Advertise on podcast: Howto.Zhongwen好土中文

On your journey of learning Chinese, do you often feel that the sentences in textbooks are correct and standard, but once you step into real life, you can’t understand what people are saying—and you’re not sure how to respond?“Howto.Zhongwen” aims to help you cross that barrier and become your best companion as you move from textbook language to everyday speech. We’ll introduce you to natural, real-life expressions that you won’t find in textbooks but will hear all the time.If you’re curious about how listening to “Howto.Zhongwen”can help you, start with this episode—listen easily, learn naturally, and gradually make Chinese a part of your life! 你在學中文的路上，常常會覺得課本裡的句子很正確、很標準，卻一走進真實生活就聽不懂、也不太會說嗎？「好土中文」希望能陪你跨過這道門檻，成為你從課本走向生活語言的好夥伴。我們會用自然又貼近生活的方式，帶你認識那些課本裡學不到、卻天天都會聽到的中文。如果你也想了解聽「好土中文」能帶來什麼幫助，歡迎從這一集開始，輕鬆聽、自然學，一點一滴把中文用起來！ 生詞表 (Vocabulary List) 1. 母語人士 native speakers 外籍人士 foreign residents / non-native users 外國人 foreigners 國際友人 international friends / global learners 2. 詞彙 vocabulary 針對性 specificity / targeted content 3. 模仿 imitation 互動 interaction 回應 response / replying 4. 禮儀 etiquette / politeness 搶話 interrupting / talking over someone 你先 “You first.” / yielding the turn 鞏固 reinforcement / consolidation 精準度 accuracy / precision

A fast-paced life often brings invisible stress. Not only does the body feel tired, but the mind also needs timely relaxation. In this episode, we will talk about ways to relax and the right moments to do so! Brew yourself a cup of hot tea or coffee, and enjoy this episode with ease. 快節奏的生活常常帶來無形的壓力，不只身體會感到疲憊，心靈也需要適時放鬆。在這一集中，我們將談談放鬆的方法，以及應該放鬆的時間點！泡杯熱茶或者熱咖啡，輕鬆地聽這集節目吧～ 生詞表 (Vocabulary List) 生活節奏 (shēnghuó jiézòu) – pace of life 緊繃、焦慮 (jǐnbēng, jiāolǜ) – tension, anxiety 調整敏感度、覺察自己的狀況 (tiáozhěng mǐngǎndù, juéchá zìjǐ de zhuàngkuàng) – adjust sensitivity, be aware of one’s own condition 雷打不動 (léi dǎ bú dòng) – unshakable; rock solid

Have you ever watched a dating reality show? Is it true love—or just a scripted act? What’s your opinion? In this episode, Lisa and April talk about why dating reality shows are so addictive and what makes them so popular. These programs give viewers a strong sense of immersion and emotional resonance, and they can easily become trending conversation topics. You don’t even have to be in a real relationship to experience the excitement and ups and downs of romance—the show lets you live it vicariously. Beyond entertainment, dating reality shows also reflect the evolving views on love in modern society: shifting from the traditional matchmaking model of “marriage as the ultimate goal” to a more open attitude toward relationships. 你看過戀愛綜藝嗎?那是真愛？還是劇本？你怎麼看？ 在這一集當中，Lisa 和 April 要聊聊為何戀愛綜藝能讓人一追就停不下來?！為什麼戀愛綜藝如此受歡迎? 戀愛綜藝的內容讓觀眾有代入感、有情感共鳴，甚至能成為聊天的熱門話題。你不用真的去談戀愛，就能在節目裡體驗心動與波折。戀愛綜藝不只提供娛樂的效果，還反映出現代的戀愛觀：從過去「以結婚為終極目標」的相親模式，走向更開放的感情態度。 戀愛綜藝, liàn'ài zōngyì, Dating variety show 波折, bōzhé, Setbacks and twists 代入感, dàirùgǎn, Sense of immersion 有共鳴, yǒu gòngmíng, To resonate 反映時代的風氣, fǎnyìng shídài de fēngqì, Reflect the spirit of the times 相親節目, xiāngqīn jiémù, Matchmaking show 以結婚為目標, yǐ jiéhūn wéi mùbiāo, With marriage as the goal 終極目標, zhōngjí mùbiāo, Ultimate goal 開放, kāifàng, Open-minded 狀態, zhuàngtài, State/condition

In this episode, Lisa and April dive into an experience almost everyone has had—avoidance. We explore why we sometimes feel the urge to avoid certain situations, and whether avoidance is really as bad as it seems. We also share more positive and practical ways to face the circumstances that trigger such feelings. Through this lighthearted yet sincere conversation, we hope you’ll discover your own strategies for relieving stress and take a fresh look at the deeper meaning and reasons behind “avoidance.” 在這一集的節目中，Lisa 和 April 一起聊聊一個幾乎人人都曾有過的經驗——逃避。我們探討，為什麼有時候我們會想要逃避，以及逃避是否真如想像中那麼不好。除此之外，我們也分享一些更積極、正面的方式，幫助自己去面對那些引發逃避念頭的情境。希望透過這段輕鬆卻真誠的對話，你能找到適合自己的紓壓方法，並重新思考「逃避」背後的意義與原因。 生詞： 1. 逃避 táo bì - to avoid or to escape 2. 焦慮 jiāo lǜ - anxiety 3. 面對 miàn duì - to face or to confront 4. 持續輸出 chí xù shū chū - continuous output 5. 成果 chéng guǒ - result or achievement 6. 誇獎 kuā jiǎng - praise or compliment 7. 轉念 zhuǎn niàn - to shift one’s mindset or to change one’s way of thinking 8. 真心佩服 zhēn xīn pèi fú - to genuinely admire or sincerely respect 9. 發自內心地佩服 fā zì nèi xīn de pèi fú - to admire from the bottom of one’s heart 10. 堅持 jiān chí - to persist

What makes a friendship in the virtual world different from one in real life? More and more people enjoy chatting with AI—do you ever feel like ChatGPT understands you better than your real-life friends? When something big happens, who do you want to share it with first—a friend online or someone in the real world? Join us as we explore what “real friendship” means in a digital age. 虛擬世界裡的真實友誼 虛擬世界裡的友誼，跟真實世界的有什麼不同？越來越多人喜歡跟AI聊天，你會不會覺得ChatGPT比你的朋友還瞭解你？你想第一時間分享悲喜的那位朋友，是在網路上的還是現實世界裡的？來聽聽我們對於虛擬世界裡的真實友誼的看法吧！ Keywords with Pinyin: Online World & People: 虛擬世界 (xū nǐ shì jiè) – virtual world 網友 (wǎng yǒu) – online friend Boundaries & Emotional Safety: 打擾 (dǎ rǎo) – to bother, to interrupt 安全感 (ān quán gǎn) – sense of security 批判 (pī pàn) – criticism Emotional Connection: 情感交流 (qíng gǎn jiāo liú) – emotional exchange 熟悉度 (shóu xī dù) – level of familiarity Online Identity & Names: 代稱 (dài chēng) – nickname, alias 代號 (dài hào) – code name, username Emotional Support: 接住情緒 (jiē zhù qíng xù) – to catch or hold someone's emotions 舒緩情緒 (shū huǎn qíng xù) – to soothe emotions 降低壓力 (jiàng dī yā lì) – to reduce stress 友好的談話 (yǒu hǎo de tán huà) – friendly conversation Risks & Complexity: 欺騙 (qī piàn) – deception 標籤 (biāo qiān) – label, stereotype 面向 (miàn xiàng) – aspect, facet Maturity & Behavior: 端莊得體 (duān zhuāng dé tǐ) – poised and proper 大度 (dà dù) – magnanimous, tolerant 小屁孩 (xiǎo pì hái) – immature brat, childish person Online Image & Persona: 形象 (xíng xiàng) – image, persona 人設 (rén shè) – character setting, constructed identity Digital Identity: 帳號 (zhàng hào) – account 獨一無二 (dú yī wú èr) – one of a kind, unique

“Clothes make the person”—the right outfit and grooming can leave a strong first impression. But knowing what to wear and how to present yourself in different situations is a real skill. In this episode, we explore various vocabulary related to clothing and appearance, and share our thoughts on what it means to be appropriately dressed. 「人要衣裝」，合適的服裝與打扮能夠帶給別人良好的第一印象。在什麼場合應該怎麼打扮卻是一門大學問。在這一集中我們會使用許多關於服裝、打扮的用語，聊一聊我們對於「合適的打扮」的看法！ Makeup & Grooming Vocabulary: 化妝 (huà zhuāng) – to wear makeup 打扮 (dǎ bàn) – to dress up, to style oneself 淡妝 (dàn zhuāng) – light makeup 全妝 (quán zhuāng) – full makeup 脫妝 (tuō zhuāng) – makeup coming off 眼妝 (yǎn zhuāng) – eye makeup Skincare & Beauty Products: 保養 (bǎo yǎng) – skincare/maintenance 防曬 (fáng shài) – sun protection 口紅 (kǒu hóng) – lipstick 粉餅 (fěn bǐng) – pressed powder Complexion & Appearance: 氣色 (qì sè) – complexion, overall look of health Formal Attire: 套裝 (tào zhuāng) – matching outfit/suit (often for women) 西裝 (xī zhuāng) – suit (for men) 打領帶 (dǎ lǐng dài) – to wear a tie 高跟鞋 (gāo gēn xié) – high heels 端莊 (duān zhuāng) – dignified, proper 莊重 (zhuāng zhòng) – solemn, respectful Casual & Image-related Terms: 隨性 (suí xìng) – casual, carefree 藍白拖 (lán bái tuō) – blue-and-white flip-flops (a Taiwanese casual staple) 形象 (xíng xiàng) – image, impression 專業形象 (zhuān yè xíng xiàng) – professional image Cultural Norms: 社會風氣 (shè huì fēng qì) – social atmosphere, societal trend Special Occasions: 夜店 (yè diàn) – nightclub 參加婚禮 (cān jiā hūn lǐ) – to attend a wedding 新娘 (xīn niáng) – bride Negative Impressions: 邋遢 (lā tā) – sloppy, untidy 不得體 (bù dé tǐ) – inappropriate (in dress or behavior) 隆重 (lóng zhòng) – grand, ceremonious Cultural Movements: 女性主義崛起 (nǚ xìng zhǔ yì jué qǐ) – rise of feminism

What do you want to do after retirement? And more importantly, why wait? What if you could start living your "retirement life" now, in small meaningful ways? This episode explores the concept of micro-retirement, a growing trend especially among younger generations. We’ll look at how it connects to remote work, financial planning, lifestyle design, and cultural attitudes toward work and rest. Let’s dive into what micro-retirement really means and why it might be a life strategy worth considering. 退休之後你想做什麼？你想不想現在就開始過「退休生活」？「微退休」也許是一個你可以思考的方式！來一起了解一下什麼是微退休吧！ 🧳 Retirement & Career Choices 退休 (tuì xiū) – retirement 辭職 (cí zhí) – resignation / quitting a job 微退休 (wēi tuì xiū) – micro-retirement 🌍 Work & Lifestyle Shifts 疫情 (yì qíng) – pandemic 遠端工作 (yuǎn duān gōng zuò) – remote work 全心全意 (quán xīn quán yì) – wholeheartedly / with full dedication 💸 Well-being & Resources 儲蓄 (chǔ xù) – savings 生活品質 (shēng huó pǐn zhí) – quality of life 心理健康 (xīn lǐ jiàn kāng) – mental health 👩‍💻 Generational Trends Z世代 (Z shì dài) – Gen Z (born mid-1990s to early 2010s) 🧠 Cultural Perspectives & Values 文化差異 (wén huà chā yì) – cultural differences 承擔後果 (chéng dān hòu guǒ) – taking responsibility / bearing consequences 社會風氣 (shè huì fēng qì) – social atmosphere / public attitudes 循環 (xún huán) – cycle / recurring pattern 罪惡感 (zuì è gǎn) – guilt 觀念轉變 (guān niàn zhuǎn biàn) – shift in mindset 正當理由 (zhèng dāng lǐ yóu) – legitimate reason / justification Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

Do you enjoy working with others and completing tasks as a team? Or do you prefer to work alone and get things done by yourself? In-class group work requires communication and task-sharing, and sometimes you might even run into irresponsible teammates. But it's also a great chance to practice important skills. Once you enter the workforce, the ability to communicate and delegate tasks might be just as important as your professional expertise! 你喜歡跟人合作，分組進行任務嗎？還是你更喜歡單打獨鬥，自己完成任務？課堂分組要跟人溝通、分配任務，有時候還會遇到不負責任的組員，可是同時也是很好的練習機會。進入職場以後，這些溝通、分配任務的能力可能跟你的專業能力一樣重要呢！ Keywords 關鍵字： 氣氛活潑 (qìfēn huópō) – lively atmosphere 溝通、抱怨 (gōutōng, bàoyuàn) – communication, complaints 職場、現實 (zhíchǎng, xiànshí) – workplace, reality Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

Spring is here! What kind of flowers are blooming near your home? Do you enjoy flower viewing? When you see a beautiful sea of blossoms, does it make your heart “bloom with joy”? As the saying goes, “Pick the flowers while they bloom; don’t wait until there are only bare branches left.” Let’s seize the chance to enjoy this limited-time beauty gifted by nature together! 春天來了，你家附近有什麼花呢？你喜歡賞花嗎？看到美麗的花海，是否會讓你「心花朵朵開」？「花開堪折直須折，莫待無花空折枝」，讓我們一起把握大自然給予的期間限定美景吧！ 1. 花相關動作與形態 • 賞花shǎnghuā: flower viewing / enjoy the blossoms • 開花kāihuā: bloom / blossom • 花海huāhǎi: sea of flowers / floral sea • 花苞huābāo: flower bud 2. 常見花卉名稱 • 櫻花yīnghuā: cherry blossoms • 木棉花mùmiánhuā: kapok flowers / cotton tree flowers • 杜鵑花dùjuānhuā: azaleas 3. 與花相關的感官與生物 • 視覺shìjué: visual perception / sight • 花香huāxiāng: floral scent / fragrance of flowers • 蜜蜂mìfēng: bees 4. 顏色詞 • 粉紅色fěnhóngsè: pink • 桃花色táohóngsè: peach blossom pink • 橘紅色júhóngsè: orange-red • 深橘紅shēnjúsè: deep orange-red 5. 地點與活動 • 大安森林公園dà’ān sēnlín gōngyuán: Daan Forest Park • 杜鵑花季dùjuānhuājì: Azalea Festival 6. 花與情緒的比喻 • 心花怒放xīnhuānùfàng: be wild with joy / overjoyed • 心花朵朵開xīnhuā duǒduǒ kāi: (literal: “the heart blossoms”) be delighted / have a blooming heart 7. 過敏相關 • 花粉症huāfěnzhèng: hay fever / pollen allergy • 花粉過敏huāfěn guòmǐn: allergic to pollen 8. 其他相關詞語 • 眉頭一皺méitóu yízhòu: furrow one’s brows • 期間限定qíjiān xiàndìng: limited-time offer / seasonal special • 颳風下雨guāfēng xiàyǔ: windy and rainy 9. 詩句 • 花開堪折直須折，莫待無花空折枝: huākāi kānzhé zhíxū zhé，mòdài wúhuā kōngzhézhī “Pick the flowers while they bloom; don’t wait until there are only bare branches left.” (Meaning: Seize opportunities while they last.) 10. 經濟相關 • 產值chǎnzhí: output value / production value / economic value Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

Every year around the third month of the lunar calendar, people in Taiwan take part in the lively and meaningful event called the “Mazu Pilgrimage.” During this event, thousands of followers walk alongside Mazu’s palanquin, joining a long journey to offer incense and pray for blessings. Some people even walk hundreds of kilometers! It’s not just about religion — along the way, you can really see and feel Taiwan’s local culture, friendly people, and beautiful scenery. So, let’s take a closer look at this special tradition and find out what makes it so unique! 在每年農曆三月左右進行的「媽祖遶境」活動中，信徒會跟隨媽祖的腳步虔誠進香，繞境祈福，徒步行走數百公里。跟隨媽祖遶境，你將能從不同的角度看到台灣的文化、風土、民情，跟我們一起來了解這個活動吧！ keywords: 盤點 (pándiǎn) – Inventory, review 媽祖遶(繞)境 (Māzǔ rào/ràojìng) – Mazu Pilgrimage 進香 (jìnxiāng) – Pilgrimage to offer incense 三月瘋媽祖 (Sānyuè fēng Māzǔ) – March Madness for Mazu 女神 (nǚshén) – Goddess 海上的守護神 (hǎishàng de shǒuhùshén) – Guardian of the sea 繞來繞去 (ràolái ràoqù) – Wandering around, circling 宮廟 (gōngmiào) – Temples 出嫁 (chūjià) – Marrying off (symbolic for Mazu’s journey) 回娘家 (huí niángjiā) – Returning to her maternal home (symbolic return journey) 大甲媽 (Dàjiǎ Mā) – Dajia Mazu 白沙屯媽 (Báishātún Mā) – Baishatun Mazu 嘉年華 (jiāniánhuá) – Carnival 馬拉松 (mǎlāsōng) – Marathon 拜拜 (bàibài) – Worship 虔誠 (qiánchéng) – Devotion 神聖 (shénshèng) – Sacred 信仰 (xìnyǎng) – Faith, belief 小偷 (xiǎotōu) – Thief 錢財 (qiáncái) – Wealth, money 中暑 (zhòngshǔ) – Heatstroke 蚊子 (wénzi) – Mosquito 鞭炮 (biānpào) – Firecrackers Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

Whether it’s through language, clothing, or music, a person’s "sense of era" and "cultural bubble" often shine through. Even within the same language, people from different generations tend to use words and expressions differently. If you truly want to understand someone, you must first understand the language and expressions they are accustomed to. Do you want to learn phrases commonly used in business settings or slang popular among younger generations? How should one go about learning and using them effectively? 不論是語言、衣著、音樂都常常可以看出一個人的「年代感」和「同溫層」。即使是同一個語言，不同年代的人經常會有不太一樣的用法，如果想真正了解一個人，就必須了解他習慣的用法。你想學習商務場合的用語，還是年輕世代的流行語？應該如何去學習和使用呢？ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

Do you prefer a packed, fast-paced itinerary, or a slower, more mindful "slow travel" experience? If you're tired of planning detailed schedules or no longer want to rush through attractions without truly experiencing them, maybe it's time to plan a slow travel journey! 你喜歡行程豐富的充實旅行，還是放慢速度關注感受的「軟旅行」？如果厭煩了規劃行程，或者不想總是走馬看花地拜訪景點，也許你現在該規劃的是一場軟旅行喔！ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

How many "online friends" do you have? Have you ever met your online friends in person? Do they look or act like you imagined? Joanne and April are online friends who have been recording together all this time but have never met in real life! What does it feel like to be so familiar yet so unfamiliar after so many years? Come listen to how we view "online friends"! 你有多少「網友」？你跟網友見過面嗎？你的網友跟你想像中的樣子一樣嗎？Joanne跟April是網友，而且是錄音錄到現在都沒見過面的網友！這麼多年又熟悉又陌生是什麼樣的感覺？來聽聽看我們怎麼看「網友」吧！ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

In this episode, April and three American students discuss what it is like to be a senior in college. Topics include how the students feel about graduating, their plans after graduation, and struggles they have as fourth year students. 在這一集中，April 和三位美國學生一起聊聊大學四年級學生對畢業的感覺。除了討論對畢業後的感覺以外，還說到了畢業後的計畫，以及所面臨的壓力。快來聽聽他們對畢業的看法，也歡迎大家和我們分享自己的經驗！ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

In this episode, April and Julia dive into the special celebration of Thanksgiving! We discuss classic Thanksgiving foods like turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce, as well as fun traditions such as Black Friday and family dinners. Additionally, we explore the history of Thanksgiving, touching on its controversies, and compare it with Christmas. To wrap things up, April poses an interesting question: Does your country have a holiday similar to Thanksgiving? Tune in now and join us as we explore the spirit of Thanksgiving! 在這一集中，April 和佳悅一起聊聊「感恩節」這個特別的節日！我們分享了感恩節經典食物，例如火雞、土豆、地瓜、蔓越莓醬，還有一些有趣的傳統，比如黑色星期五和家人聚餐。除此之外，我們也回顧了感恩節的歷史，討論了其中的爭議點，並比較了感恩節與聖誕節。最後，April 還問了一個很有趣的問題：在你的國家，有沒有像感恩節這樣的節日呢？趕快點擊播放，和我們一起進入感恩節的世界吧！ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/