Chinese Bites — with Jianying | HSK3️⃣

I went to a new Chinese restaurant yesterday — the noodles were pretty good, the soup was hot, and the staff were really nice! Let’s learn how to say “quite / pretty” in Chinese. 挺……的 （tǐng …… de) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 昨天我去一家新的 中国餐厅。 Zuótiān wǒ qù yì jiā xīn de Zhōngguó cāntīng . 我点了一碗面，味道 挺好的 。Wǒ diǎn le yì wǎn miàn, wèidào tǐng...

I got home at eleven last night — not until I finished my work! Let’s learn how to say “only / not until” in Chinese. 才 （cái) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 昨天我下班很晚。Zuótiān wǒ xiàbān hěn wǎn. 我晚上十一点 才 到家。Wǒ wǎnshang shíyī diǎn cái dào jiā. 我有点儿累，但也很高兴。Wǒ yǒu diǎnr lèi, dàn yě hěn gāoxìng. 因为今天的工作做得很好。Yīnwèi jīntiān de gōngzu...

It’s raining again in Paris! Let’s learn how to say “again (for past or repeated actions)” in Chinese. 又……了 （yòu …… le) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天早上我出门的时候，天 又下雨了 。Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ chūmén de shíhou, tiān yòu xià yǔ le . 上个星期也下雨。Shàng gè xīngqī yě xià yǔ. 我看着天空，笑了笑，说：“巴黎的雨 又来了 。”Wǒ kàn zhe tiānkōng, xiào le xiào,...

I called my friend, but she didn’t answer. Later she told me she was in a meeting. So that’s why! Let’s learn how to say “it turns out / so that’s why” in Chinese. 原来 （yuán lái) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我给朋友打电话，她没有接。Jīntiān wǒ gěi péngyou dǎ diànhuà, tā méiyǒu jiē. 我想：“她是不是生气了？”Wǒ xiǎng: “Tā shì bú shì shēngqì le?” 过了一会儿，她给...

While I was reading, I suddenly heard a “meow” — it was a cat outside the window! Let’s learn how to say “suddenly” in Chinese. 突然 (tū rán) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 昨天晚上我在家看书。Zuótiān wǎnshang wǒ zài jiā kàn shū. 我看书的时候， 突然 听到一声“喵——”。Wǒ kàn shū de shíhou, tūrán tīngdào yì shēng “miāo——”. 我抬头一看，原来是一只猫在窗外。Wǒ táitóu yí kàn,...

This morning it was a bit cold, so I thought, “I should wear a coat.” Let’s learn how to say “should / ought to” in Chinese. 应该 （yīng gāi) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天早上我觉得有点冷。Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ juéde yǒudiǎn lěng. 我想：“现在是秋天，出门的时候 应该 穿外套。”Wǒ xiǎng: “Xiànzài shì qiūtiān, chūmén de shíhou yīnggāi chuān wàitào.” 所以我拿了一件外套...

I usually wake up at seven in the morning, eat breakfast, and then go to school or work. Let’s learn how to say “usually / generally” in Chinese. 一般 （yì bān) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 我 一般 早上七点起床。Wǒ yìbān zǎoshang qī diǎn qǐchuáng. 吃早饭以后，我去学校或者去工作。Chī zǎofàn yǐhòu, wǒ qù xuéxiào huòzhě qù gōngzuò. 到了晚上，我一般看一会儿书，然后睡觉...

Today I worked at my computer the whole day, without a break. Let’s learn how to say “always / continuously” in Chinese. 一直 （yī zhí) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我一整天都在家写东西。Jīntiān wǒ yì zhěng tiān dōu zài jiā xiě dōngxī. 我 一直 在电脑前工作，中间没有休息。Wǒ yīzhí zài diànnǎo qián gōngzuò, zhōngjiān méiyǒu xiūxi. 到了晚上，我觉得很累。Dào le wǎns...

It rained when I went to the park with my friend, but later the rain stopped and we had a nice walk. Let’s learn how to say “later / afterwards” in Chinese. 后来 （hòu lái) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 昨天我和朋友去公园。Zuótiān wǒ hé péngyou qù gōngyuán. 一开始下雨了，我们不能散步。Yì kāishǐ xiàyǔ le, wǒmen bù néng sànbù. 后来 ，雨停了，我们就一起走了一圈。 Hòulái...

When my friend asked if I preferred coffee or tea, I said, “Actually, I like both.” Let’s learn how to say “actually / in fact” in Chinese. 其实 （qí shí) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 昨天我朋友问我：“你喜欢喝咖啡还是喝茶？”Zuótiān wǒ péngyou wèn wǒ: “Nǐ xǐhuān hē kāfēi háishi hē chá?” 我说：“我平时喝咖啡比较多， 其实 我也很喜欢喝茶。”Wǒ shuō: “Wǒ píngshí hē kāfēi b...

When I got home from work, the rain had just stopped. Then, I found a glass of water waiting for me — just right! Let’s learn how to say “just right / exactly” in Chinese. 刚好 （gāng hǎo) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我下班回家。Jīntiān wǒ xiàbān huí jiā. 到家门口的时候，雨 刚好 停了。Dào jiāménkǒu de shíhou, yǔ gānghǎo tíng le. 我不用打伞。Wǒ bú yòng dǎ sǎn....

When my friend asked if I was scared to travel alone, I said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” Let’s learn how to say “don’t worry” in Chinese. 放心 （fàng xīn) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我朋友问我：“你一个人去旅行，不害怕吗？”Jīntiān wǒ péngyou wèn wǒ: “Nǐ yí gè rén qù lǚxíng, bú hàipà ma?” 我说：“没事， 放心 吧！我会小心的。”Wǒ shuō: “Méi shì, fàngxīn ba! Wǒ...

I told my friend, “Remember to bring the book tomorrow.” Let’s learn how to say “remember to” in Chinese. 记得（ jì de) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 昨天我给朋友发消息：Zuótiān wǒ gěi péngyou fā xiāoxi: “明天见面的时候， 记得 带书。”“Míngtiān jiànmiàn de shíhou, jìde dài shū.” 她回答：“好的，我一定记得！”Tā huídá: “Hǎo de, wǒ yídìng jìde!”

I ran to catch the bus this morning, and I almost missed it. Let’s learn how to say “almost” in Chinese. 差点 （chà diǎn) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天早上我坐公交车。Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ zuò gōngjiāochē. 我跑得很快，不然就 差点 没赶上。Wǒ pǎo de hěn kuài, bùrán jiù chàdiǎn méi gǎn shàng. 幸好我上车了。Xìnghǎo wǒ shàngchē le.

At a café, I asked my friend to help me with my work — she was surprised! But of course, I was just kidding. Let’s learn how to say “just kidding / to joke” in Chinese. 开玩笑 （kāi wán xiào) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我和朋友在咖啡店聊天。Jīntiān wǒ hé péngyou zài kāfēidiàn liáotiān. 我对她说：“你要不要帮我做工作？我有很多工作。”Wǒ duì tā shuō: “Nǐ yào bù yà...

I’m learning guitar, and every day I practice just a little bit. Let’s learn how to say “little by little / bit by bit” in Chinese. 一点点 （yī diǎn diǎn) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 我刚开始学弹吉他。Wǒ gāng kāishǐ xué tán jítā. 每天我都练习 一点点 。Měitiān wǒ dōu liànxí yī diǎn diǎn . 虽然很慢，但是我觉得有进步。Suīrán hěn màn, dànshì wǒ juéde yǒu jìnbù.

When my student asked if Chinese is difficult, I answered, “It depends.” Let’s learn how to say “it depends” in Chinese. 要看 （yào kàn) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天学生问我：“老师，学中文难不难？”Jīntiān xuéshēng wèn wǒ: “Lǎoshī, xué Zhōngwén nán bù nán?” 我笑了笑，说：“ 要看 你每天练习多少。”Wǒ xiào le xiào, shuō: “ Yào kàn nǐ měitiān liànxí duōshǎo.”

At a restaurant, the waiter told me, “Take your time and enjoy your meal.” Let’s learn how to say “slowly / take your time” in Chinese. 慢慢 （màn man) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天晚上我去餐厅吃饭。Jīntiān wǎnshang wǒ qù cāntīng chīfàn. 服务员上菜的时候对我说：Fúwùyuán shàng cài de shíhou duì wǒ shuō: “请 慢慢 吃。”“Qǐng mànman chī.” 听到这句话，我觉得很温暖。T...

When I walked into my friend’s house, I smelled cake baking. No wonder it was so fragrant! Let’s learn how to say “no wonder / that makes sense” in Chinese. 难怪 （nán guài) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我去朋友家。Jīntiān wǒ qù péngyou jiā. 一进门，我就闻到很香的味道。Yí jìnmén, wǒ jiù wéndào hěn xiāng de wèidào. 原来她在做蛋糕。Yuánlái tā zài zuò dàngāo. 我说...

Walking in Paris, I thought I saw an old classmate — it really looked like her! Let’s learn how to say “seems / looks like” in Chinese. 好像(hǎo xiàng) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我走在巴黎的街上，看到一个人。Jīntiān wǒ zǒu zài Bālí de jiē shàng, kàn dào yí gè rén. 我心里想：咦，这个人 好像 是我的同学。Wǒ xīnlǐ xiǎng: yí, zhège rén hǎoxiàng shì wǒ de tóngxué....

At first, running felt hard, but the more I ran, the easier it got. Let’s learn how to say “the more…the more” in Chinese. 越……越……(yuè...yuè...) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我去跑步。Jīntiān wǒ qù pǎobù. 一开始我觉得很累，可是跑了一会儿，我发现越跑越轻松。Yì kāishǐ wǒ juéde hěn lèi, kěshì pǎo le yí huìr, wǒ fāxiàn yuè pǎo yuè qīngsōng. 最后，我还觉得很开心。Zu...

My friend told me, “You can call me anytime.” Let’s learn how to say “at any time / whenever” in Chinese. 随时 (suíshí ) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我给一个朋友打电话。Jīntiān wǒ gěi yí gè péngyou dǎ diànhuà. 她说：“你有问题可以 随时 找我。”Tā shuō: “Nǐ yǒu wèntí kěyǐ suíshí zhǎo wǒ.” 听到这句话我觉得很温暖。Tīng dào zhè jù huà wǒ juéde hěn wēnnuǎn. 因为“随时”...

This morning I wanted to run, but it rained heavily. There was nothing I could do. Let’s learn how to say “there’s no way / nothing you can do” in Chinese. 没办法 ( méi bànfǎ) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天早上我本来想去跑步。Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ běnlái xiǎng qù pǎobù. 可是下大雨，我只好在家里。Kěshì xià dàyǔ, wǒ zhǐhǎo zài jiālǐ. 我心里想：哎， 没办法 。Wǒ xīnlǐ...

Today was full of meetings, reports, and errands — I was super busy! Let’s learn how to say “extremely busy” in Chinese. 忙死了（máng sǐ le） Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hello, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天我真的是 忙死了 。Jīntiān wǒ zhēn de shì máng sǐ le . 因为明天我要给学生上课 Yīnwèi míngtiān wǒ yào gěi xuéshēng shàngkè 所以我需要准备很多东西， suǒyǐ wǒ xūyào zhǔnbèi hěn duō dōngxī, 准备课件...

This afternoon, my friend called me and said, “Let’s meet in a while.” Let’s learn how to say “in a while / for a while” in Chinese. 一会儿 (yī huìr) Hello，大家好，我是 Janine。Hēllo, dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Janine. 今天下午我在家看书。Jīntiān xiàwǔ wǒ zài jiā kàn shū. 朋友打电话来说：“我们 一会儿 见吧。”Péngyǒu dǎ diànhuà lái shuō: “Wǒmen yīhuìr jiàn ba.” 我说：“好的，一会儿见！”Wǒ shuō: “Hǎo de, yīhu...