Podcasts about Mandarin

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Jewels and Bargains: A Medieval Market Adventure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-03-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个秋天的下午，李华走进了一家中世纪主题的餐厅。En: On an autumn afternoon, Li Hua walked into a medieval-themed restaurant.Zh: 推开厚重的木门，她感受到浓浓的历史氛围。En: Pushing open the heavy wooden door, she was enveloped by a rich historical atmosphere.Zh: 餐厅里，烛光摇曳，墙上挂满了色彩鲜艳的旗帜，服务生穿着古装，仿佛将人带回了古代的集市。En: Inside the restaurant, candlelight flickered, vibrant banners adorned the walls, and the waitstaff dressed in period costumes, as if transporting patrons back to an ancient marketplace.Zh: 李华是个喜爱历史的年轻女子，一直梦想能为自己的收藏增添一件独特的中世纪风格的首饰。En: Li Hua was a young woman who loved history and had always dreamed of adding a unique piece of medieval-style jewelry to her collection.Zh: 她听说这家餐厅里有个市场，专卖手工制作的历史物件，因此她满怀期待地赶来。En: She had heard that the restaurant housed a market specializing in handmade historical items, so she came with great anticipation.Zh: 餐厅内的摊位商品琳琅满目，有古老的剑、精美的盾牌，还有许多闪烁着光辉的小饰品。En: The stalls inside the restaurant were filled with a dazzling array of merchandise, featuring ancient swords, exquisite shields, and many small, shimmering trinkets.Zh: 李华的目光很快被一个展示柜里的一枚项链吸引。En: Li Hua's attention was quickly captured by a necklace in a display case.Zh: 项链上镶嵌着一颗深蓝色的宝石，宛如夜空中的星星。En: The necklace was set with a deep blue gem, resembling a star in the night sky.Zh: “这是我想要的！En: "This is what I want!"Zh: ”李华暗自高兴，但她知道这枚项链名额有限，许多收藏家都虎视眈眈。En: Li Hua thought to herself joyfully, but she knew that the necklace was in limited supply, with many collectors eyeing it greedily.Zh: 李华走到柜台前，心中计算着自己的预算。En: Li Hua approached the counter, calculating her budget in her mind.Zh: “你好，这项链多少钱？En: "Hello, how much is this necklace?"Zh: ”她问摊主。En: she asked the vendor.Zh: 摊主微笑着回答：“这可是我这里的珍品，价格比较高哦。En: The vendor smiled and replied, "This is a treasure here, so it's quite pricey.Zh: 不过，说句实话，库存也不多了。En: Honestly, though, we don't have much stock left."Zh: ”李华心里一紧。En: Li Hua's heart tightened.Zh: 她的预算并不多，但那颗蓝宝石让她难以割舍。En: Her budget was limited, but the blue gemstone was hard to part with.Zh: 她悄悄看了看周围，看到一个男人也盯着这枚项链，眼中透出浓厚的兴趣。En: She discreetly glanced around and noticed a man also eyeing the necklace with intense interest.Zh: 此时气氛开始紧张，李华必须做出抉择。En: The atmosphere began to grow tense, and Li Hua had to make a decision.Zh: 她想起自己收藏的一件罕见的中世纪戒指，虽然割舍不易，但这或许是她手中的一张好牌。En: She recalled a rare medieval ring in her collection; although it was not easy to part with, it might be her bargaining chip.Zh: “如果我用这枚戒指来交换呢？En: "What if I trade this ring for it?"Zh: ”她小心翼翼地问摊主，亮出自己的戒指。En: she cautiously asked the vendor, showing her ring.Zh: 摊主仔细端详了戒指，眼中闪过一丝惊讶。En: The vendor examined the ring closely, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.Zh: “这枚戒指确实罕见，”他说，“可以交换。En: "This ring is indeed rare," he said, "a trade would be acceptable."Zh: ”那位竞争者失望地离开了，李华心头一松，终于得到了心爱的项链。En: The competitor left disappointed, and Li Hua felt relieved, having finally acquired the beloved necklace.Zh: 她感觉自己不仅收获了一件宝物，还学会了如何珍惜和利用现有的珍藏。En: She felt that not only had she gained a treasure, but she also learned how to cherish and utilize her existing collection.Zh: 握着项链，她离开了餐厅，秋风中充满了即将到来的温暖节日的期待。En: Holding the necklace, she left the restaurant, the autumn breeze filled with the anticipation of the warm festivities to come. Vocabulary Words:medieval-themed: 中世纪主题atmosphere: 氛围candlelight: 烛光flickered: 摇曳banners: 旗帜adorned: 挂满patrons: 顾客marketplace: 集市collection: 收藏anticipation: 期待array: 琳琅满目merchandise: 商品exquisite: 精美shimmering: 闪烁trinkets: 饰品resembling: 宛如greedily: 虎视眈眈budget: 预算vendor: 摊主pricey: 价格高surprise: 惊讶bargaining chip: 好牌rare: 罕见competitor: 竞争者discreetly: 悄悄intense: 浓厚decision: 抉择trade: 交换utilize: 利用cherish: 珍惜

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Secrets Unveiled: A Scholar's Quest on Zhongqiu Jie Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-03-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 中秋节的清晨，古老的茶馆坐落在繁华的中世纪村庄中心。En: On the morning of the Zhongqiu Jie, an ancient teahouse was nestled in the heart of a bustling medieval village.Zh: 茶馆里飘散着茉莉花茶的香气，墙上挂着彩色的纸灯笼，木雕精美细致。En: The aroma of Molihua cha wafted through the teahouse, with colorful paper lanterns hanging on the walls and intricately carved wooden sculptures.Zh: 村庄的集市上，人来人往，彩色的丝绸幡子随风飘扬，象征着节日的到来。En: In the village market, people came and went, colorful silk banners fluttering in the wind, symbolizing the arrival of the festival.Zh: 魏是一位年轻的学者，对古文物和古老卷轴有着浓厚的兴趣。En: Wei was a young scholar with a keen interest in ancient artifacts and old scrolls.Zh: 他一直在寻找一卷有关家族历史的卷轴。En: He had been searching for a scroll about his family's history.Zh: 他怀疑这卷轴刚被一位对手学者偷走，潜入不远处的树林中，但没有人相信他的故事。En: He suspected that the scroll had just been stolen by a rival scholar who had sneaked into the nearby woods, but no one believed his story.Zh: 魏急需盟友的帮助。En: Wei urgently needed the help of an ally.Zh: 他想到了莉娜，一位勇敢的本地工匠。En: He thought of Lina, a brave local artisan.Zh: 莉娜擅长与人交流，也熟悉村庄的每一个角落。En: Lina was skilled in communicating with people and was familiar with every corner of the village.Zh: 魏找到莉娜，把事情经过一五一十地告诉了她。En: Wei found Lina and told her the whole story.Zh: 莉娜答应帮助魏，一起在茶馆寻找线索。En: Lina agreed to help Wei, and together they searched for clues in the teahouse.Zh: 茶馆里，魏和莉娜仔细检查每一个角落，找到了学者留下的笔记。En: In the teahouse, Wei and Lina carefully examined every corner and found notes left by the scholar.Zh: 笔记里提到了一个隐藏在森林中的地点，似乎暗示了关于卷轴的所在。En: The notes mentioned a location hidden in the forest, which seemed to hint at the whereabouts of the scroll.Zh: 两人一路上遇到了商贾金。En: Along the way, they encountered a mysterious trader named Jin.Zh: 金为人神秘，对此事知之甚少。魏却敏锐地察觉金或许知道些什么。En: Although Jin knew little about the matter, Wei keenly sensed Jin might know something.Zh: 经过一番交谈，金透露，学者正是因为卷轴地图上的藏宝地点而消失的。En: After some conversation, Jin revealed that the scholar had disappeared because of a treasure location marked on the scroll map.Zh: 他们决定追踪学者。En: They decided to track the scholar.Zh: 终于，在浙江郊外的树林里，他们发现学者正试图解读卷上的秘密。En: Finally, in the woods on the outskirts of Zhejiang, they found the scholar trying to decipher the secrets on the scroll.Zh: 经过一番交锋，魏终于拿回了卷轴。En: After a confrontation, Wei finally retrieved the scroll.Zh: 揭开卷轴，魏不仅发现了遗失已久的家族历史，还发现这卷轴是一幅藏宝图。En: Unrolling the scroll, Wei discovered not only the long-lost family history but also that the scroll was a treasure map.Zh: 卷轴上指引的宝藏，比他想象的更为珍贵。En: The treasure guided by the scroll was more precious than he had imagined.Zh: 通过这场冒险，魏变得更加自信。En: Through this adventure, Wei grew more confident.Zh: 他意识到历史的保护和传承，远不止个人的渴望那么简单。En: He realized that the preservation and inheritance of history were not as simple as personal desire.Zh: 他望向月亮高挂的夜空，在心中默默感谢这个值得纪念的中秋夜。En: He looked up at the moon hanging high in the night sky and silently thanked this memorable Mid-Autumn night.Zh: 这个秋天，魏不仅找到了家族的秘密，也找到了历史的真谛。En: This autumn, Wei not only discovered his family's secret but also found the true meaning of history.Zh: 茶馆外，月光洒在大地上，给这个故事画上了圆满的句点。En: Outside the teahouse, moonlight drenched the earth, bringing this story to a fulfilling close. Vocabulary Words:nestled: 坐落bustling: 繁华aroma: 香气intricately: 精美细致scholar: 学者artifacts: 文物scrolls: 卷轴suspected: 怀疑sneaked: 潜入urgently: 急需artisan: 工匠clues: 线索examined: 检查mysterious: 神秘trader: 商贾decipher: 解读confrontation: 交锋retrieved: 拿回unrolling: 揭开precious: 珍贵adventure: 冒险confident: 自信preservation: 保护inheritance: 传承personal desire: 个人的渴望fulfilling: 圆满secrets: 秘密memorable: 值得纪念mid-autumn: 中秋drenched: 洒

Today's Episode:Where do Chinese people love to move to — and why?

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Science Spark: Xiaoli's Triumph in Teamwork and Innovation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-02-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在金色的秋天，阳光透过科学博物馆的大玻璃窗洒在地板上，给人一种暖意。En: In the golden autumn, sunlight spilled onto the floor through the large glass windows of the Kexue Bowuguan (Science Museum), giving a sense of warmth.Zh: 小丽正在为新科学博览会筹备一个特别的展览。En: Xiaoli was preparing a special exhibition for the new science fair.Zh: 她是一位充满好奇心且敬业的博物馆策展人，一心想让科学变得有趣、易懂。En: She was a curious and dedicated museum curator with a passion for making science interesting and understandable.Zh: 小丽面对很多问题。En: Xiaoli faced many challenges.Zh: 首先，展览设备出了技术故障。En: Firstly, the exhibition equipment was experiencing technical faults.Zh: 其次，预算很紧张，她必须在有限的资源中创作出彩的展示。En: Secondly, the budget was tight, and she had to create impressive displays with limited resources.Zh: 为了克服这些挑战，小丽决定邀请梅和静的帮助。En: To overcome these challenges, Xiaoli decided to invite Mei and Jing to help.Zh: 梅是互动展览的专家，静则是本地的艺术家，擅长制作醒目的展品。En: Mei is an expert in interactive exhibits, and Jing is a local artist skilled in creating eye-catching displays.Zh: 他们一起工作，日夜不休。En: They worked together, tirelessly, day and night.Zh: 梅处理技术问题，确保所有的互动设备正常运转。En: Mei handled the technical problems, ensuring that all interactive equipment operated smoothly.Zh: 静则用她的艺术天赋，把简单的材料变成吸引人的视觉效果。En: Jing used her artistic skills to transform simple materials into captivating visuals.Zh: 经过几天不眠不休的努力，他们终于准备好了。En: After days of sleepless efforts, they were finally ready.Zh: 科学博览会的开放日到了，博物馆里人来人往。En: The opening day of the science fair arrived, and the museum was bustling with people.Zh: 孩子们满脸好奇地穿梭在各个展台之间。En: Children wandered through the different exhibits with curiosity.Zh: 一切看起来都很顺利，小丽暗自松了一口气。En: Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and Xiaoli breathed a sigh of relief.Zh: 然而，就在这个时候，主要的展品突然发生故障。En: However, just then, the main exhibit suddenly malfunctioned.Zh: 心急如焚的小丽迅速思考对策。En: Anxious, Xiaoli quickly brainstormed solutions.Zh: 没有时间犹豫，小丽立刻召集梅和静。En: Without hesitating, Xiaoli immediately gathered Mei and Jing.Zh: 在大家的努力之下，他们用另一件作品替代了故障设备。En: With everyone's efforts, they replaced the faulty equipment with another piece.Zh: 尽管不是原计划中的展品，却依然引起了参观者的兴趣，尤其是孩子们，他们充满惊喜地观察这个替代展品。En: Although it wasn't part of the original plan, it still captured the visitors' interest, especially the children who observed the substitute exhibit with delight.Zh: 最终，展览获得巨大成功，吸引许多人参观。En: In the end, the exhibition was a huge success, attracting many visitors.Zh: 小丽受到大家的一致好评。En: Xiaoli received unanimous praise.Zh: 她意识到，原来他人的帮助可以如此重要，也体会到团队合作的力量。En: She realized how crucial the help of others can be and also experienced the power of teamwork.Zh: 小丽在心里决定，以后她要更加开放地接受不同的观点与创意，继续为科学传播贡献她的力量。En: Xiaoli decided in her heart to be more open to different perspectives and ideas in the future, continuing to contribute her strength to the promotion of science. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋天sunlight: 阳光curator: 策展人exhibition: 展览challenges: 问题equipment: 设备faults: 故障budget: 预算resources: 资源interactive: 互动displays: 展示artistic: 艺术captivating: 吸引人的visuals: 视觉效果bustling: 人来人往wandered: 穿梭sigh of relief: 松了一口气brainstormed: 思考对策malfunctioned: 发生故障hesitating: 犹豫substitute: 替代delight: 惊喜unanimous: 一致crucial: 重要perspectives: 观点experience: 体会promotion: 传播dedicated: 敬业understandable: 易懂tirelessly: 不休

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Family Ties and Jade Heirlooms: A Chongyang Festival Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-02-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在上海的科学博物馆里，秋天的阳光穿透玻璃窗，洒在展厅的地板上。En: In the ke xue bo wu guan in Shanghai, the autumn sunlight penetrated the glass windows, casting light on the exhibition hall's floor.Zh: 各式各样的展柜中展示着中外的古代科技发明，吸引着孩子和游客们的目光。En: Various display cases showcased ancient technological inventions from both China and abroad, capturing the attention of children and visitors.Zh: 今天是重阳节，门外的小摊上燃着蜡烛，En: Today is the Chongyang Festival, and candles are lit on the small stalls outside.Zh: 温暖的火光伴随着外面飘落的黄叶，让节日的气氛更加浓厚。En: The warm glow of the candles, along with the falling yellow leaves, adds to the festive atmosphere.Zh: 小明是大哥，认为家族传承非常重要。En: Xiaoming is the eldest brother and believes that family heritage is very important.Zh: 他一边感受着博物馆的氛围，一边思考着今天的计划。En: As he absorbed the museum's atmosphere, he contemplated today's plan.Zh: 他决定今天和妹妹美玲谈谈关于家传玉佩的事。En: He decided to talk to his sister, Meiling, about the heirloom jade pendant.Zh: 美玲是个富有创造力的女孩，渴望独立和认同。En: Meiling is a creative girl, yearning for independence and recognition.Zh: 玉佩是祖父母留下的家族遗物，小明希望把它交给能真正珍惜家族传统的人。En: The jade pendant was a family heirloom left by their grandparents, and Xiaoming hoped to give it to someone who truly cherishes family traditions.Zh: 就在他们走到古代发明展览区时，小明趁机说起家族传承的事。En: As they reached the ancient inventions exhibition area, Xiaoming took the opportunity to bring up the family heritage issue.Zh: “美玲，我觉得我们得谈谈玉佩的继承问题了。”他语气坚定。En: "Meiling, I think we need to talk about the inheritance of the jade pendant," he said firmly.Zh: 美玲皱眉，她不想让哥哥支配一切，她也认为自己有权继承它。En: Meiling frowned; she didn't want her brother to control everything and believed she had the right to inherit it too.Zh: 争吵在此时开始升温，他们的声音在宽敞的展厅中回荡，引起了周围人的侧目。En: The argument began to heat up at this point, and their voices echoed through the spacious exhibition hall, drawing the attention of those around them.Zh: 这时，最小的弟弟小伟走上前来，En: At this moment, their youngest brother, Xiaowei, stepped forward.Zh: 他一直在旁观着哥哥姐姐的对峙。En: He had been observing the standoff between his older siblings.Zh: 他是家里的调和者，总能找到平衡的办法。En: As the family's peacemaker, he always found a way to balance things out.Zh: 他对小明和美玲说：“我们都是家的一部分，为什么不能共享这个玉佩？”En: He said to Xiaoming and Meiling, "We are all part of the family. Why can't we share the jade pendant?"Zh: 小伟继续解释：“我们可以轮流保管玉佩，同时每个人都负责组织一次家族聚会，En: Xiaowei continued to explain, "We can take turns keeping the pendant, and everyone can be responsible for organizing a family gathering.Zh: 这样不仅尊重了传统，也尊重了每个人的想法。”En: This way, we respect tradition and everyone's ideas."Zh: 哥哥姐姐听罢，愣了片刻，随后都点头同意。En: His older siblings paused for a moment, and then both nodded in agreement.Zh: 小明意识到，聆听和理解是保持家庭和睦的关键。En: Xiaoming realized that listening and understanding are key to maintaining family harmony.Zh: 美玲也欣然接受，她知道这样能让每个人都更亲近彼此。En: Meiling also gladly accepted, knowing that this way, everyone would feel closer to each other.Zh: 这次争执终于落下帷幕，兄弟姐妹们脸上都露出了释怀的微笑。En: The dispute finally came to an end, and the siblings had relieved smiles on their faces.Zh: 在这座充满历史和未来的博物馆深处，他们达成了共识。En: In the depths of this museum, full of history and the future, they reached a consensus.Zh: 走出博物馆时，黄叶在脚下轻轻作响，空气中弥漫着重阳节的温暖气息，家庭的纽带更加坚固。En: As they walked out of the museum, the yellow leaves crunched lightly underfoot, and the warmth of Chongyang Festival filled the air, solidifying the family bonds.Zh: 故事的结尾，每个人都明白，无论发生什么，他们永远都是一家人，共同分享快乐和责任。En: By the story's end, everyone understood that no matter what happens, they would always be family, sharing happiness and responsibilities together. Vocabulary Words:penetrated: 穿透casting: 洒showcased: 展示exhibition: 展览heirloom: 家传pendant: 玉佩yearning: 渴望contemplate: 思考heritage: 传承firmly: 坚定frowned: 皱眉standoff: 对峙peacemaker: 调和者consensus: 共识crunched: 作响inheritance: 继承responsible: 负责relieved: 释怀harmony: 和睦recognition: 认同traditions: 传统spacious: 宽敞siblings: 兄弟姐妹reside: 居住captured: 吸引bond: 纽带gathering: 聚会absorbed: 感受atmosphere: 氛围cherishes: 珍惜

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Chasing Lanterns and Dreams: Li Wei's Journey of Self-Discovery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-01-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 灯笼节的夜晚，市场上人头攒动，五光十色的灯笼把天空照得如同白昼。En: On the evening of the Lantern Festival, the market was crowded with people, and the colorful lanterns lit up the sky as if it were daylight.Zh: 李伟、张美和陈明漫步在热闹的人群中，空气中弥漫着甜甜的糖葫芦和烤鱿鱼的香气。En: Li Wei, Zhang Mei, and Chen Ming strolled through the lively crowd, the air filled with the sweet scent of tanghulu and roasted squid.Zh: 李伟的心情有些沉重。En: Li Wei felt a bit heavy-hearted.Zh: 每每家人聚会，总有人会拿他和表姐张美作比较。En: Every time there was a family gathering, someone would compare him with his cousin Zhang Mei.Zh: 张美在事业上是一个成功人士，家族中人人赞美。En: Zhang Mei was a successful person in her career, admired by everyone in the family.Zh: “伟子，你要加油啊，看看你表姐！”长辈们常常这样说。En: "Wei Zi, you need to work harder, look at your cousin!" the elders would often say.Zh: 李伟知道他们的意思，但他心中有自己的梦想，却一直不敢说出来，怕遭到批评。En: Li Wei understood what they meant, but he had his own dreams in mind, ones he never dared to speak out loud for fear of criticism.Zh: 那天晚上，李伟决定改变。En: That night, Li Wei decided to change.Zh: 他要在这次灯笼节上跟爷爷陈明坦白心事。En: He wanted to confide in his grandfather Chen Ming during the Lantern Festival.Zh: 他深吸一口气，看着爷爷慈祥的面容，内心却是忐忑不安。En: He took a deep breath, looking at his grandfather's kind face, yet he felt anxious inside.Zh: “爷爷，我有件事想告诉您。”李伟终于鼓起勇气。En: "Grandpa, there's something I want to tell you," Li Wei finally mustered the courage to speak.Zh: “哦？伟子，有什么要说的？”陈明和蔼地问，目光投向孙子。En: "Oh? Wei Zi, what do you want to say?" Chen Ming asked kindly, his gaze falling on his grandson.Zh: “爷爷，我想追求自己的梦想。En: "Grandpa, I want to pursue my own dreams.Zh: 我......我不想一直被拿来和表姐比较。En: I... I don't want to always be compared to my cousin.Zh: 我尊敬张美姐姐，但我有自己的路要走。”李伟语气坚定，心跳加速，等待爷爷的回应。En: I respect Zhang Mei too, but I have my own path to follow." Li Wei spoke with determination, his heart racing, as he awaited his grandfather's response.Zh: 陈明默默地听着，然后微微点头。En: Chen Ming listened silently, then nodded slightly.Zh: 他拍拍李伟的肩膀说：“伟子，人生是自己的。En: He patted Li Wei's shoulder and said, "Wei Zi, life is your own.Zh: 你要记住，不要被别人的想法左右，你的路自己走，我相信你。”En: Remember, don't be swayed by others' opinions, walk your own path, I believe in you."Zh: 李伟感觉如释重负，终于听到了他真正向往的话。En: Li Wei felt relieved, finally hearing the words he truly longed for.Zh: 他不禁感到一阵温暖，心中庞大的压力瞬间消散。En: He couldn't help but feel a warm wave, and the great pressure in his heart instantly dissipated.Zh: 他的脸上绽放出轻松的微笑，看着夜空中闪烁的灯笼，仿佛看见了自己的未来。En: A relaxed smile appeared on his face as he looked at the twinkling lanterns in the night sky, as if seeing his own future.Zh: 故事的结尾，李伟牵着爷爷的手，和家人们一起沉浸在灯笼节的欢乐中。En: At the end of the story, Li Wei held his grandfather's hand, immersing in the joy of the Lantern Festival with his family.Zh: 他知道，他再也不会感到孤单，因为家人和梦想始终陪伴在他的身边。En: He knew he would never feel alone again because family and dreams would always be by his side. Vocabulary Words:crowded: 人头攒动colorful: 五光十色strolled: 漫步lively: 热闹scent: 香气heavy-hearted: 沉重gathering: 聚会admired: 赞美confide: 坦白anxious: 忐忑不安mustered: 鼓起courage: 勇气determination: 坚定racing: 加速swayed: 左右relieved: 如释重负pressure: 压力dissipated: 消散twinkling: 闪烁immersing: 沉浸joy: 欢乐future: 未来fear: 怕path: 路opinion: 想法believe: 相信pursue: 追求compare: 比较elders: 长辈kind face: 慈祥的面容

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: A Vote for Hope: Li Hua's Courageous Autumn Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-01-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天的早晨，筛满了金黄色的阳光。En: On an autumn morning, the sunshine filtered in golden throughout.Zh: 落叶在风中轻轻地旋转，像是大自然在悄声地变换舞步。En: Leaves swirled gently in the wind, as if nature was silently changing its dance steps.Zh: 这一天是亡灵节，在一个挂满万寿菊和彩色剪纸的投票点，李华、伟和梅一同排队等待投票。En: This day was the Day of the Dead, and at a polling place adorned with marigolds and colorful paper cuttings, Li Hua, Wei, and Mei were standing in line, waiting to vote.Zh: 李华站在人群中，心里却并不平静。En: Li Hua stood among the crowd, but her heart was not at peace.Zh: 最近，医生告诉她要做一个重要的医疗检查。En: Recently, the doctor had told her she needed to undergo an important medical test.Zh: 她一直在等待结果，心里充满了不安。En: She had been waiting for the results, with her heart filled with unease.Zh: 可是，她知道今天必须来投票。En: However, she knew she had to come to vote today.Zh: 作为一个社区的一员，她希望自己的选票能够带来变化。En: As a member of the community, she hoped her ballot would bring about change.Zh: “李华，你还好吗？En: "Li Hua, are you okay?"Zh: ”伟关切地问。En: Wei asked with concern.Zh: 伟是李华的好朋友，总是能感受到她的情绪变化。En: Wei is Li Hua's good friend and always seems able to sense her emotional changes.Zh: “我没事的，谢谢你，伟。En: "I'm fine, thank you, Wei."Zh: ”李华微笑着回答，但声音中透着一丝不安。En: Li Hua replied with a smile, but there was a hint of unease in her voice.Zh: 线慢慢地移动，李华尽量让自己不去想着那些可能的结果。En: The line moved slowly, and Li Hua tried not to think about the possible outcomes.Zh: 她努力去体会周围的氛围。En: She made an effort to take in the surroundings.Zh: 万寿菊的香味与剪纸的彩色图案交织在一起，充满节日气息，让人感受到生命与死亡的轮回。En: The scent of marigolds intertwined with the colorful patterns of the paper cuttings, full of festive spirit, making one feel the cycle of life and death.Zh: 就在李华站在投票箱前准备填写选票时，她的手机突然响了。En: Just as Li Hua stood before the ballot box, ready to fill out her ballot, her phone suddenly rang.Zh: 是医生的电话。En: It was a call from the doctor.Zh: 她的心跳加速，手指微微颤抖。En: Her heartbeat quickened, and her fingers trembled slightly.Zh: 接，还是不接？En: To answer, or not to answer?Zh: 李华深深吸了一口气，决定先专注当下。En: Li Hua took a deep breath, deciding to focus on the present moment first.Zh: 她将手机调成静音，小心地填完选票，这一刻，她把所有的焦虑暂时搁置一旁。En: She put her phone on silent mode and carefully completed her ballot, momentarily setting aside all her anxieties.Zh: 投票结束，她心中感到了一种未曾有过的平静。En: After voting, she felt a kind of peace she had never experienced before.Zh: 走出投票站后，李华终于拿起手机，听了语音留言。En: After stepping out of the polling station, Li Hua finally picked up her phone and listened to the voicemail.Zh: 无论结果如何，她都知道今天已经完成了一件重要的事情。En: No matter the result, she knew she had accomplished something important today.Zh: 通过这样的方式，她为自己和他人的未来贡献了一份力量。En: Through this act, she contributed a part of her strength to the future of herself and others.Zh: 李华抬头望着天空，阳光穿过树叶洒下斑驳的光影。En: Li Hua looked up at the sky, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows.Zh: 她感受到一种坚韧的力量，这力量来自于内心的安定，以及对社区的责任感。En: She felt a resilient strength, a strength that came from inner peace and a sense of responsibility to the community.Zh: 投票站外，梅笑着对李华说：“走吧，庆祝一下今天的胜利。En: Outside the polling station, Mei smiled at Li Hua and said, "Let's go celebrate today's victory."Zh: ”李华点点头，微笑着走进秋天的阳光里，心中满是希望。En: Li Hua nodded and smiled, stepping into the autumn sunlight with her heart full of hope. Vocabulary Words:swirled: 旋转ballot: 选票filter: 筛满adorned: 挂满marigolds: 万寿菊unease: 不安patterns: 图案polling: 投票dappled: 斑驳victory: 胜利voicemail: 语音留言resilient: 坚韧contribute: 贡献trembled: 颤抖undergo: 做intertwined: 交织responsibility: 责任感focus: 专注scent: 香味outcomes: 结果accomplished: 完成unease: 不安strength: 力量peace: 平静hope: 希望dance steps: 舞步trembled: 微微颤抖festive: 节日shadows: 光影community: 社区

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Night Market Sparks: A Tale of Unexpected Connection Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-31-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 台北的夜市是一个让人流连忘返的地方。En: The Taipei night market is a place that leaves people longing to linger.Zh: 秋天的夜晚，空气中弥漫着淡淡的桂花香，五光十色的灯笼点缀着整条街道。En: On autumn nights, the air is filled with a faint scent of osmanthus flowers, and the dazzling lanterns adorn the entire street.Zh: 李伟是个摄影师，他负责拍摄一组关于夜市的杂志特写。En: Li Wei is a photographer tasked with shooting a magazine feature about the night market.Zh: 他的相机时刻准备着，寻找那些美丽的瞬间。En: His camera is always at the ready, searching for those beautiful moments.Zh: 小陈是个大学生，学习文化人类学，对城市空间充满好奇。En: Xiao Chen is a college student studying cultural anthropology, full of curiosity about urban spaces.Zh: 他常常走在夜市中，观察人群，体验当地的文化。En: He often walks through the night market, observing the crowds and experiencing the local culture.Zh: 这天晚上，他们两个都来到了同一个夜市。En: On this night, both of them found their way to the same night market.Zh: 李伟穿梭于各个摊位，按下快门，捕捉夜市的热闹与烟火气。En: Li Wei shuttled between various stalls, pressing the shutter to capture the bustling and vibrant atmosphere of the night market.Zh: 而小陈则在思考，自己与所学传统之间的距离。En: Meanwhile, Xiao Chen was pondering the distance between himself and the traditions he studied.Zh: 当他们正各自沉浸于自己的世界时，意外发生了。En: While they were each immersed in their own worlds, an unexpected event occurred.Zh: 突然，整个夜市陷入了一片黑暗。En: Suddenly, the entire night market was plunged into darkness.Zh: 电力中断。En: A power outage.Zh: 李伟停下了拍摄，他习惯了通过镜头观察世界，却在此时感到视觉受限。En: Li Wei halted his shooting, accustomed to seeing the world through his lens, he found his vision limited.Zh: 小陈感到有些惶恐，他没有带手电，路上漆黑一片。En: Xiao Chen felt a bit anxious since he hadn't brought a flashlight, and the road was pitch black.Zh: 但李伟没有放弃，他决定利用微弱的灯笼光继续拍摄。En: However, Li Wei did not give up.Zh: 他想要记录下这不期而遇的真实瞬间。En: He decided to take advantage of the faint light from the lanterns to continue shooting.Zh: 小陈则在黑暗中摸索着，觉得这个许多人经历同样境遇的时刻，值得深入体验。En: He wanted to capture this unexpectedly genuine moment.Zh: 他的好奇心战胜了焦虑。En: Xiao Chen fumbled through the darkness, feeling that this moment, where many people were experiencing the same situation, was worth delving into.Zh: 就在一个卖小吃的摊位，两个世界交汇了。En: His curiosity triumphed over his anxiety.Zh: 李伟和小陈在昏暗中碰到了一起。En: At a snack stall, the two worlds converged.Zh: 李伟手中的相机轻轻撞到了小陈，二人对视一笑。En: Li Wei's camera gently bumped into Xiao Chen.Zh: “抱歉，我正试图用自然光拍些照片，”李伟说道。En: They exchanged a smile in the dim light.Zh: “我也是在享受这难得的黑暗。En: "Sorry, I'm trying to take some photos with natural light," Li Wei said.Zh: ”小陈答道。En: "I'm also enjoying this rare darkness," Xiao Chen replied.Zh: 他们坐下来，一起享用摊主的美味夜宵。En: They sat down and shared a delicious night snack from the vendor.Zh: 聊天中，他们发现彼此有着相似的追求和梦想。En: During their conversation, they discovered they had similar pursuits and dreams.Zh: 李伟感受到了真正的交流，而不仅是通过镜头的观察。En: Li Wei felt a genuine connection, not just observation through the lens.Zh: 小陈也开始从学术的严谨中走出来，体验到交流带来的温暖。En: Xiao Chen also began to step out from academic rigor, experiencing the warmth brought by interaction.Zh: 漫长的夜晚，他们谈论着彼此的经历和未来的计划。En: Throughout the long night, they talked about their experiences and future plans.Zh: 那一瞬间，电灯重启，但夜市的喧闹似乎已不再重要。En: At that moment, the lights came back on, but the noise of the night market seemed less important.Zh: 重要的是，他们找到了属于自己的契合。En: What mattered was that they found a connection synchronized with their own.Zh: 李伟对未能拍到完美照片不再遗憾，他收获了意料之外的友谊。En: Li Wei was no longer regretful about not capturing the perfect photo; he gained an unexpected friendship.Zh: 小陈明白到，文化的体验不仅是观察，更是参与和感受。En: Xiao Chen realized that experiencing culture is not just about observing, but also participating and feeling it.Zh: 这个夜晚，秋风轻拂，灯火再亮，却也没有比心灵间的火花更温暖的光芒。En: That night, as the autumn breeze gently blew and the lights shone again, no light was warmer than the sparks of connection between their hearts. Vocabulary Words:longing: 流连忘返linger: 流连scent: 香osmanthus: 桂花adorn: 点缀shuttled: 穿梭pondering: 思考traditions: 传统plunged: 陷入outage: 中断halted: 停下accustomed: 习惯了fumbled: 摸索curiosity: 好奇心triumph: 战胜converged: 交汇vendor: 摊主pursuits: 追求rigor: 严谨immersed: 沉浸anxious: 惶恐genuine: 真实experience: 体验breezed: 轻拂interaction: 交流connection: 契合observe: 观察participating: 参与sparks: 火花bustling: 热闹

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Gamble of Trust: A Mystical Night at the Poker Table Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-31-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天的夜晚，灯火辉煌的赌场中，气氛紧张而神秘。En: On an autumn night, within the brightly lit duchang, the atmosphere was tense and mysterious.Zh: 一排排南瓜灯在黑暗中微微闪烁，秋季的落叶香味于空气中若隐若现。En: Rows of jack-o'-lanterns flickered faintly in the darkness, and the scent of autumn leaves lingered in the air.Zh: 李威坐在一张圆桌旁，身着侦探装的他，低调而深沉。En: Li Wei sat at a round table, dressed as a detective, low-key and profound.Zh: 他必须赢得这场高风险的扑克比赛，来帮助一个深陷债务的朋友。En: He had to win this high-stakes poker game to help a friend who was deep in debt.Zh: 他的对手中，有一位特别引人注目的人——景。En: Among his opponents, there was one particularly intriguing person—Jing.Zh: 景穿着1920年代的经典纳西头女郎装，神秘而迷人。En: Jing was dressed as a classic 1920 niandai Naxi tou nulang from the 1920s, mysterious and enchanting.Zh: 每一次她出牌，目光都坚定而自信，让李威不禁对她产生了好奇与警惕。En: Every time she played a card, her eyes were firm and confident, causing Li Wei to feel both curious and wary of her.Zh: “今晚一定要小心，”李威心想，“但景，让人无法不关注。”En: "Tonight, I must be careful," Li Wei thought, "but Jing is impossible to ignore."Zh: 随着游戏的进行，李威越发发现，自己总是分神去注意景的动向。En: As the game progressed, Li Wei increasingly found himself distracted by Jing's moves.Zh: 他知道，这种心不在焉可能带来危险。En: He knew this absent-mindedness could be dangerous.Zh: 可每当景微微一笑，李威又忍不住想，她的微笑背后，是否藏着更深的意图。En: Yet, whenever Jing smiled slightly, he couldn't help but wonder if there was a deeper intention behind her smile.Zh: 在紧张对决的间隙，景看向李威，轻声道：“为什么不合作呢？我们可以成为双赢的组合。”En: During a tense break in the duel, Jing looked at Li Wei and softly said, "Why not cooperate? We could form a winning combination."Zh: 李威犹豫片刻，但内心深处，他感受到一种莫名其妙的信任。En: Li Wei hesitated for a moment, but deep inside, he felt an inexplicable trust.Zh: “好吧，”他说，“但如果发现你耍花招，我绝不会留情。”En: "Alright," he said, "but if I find out you're playing tricks, I won't hold back."Zh: 游戏进入最后的白热化阶段。En: The game reached its final, fervent stage.Zh: 他们面临一个艰难的选择：是各自为战，还是联手对抗其余玩家？En: They faced a difficult choice: should they battle individually, or join forces against the other players?Zh: 李威和景对视一眼，决定冒险一搏。En: Li Wei and Jing exchanged a glance and decided to risk everything.Zh: 一个大胆的诈唬，他们将手里的牌桌面朝下，面带自信。En: With a bold bluff, they laid their cards face down on the table, brimming with confidence.Zh: 这一招瞒天过海，最终奇迹般地奏效了。En: This deception succeeded miraculously.Zh: 赢得比赛的欣喜随着一阵秋风而来，带来新的友情与可能性。En: The joy of winning the game came with the autumn breeze, bringing new friendships and possibilities.Zh: 走出赌场时，李威与景并肩而行，秋叶在他们身边舞动。En: As they left the duchang, Li Wei and Jing walked side by side, autumn leaves dancing around them.Zh: 李威意识到，游戏中的合作，不仅仅是为了胜利。En: Li Wei realized that the cooperation in the game was not only for victory.Zh: 某些时候，信任与合作，也可能带来意想不到的温暖。En: Sometimes, trust and cooperation could also bring unexpected warmth.Zh: 他看着身边的景，轻轻说道：“也许，有些风险是值得冒的。”En: He looked at Jing beside him and gently said, "Perhaps, some risks are worth taking."Zh: 景回以微笑。En: Jing returned his smile.Zh: 秋夜静谧，只有两人的心跳在跳动着，诉说着新的开始。En: The autumn night was quiet, with only their heartbeats speaking of a new beginning. Vocabulary Words:duchang: 赌场jack-o'-lantern: 南瓜灯profound: 深沉high-stakes: 高风险intriguing: 引人注目enchanting: 迷人absent-mindedness: 心不在焉deeper: 更深intention: 意图cooperate: 合作hesitated: 犹豫inexplicable: 莫名其妙tricks: 花招fervent: 白热化bold: 大胆bluff: 诈唬brimming: 面带deception: 瞒天过海miraculously: 奇迹般地possibilities: 可能性dancing: 舞动unexpected: 意想不到warmth: 温暖quiet: 静谧heartbeats: 心跳amicable: 和谐glance: 对视risk: 风险stake: 赌注distracted: 分神

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: From Rainfall to Triumph: Ming's Quest for Success Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-30-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个阴沉的秋日早晨，明从窗外望去，细雨无声地拍打着玻璃。En: On a gloomy autumn morning, Ming gazed out the window as fine rain silently tapped against the glass.Zh: 今天是重阳节，公司休息了一天，En: Today was the Chongyang Festival, and the company had a day off.Zh: 然而有一个重要会议需要明参加，他已经准备了很久。En: However, there was an important meeting that Ming needed to attend, one he had been preparing for a long time.Zh: 对他来说，这次会议决定了升迁的机会，这个机会对他和他的家人都至关重要。En: For him, this meeting could determine a promotion opportunity, which was crucial for both him and his family.Zh: 明平时是个勤奋的员工，总是承担着比别人更多的工作。En: Ming was typically a diligent employee, always taking on more work than others.Zh: 他希望今天的表现能打动严格但公正的老板嘉，赢得她的称赞。En: He hoped that his performance today could impress his strict yet fair boss, Jia, and earn her praise.Zh: 可是，天有不测风云，En: But, as fate would have it, unexpected events occurred.Zh: 他踏入地铁站后，被告知有突发的交通问题：由于大量的秋叶落在铁轨上，加上大雨，列车延误。En: When he stepped into the subway station, he was informed of sudden traffic issues: due to a large amount of fallen autumn leaves on the tracks, combined with heavy rain, the trains were delayed.Zh: 时间在一分一秒地流逝，明站在站台上，心急如焚。En: Time ticked by second by second as Ming stood on the platform, anxious.Zh: 为了不浪费更多时间，他马上拨通了同事亮的电话。En: Not wanting to waste more time, he quickly dialed his colleague Liang's phone number.Zh: “亮，帮我个忙，我可能会迟到。En: "Liang, can you do me a favor? I might be late.Zh: 能不能先帮我撑一下会议？”明尽量让自己的声音不显得慌乱。En: Could you cover for me at the meeting?" Ming tried to keep his voice calm.Zh: 亮总是很乐于助人，他安慰明：“放心吧，交给我。En: Liang was always helpful and reassured Ming: "Don't worry, leave it to me.Zh: 我先替你说几句。”挂掉电话后，明焦急地在脑中盘算着如何到达公司。En: I'll start with a few words for you." After hanging up, Ming anxiously planned in his head how to get to the company.Zh: 打车是最快的选择，但费用不菲。En: A taxi was the fastest option, but costly.Zh: 他犹豫了一下，决定寻找其他路线。En: He hesitated for a moment and decided to look for alternative routes.Zh: 终于，他发现还可以搭乘一条鲜有人知的小路公交，虽然这样他不得不淋湿在雨中，却别无选择。En: Finally, he discovered he could take a little-known bus route, although this meant getting wet in the rain, he had no other choice.Zh: 来到公司时，明的衣服已经湿透。En: When he arrived at the company, Ming's clothes were already soaked.Zh: 他急冲冲进了会议室，会议正进行得如火如荼。En: He rushed into the meeting room, where the meeting was in full swing.Zh: 他喘息着走到前面，亮已经把他的演讲稿准备好放在桌子上。En: Panting, he went to the front, and Liang had already prepared his presentation on the table.Zh: 明开始他的演讲，虽然开场有些紧张，但他很快镇定下来，流利地讲述自己的计划和建议。En: Ming began his presentation, and although he was initially nervous, he quickly composed himself and eloquently outlined his plans and proposals.Zh: 期间，他奋力抑制身体的寒意，全神贯注于会议。En: Throughout, he fought to suppress the chill in his body, fully concentrating on the meeting.Zh: 会议结束后，嘉点头表示认可，并对明说：“虽然过程有些曲折，但你的努力得到了体现。”En: After the meeting ended, Jia nodded in approval and said to Ming, "Although the process was a bit turbulent, your efforts were evident."Zh: 她赞扬明在困难前表现出的顽强和创新精神。En: She praised Ming for his tenacity and innovation in the face of difficulties.Zh: 那一天，明不仅赢得了老板的嘉许，也学会了如何依赖团队的力量。En: That day, Ming not only gained his boss's approval but also learned how to rely on the power of teamwork.Zh: 明白了自己的同事其实是可依靠的伙伴，能够在关键时刻伸出援手。En: He realized that his colleagues were indeed reliable partners who could lend a hand at critical times.Zh: 从此以后，明不再孤军奋战，而是与同事们更加紧密地合作。En: From then on, Ming no longer fought alone but collaborated more closely with his colleagues.Zh: 他意识到，寻求帮助并不是软弱，而是表示一种成熟与智慧。En: He realized that seeking help was not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of maturity and wisdom. Vocabulary Words:gloomy: 阴沉autumn: 秋日gazed: 望silently: 无声地promotion: 升迁diligent: 勤奋strict: 严格praise: 称赞fate: 不测风云unexpected: 突发anxious: 心急如焚hesitate: 犹豫alternative: 其他discovered: 发现eloquently: 流利地outlined: 讲述composed: 镇定panting: 喘息turbulent: 曲折tenacity: 顽强innovation: 创新rely: 依赖collaborated: 合作maturity: 成熟wisdom: 智慧lend a hand: 伸出援手critical: 关键reassured: 安慰suppressed: 抑制full swing: 如火如荼

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Pumpkin Lanterns and Leadership: A Halloween Office Drama Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-30-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 办公室的天花板上挂满了南瓜灯，幽灵贴纸贴在墙上，整个办公室被装饰得非常有节日气氛。En: The office ceiling was covered with nanguadeng (pumpkin lanterns) and ghost stickers adorned the walls, giving the entire office a festive atmosphere.Zh: 庄重的办公环境此刻被搞怪的气息笼罩，电脑的嗡嗡声和员工们的窃窃私语交织在一起。En: The solemn work environment was now shrouded in a spooky aura, with the humming of computers and the whispering of employees intertwining.Zh: 正值秋天，树叶变黄，大街上满是枫叶，空气中飘着淡淡的果香。En: It was autumn, the leaves were turning yellow, the streets were full of fengye (maple leaves), and a faint fruity scent lingered in the air.Zh: 伟，一位默默无闻的项目经理，看着自己负责的文件。En: Wei, an unassuming project manager, was looking over the files he was responsible for.Zh: 他心里想着，今天的万圣节派对一定要让大家团结起来，同时被上司看到自己的工作能力。En: He thought to himself that today's Halloween party must bring everyone together while also demonstrating his work capabilities to his boss.Zh: 这是公司的一次团建活动，由他和其他两位同事小梁和静策划。En: This was a team-building event organized by him and two other colleagues, Xiao Liang and Jing.Zh: 此刻，伟站在办公桌前，开始思考如何在不惹麻烦的情况下确保活动的顺利进行。En: At this moment, Wei stood in front of his desk, pondering how to ensure the event's smooth execution without causing any trouble.Zh: 小梁是团队的领头，她一直以创造性而闻名，不过有时这也带来不小的混乱。En: Xiao Liang was the team leader, known for her creativity, but sometimes this also brought about considerable chaos.Zh: 为了提高团队凝聚力，她策划了一场即兴服装比赛，希望能带动大家的兴趣。En: To enhance team cohesion, she planned an impromptu costume contest, hoping to spark everyone's interest.Zh: 静则是个注重细节的分析师，她寻求安静的环境，因此对小梁激烈的计划心存疑虑。En: Jing, on the other hand, was a detail-oriented analyst who sought a quiet environment, so she was skeptical of Xiao Liang's intense plans.Zh: 活动开始后，员工们纷纷换上搞怪的服装。En: After the event started, employees donned their quirky costumes.Zh: 小梁大声宣布：“大家，现在开始我们的即兴服装比赛了！En: Xiao Liang announced loudly, "Everyone, let's start our improv costume contest now!Zh: 尽情展现你们的创意吧！En: Show off your creativity!"Zh: ”然而，比赛刚开始，便引起了争论。En: However, as soon as the contest began, it sparked a debate.Zh: 静觉得规则不够明确，参与者没有边界，忙乱成了一团。En: Jing felt the rules were unclear, participants had no boundaries, and everything turned into a chaotic mess.Zh: 伟知道是时候做出决定了。En: Wei knew it was time to make a decision.Zh: 他见争执不下，便走到小梁和静中间，微笑着说：“我们不如来个折中，让大家组成小组，各展所长。En: Seeing the unresolved dispute, he stepped between Xiao Liang and Jing, smiling as he said, "How about we compromise and let everyone form groups, showcasing their strengths?Zh: 这样既有趣，也更有秩序。En: This way, it's both fun and orderly."Zh: ”两人听完后，觉得这是个好主意，纷纷开始组织各自的小组活动。En: After hearing this, both agreed it was a great idea and began organizing their respective group activities.Zh: 最终，活动在欢快的气氛中圆满结束。En: In the end, the event concluded successfully in a joyful atmosphere.Zh: 伟的决策不仅化解了争执，还让活动更加成功。En: Wei's decision not only resolved the dispute but also made the event more successful.Zh: 上司向伟投来了赞许的目光，团队成员也对他的领导表示感谢。En: The boss gave Wei a look of approval, and team members also thanked him for his leadership.Zh: 通过这次派对，伟不单单获得了应得的认可，更学会了如何在团队中调和个人需求与集体利益。En: Through this party, Wei not only gained the recognition he deserved but also learned how to balance individual needs with collective interests within the team.Zh: 他意识到领导力不仅在于个人能力的展示，更在于英明的决策和有效的沟通。En: He realized that leadership lies not only in showcasing personal skills but in wise decision-making and effective communication.Zh: 办公室在笑声和欢呼中重回平静，而伟的心里，却多了一份自信与成就感。En: The office returned to calmness amidst laughter and cheers, while in Wei's heart, there was a newfound sense of confidence and accomplishment. Vocabulary Words:ceiling: 天花板adorned: 装饰solemn: 庄重shrouded: 笼罩aura: 气息intertwining: 交织unassuming: 默默无闻demonstrating: 展示smooth: 顺利execution: 进行cohesion: 凝聚力impromptu: 即兴creative: 创造性quirky: 搞怪debate: 争论participants: 参与者unresolved: 争执不下dispute: 争执compromise: 折中showcasing: 展现orderly: 有秩序joyful: 欢快concluded: 结束recognition: 认可balance: 调和collective: 集体effective: 有效confidence: 自信accomplishment: 成就感lingered: 飘

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Balancing Books and Boos: Li Wei's Autumn Epiphany Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-29-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在北京的一个现代化小区里，秋天的风夹杂着轻微的寒意，落叶在干净的街道上翩翩起舞。En: In a modern residential area in Beijing, the autumn wind carried a slight chill, and fallen leaves danced gracefully across the clean streets.Zh: 小区中间矗立着李伟的学校，那是一座典型的城市公立中学，四周是金黄的银杏树。En: In the center of the community stands Li Wei's school, a typical urban public middle school, surrounded by golden ginkgo trees.Zh: 李伟是一个努力学习的中学生，最近他感觉到学业压力越来越大，尤其是当他看着自己最近不太理想的数学成绩。En: Li Wei is a hardworking middle school student, recently feeling increasing academic pressure, especially when he looked at his not-too-satisfactory math grades.Zh: 他的母亲虽然忙于工作，却始终关注着儿子的学习情况，而班主任张老师也是一个严厉而关心学生的老师。En: Although his mother is busy with work, she always keeps an eye on her son's studies, and his homeroom teacher, Teacher Zhang, is a strict yet caring teacher.Zh: 这时，听说小区即将举办万圣节活动，李伟心里充满期待。En: At this time, news spread that the community would soon host a Halloween event, and Li Wei felt full of anticipation.Zh: 他喜欢这种节日带来的乐趣，特别是在学校和家之间奔波的日子里。En: He enjoyed the fun that such festivals brought, especially during the hectic days between school and home.Zh: 但是，他也知道，如果不能提高成绩，母亲和张老师对他的担心只会增加。En: However, he also knew that if he couldn't improve his grades, the concerns from his mother and Teacher Zhang would only increase.Zh: 今天是家长会的日子，李伟和母亲一起走进学校。En: Today was the day of the parent-teacher meeting, and Li Wei walked into the school with his mother.Zh: 教室里，张老师正在一一和家长们交流。En: In the classroom, Teacher Zhang was communicating with the parents one by one.Zh: 轮到李伟时，张老师微笑着说：“李伟是一个很有潜力的学生，他有很强的学习能力。但有时候，我们也需要平衡学习和娱乐。”En: When it was Li Wei's turn, Teacher Zhang smiled and said, "Li Wei is a student with great potential; he has strong learning abilities. But sometimes, we need to balance study and entertainment."Zh: 听到这里，李伟的母亲不禁皱起眉头，En: Hearing this, Li Wei's mother couldn't help but frown.Zh: 她总是希望孩子能把学习放在第一位。En: She always wished for her child to prioritize studying.Zh: 李伟在一旁紧张地等待着。En: Li Wei, standing by, waited nervously.Zh: 不久后，会议结束了，回家的路上，母亲说道：“我知道你很努力，但我们或许也应该给自己一些放松的时间。”En: Shortly after, the meeting ended, and on the way home, his mother said, "I know you work hard, but perhaps we should also give ourselves some time to relax."Zh: 李伟点了点头，心里有了新的想法。En: Li Wei nodded, having a new idea in his mind.Zh: 晚上，他认真计划了一下自己的时间表，决定在合理安排学习时间的同时，也参加小区的万圣节活动。En: That evening, he carefully planned his schedule, deciding to balance his study time wisely while also participating in the community's Halloween event.Zh: 他向母亲承诺道：“我一定能够管理好我的时间。”En: He promised his mother, "I will manage my time well."Zh: 在万圣节当晚，李伟穿着精心准备的服装，和小区里的小伙伴们度过了一个愉快的夜晚。En: On Halloween night, Li Wei wore a carefully prepared costume and spent an enjoyable evening with his friends in the community.Zh: 他感受到了一种久违的轻松，也明白了平衡生活的重要。En: He experienced a long-lost sense of relaxation and understood the importance of balancing life.Zh: 从那以后，李伟变得更加自信。En: From then on, Li Wei became more confident.Zh: 他既在学习上取得了进步，又不忘享受生活。En: He made progress in his studies while also remembering to enjoy life.Zh: 他的母亲和老师都为他的成长感到骄傲。En: His mother and teacher were proud of his growth.Zh: 秋风继续吹拂着校园，而李伟在这片落叶中逐渐迈向更广阔的未来。En: The autumn wind continued to blow through the campus, and Li Wei gradually stepped towards a broader future amid the fallen leaves. Vocabulary Words:residential: 小区autumn: 秋天chill: 寒意gracefully: 翩翩surrounded: 四周ginkgo: 银杏hardworking: 努力academic: 学业pressure: 压力satisfactory: 理想homeroom teacher: 班主任anticipation: 期待festivals: 节日balance: 平衡entertainment: 娱乐prioritize: 放在第一位nervously: 紧张地relaxation: 放松schedule: 时间表confidence: 自信participating: 参加growth: 成长potential: 潜力manage: 管理vigorously: 精心broader: 广阔future: 未来progress: 进步hectic: 奔波concerns: 担心

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Harvesting Friendship: A Mid-Autumn Festival Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-29-07-38-19-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天到了，秋风轻轻地吹过，树叶在空中飘舞，瀑布般的金黄和火红装点着门禁社区的每一个角落。En: Autumn has arrived, the autumn breeze gently blowing through, leaves dancing in the air, with cascading gold and fiery red decorating every corner of the gated community.Zh: 梅和健住在这里。En: Mei and Jian live here.Zh: 他们是邻居。En: They are neighbors.Zh: 梅是一个很讲究的人，做事一丝不苟。En: Mei is a very meticulous person, doing things with great precision.Zh: 健刚搬来不久，随性自然，喜欢参加社区活动。En: Jian has only recently moved in, is carefree, and likes to participate in community activities.Zh: 中秋节快到了，梅想组织一个中秋节聚会。En: Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and Mei wants to organize a Mid-Autumn gathering.Zh: 她希望这次聚会能促进邻里之间的友情。En: She hopes this gathering can foster friendships among the neighbors.Zh: 但是单靠她一个人准备，显得非常忙碌。En: But preparing by herself makes her very busy.Zh: 梅在社区里的超市来回奔走，心里紧张，因为她想让这次聚会完美无瑕。En: Mei runs back and forth in the community supermarket, feeling anxious because she wants the gathering to be flawless.Zh: 某一天，在超市，梅正在挑选月饼。En: One day, at the supermarket, Mei is selecting mooncakes.Zh: 此时，健也走了进来，看到梅忙碌的样子，说：“需要帮忙吗？En: At this moment, Jian walks in, seeing Mei looking busy, and says, "Do you need help?"Zh: ”梅犹豫了一下。En: Mei hesitates for a moment.Zh: 她平时喜欢严格按照自己的计划来，一时不知道是否该接受健的帮助。En: She usually likes to follow her plans strictly and doesn't know if she should accept Jian's help.Zh: “我对中秋节不是很熟。En: "I'm not very familiar with the Mid-Autumn Festival," Jian continues, "but I really want to help."Zh: ”健继续说道，“但我真的很想帮忙。En: Mei thinks for a moment, trying hard to let go of her desire for control.Zh: ”梅想了想，努力放下心中控制的渴望。En: So, she nods: "Alright, let's prepare together."Zh: 于是，她点了点头：“好吧，我们一起准备。En: From that day on, Mei and Jian are busy together every day.Zh: ”从那天起，梅和健每天都一起忙碌。En: They select lanterns and decorate the venue together.Zh: 他们一起挑选灯笼，一起布置场地。En: They also designed some small games and prepared small gifts for the neighbors.Zh: 他们还设计了一些小游戏，为邻居们准备小礼物。En: Mei gradually finds out how wonderful it is to have someone to share with and help her.Zh: 梅逐渐发现，有人分享和帮助的感觉是多么美好。En: She no longer feels lonely and helpless.Zh: 她不再感到孤单无助。En: The night of the Mid-Autumn Festival finally arrives.Zh: 中秋之夜终于到来了。En: The moon hangs high in the sky, illuminating the community bathed in silvery light.Zh: 月亮高挂在天上，照亮了沐浴在银辉中的社区。En: Children carry lanterns, joyfully running around; people gather to taste mooncakes and watch performances.Zh: 孩子们提着灯笼，欢快地跑来跑去；人们围坐在一起，品尝月饼，看着节目表演。En: Mei looks at the lively atmosphere and feels a warmth in her heart.Zh: 梅看着热闹的氛围，心中涌起一阵暖意。En: Due to this gathering, she and Jian have not only become friends but also strengthened her connections with the neighbors.Zh: 因为这次聚会，她和健不仅成了朋友，也加强了她与邻居之间的联系。En: She feels the power of unity and understands the importance of cooperation.Zh: 她感觉到了团结的力量，明白了合作的重要性。En: In the evening, Jian says to Mei, "The gathering was truly a success, everyone is very happy.Zh: 晚上，健对梅说：“这次聚会真成功，大家都很高兴。En: Thank you for bringing me in."Zh: 谢谢你把我拉进来。En: Mei smiles, "Actually, I should thank you.Zh: ”梅笑了：“其实要谢谢你，是你的帮助让我明白了，社区的意义。En: Your help made me realize the meaning of community."Zh: ”秋夜微凉，但梅心里却无比温暖。En: The autumn night is slightly cool, but Mei feels incredibly warm in her heart.Zh: 因为在这个中秋节，她收获了友情，也收获了心灵的成长。En: Because during this Mid-Autumn Festival, she harvested friendship and also personal growth. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋天breeze: 微风cascading: 瀑布般的gated community: 门禁社区meticulous: 一丝不苟carefree: 随性自然participate: 参加approaching: 快到了gathering: 聚会foster: 促进flawless: 完美无瑕hesitate: 犹豫strictly: 严格familiar: 熟悉lantern: 灯笼decorate: 布置gradually: 逐渐lonely: 孤单helpless: 无助illuminating: 照亮bathed: 沐浴lively: 热闹atmosphere: 氛围unity: 团结cooperation: 合作success: 成功meaning: 意义harvested: 收获friendship: 友情growth: 成长

This week I sit back down with François Morin in his third appearance on the show. François is the World Nuclear Association's point person on China. He works and travels inside China, speaks fluent Mandarin, and spends time at the conventional and advanced reactor sites that the rest of us argue about on Twitter. We cover how quickly China is really building nuclear power compared to the heyday of the French Mesmer plan, how that compares to Chinese coal and gas deployment, why Chinese nuclear is still mostly coastal, and the use case, build times and performance of the so-called “advanced reactors” that China is operating while Western startups are still in the powerpoint phase pitching to investors.Watch the full conversation on YouTube.Listen to Decouple on:• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PNr3ml8nEQotWWavE9kQz • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decouple/id1516526694?uo=4 • Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1516526694/decouple • Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ehbfrn44 • RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/23775178/podcast/rss Website: https://www.decouple.media

聊中西文化，也聊很多东西！第七十九期，这期讲讲我和家人坐游轮去日本鹿儿岛和冲绳的经历，不好意思让大家久等了。 00:00 选择游轮的原因05:22 游轮优点1：丰富的娱乐设施与活动15:00 游轮缺点1：昂贵的WiFi15:40 游轮优点2：免签，手续方便  游轮缺点2：岸上自由活动时间紧张18:36 岸上观光的趣事22:30 游轮优点3：丰富的餐饮  游轮缺点3：很多额外消费29:00 其他优缺点31:35 最终总结与建议 欢迎给我们来信： ttmiChinese@gmail.comHave online class with Candice, please email candicex2018@gmail.comYouTube: Candice X Chinese MandarinInstagram: CandiceXMandarin2022免费学习资料 Free study materials please visit Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/candicexPDF full script for episode 79: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142216277Full subtitles with Pinyin for episode 79: https://youtu.be/T18Owx1HnOs

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: A Serendipitous Encounter at Beijing Airport: Courage & Hope Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-28-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 北京首都国际机场的大厅里，充满了行人的喧闹声。En: The hall of Beijing Capital International Airport was filled with the noise of travelers.Zh: 人们来来往往，欢声笑语的气氛中夹杂着月饼的香甜味。En: People came and went, and amidst the atmosphere of laughter and joy was the sweet aroma of mooncakes.Zh: 这是中秋节的前夕，机场的装饰上挂满了象征团圆的灯笼和剪纸。En: It was the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the airport was decorated with lanterns and paper cuttings symbolizing reunion.Zh: 美丽是一位忙碌的商业女性，此时的她正急匆匆地拉着行李箱，穿梭在人群之中。En: Meili was a busy businesswoman, and at this moment she was hurriedly pulling her suitcase, weaving through the crowd.Zh: 她要飞往国外完成一笔重要的商业交易，这是她事业的一次大好机会。En: She needed to fly abroad to complete an important business deal, which was a great opportunity for her career.Zh: 然而，尽管她看似坚强自信，心中却不断滋生着对飞行的恐惧。En: However, despite appearing strong and confident, her heart was growing increasingly fearful of flying.Zh: 越接近登机口，她的心跳得越快。En: The closer she got to the boarding gate, the faster her heart beat.Zh: 在另一个角落，向是一名认真负责的空乘人员。En: In another corner, Xiang was a diligent and responsible flight attendant.Zh: 他正忙于检查乘客的登机手续。En: He was busy checking the boarding passes of passengers.Zh: 向心中有些许不安，他答应家人中秋节回去，但如今只能尽力维持机场的秩序。En: Xiang felt a bit uneasy; he had promised his family he would come back for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but now he could only try to maintain airport order.Zh: 他多么希望能与家人一起赏月吃月饼。En: How he wished he could watch the moon and eat mooncakes with his family.Zh: 登机快要开始，美丽在排队时感到一阵晕眩，呼吸也越来越急促。En: As boarding was about to begin, Meili felt dizzy while waiting in line, with her breathing becoming more and more rapid.Zh: 她的恐惧终于爆发——一场严重的恐慌袭来。En: Her fear finally erupted—a serious panic attack hit her.Zh: 她不得不靠在墙上，感觉整个人要瘫倒。En: She had to lean against the wall, feeling as if she might collapse.Zh: 正在忙碌的向无意中看见了美丽，于是他走上前询问：“女士，您还好吗？需要帮助吗？”En: Busy with his tasks, Xiang happened to notice Meili, so he approached and asked, “Ma'am, are you okay? Do you need help?”Zh: 美丽无力地摇头，但眼神透出无奈和求助。En: Meili shook her head weakly, but her eyes showed helplessness and a plea for assistance.Zh: 向知道，这样的情况需要冷静处理。En: Xiang knew that such situations required calm handling.Zh: “请跟我做，先慢慢吸气，然后慢慢吐气。”向温柔地指引着美丽做呼吸练习。En: “Please follow me, first breathe in slowly, then exhale slowly,” Xiang gently guided Meili through breathing exercises.Zh: 几分钟后，美丽的心情逐渐平复。En: A few minutes later, Meili began to calm down.Zh: 她努力挤出微笑，“谢谢你，真是麻烦了。”En: She managed a smile, “Thank you, really sorry for the trouble.”Zh: “不客气，这是我的职责，”向说，“祝您一切顺利。”En: “No problem, it's my duty,” Xiang replied, “I wish you all the best.”Zh: 事情结束后，美丽感激地看着向，又坚定地转向登机口。En: After the incident, Meili looked gratefully at Xiang, then resolutely turned toward the boarding gate.Zh: 她知道，自己必须克服恐惧，勇敢面对未来的挑战。En: She knew she must overcome her fear and bravely face future challenges.Zh: 坐在机舱座位上，美丽感受到了抵达目标的希望。En: Sitting in her seat on the plane, Meili felt the hope of reaching her goal.Zh: 而此时的向，终于收到家人传来的视频电话。En: Meanwhile, Xiang finally received a video call from his family.Zh: 他们的脸在屏幕上笑得那么温暖。En: Their faces smiling warmly on the screen.Zh: “我们等你回来呢！”母亲在电话里轻轻地说。En: “We're waiting for you to come back!” his mother said gently over the call.Zh: 挂断电话后，向的内心感到无比踏实。En: After hanging up, Xiang felt an incomparable sense of peace within.Zh: 这天，他不仅帮助了美丽，也更加明白了自己的选择，是值得的。En: That day, he not only helped Meili, but also understood even more that his choice was worthwhile.Zh: 北京的秋风依旧凉爽，但夹杂着那份温暖和爱，En: The autumn wind in Beijing remained cool, but carried with it warmth and love.Zh: 这个中秋夜，为每个人带来了希望和勇气。En: This Mid-Autumn night brought hope and courage to everyone. Vocabulary Words:atmosphere: 气氛aroma: 香甜味reunion: 团圆weaving: 穿梭abroad: 国外confident: 自信diligent: 认真maintain: 维持uneasy: 不安anxiety: 恐慌collapse: 瘫倒guide: 指引calm: 平复resolutely: 坚定incident: 事情incomparable: 无比courage: 勇气challenge: 挑战transaction: 交易responsible: 负责boarding pass: 登机手续breathing exercises: 呼吸练习help: 帮助persistence: 坚强fearful: 恐惧opportunity: 机会smile: 微笑gratitude: 感激encounter: 遇见autumn: 秋

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Reunion Under the Moon: A Mid-Autumn Tale at Beijing Airport Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-28-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 北京首都国际机场熙熙攘攘，人声嘈杂，空气中弥漫着一种特别的节日气氛。En: Beijing Capital International Airport was bustling, the air filled with a particular festive ambiance.Zh: 今天是中秋节，李娟特意赶到这里，等待从国外回来的老朋友浩然。En: Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Li Juan specifically rushed there to wait for her old friend Haoran, who was returning from abroad.Zh: 秋天的北京微凉，天空澄澈，金黄的叶子在风中簌簌作响。En: Autumn in Beijing was slightly cool, the sky was clear, and golden leaves rustled in the wind.Zh: 李娟站在出口处，手里紧紧握着一个小盒子，里面装着她为浩然准备的月饼。En: Li Juan stood at the exit, tightly clutching a small box in her hands, which contained the mooncakes she had prepared for Haoran.Zh: 自从他们上一次见面，已经过去了好几年。En: Several years had passed since they last met.Zh: 李娟心中充满了期待，也有些不安。En: Li Juan was filled with anticipation, but also a bit of anxiety.Zh: 时间和距离会不会让他们的友情显得生疏？En: Would time and distance make their friendship feel distant?Zh: 不久，一批旅客终于从门口出现。En: Before long, a group of travelers finally appeared at the doorway.Zh: 李娟看见了浩然，他的脸上带着熟悉的微笑，只是比以前更加成熟。En: Li Juan saw Haoran, his face adorned with a familiar smile, though more mature than before.Zh: 一瞬间，过去的回忆涌上心头。En: In that instant, past memories surged in her heart.Zh: 她向他挥手，压抑住心中的紧张。En: She waved to him, suppressing the nervousness inside.Zh: 浩然快步走向她，脸上满是欣喜。En: Haoran walked quickly toward her, his face full of delight.Zh: 他们互相拥抱，那一刻，言语显得如此多余。En: They hugged each other, and at that moment, words seemed so unnecessary.Zh: 李娟将手中的小盒子递给浩然：“这是给你的中秋礼物。”En: Li Juan handed him the small box in her hand, "This is your Mid-Autumn gift."Zh: 浩然接过礼物，笑了：“谢谢你，李娟。我想念咱们一起过中秋的时光。”En: Haoran accepted the gift and smiled, "Thank you, Li Juan. I miss the times we spent together celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival."Zh: 两人找了一个安静的角落，坐下来。En: The two found a quiet corner and sat down.Zh: 浩然约李娟分享她的生活，李娟则好奇浩然的旅行故事。En: Haoran invited Li Juan to share about her life, while Li Juan was curious about Haoran's tales of travel.Zh: 开始时，话题有些拘谨，但随着月饼的分享，气氛逐渐轻松。En: Initially, the conversation was a bit restrained, but as they shared the mooncakes, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.Zh: “我在国外看到许多美丽的风景，也认识了很多人。但最想念的，还是咱们以前的日子。”浩然感慨道。En: "I saw many beautiful landscapes abroad and met many people. But what I miss most are the days we used to have," Haoran said with emotion.Zh: “我们一起看过很多月亮，是吗？”李娟微笑道，目光望向窗外那轮圆月，回忆涌上心头。En: "We watched many moons together, didn't we?" Li Juan smiled, her gaze shifting to the round moon outside the window, memories washing over her.Zh: “对，那次我们还一起在湖边赏月，特别美。”浩然回应着，语气中满是温暖。En: "Yes, that time we watched the moon by the lake, it was especially beautiful," Haoran responded warmly.Zh: 在共同回忆中，他们仿佛又回到了过去的时光。En: In their shared memories, they seemed to return to past times.Zh: 那一刻，他们重新找到了彼此的默契和亲密。En: At that moment, they rediscovered their mutual understanding and closeness.Zh: 李娟感到，一切都未来得及变化，他们仍然是好朋友。En: Li Juan felt that everything had yet to change; they were still good friends.Zh: 夜幕降临，李娟和浩然走出机场，心里涌动着温暖和期待。En: As night fell, Li Juan and Haoran walked out of the airport, their hearts brimming with warmth and expectation.Zh: 两人决定去往旧地重游，迎接新的回忆。En: They decided to revisit old places and welcome new memories.Zh: 友谊经得起时间和距离的考验，李娟和浩然都感受到这一点。En: Friendship withstands the test of time and distance, and both Li Juan and Haoran felt this.Zh: 生活或许改变了很多东西，但他们的连接依旧坚固。En: Perhaps many things had changed, but their bond remained strong.Zh: 秋风轻轻拂过，月光洒下，温柔而宁静，像是对他们友谊的最好祝福。En: The autumn breeze blew gently, the moonlight shone softly, as if it was the best blessing for their friendship. Vocabulary Words:bustling: 熙熙攘攘festive: 节日ambiance: 气氛specifically: 特意anticipation: 期待anxiety: 不安distance: 距离clutching: 握着mature: 成熟surged: 涌上adorned: 带着suppressing: 压抑delight: 欣喜unnecessary: 多余restrained: 拘谨beautiful landscapes: 美丽的风景emotion: 感慨warmth: 温暖mutual understanding: 默契closeness: 亲密withstand: 经得起bond: 连接softly: 温柔而宁静revisit: 重游moonlight: 月光expectation: 期待brimming: 涌动memories: 回忆blessing: 祝福gentle breeze: 轻轻拂过

Nightlife News Breakdown with Philip Clark, joined by Peter Gearin, editor in chief of The Mandarin, previously assistant editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald. 

California's infinite wisdom strikes again! They've handed out 62,000 commercial driver's licenses to people whose legal status couldn't be verified – because nothing says "road safety" like putting someone behind an 18-wheeler when you don't know if they're here legally, speak English, or can even read a stop sign. What could go wrong?We dive into the deadly consequences of sanctuary state policies gone wild, from drug-addled drivers plowing through multiple vehicles to truckers who only speak Mandarin navigating American highways. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom sees "no problem here" as families bury their loved ones and Florida sues California and Washington over their reckless CDL policies.How did we get to the point where following basic federal licensing requirements became optional? Why are states prioritizing virtue signaling over public safety? And when will politicians be held accountable for policies that literally get people killed?This is what happens when ideology trumps common sense and taxpayer safety takes a backseat to sanctuary city politics. The wheels are coming off, folks.

How small can Chinese characters be while still being legible? How much information do they contain per unit area? And what can a big Rubik's cube teach us about Chinese characters?#learnchinese #hanzi #characters #pixelfont #rubikscubeLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: What a big Rubik's Cube taught me about Chinese characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/what-a-big-rubiks-cube-taught-me-about-chinese-characters/What's in a name? Hacking Chinese, 揭密中文: https://www.hackingchinese.com/whats-name-hacking-chineseLargest rotating puzzle cube mosaic: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/473622-largest-rubiks-cube-mosaic-imageAre simplified characters really simpler to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-simplified-characters-really-simpler-to-learnBeyond tīng bu dǒng, part 2: From sound to meaning in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-2-from-sound-to-meaning-in-mandarinBeyond ting bu dong part 3 using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chineseEscape: A text adventure game for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/escape-text-adventure-game-chinese-learners36 samples of Chinese handwriting from students and native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/36-samples-of-chines-handwriting-from-students-and-native-speakersMore 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)

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Unearthing Secrets: A Mid-Autumn Quest at Xi'an Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-27-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天到了，西安的天有些凉爽，En: Autumn has arrived, and the weather in Xi'an is somewhat cool.Zh: 树叶纷纷扬扬地飘落在兵马俑的遗址上。En: Leaves are gently falling on the Terracotta Warriors site.Zh: 四周已挂起了璀璨的灯笼，大家都在为中秋节做准备，En: Colorful lanterns are hung all around, and everyone is preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival.Zh: 夜晚的灯火洒在古老的陶俑上，显得格外宁静祥和。En: At night, the lights cast a serene and peaceful glow on the ancient clay figures.Zh: 梅是一位热情高涨的考古学家。En: Mei is an enthusiastic archaeologist.Zh: 她每天在兵马俑的尘土中忙碌，面带微笑，对古代历史充满热情。En: She works tirelessly in the dust among the Terracotta Warriors every day, smiling and filled with passion for ancient history.Zh: 她最大的愿望就是发现一个重要的文物，从而得到关于秦朝的新见解。En: Her greatest wish is to discover an important artifact that would provide new insights into the Qin Dynasty.Zh: 贾是一位经验丰富的考古学家，谨慎又保守。En: Jia, on the other hand, is an experienced, cautious, and conservative archaeologist.Zh: 他对新的修复方法持怀疑态度，担心使用梅的方法会损坏这些珍贵的文物。En: He is skeptical of new restoration methods, worried that Mei's approach may damage these precious artifacts.Zh: 梁则是这支团队的新进实习生，朝气蓬勃，总想证明自己的能力。En: Liang is a new intern on the team, full of energy and eager to prove himself.Zh: 他经常跟随梅，希望从她身上学到更多。En: He often follows Mei, hoping to learn more from her.Zh: 梅提议使用新的修复技术，以更好地保护和展示文物。En: Mei proposed using new restoration techniques to better protect and display the artifacts.Zh: 然而，贾不同意。En: However, Jia disagreed.Zh: 他说：“这些文物太宝贵了，我们不能冒险。”En: He said, "These artifacts are too precious; we can't take risks."Zh: 但梅没有放弃。En: But Mei didn't give up.Zh: 她决定在一个较小且不太重要的陶俑上试用她的方法。En: She decided to test her method on a smaller, less important clay figure.Zh: 经过几天的细心操作，结果大大出乎众人的意料。En: After a few days of careful operation, the results were beyond everyone's expectations.Zh: 这件文物被完美地修复了，上面还有一个以前从未见过的铭文。En: The artifact was perfectly restored, and there was an inscription on it that had never been seen before.Zh: 贾站在修复的陶俑前，惊讶地说道：“原来这方法真的有效！梅，我以前可能错了。”En: Standing in front of the restored clay figure, Jia said in astonishment, "Turns out this method really works! Mei, I may have been wrong."Zh: 梅微笑着说：“我只是想试试。现在我们有了新发现，也可以一起合作，发现更多。”En: Mei smiled and said, "I just wanted to give it a try. Now that we have a new discovery, we can collaborate and discover more together."Zh: 梁在一旁憧憬地说：“我们可以利用这种新方法，揭示更多的历史秘密！”En: Liang, full of hope, said from the side, "We can use this new method to uncover more historical secrets!"Zh: 于是，在中秋节月光的照耀下，梅、贾和梁开始了一次全新的合作。En: Thus, under the moonlight of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Mei, Jia, and Liang embarked on a brand new collaboration.Zh: 秋风中，他们将亮灯，踏上发现更多历史奥秘的旅程。En: In the autumn breeze, they lit up the area, setting out on a journey to discover more historical mysteries.Zh: 这个故事，不仅是他们对历史的探索，也是一个团队凝聚与成长的过程。En: This story is not just about their exploration of history but also about the team's cohesion and growth.Zh: 历史在重新发现的那一刻，变得更加鲜活。En: The moment history is rediscovered, it becomes more vibrant. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋天cool: 凉爽gentle: 纷纷扬扬lantern: 灯笼serene: 宁静archaeologist: 考古学家tirelessly: 忙碌artifact: 文物insight: 见解skeptical: 怀疑restoration: 修复intern: 实习生eager: 朝气蓬勃technique: 技术protect: 保护precious: 珍贵risk: 冒险astonishment: 惊讶collaborate: 合作uncover: 揭示mid-autumn festival: 中秋节discovery: 发现cohesion: 凝聚vibrant: 鲜活breeze: 秋风mysteries: 奥秘glow: 光芒ancient: 古老operation: 操作inscription: 铭文

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Secrets of the Forbidden City: A Mid-Autumn Adventure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-27-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 明秋的京都，空气凉爽中夹带着桂花的幽香。En: In the autumn of jingdu, the air is cool, mixed with the faint fragrance of osmanthus flowers.Zh: 紫禁城，金瓦红墙，在秋日的阳光下熠熠生辉。En: The Forbidden City, with its golden tiles and red walls, glows brilliantly under the autumn sunshine.Zh: 明宇和丽玲跟随预备学校的同学，一边听老师讲解，一边游览着这座古老而神秘的皇城。En: Mingyu and Liling followed their preparatory school's classmates, listening to the teacher's explanation while touring this ancient and mysterious imperial city.Zh: 这一天正值中秋，四处悬挂着大小不一的灯笼。En: This day was the Mid-Autumn Festival, with lanterns of various sizes hanging everywhere.Zh: 不远处，宫墙外传来低吟的古筝声，仿佛在诉说千百年来的故事。En: Not far away, beyond the palace walls, came the soft, lingering sound of a guzheng, as if telling stories from hundreds of years ago.Zh: 明宇看着周围，人群中藏不住的好奇心让他兴奋不已。En: Mingyu looked around, his curiosity among the crowd left him thrilled.Zh: 他偷偷靠近丽玲，轻声道：“我听说这里有一个隐藏的秘室，据说里面藏着没被发现的宝藏。En: He quietly leaned towards Liling, saying softly, "I've heard there's a hidden secret chamber here, rumored to contain undiscovered treasure.Zh: 我们去找找看吧！”En: Let's go and find it!"Zh: 丽玲心中掠过一丝不安，En: A trace of unease crossed Liling's mind.Zh: 她回望身后的老师，又看着明宇充满期待的眼睛，内心充满挣扎。En: She looked back at their teacher, then at Mingyu's eyes filled with anticipation, her heart struggling.Zh: 规则明确禁止学生独自行动，但对未知的探索与好奇心使得她心动不已。En: The rules clearly forbade students from acting alone, but the lure of exploration and curiosity won her over.Zh: 最终，她点了点头。En: Eventually, she nodded.Zh: 趁着老师和其他同学正专注于一个导览标识，他们悄悄从队伍中抽身，穿行在宫殿楼阁间。En: Seizing the moment when the teacher and other classmates were focused on a guide sign, they quietly slipped away from the group, weaving through the palace pavilions.Zh: 两人来到一个破旧的拱门前，墙面上藤蔓环绕，显露出些许神秘。En: They arrived at a dilapidated archway, vines entwined around the walls, exuding a hint of mystery.Zh: 他们凑近墙壁，果然发现一处隐秘的小门。En: They approached the wall and indeed found a concealed small door.Zh: 然而，小门紧锁，无法进入。En: However, the door was locked, preventing entry.Zh: 就在这时，远处传来其他学生的嬉闹声和老师的呼唤，他们被发现缺席了。En: At that moment, sounds of laughter from other students and the teacher's calls came from afar—they had been found missing.Zh: 明宇的心情一紧，丽玲拉了拉他的手，小声说：“我们该回去了，再不走就来不及了。”En: Mingyu's heart tightened as Liling tugged on his hand, whispering, "We should go back now, or we'll be too late."Zh: 两人迅速离开那个位置，小心翼翼地穿过广场，努力不引起任何人的注意。En: They quickly left the spot, carefully crossing the courtyard, making every effort not to draw anyone's attention.Zh: 回到队伍时，他们融入了同学中，仍心跳不已，但脸上已露出安心的微笑。En: As they returned to the group, they blended in with their classmates, hearts still racing, but their faces wore relieved smiles.Zh: 黄昏的阳光洒在他们的脸上，丽玲开心地笑了，“我从没想过自己会做这样的事情，原来冒险也可以很有趣。”En: The sunset cast its glow on their faces as Liling laughed happily, "I never thought I would do something like this; turns out, adventures can be fun."Zh: 明宇也笑了，轻拍丽玲的肩膀，“有你这样的朋友，真是太好了。En: Mingyu also laughed, giving Liling a gentle pat on the shoulder, "Having a friend like you is really great.Zh: 以后我会更小心，更珍惜我们一起经历的时刻。”En: In the future, I'll be more cautious and cherish the moments we experience together."Zh: 在这个中秋的日子里，紫禁城的灯火依旧明亮，En: On this Mid-Autumn day, the lights of the Forbidden City remained bright.Zh: 明宇和丽玲的友情愈发牢固，En: The friendship between Mingyu and Liling had grown stronger.Zh: 他们在这次小小的冒险中找到了新的勇气和理解，更珍惜彼此之间的友谊。En: In this small adventure, they found new courage and understanding, and they cherished their friendship more deeply. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋faint: 幽fragrance: 香imperial: 皇lingering: 低吟curiosity: 好奇心lure: 吸引dilapidated: 破旧entwined: 环绕concealed: 隐秘unease: 不安preparatory: 预备adventure: 冒险forbade: 禁止slipped: 抽身exploration: 探索antique: 古老comprehension: 理解growing: 愈发moment: 时刻happily: 开心guidelines: 规则obstruct: 阻碍delicately: 小心翼翼whispering: 轻声treasure: 宝藏assimilate: 融入crescendo: 递增cherish: 珍惜glow: 熠熠

Today's Episode:Have you ever seen a barbecue restaurant using corn as fuel?

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Li Ming's Leap: An Artistic Triumph Fueled by Friendship Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-26-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天的微风轻轻吹过《自由职业者之家》咖啡馆的窗户，献上一阵阵树叶的沙沙声。En: The autumn breeze gently blew through the windows of the Zìyóu Zhíyèzhě Zhī Jiā café, bringing with it the rustling sound of leaves.Zh: 李明坐在咖啡馆里，手边摆着一杯热咖啡，屏幕上有她正在准备的演讲。En: Li Ming sat inside the café, with a cup of hot coffee beside her and her presentation displayed on the screen.Zh: 温暖的灯光洒在她的画本上，桌子上还放着一些南瓜形状的万圣节装饰。En: Warm light spilled over her sketchbook, and some pumpkin-shaped Halloween decorations were placed on the table.Zh: 李明是一名热爱艺术的高中生。En: Li Ming is a high school student who loves art.Zh: 她一直梦想通过创意来证明自己的价值。En: She has always dreamed of proving her worth through creativity.Zh: 学校即将举行的比赛是她的大好机会。En: The upcoming school competition is her big opportunity.Zh: 然而，现在她的内心充满了压力和焦虑。En: However, now she felt full of pressure and anxiety.Zh: 一想到可能会让父母失望，她就感到无比紧张。En: Just the thought of possibly disappointing her parents made her extremely nervous.Zh: 然后，更糟糕的事情发生了——她的笔记本电脑突然死机。En: Then, something worse happened—her laptop suddenly crashed.Zh: “怎么办？En: "What should I do?"Zh: ”李明轻声自语。En: Li Ming muttered to herself.Zh: 她感到眼泪在眼眶打转，但她深吸一口气，拼命告诉自己要冷静。En: She felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she took a deep breath and desperately told herself to stay calm.Zh: 这时，她的好朋友小陈和文杰走了过来。En: At that moment, her good friends Xiao Chen and Wenjie approached.Zh: 看到了李明的烦恼，小陈说：“李明，不用担心！En: Seeing Li Ming's distress, Xiao Chen said, "Don't worry, Li Ming!Zh: 我们可以帮你解决的！En: We can help you solve this!"Zh: ”虽然李明一向喜欢独立，但这次她知道自己需要帮助。En: Although Li Ming usually liked to be independent, she knew she needed help this time.Zh: 她点点头，小声请求道：“谢谢你们，我真的需要帮助。En: She nodded and softly asked, "Thank you, I really need help."Zh: ”小陈立刻开始检查李明的电脑，而文杰则拿出了自己的笔记本电脑，把李明的文件传输过去。En: Xiao Chen immediately began checking Li Ming's computer while Wenjie took out his own laptop and transferred Li Ming's files over.Zh: 在朋友的帮助下，李明的压力稍微减轻了一些。En: With her friends' help, Li Ming's stress eased a bit.Zh: 然而，仍然有些不安，她担心最不擅长的即兴部分。En: However, she still felt uneasy, worried about the impromptu part she was least good at.Zh: 文杰安慰她：“李明，你有才华。En: Wenjie reassured her, "Li Ming, you have talent.Zh: 相信自己！En: Believe in yourself!Zh: 我们会一直支持你的。En: We will always support you."Zh: ”终于，比赛的日子到来了。En: Finally, the day of the competition arrived.Zh: 李明站在台上，台下坐满了师生。En: Li Ming stood on stage, the audience packed with teachers and students.Zh: 开始时一切顺利，可随着节奏推进，李明的心跳加速，手心冒汗。En: Everything went smoothly at the start, but as the pace quickened, Li Ming's heartbeat accelerated, and her palms grew sweaty.Zh: 就在她以为自己要忘词的时候，小陈和文杰在台下默默给她加油。En: Just as she thought she was about to forget her lines, Xiao Chen and Wenjie silently cheered her on from the audience.Zh: 她想起了文杰的话，深吸一口气，开始即兴发挥。En: She remembered Wenjie's words, took a deep breath, and began to improvise.Zh: 她的创意和绘画作品自信地展示在大家面前。En: Her creativity and artwork were confidently displayed before everyone.Zh: 演讲结束后，观众爆发出热烈的掌声。En: After the presentation, the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause.Zh: 李明深深地鞠了一躬，心中的喜悦无法言喻。En: Li Ming bowed deeply, the joy in her heart indescribable.Zh: 她朝着台下的父母走去，他们脸上满是自豪的笑容。En: She walked toward her parents in the audience, who wore proud smiles on their faces.Zh: “我做到了，”李明心里想，“我不再害怕寻求帮助，因为我有朋友在，我知道自己可以更自信。En: "I did it," Li Ming thought to herself, "I'm no longer afraid to seek help because with my friends by my side, I know I can be more confident."Zh: ”经过这次经历，李明不仅赢得了比赛，更重要的是，她学会了信任自己和他人。En: Through this experience, Li Ming not only won the competition but, more importantly, learned to trust herself and others.Zh: 咖啡馆外面，秋叶依旧在风中舞动，而李明心里的阳光，正如同温室里的温暖，熠熠生辉。En: Outside the café, the autumn leaves continued to dance in the wind, and the sunshine in Li Ming's heart shone brightly, like the warm glow of a greenhouse. Vocabulary Words:breeze: 微风rustling: 沙沙声sketchbook: 画本decorations: 装饰creativity: 创意competition: 比赛pressure: 压力anxiety: 焦虑disappointing: 失望nervous: 紧张crashed: 死机desperately: 拼命distress: 烦恼independent: 独立impromptu: 即兴uneasy: 不安reassured: 安慰audience: 观众accelerated: 加速sweaty: 冒汗improvise: 即兴发挥applause: 掌声indescribable: 无法言喻confident: 自信trust: 信任urgency: 紧迫greenhouse: 温室excessive: 过度的artwork: 绘画作品opportunity: 机会

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Harmony in Design: A Tale of Creative Collaboration Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-26-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个满是阳光的秋天早晨，远山的黄色树叶在微风中摇曳着。En: On a sunny autumn morning, the yellow leaves on the distant mountains swayed in the gentle breeze.Zh: 在猎户座街上，有一间温馨的家庭工作室。En: On Liehuozuo Street, there was a cozy family studio.Zh: 这里是Lian、Zhi和Mei共同工作的地方，En: This is where Lian(Lian), Zhi(Zhi), and Mei(Mei) worked together.Zh: 三位自由职业者正忙于他们的项目。En: The three freelancers were busy with their projects.Zh: 工作室里充满了茶香，让人想起即将到来的重阳节。En: The studio was filled with the aroma of tea, reminiscent of the upcoming Chongyang Festival.Zh: Lian是一名出色的平面设计师，他一心想在项目中融入更多创意元素，但感到缺乏些许艺术自由。En: Lian(Lian) was an excellent graphic designer who wanted to incorporate more creative elements into his projects but felt a lack of artistic freedom.Zh: Zhi则是一名实用主义的作家，工作和家庭责任让他有些分身乏术。En: Zhi(Zhi), on the other hand, was a pragmatic writer, feeling a bit stretched between work and family responsibilities.Zh: 他希望项目能够按时完成，好保持稳定的工作流程。En: He hoped the project could be completed on time to maintain a stable workflow.Zh: Mei是一位充满激情的新手项目经理，急于证明自己的领导能力。En: Mei(Mei) was a passionate novice project manager eager to prove her leadership abilities.Zh: 三人在一个大桌子旁坐下，Lian展示了他的一些设计想法。En: The three sat down at a large table, and Lian(Lian) presented some of his design ideas.Zh: “这些设计很大胆，”他解释道，“我相信它能让我们更有竞争力。”En: "These designs are bold," he explained, "I believe it can make us more competitive."Zh: Zhi摇了摇头，“我们不能把时间花在这些附加的创意上。En: Zhi(Zhi) shook his head, "We can't spend time on these additional creative elements.Zh: 我们需要简化，确保按时交付。”En: We need to simplify to ensure on-time delivery."Zh: 他担心错过最后期限可能会影响他们未来的工作机会。En: He was concerned that missing the deadline might impact their future job opportunities.Zh: Mei坐在两人中间，她理解双方的想法。En: Mei(Mei) sat between the two, understanding both perspectives.Zh: 她知道保持团队的和谐是成功的关键。En: She knew maintaining team harmony was key to success.Zh: 她说：“或许我们可以结合Lian的创意，又不影响Zhi的时间计划。”En: She said, "Maybe we can combine Lian(Lian)'s creativity without affecting Zhi(Zhi)'s schedule."Zh: 随着重阳节的临近，老家习俗是要去爬山、赏菊，还有喝菊花酒。En: As the Chongyang Festival approached, the old custom was to climb mountains, admire chrysanthemums, and drink chrysanthemum wine.Zh: Mei想要借这个节日让团队放松一下。En: Mei(Mei) wanted to use this festival to let the team relax a bit.Zh: 于是她说：“我们可以在重阳节后汇报工作。En: So she said, "We can report after the Chongyang Festival.Zh: 这样，Lian可以有一些时间去调整设计，而我们也会按时完成。”En: This way, Lian(Lian) can have some time to adjust the designs, and we will still finish on time."Zh: 在接下来的几天，团队合作得出奇顺利。En: In the following days, the team's collaboration went surprisingly smoothly.Zh: Lian在他的设计里融入了一些独特的创意元素。En: Lian(Lian) was able to incorporate some unique creative elements into his designs.Zh: Zhi也同意了一些非本质的部分被精简，以确保时间可控。En: Zhi(Zhi) also agreed to streamline some non-essential parts to keep the timeline manageable.Zh: 在Mei的协调下，团队更紧密地协作。En: Under Mei(Mei)'s coordination, the team collaborated more closely.Zh: 重阳过后的一天，项目完美交付。En: The day after the Chongyang Festival, the project was delivered perfectly.Zh: 客户很满意，尤其赞赏了设计的新颖。En: The client was very satisfied, especially praising the novelty of the design.Zh: Lian明白到团队合作才是成功的关键，Zhi也对创意有了新的理解。En: Lian(Lian) realized that teamwork was the key to success, and Zhi(Zhi) gained a new understanding of creativity.Zh: Mei则成长为一个更优秀的领导者，她知道了如何真正重视每一个人的意见。En: Mei(Mei) grew into a better leader, learning how to truly value everyone's opinions.Zh: 窗外，是满眼的金黄，一如这充满合作与成功的项目。En: Outside the window, there was a view full of golden hues, just like the project full of collaboration and success.Zh: 三人坐下喝着菊花茶，庆贺他们共同的胜利。En: The three of them sat down to drink chrysanthemum tea, celebrating their shared victory. Vocabulary Words:swayed: 摇曳gentle: 微风cozy: 温馨aroma: 茶香reminiscent: 让人想起incorporate: 融入pragmatic: 实用主义stretched: 分身乏术novice: 新手bold: 大胆perspectives: 想法streamline: 精简hues: 金黄schedule: 时间计划freelancers: 自由职业者studio: 工作室competitive: 竞争力simplify: 简化deadline: 最后期限collaboration: 合作satisfied: 满意novelty: 新颖teamwork: 团队合作leader: 领导者admire: 赏菊chrysanthemum: 菊花coordination: 协调proposed: 提议relax: 放松victory: 胜利

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。

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Moonlit Triumph: Mei's Mid-Autumn Cultural Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-25-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天的午后，国家美术馆的大厅显得格外壮观。En: On an autumn afternoon, the hall of the Guojia Meishuguan (National Art Gallery) appeared especially magnificent.Zh: 大厅高高的天花板上挂着五光十色的灯笼，映衬着即将到来的中秋节。En: Colorful lanterns hung from its tall ceiling, reflecting the upcoming Zhongqiu Jie (Mid-Autumn Festival).Zh: 阳光透过高大的窗户，洒在光滑的地板上，散发着温暖的光芒。En: Sunlight streamed through the large windows, spilling onto the smooth floor and radiating a warm glow.Zh: 美，是国家美术馆的一名初级策展人。En: Mei is a junior curator at the Guojia Meishuguan.Zh: 她对艺术有着深厚的热爱，但每次在众人面前演讲，她总是非常紧张。En: She has a deep love for art, but every time she has to speak in front of an audience, she becomes very nervous.Zh: 今天是美的重要日子，她要在同事和领导面前展示她的新项目，希望能赢得即将到来的国际艺术展的领导职位。En: Today is an important day for Mei; she is going to present her new project in front of her colleagues and leaders, hoping to secure the leadership position for the upcoming international art exhibition.Zh: 与她竞争的，是她的同事勇。En: Competing with her is her colleague Yong.Zh: 勇经验丰富，演讲自然流畅，给美很大压力。En: Yong is experienced and his presentations are naturally fluent, which places great pressure on Mei.Zh: 可是美心里暗自决定，要把中秋节的元素融入演讲中，让讲述更有文化和情感的共鸣。En: However, Mei has secretly decided to incorporate elements of the Zhongqiu Jie (Mid-Autumn Festival) into her presentation, aiming to create more cultural and emotional resonance in her narrative.Zh: 演讲开始了，美站在众人面前，手心微微冒汗。En: The presentation began, and Mei stood before the crowd, her palms slightly sweaty.Zh: 她深吸一口气，告诉自己要冷静。En: She took a deep breath, telling herself to stay calm.Zh: 她想到中秋节的月亮，如此圆满，象征团圆和平静。En: She thought of the Zhongqiu Jie (Mid-Autumn Festival) moon, so full, symbolizing reunion and tranquility.Zh: 想着想着，她的心慢慢平静下来。En: As she thought, her heart gradually calmed down.Zh: 美的声音慢慢变得坚定，她讲述着她的项目：如何把中秋节的传统、月亮的意象和现代艺术结合。En: Mei's voice slowly became steady as she narrated her project: how to integrate the traditions of the Zhongqiu Jie (Mid-Autumn Festival), the imagery of the moon, and modern art.Zh: 她的想法独特又充满新意，把观众带入了一个艺术与文化交织的世界。En: Her ideas were unique and innovative, drawing the audience into a world where art and culture were intertwined.Zh: 演讲结束时，大厅里爆发出热烈的掌声。En: When the presentation ended, the hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.Zh: 美感到无比的欣慰和骄傲。En: Mei felt incredibly gratified and proud.Zh: 馆长也对她的演讲兴趣十足，表示非常期待她的下一个项目。En: The director was also very interested in her presentation and expressed great anticipation for her next project.Zh: 通过这次演讲，美不仅赢得了同事和领导的赞赏，还发现通过拥抱自己的文化，可以使她的工作更有力量。En: Through this presentation, Mei not only gained the admiration of her colleagues and leaders but also discovered that by embracing her own culture, she could make her work more powerful.Zh: 美更加自信，知道未来的路，因为中秋节的圆月，会在她心中永远闪耀。En: Mei became more confident, knowing the path ahead, because the full moon of the Zhongqiu Jie (Mid-Autumn Festival) will forever shine in her heart. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋天magnificent: 壮观lanterns: 灯笼curator: 策展人audience: 众人nervous: 紧张presentation: 演讲secure: 赢得competing: 竞争experienced: 经验丰富fluent: 流畅pressure: 压力elements: 元素cultural: 文化resonance: 共鸣sweaty: 冒汗reunion: 团圆tranquility: 平静integrate: 结合imagery: 意象modern: 现代innovative: 新意intertwined: 交织enthusiastic: 热烈gratified: 欣慰admiration: 赞赏embracing: 拥抱confidence: 自信path: 路shine: 闪耀

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Rekindling Friendship in the Forbidden City: A Mid-Autumn Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-25-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 紫禁城的秋天，总是带着一种独特的魅力。En: Autumn in the Zijincheng, the Forbidden City, always carries a unique charm.Zh: 金黄的树叶在风中轻轻摇曳，红色的灯笼点缀着古老的建筑，空气中弥漫着甜蜜的月饼香和香烛味。En: Golden leaves gently sway in the wind, red lanterns adorn the ancient buildings, and the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of yuebing and incense.Zh: 明亮的圆月挂在天上，为宽阔的庭院披上银色的光辉。En: A bright full moon hangs in the sky, draping the vast courtyard in a silver glow.Zh: 今天是中秋节，En: Today is the Zhongqiujie, the Mid-Autumn Festival.Zh: 莲站在紫禁城的一角，心里却难以平静。En: Lian stands in a corner of the Forbidden City, yet her heart is far from calm.Zh: 她手里捧着一封沉甸甸的邀请，邀请她在这里与明见面。En: She holds a heavy invitation in her hands, inviting her to meet Ming there.Zh: 多年前的误会让两人渐行渐远，心中的伤痛与不信任像是无形的墙，将她们隔离开来。En: Years of misunderstandings had caused the two to drift apart, with the pain and distrust within their hearts becoming an invisible wall separating them.Zh: 但今晚，她决定面对过去。En: But tonight, she has decided to confront the past.Zh: 莲和明曾是亲密的朋友，她热爱艺术保护，他专注历史研究。En: Lian and Ming were once close friends; she had a passion for art preservation, and he was focused on historical research.Zh: 本该是志同道合的伙伴，但一场误会却将两人拉开了距离。En: They should have been kindred spirits, but a misunderstanding pulled them apart.Zh: 莲一直想知道真相，想要对过往释怀。En: Lian always wanted to know the truth, to make peace with the past.Zh: 而明，他想修复他们的关系，期盼能弥补自己曾犯的错。En: As for Ming, he wished to repair their relationship, hoping to make amends for the mistakes he made.Zh: 月光倾洒在庭院时，明走近了暮光中的莲。En: As the moonlight poured over the courtyard, Ming approached Lian in the twilight.Zh: 他微微一笑，声音中透着一丝紧张：“莲，好久不见。”En: He gave a slight smile, his voice tinged with a bit of nervousness: " Lian, long time no see."Zh: 莲点点头，努力让自己冷静：“是啊，太久了。”En: Lian nodded, trying to stay calm: "Yes, it's been too long."Zh: 两人漫步在灯笼下，沉默了一会儿，终究是明先开口：“当初的事，是个误会。En: They strolled under the lanterns in silence for a while, until Ming finally spoke: "What happened back then was a misunderstanding.Zh: 我从未想过会那样发展。我对不起你。”En: I never intended things to turn out that way. I'm sorry."Zh: 莲心里柔软的地方被触及，眼泪险些夺眶而出。En: The soft spot in Lian's heart was touched, tears almost welling in her eyes.Zh: “我一直想知道是什么让我们变成这样。”她低语着，抬头看着明。En: "I've always wanted to know what turned us into this." She whispered, looking up at Ming.Zh: 明回忆起过去，解释了当初的种种。En: Ming recalled the past and explained the events as they unfolded.Zh: 他的坦诚让莲心中的绳结慢慢松开。En: His honesty slowly untied the knot in Lian's heart.Zh: 她望着他，终于明白误会是如何发生的，而他们都曾是误会的受害者。En: She looked at him and finally understood how the misunderstanding occurred and that they had both been victims of it.Zh: 灯光下，他们谈了很久。En: Under the lanterns, they talked for a long time.Zh: 风中夹着月饼的甜香，明亮的灯笼像是给他们点亮了全新的未来。En: The wind carried the sweet scent of yuebing, and the bright lanterns seemed to illuminate a whole new future for them.Zh: 莲感受到心中逐渐涌起的温暖和和解的力量。En: Lian felt a warmth rising within her, a power of reconciliation.Zh: 她终于微笑起来：“或许，我们可以重新开始。”En: She finally smiled: "Perhaps we can start anew."Zh: 明笑了，灯笼的光映在他的脸上，带来无尽的温情。En: Ming smiled, with the light of the lantern reflecting on his face, bringing endless warmth.Zh: 两人决定将过去抛在脑后，共同庆祝这美好的节日。En: The two decided to leave the past behind and celebrate this beautiful festival together.Zh: 中秋的夜空下，他们找到了新的开始，新的友谊和无法轻易斩断的情谊。En: Beneath the Mid-Autumn night sky, they found a new beginning, a new friendship, and a bond that couldn't be easily severed.Zh: 莲终于明白，过去的阴影无法阻止她走向光明的未来。En: Lian finally understood that the shadows of the past couldn't prevent her from moving towards a bright future.Zh: 在紫禁城古旧的廊柱之间，她学会了原谅，也学会了为未来的可能性敞开心扉。En: Between the ancient pillars of the Forbidden City, she learned to forgive and to open her heart to the possibilities of the future. Vocabulary Words:charm: 魅力sway: 摇曳adorn: 点缀fragrance: 香味courtyard: 庭院invitation: 邀请confront: 面对kindred spirits: 志同道合amends: 弥补twilight: 暮光untied: 松开knot: 绳结illuminate: 点亮reconciliation: 和解severed: 斩断pillars: 廊柱sweetness: 甜蜜full moon: 圆月calm: 平静misunderstanding: 误会distrust: 不信任preservation: 保护research: 研究victims: 受害者drift apart: 渐行渐远repaired: 修复separate: 隔离unfolded: 发生possibilities: 可能性forgive: 原谅

Send us a textMany times, Fairfax criminal defense lawyer Jon Katz  has quoted this great passage from the Kung Fu television pilot with David Carradine (1972): “Perceive the way of nature and no force of man can harm you. Do not meet a wave head on: avoid it. You do not have to stop force: it is easier to redirect it. Learn more ways to preserve rather than destroy. Avoid rather than check. Check rather than hurt. Hurt rather than maim. Maim rather than kill. For all life is precious nor can any be replaced.” This is an ideal way to master courtroom battle and to handle any conflict. When I learned that Kung Fu's creators Ed Spielman and Howard Friedlander are still alive, I started looking for them to invite them onto my Beat the Prosecution podcast. Hitting deadends in finding their email addresses, I revisited Kung Fu chronicler Herbie J Pilato, who blew me away in accepting my interview invitation within hours. The Kung Fu stand-alone pilot (Kung Fu: The Way of the Tiger, the Sign of the Dragon) blew away the nearly-nine year old me in multiple ways through multiple layers. Here I was learning both the concept and way to pursue a path other than brute force, whether through studying, verbal combat, sports or physical fighting. That is not to say that I was a quick learner, but that the path was now visible and open to me. By now, it all comes together. The wu wei of acting in harmony with the universe's natural flow. The path of zero, with no chasing while fully engaging with the opponent. The cleaning with self identity through Ho'oponopono. Finding internal peace no matter what is happening around me and beyond. Kung Fu's initial creator Ed Spielman did not spearhead this story from an armchair, but instead studied Mandarin at Brooklyn College, and conducted research for instance in New York's Chinatown while also being influenced by Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai,  Herbie says" "The show's writers gathered information from Confucius, Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Zen Buddhism, and the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, all of which share a similar theme: Gentleness, peace and compassion are of the utmost importance if one is to have a spiritually-sound and happy existence." Herbie sent me his great recent extensive Retro Fan Magazine article "Kung Fu and the Eternal Spring of 'Grasshopper'- A Look Back at TV's Classic Eastern Western."This podcast with Fairfax, Virginia criminal / DUI lawyer Jon Katz is playable on all devices at podcast.BeatTheProsecution.com. For more information, visit https://KatzJustice.com or contact us at info@KatzJustice.com, 703-383-1100 (calling), or 571-406-7268 (text). If you like what you hear on our Beat the Prosecution podcast, please take a moment to post a review at our Apple podcasts page (with stars only, or else also with a comment) at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-the-prosecution/id1721413675

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Conquering Fears: A Young Architect's Festival Night in Shanghai Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-24-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 上海的秋天，黄昏时分，灯光开始点亮城市。En: In the autumn of Shanghai, at dusk, the lights begin to illuminate the city.Zh: 在这座繁华的城市中心，有一栋高耸入云的摩天大楼。En: In the heart of this bustling metropolis stands a skyscraper that pierces the clouds.Zh: 温，一位年轻的建筑师，站在这栋大楼的底层，抬头望着层层高处。En: Wen, a young architect, stands at the base of this building, looking up at its towering heights.Zh: 他的心中充满了期待和紧张。En: His heart is filled with both anticipation and nervousness.Zh: 这天是中秋节，公司在大楼的顶楼举行聚会。En: This day is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the company is hosting a party on the top floor of the building.Zh: 大家都会在那里赏月、放灯笼。En: Everyone will be there to admire the moon and light lanterns.Zh: 温一直想要参加，但他有一个秘密——他非常怕高。En: Wen has always wanted to attend, but he has a secret—he is very afraid of heights.Zh: 他的朋友们，莉和小，已经在顶楼等他了，而温却在犹豫不决。En: His friends, Li and Xiao, are already waiting for him on the top floor, but Wen is hesitant.Zh: “温，加油！En: "Wen, you can do it!"Zh: ”莉在电话里鼓励他，“你来吧，我们都在等你。En: Li encourages him over the phone, "Come on, we're all waiting for you."Zh: ”温深吸一口气。En: Wen takes a deep breath.Zh: 他决定面对自己的恐惧。En: He decides to face his fear.Zh: 他走进电梯，按下了那个让他心跳加速的按钮——顶楼。En: He steps into the elevator and presses the button that makes his heart race—the top floor.Zh: 电梯在上升，温的手心出汗，但他的内心却有一种不可思议的平静。En: As the elevator ascends, Wen's palms sweat, but inside, he feels an incredible calm.Zh: 电梯到达顶层，门缓缓打开。En: The elevator reaches the top floor, and the door slowly opens.Zh: 温深吸一口气，走了出来。En: Wen takes a deep breath and steps out.Zh: 他的腿有些发软，但看到周围挂满灯笼，大家的笑声和声音都让他感到温暖。En: His legs feel a bit shaky, but seeing the lanterns all around, and hearing everyone's laughter and voices makes him feel warm.Zh: 他努力不去看楼下，只专注于眼前美丽的夜景。En: He tries hard not to look down and focuses only on the beautiful night view in front of him.Zh: 莉和小看到了温，激动地招手。En: Li and Xiao see Wen and wave excitedly.Zh: “温，你来了！En: "You made it!"Zh: ”大家围了过来，纷纷表示欢迎。En: Everyone gathers around to welcome him.Zh: 就在这时，空中漂起一个个纸制的灯笼，静静地飞向夜空。En: At that moment, paper lanterns float up into the sky, quietly soaring into the night.Zh: 温的心情仿佛被这晚风吹得轻盈了，恐惧渐渐消散。En: Wen feels as though his mood is lightened by the evening breeze, and the fear gradually dissipates.Zh: 他发现自己不仅战胜了对高度的恐惧，还找到了与朋友、同事们之间更深的联系。En: He realizes that not only has he overcome his fear of heights, but he has also found a deeper connection with his friends and colleagues.Zh: 夜空中，成群的灯笼慢慢升起，温仰望着，心中充满了新找到的自信和无比的满足。En: In the night sky, groups of lanterns slowly rise, and Wen gazes upward, feeling a newfound confidence and immense satisfaction.Zh: 这一次，他不仅是来赏月，更是突破了自己。En: This time, he is not just here to admire the moon but to overcome himself.Zh: 这是一个特别的中秋节，温也在心里默默许下了一个愿望——无论前方还有什么阻碍，他都愿意勇敢面对。En: This was a special Mid-Autumn Festival, and Wen silently made a wish in his heart—no matter what obstacles lie ahead, he is willing to face them bravely.Zh: 这一刻，他也同样如那些灯笼一样，向上，向着更大的世界飞去。En: At this moment, he is just like those lanterns, rising and flying towards a bigger world. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋天dusk: 黄昏illuminate: 点亮metropolis: 城市skyscraper: 摩天大楼pierces: 高耸入云anticipation: 期待nervousness: 紧张lanterns: 灯笼hesitant: 犹豫不决encourages: 鼓励ascends: 上升calm: 平静shaky: 发软laughter: 笑声gradually: 渐渐dissipates: 消散connection: 联系confidence: 自信obstacles: 阻碍admire: 赏overcome: 战胜immense: 无比satisfaction: 满足bravely: 勇敢elevator: 电梯palms: 手心sweat: 出汗wish: 愿望breeze: 晚风

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Courage in the Dark: A Corporate Showdown at Shanghai Mansion Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-24-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 上海大厦在秋日的天空中矗立，高耸入云，现代设计显得格外优雅。En: The Shanghai Mansion stood tall in the autumn sky, towering into the clouds with its modern design appearing exceptionally elegant.Zh: 大厦内，人来人往，忙碌不已。En: Inside the building, people came and went, busy and bustling.Zh: 阳光透过玻璃墙洒下，给这繁忙的日子增添了一丝温暖。En: Sunlight streamed through the glass walls, adding a touch of warmth to the hectic day.Zh: 今天，上海大厦正举行一场盛大的企业活动。En: Today, Shanghai Mansion was hosting a grand corporate event.Zh: 活动中，人群兴奋，对话此起彼伏。En: During the event, the crowd was excited, with conversations rising and falling.Zh: 梁是一个雄心勃勃的企业高管。En: Liang was an ambitious corporate executive.Zh: 他非常看重自己的事业成功，但心中隐隐有个恐惧：失去职位。En: He valued his career success highly but had a lingering fear in his heart: losing his position.Zh: 今天，对梁来说，是个非常关键的日子。En: Today was a critical day for Liang.Zh: 他要与重要客户嘉会面。En: He was scheduled to meet an important client, Jia.Zh: 然而，就在会议开始前，嘉失踪了。En: However, just before the meeting was to start, Jia went missing.Zh: 梁十分焦急，他知道如果事情不顺利，会对他产生巨大影响。En: Liang was very anxious, knowing that if things didn't go smoothly, it would greatly impact him.Zh: 活动中突然发生了停电。En: Suddenly, there was a power outage during the event.Zh: 整座大楼陷入黑暗，电梯停止运作，保安系统也暂时失灵。En: The entire building plunged into darkness; elevators stopped working, and the security system temporarily failed.Zh: 梁意识到，如果不立刻采取行动，事情会变得更加复杂。En: Liang realized that if immediate action wasn't taken, things would become more complicated.Zh: 他必须找到嘉。En: He had to find Jia.Zh: 梁开始自主调查。En: Liang began his own investigation.Zh: 他偷偷进入嘉最后被见到的区域。En: He sneaked into the area where Jia was last seen.Zh: 强烈的好奇心促使他绕过部分安保措施，心中忐忑，但他坚持不懈。En: Driven by intense curiosity, he bypassed some security measures, feeling uneasy but persistent.Zh: 大厦虽大，但梁凭直觉找到了一个鲜有人知的地方。En: Although the building was large, Liang followed his instincts and found a little-known place.Zh: 在一个隐秘的角落里，梁发现了嘉。En: In a hidden corner, Liang found Jia.Zh: 她神情紧张，但平安无事。En: She looked tense but was unharmed.Zh: 嘉述说她发现了一些公司内部的阴谋，这才导致她匆忙躲藏。En: Jia explained that she had uncovered some internal company conspiracy, which led her to hurriedly hide.Zh: 梁决定帮助嘉安全离开。En: Liang decided to help Jia leave safely.Zh: 他意识到，眼下最重要的是正直而非野心。En: He realized that integrity was more important than ambition at this moment.Zh: 在送嘉离开后，他决意要面对公司内的不公正行为。En: After getting Jia out, he resolved to confront the injustices within the company.Zh: 他知道，凭借这份勇气和坚持，他与嘉的关系也会更牢固。En: He knew that with courage and persistence, his relationship with Jia would also become stronger.Zh: 此时，秋风已开始轻拂，通过透明的玻璃墙漫步至楼内的金色光线依旧温暖。En: By now, the autumn breeze had begun to gently brush, with golden light still warmly streaming through the transparent glass walls into the building.Zh: 梁站在窗前，远眺整个城市，心中渐明：有时，值得去做的事情正是那些令人畏惧的挑战。En: Standing by the window, Liang gazed out over the entire city, understanding more clearly: Sometimes, the things worth doing are precisely those daunting challenges.Zh: 事业的光环并不会因此而黯淡，反而变得更加耀眼。En: The halo of a career does not dim because of this; instead, it becomes even brighter. Vocabulary Words:mansion: 大厦towering: 高耸elegant: 优雅bustling: 忙碌hectic: 繁忙corporate: 企业executive: 高管lingering: 隐隐critical: 关键anxious: 焦急plunged: 陷入darkness: 黑暗conspiracy: 阴谋bypass: 绕过uneasy: 忐忑persistent: 坚持不懈tense: 紧张unharmed: 平安无事integrity: 正直ambition: 野心daunting: 令人畏惧challenges: 挑战halo: 光环dim: 黯淡brighter: 耀眼curiosity: 好奇心instincts: 直觉uncover: 发现confront: 面对injustices: 不公正行为

Chinese textbooks don't usually tell you this, but ChinesePod will let you in on a little secret: most of China does not speak that standard Beijing accent. In fact, some parts of China have accents and idiosyncrasies that can be downright baffling when you first encounter them. In this lesson, we learn about some key features of the Hunanese accent in Mandarin. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1524

Let's visit Nashville, Georgia, in Berrien County to see how cold-hardy satsuma mandarins are reshaping local agriculture and school nutrition. You'll hear from growers and packers who walk us through varieties, frost protection, and the journey from orchard to classroom lunch trays. Discover why cultivars like Xie Shan, Brown Select, Owari, Kishu, Cara Cara, Sugar Belle, and Shiranui are taking root across South Georgia.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: From Stage Fright to Standing Ovation: Liu Wei's Musical Leap Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-23-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 秋天，金色的树叶在北京一所高中操场上翩翩起舞。En: In the autumn, golden leaves danced gracefully across the playground of a high school in Beijing.Zh: 中秋节刚刚过去，但学校的走廊里仍挂着纸灯笼，微风中飘荡着月饼的香气。En: The Mid-Autumn Festival had just passed, but paper lanterns still hung in the school corridors, and the scent of mooncakes wafted in the breeze.Zh: 这是一个忙碌的早晨，因为今天是学校的才艺表演比赛。En: It was a busy morning because today was the school's talent show competition.Zh: 刘伟是一个害羞的学生。En: Liu Wei was a shy student.Zh: 他非常喜欢拉二胡，但他对在众人面前表演感到很紧张。En: He really enjoyed playing the erhu, but he felt very nervous about performing in front of others.Zh: 想起之前在台上演奏时的紧张经历，他的心里就发慌。En: Remembering his previous anxious experiences of playing on stage, he felt a flutter of panic.Zh: 可是在班上，他暗暗喜欢的梅玲是一位才华横溢的钢琴家。En: In his class, however, there was Mei Ling, a talented pianist whom he secretly admired.Zh: 他希望能在才艺表演中让梅玲注意到自己。En: He hoped to get her attention during the talent show.Zh: 然而，还有一个让刘伟紧张的人，那就是陈荣。En: There was another person who made Liu Wei nervous, and that was Chen Rong.Zh: 他总是以出色的表现赢得大家的称赞。En: Chen Rong always won everyone's praise for his outstanding performances.Zh: 刘伟心里暗想，如何才能在这个舞台上表现自己呢？En: Liu Wei thought to himself, how could he make his own mark on this stage?Zh: 终于，他鼓起勇气，决定向梅玲请教，希望她能给予一些建议。En: Finally, he gathered the courage to seek advice from Mei Ling, hoping she could offer some guidance.Zh: 一个午后，阳光透过窗户洒在教室里，刘伟找到梅玲，脸红红的。En: One afternoon, with sunlight streaming through the classroom windows, Liu Wei approached Mei Ling, his face flushed.Zh: “梅玲，我...我想请教你一些事情。”他说，声音有些结巴。En: "Mei Ling, I... I'd like to ask you something," he said, his voice a bit stammering.Zh: “当然可以，刘伟。”梅玲微笑着说。“你乐器演奏得很好，我可以帮你。”En: "Of course, Liu Wei," Mei Ling said with a smile. "You play the instrument very well, and I can help you."Zh: 梅玲建议他在表演时集中注意力在音乐上，把心中最想表达的情感传递出来。En: Mei Ling suggested that during his performance, he focus on the music and convey the emotions he most wanted to express.Zh: 她还告诉刘伟，有时候脆弱不是缺点，而是一种能打动人心的力量。En: She also told Liu Wei that sometimes vulnerability wasn't a weakness but a power that could move people's hearts.Zh: 赛前的晚上，刘伟反复练习。En: The night before the competition, Liu Wei practiced repeatedly.Zh: 想到梅玲的话，心里渐渐充满了信心。En: Thinking of Mei Ling's words filled his heart with confidence.Zh: 到了表演那天，礼堂内座无虚席。En: On the day of the performance, the auditorium was packed.Zh: 五光十色的舞台灯光打在刘伟的脸上，他心跳如鼓。En: The colorful stage lights shone on Liu Wei's face, and his heart pounded like a drum.Zh: 就在这时，他瞥见坐在观众席中的梅玲，她向他点头微笑。En: Just then, he spotted Mei Ling in the audience, nodding and smiling at him.Zh: 旋律流淌，刘伟闭上双眼，投入地演奏着。En: The melody flowed, and Liu Wei closed his eyes and played with all his heart.Zh: 他感受到一股力量从指尖流向二胡，激荡起全场观众的心弦。En: He could feel a strength flowing from his fingertips into the erhu, resonating with the audience.Zh: 音乐停下，厅内响起掌声如潮水般的响声。En: When the music stopped, a wave of applause echoed through the hall.Zh: 刘伟感受到了从未有过的自由和轻松。En: Liu Wei had never felt such freedom and ease.Zh: 他终于明白，真正传达自己的情感比赢得比赛更加重要。En: He finally understood that truly conveying his emotions was more important than winning the competition.Zh: 下台后，他对自己多了一份自信。En: After stepping off the stage, he felt more confident.Zh: 他意识到，音乐不仅是他的爱好，更是连接他人与曾经屏障的桥梁。En: He realized that music was not just his hobby, but also a bridge connecting him with others and overcoming barriers.Zh: 刘伟站在后台，心中不再惧怕，带着触动与成长，向未来迈出坚定的步伐。En: Standing backstage, Liu Wei no longer feared, moving forward with determination and growth towards the future. Vocabulary Words:autumn: 秋天gracefully: 翩翩起舞corridors: 走廊wafted: 飘荡mooncakes: 月饼competition: 比赛shy: 害羞anxious: 紧张admired: 暗暗喜欢outstanding: 出色praise: 称赞courage: 勇气guidance: 建议flushed: 脸红红的stammering: 结巴vulnerability: 脆弱resonating: 激荡applause: 掌声freedom: 自由ease: 轻松overcoming: 克服barriers: 屏障determination: 坚定growth: 成长streaming: 洒melody: 旋律fingertips: 指尖convey: 传达nodding: 点头vulnerability: 脆弱

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: From Chemical Chaos to Magic Show: A Festive Lab Surprise Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-23-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 教学楼里的化学实验室今天特别喧闹。En: The chemistry lab in the teaching building was particularly noisy today.Zh: 窗外，秋天的叶子在空中飘荡，给教室增添了一丝节日的气息。En: Outside the window, the autumn leaves drifted in the air, adding a touch of festive atmosphere to the classroom.Zh: 大家都在期待即将到来的中秋节，憧憬着圆月下的团聚和美食。En: Everyone was looking forward to the upcoming Zhongqiujie, envisioning reunions and delicious food under the full moon.Zh: 实验室内，实验桌上摆满了烧杯和试管，墙上挂着元素周期表，一切井然有序。En: Inside the lab, the experiment tables were filled with beakers and test tubes, and a periodic table hung on the wall, everything in perfect order.Zh: 一堂化学课正在进行。En: A chemistry class was in session.Zh: 梦瑶、晓风和子晖坐在角落。En: Mengyao, Xiaofeng, and Zihui sat in the corner.Zh: 他们的化学老师一边讲解，一边准备实验。En: Their chemistry teacher was explaining while preparing an experiment.Zh: 不料，老师一时失误，意外将两种化学药品混合在一起，放出了一场惊艳的彩色烟花秀。En: Unexpectedly, the teacher made a mistake, accidentally mixing two chemicals together, resulting in a stunning display of colorful fireworks.Zh: 五彩斑斓的泡沫瞬间充满了房间，像小精灵在空中跳舞。En: Immediately, vibrant foam filled the room, like little sprites dancing in the air.Zh: 学生们一片欢呼，然而子晖立刻皱起眉头。En: The students cheered, but Zihui immediately frowned.Zh: 他立刻站起来，对大家说：“我们得赶快清理！En: He stood up right away and said to everyone, "We need to clean up quickly!Zh: 这很不安全！En: This isn't safe!"Zh: ”梦瑶眼中闪烁着光芒，她多么想借此机会，为同学们创造一个魔法般的时刻。En: Mengyao's eyes sparkled; she longed to seize this opportunity to create a magical moment for her classmates.Zh: 她向前迈了一步，对子晖说：“别担心，它是无害的！En: She stepped forward and said to Zihui, "Don't worry, it's harmless!Zh: 何不趁机会表演一个魔术呢？En: Why not take this chance to perform a magic show?"Zh: ”晓风则大声笑着，一边用手指指着泡沫，“这可是千载难逢的奇观！En: Xiaofeng laughed loudly, pointing at the foam with his finger, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle!Zh: 快点，梦瑶，给大家来个魔术表演吧！En: Quickly, Mengyao, give everyone a magic show!"Zh: ”他甚至从窗边捡了一片树叶，像魔法师一样在空中挥舞。En: He even picked a leaf from the window sill and waved it in the air like a magician.Zh: 子晖仍然不放心，他坚持要清理房间。En: Zihui still was not at ease and insisted on cleaning the room.Zh: 但梦瑶心中的小魔术师最终战胜了她的犹豫。En: However, the little magician in Mengyao's heart ultimately overcame her hesitation.Zh: 她迅速利用泡沫，挥动手中的试管，动起了手。En: She quickly used the foam, waved the test tube in her hand, and got to work.Zh: 她一边表演，一边解释这“魔法”的原理，赢得了大家的欢呼声。En: As she performed, she explained the principles behind this "magic," winning applause from everyone.Zh: 正当一切热闹非凡时，校长走进教室。En: Just as everything was in full swing, the principal walked into the classroom.Zh: 他微微一笑，环顾四周，看到房间里快乐的气氛。En: He smiled slightly, looked around, and saw the happy atmosphere in the room.Zh: 他拍了拍梦瑶的肩膀，赞扬她的创意，同时提醒大家以后要多加小心。En: He patted Mengyao on the shoulder, praised her creativity, and reminded everyone to be more careful in the future.Zh: 梦瑶为自己的勇气感到自豪，子晖也意识到有时偶尔的即兴可以带来欢乐。En: Mengyao felt proud of her courage, and Zihui realized that sometimes impromptu moments can bring joy.Zh: 而晓风则懂得了适度捣乱让事情更加有趣。En: Meanwhile, Xiaofeng learned that a little mischief could make things more interesting.Zh: 这一天，他们不仅在实验室里制造了色彩缤纷的泡沫，也在心中留下了对中秋节的温暖记忆。En: On this day, they not only created vibrant foam in the lab but also left warm memories of Zhongqiujie in their hearts. Vocabulary Words:noisy: 喧闹atmosphere: 气息experiment: 实验periodic: 周期mistake: 失误chemicals: 化学药品colorful: 彩色display: 烟花秀foam: 泡沫clean: 清理harmless: 无害magic: 魔术spectacle: 奇观leaf: 树叶hesitation: 犹豫applause: 欢呼声heart: 心中realized: 意识到impromptu: 即兴mischief: 捣乱principal: 校长proud: 自豪opportunity: 机会curiosity: 创意whisper: 微微reminded: 提醒creative: 创意unplanned: 偶尔reunions: 团聚full: 圆月

The Ming mandarin who helped, 400 years later, to start the Cultural Revolution.Support the show

Beyond the Comfort Zone: Leadership Lessons from Green Mandarin Let's keep it real friends. Our comfort zone is not doing us any good. Leadership is about stepping outside our comfort at times and making the mountains move. We all have it in us to create incredible things. Let Green Mandarin help you out.   Enjoy this episode my friend.  Also...... Get this Book! Link for Essential Emotions book. You need it.  https://aromatools.com/collections/frontpage/products/essential-emotions-14th-edition Pre Order The Essential Life book here https://essentiallife.com/product/essential-life-10th-edition/ Welcome into our little essential oil world where we talk about the physical and emotional support of our essential oils.   Hi friends, don't forget to leave us a review, your feedback is always welcome, and helps this podcast reach more ears. Join us in our New Facebook Community! Connect on Instagram  We upload a brand new episode every Tuesday and Thursday!   Want to learn more about us? theessentialoilscoop.com   Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast so you will be notified every time we upload a brand new episode.  Leave us a review as well, your feedback is always welcome. Also opt-in to our newsletter at https://theessentialoilscoop.com/newsletter   If you have any questions or have subject ideas you would like us to cover please email us at theessentialoilscoop@gmail.com   Tag us on socials using #theessentialoilscoop #essentialoilpodcast #oilpodcast     Are you ready to release emotions that have been weighing you down? Book a session today! Book with Vicki: https://vickilebrilla.com/coaching Book with Sarah: https://sarahsepos.com/coaching   Vicki's Link- http://referral.doterra.me/1214454 Sarah's Link- https://referral.doterra.me/107766   Scoop of the Day Diffuser Blend 4 Green Mandarin 2 Blue Tansy 1 Litsea/AirX Take action and decide what you want and go for it!!   Disclaimer:  Welcome to The Essential Oil Scoop Podcast. We want to remind our listeners that the information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The use of essential oils is a personal choice and should be done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose, treat, or prescribe any medical condition. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any essential oils or making changes to your healthcare routine. Any information or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any particular organization. Thank you for listening.  

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Moonlit Revelations: Secrets Unveiled in the Chinese Mountains Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-22-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个深秋的夜晚，细雨淅沥，一层薄雾笼罩着群山。En: On a late autumn night, a light rain drizzled down, and a thin mist shrouded the mountains.Zh: 山路蜿蜒，三个人——裕明、丽芬和志浩，默默地沿着小径向目的地走去。En: The mountain road wound its way, as three people—Yuming, Lifen, and Zhihao—quietly walked along the path toward their destination.Zh: 他们的目标是隐藏在中国山脉中的一个秘密研究所。En: Their goal was a secret research institute hidden in the Chinese mountains.Zh: 裕明是一个年轻而坚定的科学家。他有一个特别的目标，要证明一种与月亮有关的能源理论。En: Yuming was a young and determined scientist with a special goal: to prove a theory about an energy source related to the moon.Zh: 这是他的梦想，如果成功，将在全球峰会上引起轰动。En: It was his dream, and if successful, it would cause a sensation at the global summit.Zh: 丽芬则是他的好朋友，总在他身边支持他，但对这个研究保持怀疑。En: Lifen was his good friend, always by his side to support him, but she remained skeptical about the research.Zh: 她不知道这次冒险是否值得。En: She was unsure if this adventure was worth it.Zh: 而志浩是一个经验丰富的研究员，因为中秋节的到来，他回想起自己对一位导师做出的承诺，那就是找到具有突破性的发现。En: Zhihao, an experienced researcher, recalled a promise he made to a mentor during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which was to find a groundbreaking discovery.Zh: 随着山路越来越陡峭，天空中的乌云也明显增多。En: As the mountain road grew steeper, dark clouds gathered more conspicuously in the sky.Zh: 狂风开始呼啸，丽芬不安地说：“也许我们该等天气好转再继续。”En: The fierce wind began to howl, and Lifen uneasily said, "Maybe we should wait for the weather to improve before continuing."Zh: 然而，裕明坚定地回应：“必须现在出发，我们没有多少时间了。”En: However, Yuming firmly responded, "We must set out now, we don't have much time."Zh: 志浩点头表示同意，三人继续向前。En: Zhihao nodded in agreement, and the three continued forward.Zh: 他们终于来到实验室前，这里周围的枫叶已变红，枝头挂着节日的灯笼，随风摇曳。En: They finally arrived at the laboratory, where the surrounding maple leaves had turned red, and festive lanterns hung from the branches, swaying in the wind.Zh: 走进实验室，裕明立刻投入实验。En: Upon entering the laboratory, Yuming immediately immersed himself in the experiment.Zh: 他心跳加速，知道成功与否就在于这次的实验。En: His heart raced, knowing that the success or failure hinged on this experiment.Zh: 忽然，狂风骤起，电线摇晃，实验室的灯开始闪烁。En: Suddenly, the wind roared, the power lines shook, and the lights in the laboratory began to flicker.Zh: 裕明迅速上传实验数据，心中忐忑不安。En: Yuming quickly uploaded the experimental data, feeling anxious.Zh: 终于，就在断电的最后一刻，他按下了发送键。En: Finally, at the last moment before a blackout, he hit the send button.Zh: 数据成功传给了国际同行，证明了他的理论。En: The data was successfully transmitted to his international colleagues, proving his theory.Zh: 就在同时，政府的人出现在实验室门口。En: At that moment, government officials appeared at the laboratory door.Zh: 丽芬紧张地抓住裕明的手，志浩则试图解释。En: Lifen nervously grabbed Yuming's hand while Zhihao tried to explain.Zh: 他们面临着真正的危机，但幸运的是，实验数据已经安全传出。En: They faced a real crisis, but fortunately, the experimental data had already been safely sent out.Zh: 风雨过后，裕明意识到，科学的追求不仅仅是个人的目标，也需要团队的合作和对社会的责任。En: After the storm passed, Yuming realized that the pursuit of science was not just a personal goal; it also required teamwork and social responsibility.Zh: 他感谢丽芬和志浩的支持，他们成功逃过了政府的密切关注。En: He thanked Lifen and Zhihao for their support, and they successfully evaded the government's close scrutiny.Zh: 在回程的路上，看着山谷中闪烁的灯笼，三人都感受到了一种释怀的宁静。En: On the return journey, as they looked at the lanterns flickering in the valley, all three felt a sense of peaceful relief.Zh: 这一刻，他们知道在科学领域，已经迈出了重要的一步。En: In that moment, they knew they had taken an important step in the field of science.Zh: 裕明的理论得到认可，中秋明月高挂，照亮他们前行的路。En: Yuming's theory was acknowledged, and the full Mid-Autumn moon hung high, lighting the way forward for them. Vocabulary Words:drizzled: 淅沥shrouded: 笼罩wound: 蜿蜒determined: 坚定sensation: 轰动skeptical: 怀疑steeper: 陡峭conspicuously: 明显howl: 呼啸uneasily: 不安immersed: 投入hinged: 在于roared: 狂风骤起flicker: 闪烁anxious: 忐忑不安blackout: 断电transmitted: 传crisis: 危机scrutiny: 密切关注evaded: 逃过relief: 释怀groundbreaking: 突破性mentor: 导师festive: 节日lanterns: 灯笼gathered: 增多acknowledged: 认可summit: 峰会pursuit: 追求responsibility: 责任

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Risk and Reward: A Scientific Showdown at the Great Wall Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-22-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在长城脚下，隐藏着一个神秘的实验室。En: At the foot of the Great Wall, a mysterious laboratory is hidden.Zh: 金秋时节，黄叶遍地，而实验室内部却是历史与创新的交汇点。En: In the golden autumn season, with yellow leaves covering the ground, the inside of the laboratory is a convergence point of history and innovation.Zh: 那里，有着古老的文物，也有先进的科技。En: It houses ancient artifacts as well as advanced technology.Zh: 这个季节，一年一度的学校科学展览即将举办。En: This season, the annual school science exhibition is about to take place.Zh: 梅是一个充满好奇心的学生，总渴望在科学发现中脱颖而出。En: Mei is a student full of curiosity, always eager to stand out in scientific discovery.Zh: 她最想让自己冷静内敛的父亲，著名的科学家，对自己感到骄傲。En: She most hopes that her calm and introverted father, a renowned scientist, will feel proud of her.Zh: 而健是梅的好朋友，他总是支持梅的探索，却也害怕失败。En: Meanwhile, Jian, Mei's good friend, always supports her explorations but also fears failure.Zh: 两人决定在科学展览上展示一项突破性的项目。En: The two decide to showcase a groundbreaking project at the science exhibition.Zh: 项目准备期间，设备发生了故障，结果令人大跌眼镜，极大地威胁到了实验的成功。En: During the project preparation, a malfunction occurs with the equipment, resulting in a shocking outcome that greatly threatens the success of the experiment.Zh: 面对突如其来的危机，梅选择冒险，使用一种非常规的方法来修复设备。En: Faced with the sudden crisis, Mei chooses to take a risk by using an unconventional method to fix the equipment.Zh: 尽管健建议她谨慎行事，但梅坚持了自己的决定。En: Despite Jian's advice to be cautious, Mei insists on her decision.Zh: 展览那天，梅和健站在众人面前，实验开始了。En: On the day of the exhibition, Mei and Jian stand in front of everyone as the experiment begins.Zh: 突然间，设备似乎失控，眼看就要失败。En: Suddenly, the equipment seems to go out of control and is on the brink of failure.Zh: 然而，梅凭借快速反应，将实验从失败的边缘拉了回来，现场竟然变得异常壮观。En: However, with quick reflexes, Mei pulls the experiment back from the verge of failure, and the scene becomes extraordinarily spectacular.Zh: 大家目不转睛地看着，老师和同学们报以热烈的掌声。En: Everyone watches intently, and both teachers and classmates offer enthusiastic applause.Zh: 最让梅感到欣慰的是，台下的父亲也亲临活动。En: What gives Mei the most comfort is that her father is present at the event.Zh: 他用赞许的目光点头示意，让梅的心倍感温暖。En: He nods with approving eyes, which warms Mei's heart immensely.Zh: 梅知道，自己的努力得到了认可。En: Mei knows that her efforts have been recognized.Zh: 不仅如此，她还学会了在挑战中敢于冒险，并取得了出色的成果。En: Moreover, she has learned to take risks in the face of challenges and achieved outstanding results.Zh: 而健也意识到，有时候相信梅的直觉，即便在不确定的时候，也能带来不可思议的结果。En: Jian also realizes that sometimes trusting Mei's instincts, even when uncertain, can lead to incredible outcomes.Zh: 从此，梅更有自信去追逐自己的科学梦想，而健也成为了她最坚定的支持者。En: From then on, Mei is more confident in pursuing her scientific dreams, and Jian becomes her most steadfast supporter.Zh: 他们在实验室外的长城上，望着远方，踌躇满志地迎接未来。En: Standing on the Great Wall outside the laboratory, they look into the distance, brimming with ambition for the future.Zh: 故事在他们的笑声中圆满结束。En: The story ends perfectly amid their laughter. Vocabulary Words:mysterious: 神秘的laboratory: 实验室golden: 金autumn: 秋convergence: 交汇artifacts: 文物renowned: 著名的groundbreaking: 突破性的malfunction: 故障shocking: 大跌眼镜unconventional: 非常规的crisis: 危机equipment: 设备instincts: 直觉verge: 边缘outcome: 结果reflexes: 快速反应spectacular: 壮观applause: 掌声comfort: 欣慰supporter: 支持者ambition: 踌躇满志innovation: 创新intently: 目不转睛地approve: 赞许extraordinarily: 异常地steadfast: 坚定的immensely: 倍感recognized: 认可的pursuing: 追逐

Virginia Duan is the biggest BTS fan I've ever encountered. I do not understand this. But I also know she is one of the best and biggest baddasses I've ever met. Her story of overcoming fundamentalist christianity, a violent father, and racial discrimination is inspiring. It makes me want to keep fighting. And maybe listen to some BTS.Check out her blog, The Mandarin Mama, and read her books, Illusive, and Weightless, the first two of the Katie Wu multiverse.Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

On today’s episode of HI Now Daily, we learn about an event this weekend designed to help local families become homeowners in Hawaii. Plus, we dive into a language program that has local kids confident in speaking Mandarin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Savoring Success: Finding Strength in Self-Discovery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-21-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 微微的秋风轻轻拂过台北的街道，茶叶的香气弥漫在空气中。En: The gentle autumn breeze softly swept over the streets of Taipei, and the aroma of tea filled the air.Zh: 当过路的人们被这股香味吸引，许多人会走进一家名叫“香茗居”的茶店。En: Enticed by this fragrance, many people would step into a tea shop called "Xiang Ming Ju."Zh: 这家茶店坐落在宁静的人行道旁，店内装饰着传统的木制家具和纸灯笼，犹如一个安静的避风港。En: This tea shop is situated beside a tranquil sidewalk, adorned with traditional wooden furniture and paper lanterns, much like a quiet haven.Zh: 美，是这家茶店的老板，她的智慧和温暖使人感到安慰。En: Mei is the owner of this tea shop, and her wisdom and warmth provide comfort to those who enter.Zh: 一天下午，魏走进了茶店。En: One afternoon, Wei walked into the tea shop.Zh: 他是个有抱负的市场营销主管，心里却一直被即将到来的工作表现评估弄得忐忑不安。En: He was an ambitious marketing manager, but he was anxious about the upcoming work performance evaluation.Zh: “我需要这次的晋升机会，但在公司里，亮亦有同样的目标。”魏心想。En: "I need this promotion opportunity, but in the company, Liang also has the same goal," Wei thought.Zh: 他的好友亮虽然给予支持，但毫无疑问也是他的竞争对手。En: His friend Liang, although supportive, was undoubtedly his competitor as well.Zh: “魏，你看起来心事重重。”美微笑着说，给他倒上了一杯清香的乌龙茶。En: "Wei, you look deep in thought," Mei said with a smile, pouring him a cup of fragrant oolong tea.Zh: 魏轻叹一口气，问道：“美，你可有什么建议吗？我实在太焦虑了，不知道如何面对老板的评价。”En: Wei sighed softly and asked, "Mei, do you have any advice? I'm so anxious and don't know how to face my boss's evaluation."Zh: “有时，我们太过专注于与他人竞争，反而忽略了自己真正的强项。”美的语气沉稳中透出一丝智慧。En: "Sometimes, we focus too much on competing with others and overlook our true strengths," Mei spoke with a tone that was steady yet brimming with wisdom.Zh: “诚实地展现自己，比模仿他人要有力得多。”En: "Honestly expressing yourself is far more powerful than imitating others."Zh: 在柔和的灯光下，魏捧着温暖的茶杯，慢慢地品味着这番话。En: Under the soft light, Wei held the warm teacup, slowly savoring these words.Zh: 突然之间，他明白了继续让自己不安的是竞争，而不是他的能力。En: Suddenly, he realized it was the competition, not his abilities, that continued to unsettle him.Zh: 吐出长长的一口气，魏决定在评估中不去顾虑亮，也不去模仿他人，而是专注于自己的成长和优点。En: Releasing a long sigh, he decided that during the evaluation, he would not worry about Liang nor imitate others but would concentrate on his own growth and strengths.Zh: 几天后的评估会上，魏不再拘泥于浮夸的表现，而是真诚地分享了自己对团队发展的想法。En: At the evaluation meeting a few days later, Wei no longer confined himself to exaggerated displays but instead sincerely shared his ideas for team development.Zh: 他的老板看到他这样的真诚和清晰，微微点头，露出满意的微笑。En: His boss saw his sincerity and clarity, nodding slightly with a satisfied smile.Zh: 评估结束后，魏极有信心地走出了会议室，心中一片坦然。En: After the evaluation ended, Wei walked out of the conference room with great confidence, feeling at peace within.Zh: 当老板宣布他获得晋升时，他意识到自己所展现的不只是工作上的成就，还有真实的自己。En: When his boss announced that he had received the promotion, he realized he was showcasing not just his work achievements, but his true self.Zh: 从那一天起，魏懂得了，不必与人攀比，也不需给自己施加压力。En: From that day on, Wei understood that he did not need to compare himself with others or place undue pressure on himself.Zh: 真实的自己，才是最有力的竞争力。En: The real self is the most powerful competitiveness.Zh: 茶店外的秋风依旧轻轻拂过，而美的茶香仍然如故，安宁地弥漫着。En: The autumn breeze outside the tea shop still gently swept by, and Mei's tea fragrance remained the same, peacefully lingering. Vocabulary Words:gentle: 微微的breeze: 秋风aroma: 香气enticed: 吸引fragrance: 香味situated: 坐落tranquil: 宁静的adorned: 装饰着haven: 避风港wisdom: 智慧warmth: 温暖confident: 信心evaluation: 评估anxious: 忐忑不安ambitious: 有抱负的competitor: 竞争对手imitating: 模仿savoring: 品味着exaggerated: 浮夸的sincerity: 真诚clarity: 清晰confined: 拘泥于overlook: 忽略了unstettle: 不安showcasing: 展现pressure: 压力competitiveness: 竞争力gently: 轻轻opportunity: 机会savored: 品味

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Tea and Laughter: Li Wei's Festive Mid-Autumn Adventure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-21-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 上海一间茶香四溢的茶馆里，李伟正在和他的同事们一起度过一个愉快的午后。En: In a tea house in Shanghai, filled with the aroma of tea, Li Wei is spending a pleasant afternoon with his colleagues.Zh: 这家茶馆装饰温馨，四处挂着五颜六色的灯笼，柜台上摆放着中秋节特有的月饼样品，En: This tea house is warmly decorated, with colorful lanterns hanging everywhere, and samples of Mid-Autumn Festival special moon cakes displayed on the counter.Zh: 想着秋风正浓，节日临近，令整个茶馆充满了节日的气氛。En: As the autumn breeze is in full swing and the festival approaches, the whole tea house is filled with a festive atmosphere.Zh: 李伟是一个年轻的上班族。En: Li Wei is a young office worker.Zh: 他平时生活节俭，但今天他想在同事小明面前展示他对文化的了解。En: He usually lives frugally, but today he wants to show off his cultural knowledge in front of his colleague Xiao Ming.Zh: 他拿起菜单，看到了一款名字十分优雅的茶，便想当然地认为这只是普通的一杯茶。En: He picks up the menu and sees a tea with a very elegant name, assuming it's just an ordinary cup of tea.Zh: 他笑着对服务员梅玲说：“请给我们这杯茶。”En: Smiling, he says to the waitress Mei Ling, "Please bring us this tea."Zh: 梅玲是一位和蔼可亲的茶馆服务员，她热爱帮助顾客尝试新茶。En: Mei Ling is a friendly tea house waitress who loves helping customers try new teas.Zh: 听了李伟的点单，她友好的微笑着说：“这是我们最好的茶之一，请稍等。”En: Upon hearing Li Wei's order, she smiles kindly and says, "This is one of our best teas. Please wait a moment."Zh: 不久之后，一壶满满的昂贵茶被端到了桌上，小明调皮地笑道：“哇，李伟，你可真是慷慨大方啊，特地给我们点了一整壶！”En: Soon after, a pot of expensive tea is brought to the table, and Xiao Ming mischievously laughs, "Wow, Li Wei, you are really generous, ordering a whole pot for us!"Zh: 闻言，李伟怔住了，他这才意识到自己不是点了一杯茶，而是整整一壶！En: Hearing this, Li Wei is taken aback, he realizes only then that he ordered not a cup but a whole pot!Zh: 他忽然感到尴尬，不知如何是好，也想着如何才能在不被同事们发现的情况下解决这次错误。En: Suddenly, he feels embarrassed, unsure of what to do, and ponders how to solve this mistake without his colleagues noticing.Zh: 正在他纠结时，他的同事们已经发现了这壶豪华的茶和随之而来的高昂账单。En: While he is struggling, his colleagues have already noticed the luxurious tea and the resulting hefty bill.Zh: 他们全都哈哈大笑起来，觉得李伟太好玩儿了。En: They all burst into laughter, finding Li Wei very amusing.Zh: 梅玲看着他们，也忍不住笑了，En: Mei Ling, looking at them, cannot help but laugh as well.Zh: 她理解李伟想留下好印象的心情，于是善解人意地说：“没关系，我可以给你们这次特别的折扣。”En: She understands Li Wei's desire to make a good impression and empathetically says, “It's okay, I can give you a special discount this time.”Zh: 李伟感激不已。En: Li Wei is deeply grateful.Zh: 于是，大家一起分享这壶珍贵的茶，并慢慢品尝。En: So, everyone shares this precious pot of tea, savoring it slowly.Zh: 其中每一口都带着秋天的清香，笑声不断充满这个小小的茶馆。En: Each sip carries the fragrance of autumn, and the tea house is continuously filled with laughter.Zh: 这个时候，李伟也放下了心中的尴尬，和同事们一起开怀大笑。En: At this moment, Li Wei lets go of his embarrassment and laughs heartily with his colleagues.Zh: 喝完茶后，李伟明白了，不必总是装得完美才会被接受。En: After drinking the tea, Li Wei realizes that one doesn't always have to be perfect to be accepted.Zh: 偶尔犯错，正是朋友欢聚时的小插曲，这可以把大家更紧密地联系在一起。En: Making occasional mistakes is precisely the little surprise during gatherings with friends, and it can bring everyone closer.Zh: 这次中秋节的下午茶经历，也变成了他和同事之间温暖的记忆。En: This afternoon tea experience during the Mid-Autumn Festival became a warm memory between him and his colleagues.Zh: 众人在欢笑中度过了一个令人难忘的节日午后。En: Everyone spent an unforgettable festive afternoon filled with laughter. Vocabulary Words:aroma: 茶香frugally: 节俭elegant: 优雅waitress: 服务员mischievously: 调皮地generous: 慷慨extravagant: 昂贵embarrassed: 尴尬hefty: 高昂empathetically: 善解人意地savoring: 品尝fragrance: 清香hearty: 开怀perfect: 完美accepted: 接受occasional: 偶尔surprise: 插曲atmosphere: 气氛luxurious: 豪华counter: 柜台samples: 样品decorated: 装饰colleagues: 同事filled: 充满autumn breeze: 秋风festive: 节日的struggling: 纠结burst: 哈哈大笑unforgettable: 难忘mid-autumn: 中秋节

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: From Market Jitters to Majestic Presentations: Ming's Triumph Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-20-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 北京的西单市场，充满了秋天的气息，四周都是丰收的色彩和渐凉的空气。En: The Xidan market in Beijing is full of autumn vibes, surrounded by the colors of harvest and the gradually cooling air.Zh: 人群中，叫卖声不绝于耳，烤栗子的香味四处飘散。En: Among the crowd, the cries of vendors are unending, and the fragrance of roasted chestnuts wafts everywhere.Zh: 这里是一个既吸引人又忙碌的地方。En: This is a place both attractive and bustling.Zh: 明和李正是这片喧闹中的两个学生。En: Ming and Li are two students amidst all this hustle and bustle.Zh: 他们在为一场学校的科学项目做准备。En: They are preparing for a school science project.Zh: 明虽然做事井井有条，而且非常细心，但却对讲演有些紧张。En: Although Ming is organized and very meticulous, he gets a bit nervous about presentations.Zh: 尤其是在李面前，他总是希望能给她留下深刻的印象。En: Especially in front of Li, he always hopes to make a deep impression.Zh: 李却不同，他自信开朗，总是能让身边的人感到轻松快乐。En: Li, on the other hand, is different; he is confident and cheerful and always makes those around him feel relaxed and joyful.Zh: 他们的项目虽然准备得很充分，但明还是对即将到来的演讲感到不安。En: Even though their project is well-prepared, Ming still feels uneasy about the upcoming presentation.Zh: 他深知，如果不能很好地表现，自己会感到非常失望。En: He knows that if he doesn't perform well, he will feel very disappointed.Zh: 李则似乎不怎么担心，他觉得只要尽力就好。En: Li, however, doesn't seem too worried; he believes that as long as they do their best, it will be fine.Zh: 最终，在一个明亮秋日的午后，明鼓起勇气，向李请求帮助。En: Eventually, on a bright autumn afternoon, Ming gathered the courage to ask Li for help.Zh: 他们在市场的一个安静角落开始排练，虽然周围人声不绝，可这让明的紧张感减轻了不少。En: They started rehearsing in a quiet corner of the market, and although the surrounding noise was ceaseless, it significantly eased Ming's nerves.Zh: 到了正式演讲的时间，明缓缓走上市场中的小舞台，心中却如同有小鹿在乱撞。En: When it was time for the formal presentation, Ming slowly walked onto the small stage in the market, feeling like there were butterflies in his stomach.Zh: 他吸了一口气，看了一眼站在旁边微笑的李，决定面对恐惧。En: He took a deep breath, glanced at Li, who smiled beside him, and decided to face his fears.Zh: 随着演讲的进行，虽然周围还是那么吵闹，但明感受到了内心的平静。En: As the presentation progressed, although the surroundings remained noisy, Ming felt a sense of inner calm.Zh: 他逐渐找到了自己的节奏，条理清晰地展示了他们的项目。En: He gradually found his rhythm and presented their project clearly and logically.Zh: 演讲结束，市场的喧闹彷佛都在耳边消失。En: After the presentation ended, it seemed as if the market's noise disappeared around them.Zh: 他们的老师走过来，称赞了他们的努力，并对明的表现表示了肯定。En: Their teacher came over, praised their efforts, and affirmed Ming's performance.Zh: 明的脸上露出了久违的微笑，而李则递给他一个鼓励的眼神。En: Ming showed a long-awaited smile, and Li gave him an encouraging look.Zh: 经过这次经历，明的自信心倍增。En: Through this experience, Ming's confidence grew immensely.Zh: 他明白了请求帮助并不可怕，相反，它能带来进步。En: He realized that asking for help is not something to fear; rather, it can lead to improvement.Zh: 同时，他和李之间的友谊也因此更加深厚。En: Meanwhile, his friendship with Li became even deeper.Zh: 这一天的市场依旧热闹如初，但对明来说，一切却变得不一样了。En: The market remained as lively as ever that day, but for Ming, everything felt different.Zh: 在秋风的吹拂下，他感受到了成长的力量。En: In the autumn breeze, he felt the power of growth. Vocabulary Words:vibes: 气息harvest: 丰收amidst: 中meticulous: 细心uneasy: 不安rehearsing: 排练ceaseless: 不绝eased: 减轻butterflies: 紧张glanced: 看affirmed: 肯定immensely: 倍增lively: 热闹inward: 内心bustling: 忙碌fragrance: 香味roasted: 烤attractive: 吸引人organized: 井井有条presentation: 讲演disappointed: 失望courage: 勇气embrace: 面对rhythm: 节奏cheerful: 开朗surroundings: 周围logical: 条理teacher: 老师praise: 称赞growth: 成长

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: The Mystery Box: Unraveling Lost Mid-Autumn Traditions Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-20-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个清爽的秋日早晨，明亮的集市中充满了喧闹的声音和热闹的气氛。En: On a crisp autumn morning, the bright market was filled with the sounds of bustling voices and a lively atmosphere.Zh: 集市上，悬挂的灯笼在秋阳下闪闪发光，每个摊位都在为即将到来的中秋节忙碌着。En: Lanterns hung in the market sparkled under the autumn sun, and each stall was busy preparing for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.Zh: 就在这个时候，莉莉发现了一个神秘的上锁箱子。En: It was at this moment that Lily discovered a mysterious locked box.Zh: 这个箱子放在一个热闹的摊位上，没有人知道它从哪里来。En: This box was placed at a bustling stall, and no one knew where it came from.Zh: 莉莉是个年轻的女人，她在集市中的茶铺工作，对神秘的东西充满好奇。En: Lily, a young woman working at the tea shop in the market, was full of curiosity about mysterious things.Zh: 她决定要揭开这个箱子的秘密。En: She decided to uncover the secret of this box.Zh: 她知道，集市上有个擅于发现奇怪物件的朋友——建。En: She knew that a friend in the market named Jian was adept at discovering strange objects.Zh: 于是，她去找建，想一起找出这个神秘箱子背后的故事。En: So, she went to Jian to figure out the story behind this mysterious box together.Zh: "建，这里有个神秘的箱子，你能帮我看看吗？"莉莉问。En: "Jian, there's a mysterious box here. Can you help me take a look?" Lily asked.Zh: "当然可以，莉莉。让我看看，是个什么样的箱子。"建对这些神秘的物件总是充满兴趣。En: "Of course, Lily. Let me see what kind of box it is." Jian was always fascinated by these mysterious objects.Zh: 建仔细检查了箱子，他发现箱子非常古老，上面有复杂的花纹和古老的符号。En: Jian examined the box carefully and found it to be very old, with intricate patterns and ancient symbols on it.Zh: 建筑议去请教集市中著名的老故事讲述者——梅。En: They decided to consult the famous old storyteller in the market, Mei.Zh: 梅奶奶一直以编织奇妙的故事和传奇闻名，她也许会知道一些关于这个箱子的传说。En: Grandma Mei was well-known for weaving wonderful stories and legends, and she might know some tales about this box.Zh: 梅奶奶听了莉莉的故事后，微笑着说：“这个箱子让我想起一个古老的中秋节传说。En: After hearing Lily's story, Grandma Mei smiled and said, "This box reminds me of an ancient Mid-Autumn Festival legend.Zh: 相传，有一个盒子藏着失落的中秋节传统。En: It is said that there is a box that holds lost traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival."Zh: 莉莉和建决定根据梅奶奶的故事，去寻找更多线索。En: Lily and Jian decided to search for more clues based on Grandma Mei's story.Zh: 经过一整天的努力，他们终于破解了箱子的锁。En: After a whole day of effort, they finally unlocked the box.Zh: 箱子里装着一些古老的中秋节物品：一个旧灯笼，一张手书的家庭团聚诗，还有几个月饼模具。En: Inside were some ancient Mid-Autumn Festival items: an old lantern, a handwritten poem about family reunions, and some mooncake molds.Zh: 这些物品讲述了一个被遗忘已久的中秋节传统。En: These items told a long-forgotten Mid-Autumn Festival tradition.Zh: 莉莉受到启发，决定在集市上组织一个小型聚会，与大家分享这个箱子的故事。En: Inspired, Lily decided to organize a small gathering at the market to share the story of the box with everyone.Zh: 通过这次聚会，集市上的人们再次对传统故事产生了兴趣，社区里弥漫着团结的气氛。En: Through this gathering, the people at the market rekindled an interest in traditional stories, and the community was filled with a sense of unity.Zh: 莉莉通过破解箱子的秘密，了解到了许多关于文化保护的重要性。En: Through unlocking the box's secret, Lily learned the importance of cultural preservation.Zh: 从此，她在社区中更加活跃，致力于保护和传承这些宝贵的传统故事。En: From then on, she became more active in the community, dedicated to preserving and passing on these valuable traditional stories.Zh: 明亮的集市不仅闪烁着灯笼的光芒，也洋溢着人们对文化的热爱与认同。En: The bright market not only sparkled with the light of lanterns but also brimmed with people's love and appreciation for culture. Vocabulary Words:crisp: 清爽bustling: 喧闹lively: 热闹lantern: 灯笼stall: 摊位mysterious: 神秘locked: 上锁curiosity: 好奇adept: 擅于uncover: 揭开intricate: 复杂patterns: 花纹consult: 请教storyteller: 故事讲述者weaving: 编织legends: 传奇ancient: 古老effort: 努力unlocked: 破解handwritten: 手书reunion: 团聚molds: 模具inspired: 启发gathering: 聚会rekindled: 再燃unity: 团结preservation: 保护dedicated: 致力appreciation: 认同brimmed: 洋溢

Today's Episode:Ever felt rushed to check out before noon? In this episode, we talk about a hotel in Wuhan that lets guests stay a full 24 hours. No matter when they check in! A small change that's making big waves online. Would you pay more for extra rest?Today's episode is sponsored by Maayot Chinese, a graded Chinese reading platform packed with many helpful features. Explore it and find out more!Membership Preview:Planning a trip to China but not sure where to stay? In next episode of MaoMi Chinese+, we explore different types of accommodation—star hotels, hostels, homestays, and guesthouses, and the top platforms to book them. Find your perfect room!Support MaoMi & Get exclusive   to premium content!https://www.buzzsprout.com/1426696/subscribe ↗️Transcript and translations are available on https://maomichinese.comInterested in any topics? Leave me a message on: https://maomichinese.com or https://www.instagram.com/maomichinese/?hl=en*Please note that Spotify does not support the membership program.Text me what you think :)Support the show

Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts!This week, Whitney Stone, José “Joey” Montes III, Alicia Sharp, and first-time guest Amari Lewis dive into the chaos of Bandtober—from Texas showdowns and rehearsal rules to accountability and drill cleaning that actually works.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Moonlit Bonds: A Family's Mid-Autumn Transformation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-19-07-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 居民区的傍晚，空气中弥漫着烘焙月饼的甜香。En: In the residential neighborhood at dusk, the air was filled with the sweet aroma of mooncakes being baked.Zh: 灯笼在秋风中轻轻摇曳，红色和金色的装饰为这一方天地增添了浓厚的节日氛围。En: Lanterns gently swayed in the autumn breeze, and the decorations of red and gold added a rich festive atmosphere to the area.Zh: Yilan站在厨房窗前，凝视着渐渐暗下来的天色。En: Yilan stood at the kitchen window, staring at the gradually darkening sky.Zh: 中秋节又到了，她希望能够通过这次聚会，让家人和邻居之间的联系更加紧密。En: Mid-Autumn Festival had arrived again, and she hoped that through this gathering, the bonds between family and neighbors could become closer.Zh: 屋内，Junjie正忙着下载新的游戏，他忽略了妈妈昨天交代的任务。En: Inside the house, Junjie was busy downloading new games, ignoring the tasks his mom had reminded him of yesterday.Zh: Yilan看着他，她知道，必须提醒Junjie，这个聚会需要大家的协作。En: Yilan watched him, knowing that she must remind Junjie that this gathering required everyone's collaboration.Zh: 在另一边，Meiling正在调整心情。En: Elsewhere, Meiling was trying to adjust her mood.Zh: 她性格内向，但对中秋节的故事和历史有深入的了解。En: She was introverted but had an in-depth understanding of the stories and history of the Mid-Autumn Festival.Zh: Yilan走过去，轻声说道：“Meiling，我们需要你的帮助。En: Yilan approached her and quietly said, "Meiling, we need your help.Zh: 可以分享一些你的想法吗？”En: Could you share some of your thoughts?"Zh: Meiling犹豫了一下，终是点了点头。En: Meiling hesitated for a moment, then nodded.Zh: 孩子们嬉闹的声音不断传来，而厨房里，Junjie却忘记准备的点心材料也不见踪影。En: The sounds of children playing could be heard continually, but in the kitchen, the ingredients for the snacks that Junjie had forgotten to prepare were nowhere in sight.Zh: Yilan深吸一口气，对Junjie说：“Junjie，这是我们全家共同的事情，你需要更有责任心。”En: Yilan took a deep breath and said to Junjie, "Junjie, this is something for our whole family, and you need to be more responsible."Zh: 傍晚时分，聚会开始临近。En: As evening approached, the gathering was drawing near.Zh: 灯笼的缝隙中透出柔和的光，Yilan、Junjie和Meiling聚在一起，思考对策。En: Soft light seeped through the gaps in the lanterns, as Yilan, Junjie, and Meiling gathered together, contemplating their plan.Zh: 紧要关头，Meiling主动开口：“我们把邻居也请来帮忙，用庭院里的花做装饰，效果一定不错。En: At the crucial moment, Meiling took the initiative to speak: "Let's invite the neighbors to help us, using flowers from the garden for decoration.Zh: En: It would look great."Zh: Junjie也找到了自己的位置，他提议让孩子们加入，负责小朋友们的娱乐节目。En: Junjie also found his place by suggesting that the children join in, taking charge of entertainment for the little ones.Zh: 灯光映衬下，整个庭院充满了欢声笑语。En: Under the glow of the lights, the entire courtyard was filled with laughter and joy.Zh: 故事在月光下悄然展开，大家围在一起，分享月饼和茶水，愉快的谈话填满了整个夜晚。En: The story unfolded quietly under the moonlight as everyone gathered together to share mooncakes and tea, with pleasant conversations filling the entire evening.Zh: 那一夜，Yilan学会了信任与分工的重要性；En: That night, Yilan learned the importance of trust and delegation;Zh: Junjie体会到了责任感的价值；En: Junjie realized the value of responsibility;Zh: 而Meiling找到了自信，能够坚定地分享自己的建议。En: and Meiling found confidence in being able to firmly share her suggestions.Zh: 最后，当月亮高悬，Yilan望向夜空，露出了满足的微笑。En: Finally, as the moon hung high, Yilan gazed at the night sky with a contented smile.Zh: 家庭间的纽带在这个中秋夜得到了加深。En: The bonds between the family members deepened on this Mid-Autumn night.Zh: 在这个居民区，属于他们的故事，多了一段美好的回忆。En: In this residential area, their story gained another beautiful memory. Vocabulary Words:residential: 居民区dusk: 傍晚aroma: 香气lanterns: 灯笼swayed: 摇曳bonds: 联系collaboration: 协作introverted: 性格内向in-depth: 深入hesitated: 犹豫continually: 不断nowhere in sight: 不见踪影responsible: 责任心seeped: 透出gaps: 缝隙contemplating: 思考crucial: 紧要initiative: 主动entertainment: 娱乐节目courtyard: 庭院laughter: 欢声笑语quietly: 悄然gathered: 围在一起pleasant: 愉快importance: 重要性delegation: 分工confidence: 自信firmly: 坚定contented: 满足memory: 回忆

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Candlelit Bonds: A Rainy Mid-Autumn Festival Reunion Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-10-19-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 月光洒在小区的巷道上，柔和地照亮了悬挂着的纸灯笼。En: The moonlight spills over the alleyways of the community, softly illuminating the hanging paper lanterns.Zh: 仲秋节快到了，每家每户都在忙着准备庆祝活动。En: The Zhongqiu Jie (Mid-Autumn Festival) is approaching, and every household is busy preparing for the celebrations.Zh: 君、小妹和良，三个从小一起长大的朋友，也不例外。En: Jun, Xiaomei, and Liang, three friends who have grown up together, are no exception.Zh: 君是个注重细节的人，他计划了一场完美的聚会来纪念父母。En: Jun is a detail-oriented person, and he has planned a perfect gathering to honor his parents.Zh: 院子里已经布置好了长桌，上面摆满了月饼和水果。En: A long table has been set up in the yard, filled with yuebing (mooncakes) and fruits.Zh: 红色的蜡烛准备点燃，营造温馨的气氛。En: Red candles are ready to be lit to create a warm atmosphere.Zh: 一切都显得那么完美。En: Everything seems so perfect.Zh: 小妹，是君的妹妹。En: Xiaomei, is Jun's sister.Zh: 她带来了自己亲手扎的灯笼，每一个灯笼都有不同的图案，充满了她的创造力。En: She has brought lanterns she made by hand, each with a different design, full of her creativity.Zh: 良则是君的邻居，虽然性格无拘无束，却总能带来意想不到的惊喜。En: Liang, who is Jun's neighbor, has a free-spirited personality but always brings unexpected surprises.Zh: 但天公不作美，傍晚时分乌云密布，沉甸甸地压在头顶上。En: However, the weather does not cooperate.Zh: 不久，大雨倾盆而下，一时之间电也停了。En: In the evening, the sky is overcast with heavy clouds looming overhead.Zh: 蜡烛是唯一的光源，院子陷入一片黑暗。En: Soon, a torrential rain pours down, and the electricity goes out.Zh: 君焦虑地看着自己的计划一一泡汤，心里像有无数只蚂蚁在爬。En: Candles become the only source of light, and the yard falls into darkness.Zh: 他坚持想要恢复电力，甚至冒雨去检查保险丝。En: Jun anxiously watches as his plans unravel, feeling like ants are crawling inside him.Zh: 但小妹和良却提议趁机来个即兴烛光聚会。En: He is determined to restore the electricity, even venturing out into the rain to check the fuses.Zh: "我们可以讲故事，玩游戏，雨一会儿就停了。En: But Xiaomei and Liang suggest seizing the opportunity for an impromptu candlelight gathering.Zh: "小妹提议道，语气轻快。En: "We can tell stories, play games, the rain will stop soon," proposes Xiaomei, in a cheerful tone.Zh: 君犹豫不决，感觉心中的紧张不断攀升。En: Jun hesitates, feeling the tension within him rising.Zh: 然而，看着小妹和良乐观的脸，他意识到，这也许不失为一个好机会。En: However, seeing the optimistic faces of Xiaomei and Liang, he realizes that this might just be a good opportunity.Zh: 到最后，君深吸一口气，点燃了更多的蜡烛，围坐在一起的小妹和良。En: In the end, Jun takes a deep breath, lights more candles, and gathers with Xiaomei and Liang around the table.Zh: 他们开始讲起父母最爱的故事，分享着每一个月饼，每一个笑话，每一个回忆。En: They start telling their parents' favorite stories, sharing each mooncake, each joke, and each memory.Zh: 雨声逐渐减弱，晚风带来了清新的空气。En: The sound of the rain gradually lessens, and the night breeze brings in fresh air.Zh: 君放松了下来，心中充满了平静。En: Jun relaxes, feeling peace fill his heart.Zh: 最终，他明白了：计划固然重要，但灵活和珍惜当下才是聚会的真正意义。En: Finally, he understands: while plans are important, flexibility and cherishing the moment are the true essence of celebration.Zh: 仲秋节在烛光中度过，这一夜，他们的心从未如此贴近。En: The Zhongqiu Jie is spent by candlelight, and on this night, their hearts have never felt closer.Zh: 即使天气不尽如人意，庆祝活动也同样完美，为他们的友谊增添了一抹更加温暖的色彩。En: Even though the weather was not ideal, the celebration was equally perfect, adding a warmer touch to their friendship. Vocabulary Words:moonlight: 月光alleyways: 巷道illuminating: 照亮lanterns: 灯笼approaching: 快到了preparing: 准备detail-oriented: 注重细节gathering: 聚会honor: 纪念creativity: 创造力free-spirited: 无拘无束surprises: 惊喜overcast: 乌云密布looming: 压在头顶上torrential: 倾盆unravel: 泡汤venturing: 冒雨fuses: 保险丝impromptu: 即兴hesitates: 犹豫不决tension: 紧张optimistic: 乐观essence: 意义cherishing: 珍惜celebration: 庆祝活动gradually: 逐渐breeze: 晚风flexibility: 灵活spirit: 心friendship: 友谊