ChineseSurfing畅说中文

Summer is here — and in China, the hottest time of the year has a special name: 三伏天 (sān fú tiān) . In this episode, host Daisy takes you through everything you need to know about China’s “dog days” — from what 三伏天 actually means, to how the dates are calculated each year, to traditional foods, the famous 三伏贴 (sān fú tiē) therapy, and even some fun 顺口溜 (rhymes) to practice your pronunc...

Why do foreign students come to China to learn Chinese? And what keeps them motivated even at the advanced HSK 6 level? In this episode, host Daisy sits down with two dedicated Chinese Surfing students – Jenny (from Luxembourg) and Raina (from Indonesia) – who are both studying HSK 6. They share their personal journeys learning Chinese, their honest thoughts on living in Hangzhou, and their most a...

Do you know the story behind the Dragon Boat Festival? In this episode, teacher Daisy takes you on a delicious and cultural journey through one of China’s most important traditional holidays. You’ll learn: - What zongzi (rice dumplings) are and Northerners and Southerners' preference - How dragon boat racing is connected to the ancient poet Qu Yuan - Why people hang ai cao (wormwood) on their door...

Welcome back to The Chinese Surfing Podcast! Today is the first episode of our brand‑new series – “Foreign Student Interviews & Chinese Showcase” . Our first guest is Bruno, a Brazilian student who has been learning Chinese for nearly seven years. He loves reading, music, photography, and even plays the guqin. In this episode, Bruno shares his fascinating journey of Chinese names. His first Chines...

Welcome to a very special episode of The Chinese Surfing Podcast! Today, host Daisy is joined by a special AI co-host – Xiǎo Chàng (小畅). Together, they break down one of the most intimidating yet fascinating topics for Chinese learners: HSK Levels 7-9. If you’ve ever wondered: * What are HSK 7-9? Who are they for? * How difficult are they compared to HSK 6? * Do I really need to take them? * Wha...

In this episode of 畅说中文 (Chàng Shuō Zhōngwén), host Daisy launches a new series: 🎙️ Behind the Scenes of Chinese Teaching Have you ever wondered: * How Chinese teachers prepare their lessons? * How they understand a student’s level? * What actually happens in a first Chinese class? In this episode, a teacher with 10+ years of experience in teaching Chinese as a foreign language shares 3 essent...

Spring is here! In this episode, host Daisy takes you through the most useful and beautiful Chinese words and expressions related to spring (春, chūn). From basic vocabulary to deeper cultural phrases and the famous proverb , you’ll learn how to talk about the season and use these expressions in your daily life. This episode is perfect for all-level Mandarin learners – we start with simple words a...

Welcome back to our dialect series! Today, we’re joined again by our wonderful teacher Ouyang, who grew up in Wuhan’s Wuchang District. She’ll take us on a journey through Wuhan dialect (武汉话, Wǔhànhuà)—from how young people actually use it today, to iconic phrases like “告莫斯” (gào mò sī – what are you doing?) and the internet-famous “蒜鸟” (suàn niǎo – just forget it), complete with its own p...

Welcome back to the second episode of our pet talk series! Teacher Cici returns to share more stories about her beloved cat Tangyuan. This time, we go deeper—beyond breed and eating habits, into the emotional side of living with a pet. This episode is more suitable for intermediate to advanced learners, as we discuss emotions, relationships, and deeper reflections about life with pets. If you've e...

Welcome back to Chinese Surfing Podcast! This episode is perfect for all level learners. If you want to learn how to describe your own pet in Chinese, or if you just enjoy heartwarming cat stories, don't miss this one. Teacher Cici is back! This time, we're talking about something many people love—pets. Cici has a cat living with her family in her hometown, Changchun. His name is Tangyuan. He's a...

Year of the Horse Special: Learn Chinese with “马” Expressions & New Year Wishes ——Learn Practical Chinese for Chinese New Year with Chinese Surfing. Welcome back to 畅说中文 (Chàng Shuō Zhōngwén) by Chinese Surfing. In this Chinese New Year special episode, we celebrate the Year of the Horse (马年) by learning HSK Chinese vocabulary, common expressions, and New Year wishes related to “马” (horse)...

In this Q&A episode of 畅说中文 (Chàng Shuō Zhōngwén), host Daisy welcomes back beloved teacher Cici from Chinese Surfing Chinese School to answer real questions from Chinese learners. We talk about: * What Chinese people actually say instead of “你好吗” * Affordable and meaningful Chinese-style gift ideas * Why listening to real-life Chinese feels hard, even after passing HSK 3 This episode is id...

Welcome back to Chinese Surfing Chinese Podcast! Ever wondered what’s on a Chinese teacher’s playlist? Join host Daisy and the Harry Potter-loving Teacher Ouyang as they embark on a heartfelt, melodic journey through the songs that shaped her youth, mirror her moods, and even help you learn Chinese. From nostalgic anthems to soul-soothing repeats, discover the music behind the teacher—and maybe fi...

Happy New Year! And our new series launched! In this sixth episode, Daisy is joined by the beloved teacher Cici for a practical demonstration of answering HSKK Advanced-level questions around the theme of “holidays.” From weekend routines and one-month holiday plans to how Chinese people spend their vacations, Cici offers natural, fluent responses as examples, and shares fresh lifestyle trends lik...

Welcome to our brand new series “聊聊方言” (Let’s Talk Dialects)! In this first episode of the series, join Daisy and Cici as they dive into the lively and popular Dongbei dialect. Whether you've heard it in Chinese comedy, wondered how to speak it, or just want to understand why it’s so well-loved across China, this conversation is for you. Cici shares fun expressions, local insights, and teaches...

In this episode of Chàng Shuō Zhōngwén, host Daisy chats with the warm and lively Teacher Xiao about “superpowers.” Teacher Xiao shares the superpower she most wants—endless energy—and how it would help her balance work, family, and personal time. Featured Guest: Teacher Xiao (Xiǎo Lǎoshī): A mother of a two-year-old daughter and a beloved Chinese teacher at Chinese Surfing. In daily life, she is...

Explore Harry Potter with Chinese Teacher Ouyang! She shares why the clever, hard-working Hermione has been her role model for 20 years, but why the quirky, fun Luna would be her ideal roommate. By discussing movie characters, we uncover secrets about different personalities—are you an organized Hermione or a free-spirited Luna? This episode helps you learn Chinese expressions about characters bet...

What do Chinese teachers do after class? In this episode of 畅说中文 (Chàng Shuō Zhōngwén), host Daisy sits down with the popular and cool Teacher Cici from Chinese Surfing to explore the unseen side of a teacher's daily routine. Whether you're a student curious about your teacher's life or a Chinese learning enthusiast, this conversation offers a warm and honest look behind the scenes. Featured G...

Join host Daisy and special guest Teacher Aurora as they talk about summer through the lens of a camera! They share personal stories and memories, journeying from the beautiful scenery of Hangzhou to the rustic landscapes of Henan. Featured Guest: * Aurora: A popular Chinese teacher who also loves photography. For her, the camera is a way to sincerely record life and express inner feelings, someti...