Chinese Language Convo Club - Casual Chinese Speaking Practice

Here are the Staycation Dialogues and Speech Training Exercises without the commentary, for a bit of extra practice. Enjoy! 宅度假：Staycation 好不容易迎来假期，最烦心的就是车子刚开出小区就被堵在家门口，或是挤在人潮涌动的景区什么也没看到，还必须忍受抢票上的困难。（受够了抢票难）、坐车人挤人、景区人看人的“集体度假”模式。如今，宅度假的方式成为旅行的时尚新选择。 “宅度假”是由stay(宅)和vacation(度假)组...

Vicky is back again to further discuss Staycations. If you'd like a break down of the "Catch My Drift" from the previous episode, join us as we review the vocab and grammar and talk a little bit more about the art of vacationing at home. Vocabulary: 1. 宅度假 (Zhái dùjià)- Staycation 2. 假期 (Jiàqī)– Vacation Time, Period of Leave 3. 人潮涌动 (Rén cháo yǒng dòng)– Throngs of people pushing against...

On this episode, I am joined by my friend Betty Chao, as we discuss a trend that's been around for a while, but seemingly became a popular expression around the time of the global pandemic. Listen in as we discuss all things related to Staycations. Vocabulary: 1. 宅度假 - Staycation 2. 假期 – Vacation Time, Period of Leave 3. 人潮 – Sea of People 4. 涌动 – to Surge 5. 人潮涌动 – Throngs of people...

Want to get in a little listening and pronunciation practice without the commentary? Here it is! For the pronunciation portion, repeat the words and phrases in the gaps just after they are spoken. When you hear a question, respond to that question using the sentence you just rehearsed. The order of this Listening/Speech Training episode is as follows: 1. Buying a House (Dialogue) 2. Buying a House...

Dr. Zhang Yong Ling is back again to speak some more about houses, interior decorating, and seeking advice. And as we discuss, giving advice doesn't always mean that someone's going to take it. Join us as we talk about 取取经 (picking one's brain) and 推翻建议 (going against someone's advice) Supplementary Words: 1. 免费劳力 - Free Labor 2. 室内设计师 - Interior Designer 3. 在行 - To Be Expert In...

Vocabulary: 1. 恭喜 (Gōngxǐ ) Congrats 2. 院子(Yuànzi ) Yard 3. 卧室 (Wòshì) Bedroom 4. 客厅( Kètīng) Living Room 5. 卫生间 (Wèishēngjiān) Bathroom 6. 三室一厅两卫( Sānshì yī tīng liǎng wèi) 3 Beds/1 LR/2 Bath 7. 二手房( Èrshǒu fáng) 2nd hand house 8. 厨房 (Chúfáng)Kitchen 9. 装修 (Zhuāngxiū)To Renovate 10. 建议 (Jiànyì)Suggestion 11. 取取经 (Qǔ qǔjīng) To pick s.o.'s brain 12. 心思 (Xīnsī) Though...

Want the dialogues and pronunciation training without the explanation? Here it is! For the pronunciation portion, repeat the words and phrases in the gaps just after they are spoken. When you hear a question, respond to that question using the sentence you just rehearsed. The order of this Listening/Speech Training episode is as follows: 1. Travel Restrictions Part 1 (Dialogue) 2. Travel Restricti...

In this episode, we will journey to Key West, Florida where we not only discuss travel related vocab, but also tell you a few things about Key West itself. We will also learn how to say "Might as well..." and briefly, "Rather than...(doing something), let's (do something else) -- refer to the supplementary words/phrases below for the latter one. Dialogue: A: 啊。。。。终于有机会出国旅游了。。没想...

Thanks to Maayot Daily Chinese Reading for providing the text for today's episode. Improve reading comprehension through stories and quizzes at: https://www.maayot.com Vocabulary: 1. 放开 Fàng kāi – to let go, to release 2. 境外 Jìngwài – outside of the country 3. 出行 Chūxíng – to go on a journey, to travel afar 4. 限制 Xiànzhì - restriction 5. 旅游行业 Lǚyóu hángyè – travel industry 6. 恢复 Huīf...

Want the dialogues and pronunciation training without the explanation? Here it is! For the pronunciation portion, repeat the words and phrases in the gaps just after they are spoken. When you hear a question, respond to that question using the sentence you just rehearsed. The order of this Listening/Speech Training episode is as follows: 1. I'm Sick (Dialogue) 2. I'm Sick (Pronunciation Training)...

We're back with Part 2 of "I'm Sick!" Here we show how the conversation might be different if the dialogue were between two 闺蜜（Guīmì）or close girlfriends (a.k.a. "Besties"). Vicky speaks mostly Chinese in this episode, and the vocabulary is a bit more advanced, so we're bumping it up to Intermediate, but beginning level learners will enjoy this one too. Vocabulary: 生病 shēngbìng– To become si...

In this episode, we will discuss what to say when you're not feeling well, as well as how to respond when someone says this to you. I wish there was an equivalent to "Sorry to hear that!" which is so convenient in English, but in Chinese, the way to express empathy depends on the situation. In the case where someone is sick, you might say, "Have a good rest. Hope you feel better soon!" We will als...

Want just the dialogues and pronunciation training without the explanation? Here they are! First you will hear the conversation from Bday Celebrations Part 1, followed by the conversation from Part 2. Next will be the 2 speech training exercises, from Part 1 and Part 2 respectively. Birthday Celebrations Part 1: 女性: 听说你明天要过生日。你多大了？ 男性：你猜猜吧！ 女性：哦，很难猜啊。。我想一想。...

In Part 2, Vicky and I discuss the words and phrases used in the "Catch My Drift" dialogue from the previous episode. Of note: How do you ask the date? How do you say "throw someone else a birthday party" in Chinese? ..and an easy way to understand the prefix - 可 Kě (and btw, I finally thought of the best translation of 可口 - Kěkǒu.... Delectable ;) You'll see what I mean when you hear the episo...

In our first new episode, Vicky and I discuss Age, Birthdays, and the various ways to celebrate. This is mostly a beginning level lesson, with additional words/phrases for more advanced learners. Lesson Vocabulary and Dialogue: 生日 – Shēngrì - Birthday 过 – Guò - To pass, to have 多大 – Duōdà - How old 猜 – Cāi - To guess 岁 – Suì - Years 年轻 – Niánqīng - Young 年纪 – Niánjì - Age 计划 – Jìhuà -...

Introduction to a new season of a conversational style Mandarin Chinese teaching podcast by Lindi P and new host Vicky Zhang

Learn to talk about traveling on vacation in Chinese. Vocabulary： 假期 旅游 去 多久 半 月 Dialogue： A：假期你去旅游了吗？ B: 是的。去了好多地方。 A：去了多久？ B：大概半个月。 Catch My Drift: A: 假期怎么过的？ B：我去旅游了。去很多地方。 A：去了多久呢？ B：半个多月。

This one is actually a joke I learned and like to tell. Come learn how to say it in Chinese! Vocabulary: 精神病 异常 喊 纳闷 四周 打算 凑 刺 戳 尖叫 Dialogue: 一天，一个男人走在街上，碰巧路过一家精神病医院。当他走过的时候，他听到医院里面所有的病人都在异常兴奋地喊：“十三、十三、十三。” 这个男人很纳闷，于是他决定过去看看。遗憾的是，他找不到一扇可以看进去的窗户。他走遍了医院四周，就是找不到一扇窗户。...

What to say when you're seeing a doctor? We'll teach you! Come learn about seeing a doctor in Chinese. Vocabulary: 舒服 拉肚子 发烧 量 体温 药 开药 Dialogue: 医生（女的）: 你哪儿不舒服？ 病人（男的）：拉肚子，还有一点发烧。 医生：什么时候开始的？ 病人：昨天晚上。 医生：一天大约拉几次？ 病人：四次。 医生：让我量量你的体温。38度5. 我给你开一点药。 Catch My Drift: A：医生，我很不舒服。 B：怎么了？哪...

You've heard the explanation, now you just want some listening and speaking practice. This is the place for you! Here are the 2 dialogues and pronunciation recordings from Late For a Date.

You've listened to the explanation, now you'd just like some listening and pronunciation practice. This is part just for that. First, give the main dialogue and "Catch My Drift" section another listen, then move on to Pronunciation Training. This is really where it's at. When you hear a word or phrase followed by a single beep, repeat those word(s). After you have completed the sentence you will h...

Don't you hate it when someone is late? Especially when it's your significant other? Learn how to complain in Chinese. Vocabulary: 生气 跟 约 结果 也许 急事 公司 召开 临时 紧急 赚 道歉 怪 体谅 认错 理 Vocabulary： Cosmo的女朋友：昨天我很生气。 女朋友的好朋友：怎么了？ 女朋友：跟男朋友约好看电影。结果他迟到了一个钟头。 好朋友：也许他有急事。 女朋友：他说公司临时召开紧急会议。他走不开。 好朋友：原谅...

For those who want a little speaking practice as part of your Mandarin study routine, this is for you. You've heard the vocabulary and explanation - now you'd just like to get in some listening practice and even better, work on your pronunciation. We've taken out the discussion and are giving you the dialogues and pronunciation exercises by themselves. Btw, listeners have told us that having a cha...

What do you do in your spare time? Do you even have spare time?! Let's talk about it in Chinese! Vocabulary: 业余时间 Yèyú shíjiān - Spare Time 健身房 Jiànshēnfáng - Gym 周末 Zhōumò - Weekend 户外活动 Hùwài huódòng - Outdoor Activities Dialogue： 业余时间我一般喜欢运动。平常去健身房。周末会安排一些户外活动。我喜欢打网球和游泳，但不太喜欢爬山。我很喜欢看电影，但总是抽不出时间。平时在办公室里天天坐...

Feeling unappreciated at work? You'll feel better after hearing about the man in this true story, pulled from an article in the New York Times. Vocabulary: 出版社 Chūbǎn shè Publishing House 琢磨 Zhuómó To Ponder 雇员 Gùyuán Employee 校对员 Jiàoduì yuán Proofreader 心脏病突发 Xīnzàng bìng tū fā Heart Attack 安详 Ānxiáng Serene 埋头 Máitóu (To Bury One's Head) Immerse oneself into 验尸报告 Yànshī b...