五分钟中文 5 Minute Chinese

In this Mandarin episode, I talk about my recent trip by air and what I like to do while traveling on a plane. Some useful expressions:  | 更新 | Gēngxīn: update, renew  | 转机 | zhuǎnjī: transfer, connect (flight)  | 直达 | zhídá: direct (flight)  | 打发时间 | dǎfā shíjiān: kill time  | 羡慕 | xiànmù: envy, admire  | 下载 | xiàzài: download  | 飞行模式 | fēixíng móshì: airplane mode  | 配上 | pèi...

In this Mandarin episode, I talk about our exam week this week: the organization, time and format, the tiredness, the stress and sincere gratitude. I want to give thanks to my students and listeners. I appreciate the opportunity to share my life with you all.  Some useful words: 疲惫Píbèi：tired, exhausted 虽然...但是...suīrán... Dànshì... :  although... but... 调整Tiáozhěng: adjust, alter 工作量g...

In this Mandarin Q &A practice, I ask 5 questions on buying clothes. After each question, you have 5 seconds to respond yourself before hearing my response. The script (English & Chinese) are below. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at TheLoneMandarinTeacher@outlook.com.  1.  Q: 你平时都去哪儿买衣服(呢)?        A: 我平时都是上网/去shein/去商场买衣服。 2.  Q: 你喜欢穿什...

In this Mandarin episode, I talked about Shein, a popular online clothing store that is located in China but targets markets outside of China.  Have Chinese people heard of Shein? Where do Chinese people buy clothes online? 总部 Zǒngbù：Headquarters 电商 diàn shāng：E-commerce company 卖衣服 mài yīfú：sell clothes 发展迅速 fāzhǎn xùnsù：develop rapidly 疫情阶段  yìqíng jiēduàn：pandemic period 抓...

In this Mandarin episode, I talk about the historical, geographical and cultural reasons behind China's preference for pork over all other meat. 牛肉 Niúròu: beef 猪肉 zhūròu: pork 欧美 ōuměi: (abbr) europe and america  农业 nóngyè: agriculture 农耕 nónggēng: agriculture, crop growing 耕地 gēng dì: to plow land 深厚 shēnhòu: deep-rooted 生产工具 shēngchǎn gōngjù: production tool 古代 gǔdài: a...

In this Mandarin episode, I explain the Chinese lyrics of the hot Tik Tok song Super Idol. You can find the lyrics and YouTube link below, along with some useful vocabulary words I used. 火 (huǒ): hot, popular 迷(mí): obsessed, fascinated 分析(fēnxī): analyze 歌词(gēcí): lyrics 笑容(xiàoróng): smile 梦想(mèngxiǎng): dream 成为(chéngwéi): become 主持(zhǔchí): host (an event) 演戏(yǎnxì): act (in a...

In this Mandarin episode, I talked about my Saturday reunion with a friend whom I met in 2014. We went for a walk in the state park, visited our local aquarium, and had a lot of seafood and a lot of talk.  I'm grateful for our friendship and times of reunion like this.  Some useful words 大学/研究生 (Dàxué/yánjiūshēng): University/Graduate 毕业 (bìyè): graduate 交流 (jiāoliú): exchange 疫情 (...

In this Mandarin episode, I go down the list of traditional Thanksgiving food in the US to see if they are common in China and why. Some useful words: 食品/食物 (Shípǐn/shíwù): food 火鸡 (huǒ jī): turkey 常见 (chángjiàn ): common 方式 (fāngshì): method 土豆泥 (tǔdòu ní): mashed potato 基本 (jīběn): basic 切 (qiē): cut 块 (kuài): chunk 丝 (sī): thin julienne 炖 (dùn): stew 炒 (chǎo): stir fry 配料...

This Mandarin episode talks about the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving, which is not celebrated in China, and the important idea of being grateful and giving thanks in Chinese culture. Some useful words: 感恩节(gǎn'ēn jié): Thanksgiving Holiday 传统节日 (chuántǒng jiérì): traditional holiday 亲朋好友 (qīnpéng hǎoyǒu): family and friends 解释(jiěshì): explain 反过来 (fǎn guòlái): i...

In this Mandarin episode, I talk about consumer prices of things in China, as compared to the US, to see what is cheaper to buy in China and what could be more expensive and why.   Some useful words and expressions:  物价 (Wùjià): consumer price 刀/美元 (dāo (colloquial)/měiyuán): dollar 人民币/元 (rénmínbì/yuán): name of China's currency/Chinese yuan 斤 VS 磅 ( jīn VS bàng): China's wei...

In this Mandarin episode, I compare the appointment cultures in China and Europe & US: How prevalent is the appointment culture? When do you have to make an appointment to get service?  Can you see a doctor or get a haircut relatively conveniently without appointments? And how may this cultural different potentially affect you? Some useful words:  预约文化 (yù yuē wén huà): appointment culture...

In this Mandarin episode, I talk about 高考 (gāo kǎo) college entrance exam.  What is 高考 short for？ When is 高考？ When are the exams held? What subjects are tested in 高考？ What are 文科生 or 理科生？ What different subjects are included in 文科综合 and 理科综合？ Why is 高考 so important and so stressful?  Some useful words 简称/全称(Jiǎnchēng/quánchēng): abbreviation/full name 通过(tōngguò)...

In this English episode I talked about Gaokao, China's College Entrance Examination. Questions I covered include: When is Gaokao? Does everyone take the same Gaokao? How crucial is Gaokao score and why? What are the two tracks of Gaokao? Send us Fan Mail Support the show 如果您喜欢我的播客，欢迎通过下方方式表达您的支持。您的支持对我来说是巨大的鼓励。但无论如何，我都很感激有您作为听众。能够每...

In this English episode, I briefly introduce how China's education system is structured from Kindergarten to 12th grade. We mainly talk about: Age requirements for each level of schooling Years students spend in each level  Testing requirements for each level Importance of Zhongkao & Gaokao Send us Fan Mail Support the show 如果您喜欢我的播客，欢迎通过下方方式表达您的支持。您的支持对我来...

In this Mandarin episode, I briefly introduce how China's education system is structured from kindergarten to post-secondary education: how many years for each level of schooling, if students have to take exams to move on to the next level in the system,  the school choices parents have and so on.  Here are some useful words: 教育系统(Jiàoyù xìtǒng): education system 幼儿园 (yòu'éryuán):...

In today's birthday episode, I talked about how I spent my birthday today.  Some useful expressions: 其实(qíshí): in reality, actually 请假(qǐngjià): ask for day off 本来(běnlái): originally 醒(xǐng): wake up, awake 习惯(xíguàn): used to; habit 想起来(xiǎng qǐlái): it occurred to me, be reminded 免费(miǎnfèi): free (of charge) 喜好(xǐhào) : preference 反正(fǎnzhèng):  anyway, either way 就我...

In this English episode, I talk about why we had daylight saving in the first place and why China, after briefly experimented with the idea, decided to not use daylight saving time. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 如果您喜欢我的播客，欢迎通过下方方式表达您的支持。您的支持对我来说是巨大的鼓励。但无论如何，我都很感激有您作为听众。能够每周与您分享几分钟的时光，对我来说是莫大的荣幸。❤️ If you enjoy...

节目简介｜Episode Description｜エピソード紹介 很多国家每年都会调整时间，这就是“夏令时”（Daylight Saving Time）。为什么会有夏令时？它真的能节约能源吗？中国有没有使用过夏令时？这一期《五分钟中文》带你一起了解夏令时的历史、原因以及不同国家的做法。 Many countries adjust their clocks twice a year because of Daylight Saving Time. Why was this system created? Does it really save energy? And did China eve...

In this English episode I talk about the history of time zones in China and the universal use of Beijing time now for the entire country, which spans 5 international time zones. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 如果您喜欢我的播客，欢迎通过下方方式表达您的支持。您的支持对我来说是巨大的鼓励。但无论如何，我都很感激有您作为听众。能够每周与您分享几分钟的时光，对我来说是莫大的荣幸。❤️ If you enjoy my p...

In this Mandarin episode, I explore why China only uses Beijing time despite the fact that it spans across 5 different time zones, compare China's time zone use with that of continental USA, and talk about East Coast bias in both China and the US. Some useful words: 东八区(dōng bā qū): East 8 Zone (UTC/GMT +8 hrs) (Beijing Time is GMT +8hr)  全球(quán qíu): worldwide, global 按...划分(àn... h...

This English episode covers the Chinese translation of Halloween, a short recap of Halloween origin and tradition,  the Chinese version of Halloween and whether Halloween is celebrated in China.  Happy Halloween! Send us Fan Mail Support the show 如果您喜欢我的播客，欢迎通过下方方式表达您的支持。您的支持对我来说是巨大的鼓励。但无论如何，我都很感激有您作为听众。能够每周与您分享几分钟的时光，对我来...

In this Mandarin Halloween special, I talk about the meaning of Halloween in Mandarin, its traditions and customs, and relate the festival to the origins and traditions of the Chinese Ghost Festival and the Chinese New Year's Eve. Have a fun Halloween! Some useful words: 翻译 Fānyì: translate, translation 根据gēnjù: based on, according to 结束jiéshù: end, fiinish 移民yímín: immigrate, immigra...

In this English episode, I talk about Huoguo the Chinese hot pot: what is it? How to have a hot pot meal? And why is it popular among Chinese across the world? Send us Fan Mail Support the show 如果您喜欢我的播客，欢迎通过下方方式表达您的支持。您的支持对我来说是巨大的鼓励。但无论如何，我都很感激有您作为听众。能够每周与您分享几分钟的时光，对我来说是莫大的荣幸。❤️ If you enjoy my podcast, you’re wel...

In this Mandarin episode, I talk about 火锅 (huǒguō) the Chinese Hot Pot: What do the name characters mean? What consist of a 火锅 (huǒguō) meal? And why do Chinese people all over the world love 火锅 (huǒguō)? Here are some useful words:  加热Jiārè: add heat, heat up 锅底guō dǐ: soup base 清汤qīngtāng: clear soup/broth 麻辣málà: numbing spicy 食材shícái: "food material," ingredients 煮...

This English episode presents a brief introduction to Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok: the name, logo, what people do on Douyin, and so on. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 如果您喜欢我的播客，欢迎通过下方方式表达您的支持。您的支持对我来说是巨大的鼓励。但无论如何，我都很感激有您作为听众。能够每周与您分享几分钟的时光，对我来说是莫大的荣幸。❤️ If you enjoy my podcast, you’re welcome to show y...