以代表每一个人生命中那段充满挑战、成长和寻找自我的旅程。So, what's been the biggest odyssey in your own life?欢迎大家在评论区留言，分享你人生中经历过的那一段属于自己的Odyssey。

90% of an iceberg is underwater, yet we mostly pay attention to the bit that sticks up. The same is true for proficiency in Chinese: speaking ability is easy to see, but relies on a much larger system underneath.#learnchinese #speaking #input #icebergLink to the article this podcast episode is based on: The Chinese iceberg: Why speaking more isn't enough to speak better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-chinese-iceberg-why-speaking-more-isnt-enough-to-speak-better/The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation/Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-inputHow to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-mandarin-speaking-skills-with-a-tutor/Get to know your Chinese voice to level up your speaking ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/know-your-chinese-voice/Focusing on tone pairs to improve your Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/focusing-on-tone-pairs-to-improve-your-mandarin-pronunciation/The art of being corrected: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/Chengyu, a key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way/Don't learn Mandarin pronunciation by reading, listen and mimic instead: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-learn-mandarin-pronunciation-by-reading/How learning some basic theory can improve your pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-learning-some-basic-theory-can-improve-your-pronunciation/Chinese tones explained: The four Mandarin tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

What happens when a childhood choice turns into a life-changing career change?In this episode, Jared talks with Jake Hines, an Australian content creator based in Xiamen, China, whose Chinese learning journey began in high school thanks to a nudge from his mom. After years working as an engineering project manager, Jake left his stable career during COVID to pursue a very different path: traveling through China, creating videos, and rebuilding his life around the language he had once studied as a teenager.Jake shares how early trips to Nanjing sparked his fascination with Chinese, why he sees language learning as a form of “Type II Fun,” and how the challenge of Mandarin became part of its appeal. He also explains how creating Chinese-language content has become one of his most powerful learning tools. From filming conversations with locals to translating, subtitling, and editing the same footage over and over, Jake discovered that video creation can turn real-world Chinese into deeply memorable comprehensible input.The conversation also explores Jake's experiences studying at Xiamen University, making friends through Chinese, learning through graded readers and podcasts, and building a media career in China. He shares the story of winning an award for a video about Dehua porcelain and being flown to Beijing to speak on a live panel in Chinese.Jake's practical advice: find a personal project that makes Chinese useful, consume content you genuinely enjoy, talk to yourself in Chinese, and embrace mistakes as part of the process. As Jake's shirt says: 问题不大, no big problem.Links from the episode:The Journey of Jake | YouTube, Instagram, 小红书Mandarin Companion Graded Readers

Technology can make learning Chinese easier, but only if it helps you engage more with the language. Used poorly, the same tools can get in the way of learning instead of supporting it.#learnchinese #technology #traps #aiLink to the article this podcast episode is based on: How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier/How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easierAnalysis paralysis and learning Chinese: When thinking too much holds you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analysis-paralysis-choosing-method-becomes-problemHow going shopping can help you learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/going-shopping-can-help-learn-chineseChinese subtitles and transcripts: Reading before, while or after listening: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-subtitles-and-transcripts-reading-before-while-or-after-listeningIs it necessary to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-handChinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-studentsThe new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-readingHow to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-past-the-intermediate-chinese-learning-plateauSpaced repetition software and why you should use it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-softwareSeeing through the illusion of advanced Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-illusion-of-advanced-learning-and-what-to-do-about-itEffective progress or experience points? The double-edged sword of measuring your Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/measurable-progress-is-a-double-edged-swordMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Technology can make learning Chinese easier, not by doing the learning for you, but by helping you spend more time on what actually matters: listening, reading and communicating in Chinese.#learnchinese #technology #ai #benefitsLink to the article this podcast episode is based on: How technology can make learning Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/technology-makes-learning-chinese-easier/The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learnersThe 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advancedLearning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-inputThe best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chineseHow to use YouTube and other video platforms to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-use-youtube-and-other-video-platforms-to-learn-chinese8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learningChinese listening, fast and slow: Three ways of slowing down Mandarin speech: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-fast-and-slow-three-ways-of-slowing-down-mandarin-speechImmersion at home or: Why you don't have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroadUsing voice messaging as a stepping stone to Chinese conversations: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-voice-messaging-practise-speaking-listening8 tips and tricks for introverts learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-as-an-introverted-studentUsing AI chatbots for low-stress Mandarin speaking practice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-ai-chatbots-for-low-stress-mandarin-speaking-practiceHow to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacherHow to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-mandarin-tutor-for-you-a-complete-guideThe new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-readingChinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Podcasts let you create your own Chinese immersion experience, with level-appropriate stories and authentic conversations. Learn flexibly on the go with the best podcasts for beginners, intermediate and advanced students!#learnchinese #podcasts #listening #beginner #intermediate #advanced Link to article: The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/Learning Chinese through audiobooks: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-through-audio-books/The best free Chinese listening practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 1: A guide to Chinese listening comprehension: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-1-a-guide-to-chinese-listening-comprehension/Make sure listening isn't a practical problem: https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chineseMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Learning Mandarin pronunciation is not easy, so some people try to use English words to learn or teach the sounds. This is a really bad idea.#learnchinese #pronunciation #english #soundsLink to article on Hacking Chinese: Why learning Chinese pronunciation by using English words is a really bad idea: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-learning-chinese-pronunciation-by-using-english-words-is-a-really-bad-ideaHacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarinLearning to pronounce Mandarin with Pinyin, Zhuyin and IPA: Part 3: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-pronounce-mandarin-with-pinyin-zhuyin-and-ipa-part-3A guide to Pinyin traps and pitfalls: Learning Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-guide-to-pinyin-traps-and-pitfallsImproving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chineseHow learning some basic theory can improve your Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-learning-some-basic-theory-can-improve-your-pronunciation24 great resources for improving your Mandarin pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/24-great-resources-for-improving-your-mandarin-pronunciationMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

The best time to start learning Chinese might be behind you, but the second-best time is now. If you've been surrounded by Mandarin for years and keep putting off learning the language, this guide is for you!#learnchinese #expat #china #bubble #immersionLink to article on Hacking Chinese: The best time to start learning Chinese is now: A guide for expats: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-time-to-start-learning-chinese-is-now-a-guide-for-expats/You won't learn Chinese simply by living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroadLearning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-inputHabit hacking for language learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/habit-hacking-for-language-learnersThe 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learnersThe 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/Beginner Chinese listening practice what to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-howChinese reading practice for beginners: 7 resources to improve your Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginnersYou shouldn't walk the road to Chinese fluency alone: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-shouldnt-walk-the-road-to-chinese-fluency-aloneHow to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacherHow to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-mandarin-tutor-for-you-a-complete-guideHow to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivationA practical guide to your ideal Mandarin self: Build motivation that lasts: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-practical-guide-to-your-ideal-mandarin-self-build-motivation-that-lastsThe forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chineseMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

When learning a foreign language, some things might appear weird or even stupid. But does a negative attitude towards Chinese make it harder to learn? And if it does, how can you adopt a more positive approach?#learnchinese #attitude #motivation #stupidLink to article on Hacking Chinese: Chinese is fascinating and exciting, not weird and stupid: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-is-fascinating-and-exciting-not-weird-and-stupid/How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivationA practical guide to your ideal Mandarin self: Build motivation that lasts: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-practical-guide-to-your-ideal-mandarin-self-build-motivation-that-lastsHow to learn to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin:https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-tones-in-mandarin/The three factors that determine how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/Have fun learning Chinese or else… https://www.hackingchinese.com/have-fun-or-else/How to learn Chinese characters: My best advice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/How to make Chinese easier by using mnemonics and memory techniques: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/Learning Chinese pronunciation as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-pronunciation-as-a-beginnerUnderstanding regionally accented Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin/Learning the third tone in  Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chineseMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Listening is the most important skill of all, because it accelerates all other learning and is crucial for social integration. What are the best free Chinese listening resources out there for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners?Link to article: ⁠⁠The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/⁠⁠#learnchinese #listening #resources #beginner #intermediate #advanced 7 ideas for smooth and effortless Chinese listening practice: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/⁠⁠The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/⁠⁠Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/⁠⁠Three factors that decide how much Chinese you learn: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/⁠⁠Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/⁠⁠How to become fluent in Chinese: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/⁠⁠How to adjust your Chinese listening to the right level: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/adjust-your-listening-practice-to-your-current-state-of-mind/⁠⁠The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/⁠⁠The time barrel: How to find more time to study Chinese: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-time-barrel-you-have-more-time-than-you-think/⁠⁠How to find more time to practise Chinese listening: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-more-time-to-practise-listening/⁠⁠Listen to this and other episodes on your favourite podcasting platform, including Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Google Podcast, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify and YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast⁠⁠More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found over at ⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

In this newbie lesson, you will hear one of the most common questions that you are asked as a Chinese learner: “Is learning Chinese difficult?” Your immediate response might be, “Yes, learning Chinese is VERY difficult!” But there's actually a better response to that question! Find out what it is as you join Lyn and Joe for this lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4266

How is it possible to spend 80 hours a week learning Chinese? And what can you learn from that, even if you're busy juggling work, family and other commitments?#learnchinese #immersion #busylifeLink to article on Hacking Chinese: Diversify how you study Chinese to learn more: https://www.hackingchinese.com/diversified-learning-is-smart-learning/Learning Chinese in the shower with me: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-in-the-shower-with-me/Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/Three factors that decide how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/Time quality: Studying the right thing at the right time: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/The time barrel: How to find more time to study Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-time-barrel-you-have-more-time-than-you-think/The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/Free and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-anki/Using memory aids and mnemonics to make Chinese easier: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/Immersion at home or: Why you don't have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad/The new paperless revolution in Chinese reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-new-paperless-revolution-in-chinese-reading/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

What began as a teenage crush became a lifelong journey into Chinese for Matthew McGuire, an Australian creator and accent coach. In this episode, Jared sits down with Matthew to discuss how he learned Mandarin without textbooks, grammar drills, or writing practice. Instead, he immersed himself in love dramas, shadowed dialogue, and built a Chinese-speaking social circle. Matthew shares how his curiosity and enjoyment guided him from impressing a girl from Sichuan to achieving real proficiency and forming meaningful friendships. He also explains how Chinese opened doors for him both personally and professionally, and why he believes language learning should be fun, intentional, and grounded in real-life use. For anyone feeling stuck in their studies or unsure of how to move forward, Matthew's story offers valuable perspective and inspiration.Links from the episode:Matthew McGuire on Instagram | @realozziemcguireChinese graded readers make an excellent gift! Head over to: https://www.mandarincompanion.comAllSet Learning has some amazing deals on lessons right now: https://www.allsetlearning.com

Everybody knows that knowing many words is important, but how important is it? And how should you expand your vocabulary in Chinese?#learnchinese #vocabulary #words #charactersLink to article on Hacking Chinese: Learning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/Anki, the best of spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/anki-a-friendly-intelligent-spaced-learning-systemAn introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learningSeeing through the illusion of advanced Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-illusion-of-advanced-learning-and-what-to-do-about-itWhen spaced repetition fails, and what to do about it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/when-spaced-repetition-fails-and-what-to-do-about-itFree and easy audio flashcards for Chinese dictation practice with Anki: https://www.hackingchinese.com/free-and-easy-audio-flashcards-for-chinese-dictation-practice-with-ankiReview: Mandarin Companion: Easy to read novels in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-mandarin-companion-easy-to-read-novels-in-chineseAn introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners8 great ways to scaffold your Chinese listening and reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/8-great-ways-scaffold-chinese-learningMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

In this episode, Jared sits down with Renata Mirkova, a Chinese language educator from the Czech Republic whose journey into Mandarin began not with a grand plan, but almost by accident. What started as a university entrance decision led her to master Chinese, live in China, and now teach both Czech and Chinese across cultural boundaries.Renata shares the unique challenges of learning Chinese in a non-English-speaking environment, including outdated textbooks from the 60s, Czech-Sinology programs steeped in history, and a lack of direct Chinese-to-Czech resources. But through her perseverance and multiple immersive experiences in China, Renata carved out her own path to fluency.From surviving the linguistic chaos of Sichuan dialects to interpreting for Czech officials on business trips in China, she offers candid reflections on what works for her, what didn't, and how learning Chinese changed her life. She also gives insight into her current work creating Chinese learning materials specifically for Czech speakers and what it's like teaching Czech to Chinese speakers in return.Links from the episode:Learn Chinese with Renata Mirkova | WebsiteMandarin Companion Graded Readers

Links:Read a blog by Lewys, the student I interviewed in Mandarin on the last episode, about his journey to conversational Mandarin in 12 months here: https://imlearningmandarin.com/2025/03/12/lewyss-6-month-transformation-to-conversational-mandarin-video/Learn more about my coaching programme here: https://imlearningmandarin.com/gym--So, over the past six months, I've been coaching Katharine, a busy working mom from Wales who wanted to learn Chinese to connect with her friends and help her son with his Chinese homework. And unlike most people who come to me for coaching, Catherine was starting from ground zero. She tried Duolingo for around a week, but quickly realized that she needed a more systematic approach that would actually enable her to reach her goals. So, Katharine has a demanding career. She's raising a family and she lives in the UK. Hey, so moving to China or dedicating full days to study isn't really an option. And so we set a very specific goal for her first 6 months, which was to establish a rock-solid foundation when it came to pronunciation, tones, and sentence structure. So that meant rather than cramming thousands of random words from HSK lists, focusing on the words that she needed to use herself to talk about, the things that she was interested and wanted to talk about, and making sure she could say those things really well. So making sure that her pronunciation and tones were really good for the things that she wanted to say. And so that's what she's done for the first 6 months, collecting phrases that she actually wants to say and building her own kind of personalized immersion environment where she's immersing in those things that she wants to talk about all the time while walking the dog, commuting to meetings, etc. So, in a moment, we're going to hear a clip of Katherine reading a script that she wrote about whales, entirely in Chinese with excellent tones. And after you hear that clip, I interview Katherine in English about her experience over her first 6 months of learning Chinese. So, now let's listen to Katherine in Chinese on the topic of Wales, where she's from.

加入maayot，我们每天都会给你推送一篇适合你现有水平中文对话小故事。故事里的语言都很生活化，就像朋友之间的聊天。学到的表达，你马上就能用在日常生活里。而且，你还能和中文老师互动，不管是练口语、听力还是写作，都有人帮你纠正，就像身边有一个专属教练一样。更方便的是，maayot 还能记录你的学习情况，帮你看到自己的进步。无论是为了考试，还是为了更自然地说中文，每天一点点积累，就能带来很大的变化。现在就来 maayot.com 吧，和更多像安娜、高月和高进这样的朋友一起，听他们的故事，练你的中文！别忘了，在注册时输入“podcast”，还可以享受五折优惠哦！对话原文：高月：哎，今天我们点什么好呢？安娜：点些清淡的吧。天气太热了。高月：好啊。要不来份凉皮？再加个酸梅汤？安娜：好啊。不过凉皮吃不太饱吧？高月：你又不是大胃王。能吃那么多吗？安娜：我们再点个烤冷面吧，咋们可以分着吃。高月：可以。我来看看。安娜：哎，我听说最近很多个外卖平台都有优惠活动。你看看能不能领个优惠卷再点。高月：嗯，看到啦。我领了一些满四十减十的优惠券。我们可以尽情地点。安娜：太棒啦！去了这次露营给我馋坏了。还是城市里面方便。想吃什么随时都可以吃到。高月：嗯，我就知道你想念吃的。还是大大的吃货一枚。安娜：是是是。点了吗点了吗？我都快饿得不行了。高月：快了快了。马上下单，现在下单大概半小时就能送达。我还给我们点的都加辣了。可以吧？安娜：当然。你知道我是“无辣不欢”的。高月：点好啦。我们要不要一边选个电影一边等外卖？待会选好电影，吃的就到了！我们就可以边看电影边吃东西。安娜：嗯。我喜欢你这个想法。

Slang and swearing often top the list of what people want to learn in a foreign language. But is this curiosity actually helpful for learners, or just a fun distraction?#learnchinese #slang #vocabulary #swearingLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: Learning (or not learning) Chinese slang: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-not-learning-chinese-slang/3 things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-a-beginner-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-1/Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them/Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/Duang - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuangMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

加入 maayot，你每天都会收到一篇和你水平相匹配的中文故事。你学到的都是日常生活中能用到的表达，不用担心学过就忘。更棒的是，你还可以和中文老师互动，练习听、说、读、写，就像有一个私人助教一直在你身边。现在 maayot 还可以追踪每个词的熟练度和难易度，让学习更清晰。不管是为了考试，还是想轻松说中文，maayot 都能帮你每天进步一点点。快加入 maayot.com，认识更多像安娜和高月这样的中国朋友，听听他们的生活故事吧。特别福利：只要输入“podcast”，你就可以五折优惠加入我们哦！对话原文：高月：嘿！和上次说的那个约会对象怎么样了？你们约会顺利吗？高进：嗯……说实话。我挺喜欢她的。我也很惊讶。我第一次对一个人有这种感觉。就是不知不觉地想要靠近她，看到她笑我也笑。看到她不开心我就想要帮她，安慰她。我在她身边的时候，我也总觉得心里很踏实，天啊。高月：哇，我才“天啊”呢！你恋爱了！老弟！不错不错。那她呢？她对你有意思吗？高进：感觉她也对我有意思。约会的时候两人都挺开心的。高月：听起来不错啊。那你们现在是什么状态？确定关系了吗？高进：没有。就是还在约会的状态吧。不过，我发现她性子有点急，有时候说话挺直接的。高月：哈哈，这算小问题吧。我打赌你不会那么在意这个。高进：嗯……一方面我有时候甚至觉得她的这个性子挺可爱的。另一方面，当我理性地思考后，我又怕她这个性子会在以后我们的生活中引起很多矛盾。高月：什么感情需要那么理性地去思考？说实话，以前我也会担心这担心那的。但是你知道吗？自从遇到了安娜，我觉得我的担心都是白费力气。以前我对伴侣也有一些条条框框的期待，但是遇到了那个人后，你会发现，这些条条框框都是用来打破的。你要考虑的只有：你愿不愿意为这个人打破这些条条框框？高进：我……觉得我能接受吧。高月：那就确定关系吧。别拖。我能看出来你真的很喜欢她。你看，认识她以后，你自己的生活都变好了。高进：不太确定怎么开口，说“我们在一起吧。”好像太生硬了。高月：这个你就自己想吧。一定会有合适的时机的。

想让自己的中文更流利吗？想学的词句都能用在生活中吗？给大家推荐一个超棒的方法：每天读中文故事！加入 maayot，每天你都会收到一篇和你水平相匹配的中文故事。你学到的都是日常生活中能用到的表达，不用担心学过就忘。更棒的是，你还可以和中文老师互动，练习听、说、读、写，就像有一个私人助教一直在你身边。现在 maayot 还可以追踪每个词的熟练度和难易度，让学习更清晰。不管是为了考试，还是想轻松说中文，maayot 都能帮你每天进步一点点。快加入 maayot.com，认识更多像安娜和高月这样的中国朋友，听听他们的生活故事吧。特别福利：只要输入“podcast”，你就可以五折优惠加入我们哦！对话原文：安娜：亲爱的，我最近想换个手机。但是手头有点紧，在考虑是要买一个新的还是二手的，你有没有什么建议？高月：嗯，我看你平时并不常用手机，要是只是聊聊微信，刷刷视频，就没必要买功能非常齐全的。不过……安娜：对啊，我也不是追剧迷，不用超清屏幕；也不打游戏，拍照也就随便拍拍。高月：嗯，不过，我不建议你买二手的。你现在的手机就是因为电量消耗得快你才想换。二手手机一般都会有电池的问题。我感觉你可以买一个新的基础款，基础款一般性价比都挺高的。不用追求最新款。安娜：嗯，有道理。喔，还得要一个内存大一点的。不然老是提示“内存不足”，烦死了。高月：啊，是要卖一个内存大一点的。512G的就可以。这就会又点贵了。嗯……我可以帮你去靠谱的二手平台看一看，也许能遇到最新款式的二手机。因为有的人总是追新款，用了不到一年就想卖了。还是很划算的。安娜：嗯嗯，那就拜托你了。我对电子产品一窍不通。高月：好的，放心吧。我会找那种卖家信用和评价都很好，还能当面试机的那种。万一遇到合适的，我们就可以下手。安娜：好的，交给你办我放心。 

I started learning Chinese well over a decade ago, and I have encountered many great teachers. But I have also seen truly terrible teaching, especially when it comes to Chinese characters.#learnchinese #characters #hanzi #teachingLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-not-teach-chinese-characters-to-beginners-a-12-step-approach/Note: This is an updated version of episode 3, originally published in 2020.How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/Should you learn the names of the strokes in Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-the-names-of-the-strokes-in-chinese-characters/Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/Why you should think of characters in terms of functional components: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-think-of-characters-in-terms-of-functional-components/Should you learn the pronunciation of radicals? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-pronunciation-of-radicals/Learning Chinese characters through pictures: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters-through-pictures/Phonetic components, part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/5 levels of understanding Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/5-levels-of-understanding-chinese-characters-superficial-forms-to-deep-structure/An introduction to spaced repetition software: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/Handwriting Chinese characters: The minimum requirements: https://www.hackingchinese.com/handwriting-chinese-characters-the-minimum-requirements/A minimum effort approach to writing Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-minimum-effort-approach-to-writing-chinese-characters-by-hand/Learn to read Chinese with ease: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-to-read-chinese-with-ease/Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters?: https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/Simplified and traditional Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/simplified-and-traditional-chinese/Are simplified characters really simpler to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-simplified-characters-really-simpler-to-learn/Skritter review: Boosting your Chinese character learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-review-boosting-your-character-learning/Pleco: http://hackingchinese.com/plecoOutlier Linguistics character dictionary review: https://www.hackingchinese.com/review-the-outlier-linguistics-dictionary-of-chinese-characters-with-discount-code/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

加入maayot，我们每天会给你发送一个适合你中文水平的对话故事，都是生活化口语对话。你不仅能自由设置拼音汉字、还有词汇解释和问题练习，让你轻松在日常故事中提高中文。而且，你可以和中文老师互动，无论是听、说、读、写，都像有一个私人助教在身边，帮你纠正发音和书写。播客听众输入 podcast，还能享受五折优惠哦！Podcast listeners can enter podcast to enjoy a 50% discount!对话原文：安娜：嗨，你醒啦。昨晚睡得好吗？高月：嗯，睡得还可以。就是半夜被冷醒了一次，幸好带了睡袋。没想到夏天的晚上也能这么冷。安娜：嗯，对啊。夜里真的很凉。昨晚睡觉前我都告诉过你要用睡袋了。这里早晚还是很凉的，因为这里到处都是树。高月：哇，不过你看，这早上的景色也太美了吧？！湖水像一面镜子一样，好平静啊。安娜：是啊，我都起来拍了好多照片啦。准备发朋友圈“炫耀”一下。高月：哈哈，别忘了，我们在这深山老林里。没有网络！安娜：哎呀，我知道。但是照片还是可以拍了存起来嘛。快起来吧，我们还要拆帐篷，吃完早饭后我们就要继续走了。高月：好的。哎？昨晚有没有蚊子咬你？我总是感觉耳边有嗡嗡嗡地蚊子叫，但是好像我没被咬。安娜：没有啊，我们日落前不是喷了防蚊喷雾吗？很管用。高月：哇，这空气也太好了。我们现在就真的住在一个天然氧吧里。哎？你今早做了瑜伽吗？安娜：做了呀。你还在呼呼大睡的时候，我就起来做了瑜伽，拍了照片，甚至都把我的行李整理好了。今天我们大概要走六个半小时才能到下一个露营地点，你准备好了吗？高月：我？我看是你准备好了吗？昨天是谁徒步到一半就说“哎呀，我走不动啦，休息一下吧！”安娜：啊啊啊啊？你说什么？我听不到我听不到。啦啦啦啦。哈哈哈，放心，今天我一定能做到“不抱怨”，我现在的状态感觉能爬到月球去。高月：你就吹吧！

从高进的健身效果看，坚持真的可以看到成果，而且小小的改变也能带来大大的成就感！如果你也想让你的中文水平每天进步一点点，maayot 会是一个非常好的帮手。我们每天会给你发送一个根据你水平量身定做的中文故事，都是生活里用得到的表达。还有很多实用小功能帮助学习更有效率。你可以练阅读、听力，还能和中文老师互动，加强你的口语。现在给想要加入maayot的播客听众准备了特别的福利！输入 podcast，就可以享受五折优惠！对话原文：高月：哇，两个星期不见你，感觉你真的瘦了。看来你这段时间对自己很严格啊！高进： 没错，我自己也能感觉到自己的状态不一样了。运动真的有用。高月：不错。这次你令我刮目相看。高进：希望我可以坚持下来。我前两天量了一下腰围，瘦了两厘米。高月：恭喜你。不容易啊。来，我请你吃饭，庆祝庆祝！高进：啊，有个事我还没有告诉你。我这段时间开始自己做饭了。我决定这段时间不吃外卖了。高月：哇，你这回真是下定决心了啊！在家做饭确实比在外面点外卖健康。高进：对啊，自己做饭至少我可以好好地控制我的饮食，可以少放点油，少放盐。高月：嗯，这点我就没有你强。我做不到每天在家做饭。太麻烦了！又是买食材，又是切菜洗菜，又是煮，然后还要洗碗洗锅！高进：听起来很麻烦，但慢慢上手了就好了。高月：嗯，让我猜猜。你是不是和上次约会那个对象好上了？你们有没有再约？高进：没错，我们又约会了两三次。高月：你看你看，我就说嘛！这么积极地健身做饭，一定有什么原因。可以啊，为你高兴。高进：哈哈哈。我就不能为了我自己健身做饭吗？你真是奇怪！高月：这是一个好兆头。别不承认。不过，不管是因为什么原因，我都为你高兴。

Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let's explore 8 more myths that might be holding you back!#learnchinese #myths #hanzi #input #studyLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: 16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/myths-about-learning-chinese-that-are-holding-you-back/Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/Learning to unicycle, learning anatomy and learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-unicycle-learning-anatomy-and-learning-chinese/Learning the third tone in Mandarin Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/Learn Chinese implicitly through exposure with a seasoning of explicit instruction: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-implicitly-exposure-seasoning-explicit-instruction/The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/Learning Chinese characters through pictures: A warning and a how-to: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-characters-through-pictures/Phonetic components, part 1: The key to 80% of all Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/phonetic-components-part-1-the-key-to-80-of-all-chinese-characters/Kickstart your learning with the Skritter Character Course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course/Are there any shortcuts for learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-there-any-shortcuts-for-learning-chinese/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them/The importance of knowing many words: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/ An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/20 Actually Useful Chengyu (Carl Gene Fordham) https://carlgene.com/blog/2010/07/20-actually-useful-chengyu-%E6%88%90%E8%AF%AD/Chengyu, a magic key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

看到这里，你一定对学中文很感兴趣。今天给大家推荐一个超棒的方法：每天读中文故事！在 maayot，我们每天会给你发送一个适合你中文水平的中文故事。而且，在maayot， 你还可以和中文老师互动，无论是听、说、读、写，都像有一个私人助教在身边，帮你纠正发音和书写，帮你每天进步一点。快加入maayot.com，听听maayot人物的生活故事吧！播客朋友还有福利，只要输入podcast，就可以五折加入哦！每天一点点，你会发现自己能听懂、能说出更多真实的中文。故事原文：高月：怎么了？脸色这么差？！安娜：哎，你还记得经常到我们家逛的“不速之客”吗？高月：喔，邻居家的橘猫吗？记得，它怎么了？安娜：我刚刚跟邻居聊天。她说她们家的橘猫前些日子去世了。高月：啊！？天啊，怎么去世的？！安娜：邻居说前些日子橘猫就老打喷嚏，一开始她没有注意。结果这个情况越来越严重，邻居就带它去宠物医院做了一堆检查……高月：是生了什么病吗？安娜：嗯。我也不知道是什么病。她跟我提了一下，我忘了。但是就是橘猫过了两个星期后就去世了。邻居可伤心了。高月：天啊。她们家的橘猫好像岁数也不小了吧？对吗？安娜：嗯……八岁吧。 是一只老猫了。不过还是很难过。我也很难过。想起以前它来我们家的时候……哎！高月：嗯，确实。猫死不能复生。我们节哀顺变吧。安娜：邻居跟我说的时候，我看到她眼睛里的泪一直流一直流，好替他难过啊。她以前那么爱它的猫咪。每次跟我们在路上遇见的时候，她总是会提到她的猫咪。现在突然这个珍贵的东西在她的生命里消失了……高月：好啦。你别哭了。安娜：也许这就是“如果你选择爱，你就选择了痛吧。”因为我们总会失去我们珍爱的东西。高月：嗯嗯。好啦好啦。别哭了。我们出去走走散散心吧。

Most Chinese learners want one thing above all: to speak better. Many turn to a teacher for guidance, but that is only the first step. True progress depends on how you work with that teacher.#learnchinese #tutor #teacher #speaking #lessonsLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to improve your Mandarin speaking skills with a tutor: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-mandarin-speaking-skills-with-a-tutor/The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/The best resources for learning Chinese through listening in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/guides/chinese-listening-resources/Beginner Chinese listening practice: the best resources and tools: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice/The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2025: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Course for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-the-ultimate-course-for-beginners/The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/Is taking a Chinese course that's too hard good for your learning? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-taking-a-chinese-course-thats-too-hard-good-for-your-learning/How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/Learning too many words at once: Consequences and solutions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-too-many-words-at-once-consequences-and-solutions/Don't try to improve everything at once: Focus on one thing at a time instead: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-try-to-improve-everything-at-once-focus-on-one-thing-at-a-time-instead/Will a Chinese-only rule improve your speaking ability?https://www.hackingchinese.com/will-chinese-only-rule-improve-your-speaking-ability/Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-through-comprehensible-input/Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/How I learnt Chinese, part 4: My second year in Taiwan: https://www.hackingchinese.com/i-learnt-chinese-part-4%EF%BC%9A-second-year-taiwan/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

如果你想要看到自己学习汉语的进步，来 maayot.com 试试吧。我们每天给你一个贴近生活的小对话，就像今天的故事一样。学过就能用，不会再觉得“只会课本里的中文”。你还能有私人助教帮助你练习学到的故事并给你反馈。播客听众输入 podcast，就能五折加入。故事原文：雨晴：回来啦？学得怎么样？同屋：嗯，我自己感觉挺好的。两个星期前我还什么都不会呢。现在就可以用日语说一些简单的对话啦！雨晴：哇，好羡慕你啊。又多了一门技能。同屋：技能说不上。爱好是真的。雨晴：挺好的啊。同屋：喔！对啦！忘了告诉你，我正在联系一个在日本的蜜蜂农场。如果一切顺利的话，我下个月打算去那个农场里做志愿者！雨晴：啊？什么什么什么？！做志愿者？怎么做？同屋：就是我只要提供一天四小时的工作时间帮他们打理农场里的农活，农场那边就可以给我提供食宿。雨晴：哇，那太棒啦。不用花食宿钱。还能练习你的日语！同屋：我就是这样想的。省下了食宿钱，练习我的日语，剩下的时间我还能到处逛逛！ 太棒啦！就是不知道能不能成，还在联系中。雨晴：希望一切顺利！啊，你说是一个蜜蜂农场？同屋：对！是一个专门养蜜蜂的农场。听说他们那个农场能酿出好多不同品种的蜜！我非常激动。想看看他们是怎么养蜜蜂的。哈哈哈。随便学一些技能。雨晴：太羡慕你了。可以到处走。哎！不像我，苦命的打工人！同屋：别这样说，你的假期不是也快到了吗？

不管你是在准备考试，还是想轻松说中文，今天给大家推荐一个超棒的方法：每天读中文故事！maayot 能帮你每天进步一点。快加入maayot.com，认识更多像安娜和高月这样的中国朋友，听听他们的生活故事吧。我还给我们播客的朋友准备了一份礼物。只要你输入podcast，你就可以以五折的价格加入我们。故事原文：安娜：哎，一周半了。感觉每天的时间都好短。每天都在路上走的感觉真好啊。除了每天和蚊子打仗以外。高月：哈哈，是啊，不过说实话，我开始享受这种“断网”的生活。虽然每天都要徒步个六七小时，但是脑袋却可以很轻松。一路上看山看水，走到下一个营地就可以休息，然后吃一份山里面人家做的饭菜，多美妙！安娜：是啊 ，我觉得我也会想念这山里面的饭菜。那天我看到我们点菜后，那个农家人就直接去菜园里摘菜做菜的。怪不得吃起来那么新鲜。高月：嗯。还喜欢早上被小鸟的叫声叫醒的感觉，空气也特别好。最重要的是，晚上一抬头就可以看到满天的星星。有没有？比城市里的灯光好多了。安娜：嗯，这是真的。我也很喜欢这个。我还记得我们刚认识的时候，你就说过你会带我们常常看这样的星空。高月：喜欢就好。安娜：这次我们准备的东西刚刚好。天气也很给力。高月：是啊。我感觉这次露营挺值得的。这可是我们在一起的第一次长时间露营。我们做到啦！安娜：还没呢。还有两座山要爬呢。高月：哈哈，下山比上山容易。我们没问题。安娜：喔？你觉得下山更容易吗？我怎么觉得下山更难呢？高月：嗯……下山比上山容易。但是下山比上山更伤膝盖。你要小心。安娜：好。

Can you really learn Mandarin through listening and reading alone? What is comprehensible input, and how do you get enough of it?And how do speaking, writing, grammar, and flashcards fit in?#learnchinese #comprehensibleinput #ci #input #reading #listeningLink to article on Hacking Chinese: Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/Are authentic texts good for learning Chinese or is graded content better? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-authentic-texts-good-for-learning-chinese-or-is-graded-content-better/Learning the third tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/20 tips and tricks to improve your Chinese writing ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/20-tips-and-tricks-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability/How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/Playing word games to practise fluency: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency/Reading is a lot like spaced repetition, only better: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reading-is-a-lot-like-spaced-repetition-only-better/Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese/Why spaced repetition software is uniquely well-suited to learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-spaced-repetition-software-is-uniquely-well-suited-to-learning-chinese-characters/An introduction to comprehension-based Chinese teaching and learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-comprehension-based-chinese-teaching-learning/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found  at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

The fastest way to learn to communicate in Chinese is to learn classroom expressions first. Master essential phrases that help you learn Mandarin without relying on English!#learnchinese #classroom #teaching #expressions #phrases #vocabularyLink to article on Hacking Chinese:  Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/Unlocking Chinese: The ultimate course for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/Will a Chinese-only rule improve your learning? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-chinese-only-rules-good-for-learning/Why you should learn Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-learn-chinese-in-chinese/Categories in the list:Ensuring comprehension and seeking clarification: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section1Lesson and learning activity flow: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section2Feedback and encouragement: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section3Talking about the Chinese Language in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section4Online and technology-related phrases: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section5Formal education-specific phrases: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#section6Everything in traditional characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/#tradMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found  at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

We bring back ShanghaiMailbox! Thanks for your questions. Here are the questions you submitted that Ali and I answered on today's podcast. 1. If you had your own money, what's one Chinese startup or trend you'd invest in right now that most foreigners have never heard of? 2. Learning Mandarin used to be the rage, but now it's less popular. With all the powerful apps and AI is it still worth learning a second language? 3. How do you think of online dating in China? That is, the online “Relationship-shopping” culture. 4. What differentiates agencies if everyone is using the same AI tools or platform? 5. What lessons have been learned from the latest and successful Coca-Cola + Pop Mart Labubu collaboration?

Welcome to the maayot podcast — where you learn Mandarin through short daily stories filled with useful expressions and real-life situations.Here is today's Mandarin story script: 散步的诱惑力不大李阳：天气热了，没什么食欲。妻子：别说你了，咱家儿子也是这样。最近饭量明显减少了。不过老是吵着要吃各种水果。李阳：胃口不好的时候，水果是可以帮我们开开胃。特别是酸甜酸甜那种水果。呀，说到这里，我也想吃水果了。妻子：家里有西瓜和橙子。你想来点吗？李阳：嗯……那天买的芒果吃完了吗？那些味道很好，香香甜甜的。妻子：早吃完了，儿子也非常喜欢。要不我们出去买点？也不远。李阳：现在外面太燥热了，只想呆在家里。好不容易有一两天休息。妻子：一点也不运动也不行啊，晚上太阳下山后我们推着儿子走去超市，就当散步了。怎么样？李阳：好吧，散步的诱惑力不大，但那些芒果诱惑力还挺大的。妻子：多走走，对胃口不佳也会有帮助。李阳：好好好，出去呼吸一下新鲜空气也好。妻子：一言为定！And if you're only listening to the podcast, you're missing all the interactive features! Check out maayot.com ✅ Daily bite-sized stories + native audio✅ Natural expressions + Culture insights✅ One-tap vocabulary breakdown✅ Speaking + writing exercises with teacher's feedback✅ A personal progress tracker to keep your streak alive!See you !

If this episode made you smile, laugh, or learn something new. Please Take just 30 seconds to leave us a rating and short review. It helps other Mandarin learners discover us !

A great tutor can transform your Chinese learning, but how do you know if a tutor is good? Let's explore the key qualities that make a tutor truly effective!#learnchinese #tutor #teacherLink to article on Hacking Chinese: 7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher: https://www.hackingchinese.com/characteristics-of-a-great-chinese-tutor-or-private-teacher/Take responsibility for your own learning now: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/What your Chinese course will not teach you: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-course-will-not-teach/The Hacking Chinese Podcast: https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast/The virtues of language exchanges: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-virtues-of-language-exchanges/How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions/Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters?: https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/Learning Chinese comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/Preview every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/Time quality and studying Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/Learn Chinese faster by leaving your comfort zone: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-faster-leaving-comfort-zone/How to get honest feedback to boost your Chinese speaking and writing: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/⁠Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

痛并快乐着/ 28th May maayot Featured Story安娜：这周末一起去吃麻辣火锅吗？张丽：你不是不能吃辣吗？安娜：我的胃受不了很辣。但是嘴巴还是想吃。张丽：对啊，上次看到你边吃火锅边哭。安娜：我是“痛并快乐着”！张丽：哈哈，对我来说，我是“无辣不欢”。Do you know ? You can slow down or speed up the audio to match your listening level at maayot. You can get personal feedback from real teachers—just click the

In this episode I am joined by Johan Hausen, Taoist teacher, translator, Chinese medicine practitioner, and founder of Purple Cloud Press. Johan shares his life story from years of competitive Tae Kwon Do, through his travels and travails in China in search of a master, and to his eventual training and discipleship in the Wu Dang mountains. Johan reflects on his years learning Classical and spoken Chinese, considers the challenges of translating ancient literature for modern readers, and reveals the unique metaphors and analogies used in textual descriptions of Internal Alchemy. Johan also describes the Taoist quest for immortality, explains his research into the dantien and the mineralogy of cinnabar, and recounts stories of his own encounters with spiritually advanced beings. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. ... Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Admiration for Mattias Daly 02:56 - Learning Chinese to better learn Taoism 04:53 - How Johan learned Classical vs Spoken Chinese 08:11 - Language is about communication 08:47 - Should we consult living masters about textual translation problems? 10:24 - Metaphors and analogies used in Internal Alchemy 12:53 - Why are there different ideas about the dantian? 14:12 - Is the dantian constructed or inherent? 16:12 - Elixir fields? 17:37 - Johan's research on the mineralogy of cinnabar using Chinese texts 18:04 - The old alchemists' surprisingly good understanding of organic chemistry 20:56 - Johan's childhood and training in Tae Kwon Do 22:47 - Johan's competitive Tae Kwon Do career of over 100 fights 25:18 - Injury and travel to China for healing 26:24 - Travelling to China at 20 years old to train Shaolin kung fu 28:48 0 Training methods of Shaolin kung fu 30:35 - Demystifying the myths of Shaolin training 33:08 - Recovery routine 34:26 - Illness and leaving China 36:15 - Returning to Germany and feelings of failure 37:47 - Leaving a film course in London to train in the Wu Dang mountains 40:32 - Meeting Li Shifu at the Five Immortals Temple 41:54 - Curriculum at the Five Immortals Temple 43:08 - Studying acupuncture and dedication to learning 44:19 - Years of study under Li Shifu and joining the lineage 47:26 - Struggles with being treated as a foreigner in China 50:50 - Growing resentment and leaving China 55:26 - Johan's Dragon Gate Lineage 56:28 - The quest for immortality 58:53 - Details about Taoist Immortals 01:00:34 - Difficulty of becoming an Immortal 01:02:10 - Consolation prize if you fail to achieve immortality 01:03:38 - Ethical rules of the Dragon Gate Lineage 01:04:59 - A typical daily practice routine 01:06:47 - Singing the scriptures to communicate to spirits 01:09:26 - Taoist patron spirit of Wudang 01:14:45 - The remarkable qualities of Li Shifu 01:15:52 - Praise is bad in traditional Chinese teaching 01:17:05 - Is Li Shifu an Immortal? 01:18:02 - Johan's reverence for his teacher 01:19:29 - Explaining culture clashes to Lif Shifu 01:20:33 - Is charisma and spiritual power inherent or cultivated? 01:24:45 - Li Shifu does not have attained disciples 01:26:05 - Is it really possible to achieve success in Taoism, or is it mostly just natural talent? 01:33:11 - Using gifted practitioners as inspiration 01:34:18 - Purple Cloud Press 01:35:56 - Johan's goal to create community and preserve texts 01:37:09 - Search for location and funds
 To find out more about Johan Hausen, visit: - https://purplecloudinstitute.com/about-us/who-we-are-2/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit. - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Having a tutor can be great for learning Chinese, but how much progress you make depends as much on you as on the tutor. Come prepared, stay engaged, and make the most of each session!#learnchinese #tutor #teacher #studentLink to article on Hacking Chinese: How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions/Take responsibility for your own learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/What your Chinese course will not teach you: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-course-will-not-teach/The virtues of language exchanges: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-virtues-of-language-exchanges/How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chinese-tutoring-sessions/Real communication: What it is, why you want it, and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/Learning Chinese comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/Preview every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/Time quality and studying Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/⁠Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let's explore eight myths that might be holding you back!#learnchinese #myths #hanzi #pronunciation #studyLink to article on Hacking Chinese: 8 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back: https://www.hackingchinese.com/myths-about-learning-chinese-that-are-holding-you-back/6 things in Chinese that are harder to learn than they seem: https://www.hackingchinese.com/6-things-in-chinese-that-are-harder-to-learn-than-they-seem/Chinese is possible to learn as an adult: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-might-be-too-lazy-to-learn-chinese-but-youre-not-too-old/Is Chinese difficult to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-chinese-difficult-to-learn/How long have you studied Chinese: 200 years or 58,992 hours? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-long-have-you-studied-chinese-290-years-or-58-992-hours/How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/Learning Chinese is useful no matter how much or how little you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/long-study-chinese-make-useful/Chinese courses won't teach you everything: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-course-will-not-teach/Using the HSK as a roadmap to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-the-hsk-as-a-roadmap-to-learning-chinese/Should you throw away your Chinese textbook? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-throw-away-your-chinese-textbook/Take responsibility for your own learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/⁠Immersion at home or why you don't have to go abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad/The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/You won't learn Chinese simply by living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad/Love and language: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner.: https://www.hackingchinese.com/language-learning-with-a-chinese-girlfriend-or-boyfriend/The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/The importance of tones is inversely proportional to the predictability of what you say: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-tones-is-inversely-proportional-to-the-predictability-of-what-you-say/Tone errors in Mandarin that actually can cause confusion: https://www.hackingchinese.com/tone-errors-in-mandarin-that-actually-can-cause-confusion/What native speakers know and what they don't: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-native-speakers-know-and-what-they-dont/Standardised pronunciation in Chinese and why you want it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/standardised-pronunciation-in-chinese-and-why-you-want-it/How to learn Chinese characters as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-characters-as-a-beginner/The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/My best advice on how to learn Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/⁠Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Story in Mandarin characters:三天打鱼，两天晒网 / Inconsistent Effort张丽：好羡慕你这肌肉线条啊！高月：谢谢，这些都是去健身房锻炼出来的。张丽：你才有这个耐心。 我总是三分钟热度。哎！高月：你不是三分钟热度， 你是三天打鱼，两天晒网。 你不觉得吗？张丽：嗯，有道理。 我按照这个节奏，得什么时候才能像你这样啊。高月：锻炼需要持之以恒，你这样间断性的锻炼不会有理想的效果的。张丽：哎呀, 那该怎么办好？每天去健身房我感觉我坚持不下来。高月：你下定决心做就一定可以。 想想你也有这健美的线条时穿衣服得多好看啊。If you've been on-and-off with Chinese learning — don't worry. You're not alone. Start small, keep showing up, and you'll surprise yourself! We help you stay on track with short, fun Mandarin stories every day. ✨ Start your journey here: maayot.com

Listening is essential when learning Mandarin, but not all listening situations are the same. By recognising different types of listening, you can improve your chances of successfully navigating spoken Mandarin.#learnchinese #listening #conversations #comprehensionThe best podcasts for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese/Listening strategies: Diversify your listening practice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listening-strategies-diversify-your-listening-practice/Learning Chinese through audiobooks: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-through-audio-books/Learning Chinese as an introverted student: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-as-an-introverted-student/The virtues of language exchanges: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-virtues-of-language-exchanges/The Input Pyramid: Chinese Listening for Any Situation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-input-pyramid-chinese-listening-for-any-situation/The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/⁠Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

maayot has helped many students to learn Chinese from zero to hero. You get ready for your curiosity. We do the rest. With every day bite-sized Mandarin story, one-click vocabulary help, native audio, real teachers' feedback, you will have lots of fun on your learning journey. Head to maayot.com to try your first story for free. Story in full: 我想去买点夏装安娜：没衣服穿了，我想去买点夏装。高月：夏天到了，应该买点新衣服。你去吧。安娜：你不跟我一起去吗？高月：这次我就不去了，晚点还得去和朋友看球。安娜：好吧，我约我的朋友去。

Welcome aboard this Mandarin-learning journey with me! We'll pick up some super useful phrases for hosting and thanking in Chinese in this episode. If you enjoyed this little window into Chinese culture and Chinese people's real-life conversation, come and visit us on maayot.com. Remember — you can keep building your Mandarin skills one story at a time with us. maayot is here to make your learning journey fun and meaningful.

Is learning how to learn worth your time, or should you just engage directly with Chinese instead? The answer depends, but the longer your perspective, the more important it becomes to tweak your method!#learnchinese #how-to #progress #hackingchinese #efficiencyLink to written article on Hacking Chinese: Will reading or listening to Hacking Chinese help you learn Mandarin? https://www.hackingchinese.com/will-reading-hacking-chinese-help-you-learn-mandarin/Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation's four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/Cramming vs. spaced repetition: When to use which method to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/cramming-vs-spaced-repetition-when-to-use-which-method-to-learn-chinese/Why spaced repetition software is uniquely well suited to learning Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-spaced-repetition-software-is-uniquely-well-suited-to-learning-chinese-characters/The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/Memory aids and mnemonics to enhance learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/memory-aids-and-mnemonics-to-enhance-learning/Learning Chinese is more like walking a thousand miles than running 100-metre dash: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-is-more-like-walking-a-thousand-miles-than-running-100-metre-dash/You can't learn Chinese characters by rote: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-cant-learn-chinese-characters-by-rote/Should you learn the names of the strokes in Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-the-names-of-the-strokes-in-chinese-characters/The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/⁠Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Today's maayot beginner story brings us into one of those tender moments. In this little conversation mix with sweetness and bitterness, We're joining Li Yang and his wife as they care for their sick little one. If you want the full story in Mandarin characters or read more real-life stores that customised to your level, help with pronunciation from a pro teacher, head to maayot.com and keep your progress on track!

Starting with one of the most nostalgic songs in Chinese pop history:《同桌的你》 — The Deskmate of Yours, we follow Gao Yue and Li Yang, as they are discussing the unforgettable hair and face of one of their old classmate... If you want the full story in Mandarin characters or read more real-life stores that customised to your level, help with pronunciation from a pro teacher, head to maayot.com and keep your progress on track!

Should you focus on learning many words superficially or few words well? How do you stay motivated when flashcards get boring? And how can you tell if you really know a word?#learnchinese #vocabulary #flashcards #skritter #q&aLink to written article on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-may-2025-learning-chinese-characters-and-words-with-flashcard-apps/Link to vocabulary challenge: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-vocabulary-challenge/Links to articles mentioned in this episode:Learning Chinese words: When quantity beats quality: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/Should you learn Chinese vocabulary from lists? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-chinese-vocabulary-from-lists/Which words you should learn and where to find them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/which-words-you-should-learn-in-and-where-to-find-them/How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/Do you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/Should you use an efficient method for learning Chinese even if you hate it? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-use-an-efficient-method-for-learning-chinese-even-if-you-hate-it/Are you practising Chinese the right way? Is your method valid? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-you-practising-chinese-the-right-way/More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/⁠Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). Check out all of the other things we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us. I begin by discussing a ministry that has blessed us (WMPress.org)(3:57), followed by a critique of Gordon Chang’s “tone” on his “Outstanding” podcast interview (11:05). Next, we work our way through this week’s China related news (20:58), some of which was discussed by Gordon Chang: redeeming DeepSeek, USAID’s China-focused NGOs, Asian Illegals in Fear, and the Hong Kong connection in Trump’s threat to re-take the Panama Canal. Finally, I explain what I was doing 22 years ago this week (49:15), as well as thoughts on language learning from William Borden (BordenofYale.com) and William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us). World Missionary Press: 131 Million Scripture Booklets! https://www.wmpress.org/ A Mild Critique of Gordon Chang (Agree with his Policies, Disagree with his Projection) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_G._Chang What DeepSeek Says about the Church in China https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/deepseek-china-church-ai-censorship-sensitive/ China-focused NGOs reel from U.S. foreign funding freeze https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/China-focused-NGOs-reel-from-U.S.-foreign-funding-freeze Asia’s Millions of Illegals in US Cower in Shadow of Trump’s Deportation Drive https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Policy-Asia/Asian-immigrants-in-U.S.-cower-in-shadow-of-Trump-deportation-drive China’s Hong Kong Takeover Led To Trump’s Panama Power Grab https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/China-up-close/Analysis-China-s-tight-grip-on-Hong-Kong-led-to-Trump-s-Panama-gambit Don’t forget to Pray for China! (PrayforChina.us) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets (BordenofYale.com): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/language-learning-and-loneliness Lungs of Steel, Eyes of Eagles, Memories of Angels William Milne's Passion for Learning Chinese (and Reaching China) https://chinacall.substack.com/p/lungs-of-steel-eyes-of-eagles-memories If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV. You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us. And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10:2!

Free Transcript for Season 1 Episode 1-5  ************************************************************ Are you a fan of our podcast and hungry for more? Well, we've got a treat for you! By becoming a LCTS member, you'll gain exclusive access to our treasure trove of story and story explanation transcripts for both RealLife Chinese for Beginners and Learning Chinese through stories. Transcript Membership Did you know that you can practice your spoken Chinese with Rui & Simeng and other language enthusiasts ? Besides having exclusive access to the transcripts, you can also engage in spontaneous conversations with other learners where you can improve your Chinese speaking skills in a friendly, supportive environment. Join LCTS community and Speaking Chinese Now ************************************************************ Follow and subscribe for free Get the next episode as soon as it is available by following/subscribing it for free at Apple Podcast  Google Podcast Spotify

Host Jared Turner isn't just a language enthusiast—he's also a seasoned Dungeon Master! In this episode, Jared and John dive into thow learning Chinese parallels a game of Dungeons & Dragons. From creating your "character" as a language learner to rolling the dice in real-life conversations, they discuss how elements like leveling up, overcoming challenges, and wielding the right weapons will help you through your language encounters and lead you towards your ultimate quest: mastering Chinese.  Links from the episode: Living in China is like an RPG | SinoSplice