Howto.Zhongwen好土中文

Do you enjoy celebrating holidays? As life moves faster and busier, many people feel that the festive atmosphere has faded. Yet it is often those small things we feel we  have to do  that create our most vivid memories of home and holidays. In this episode, hosts Lisa and April explore the idea of ritual in holiday celebrations. In this episode, we talk about familiar traditions people often take...

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, r...

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...

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 rel...

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...

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...

“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。...

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. Le...

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 jus...

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...

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 a...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 i...

Is writing Chinese characters difficult for you? In fact, for people in Taiwan, writing characters isn’t that easy either. Native speakers spend a lot of time practicing the skill of writing characters and trying to memorize them. Nowadays, even though people type more than they write characters by hand, it can still be a calming and therapeutic activity 你喜歡寫字嗎？對你來說寫中文字是不是一件很...

Is it the middle of the night where you are now? Many people enjoy a bit of personal time before bed, and sometimes, if they enjoy it for too long, it turns into staying up late. Why is it that more and more modern people are staying up late? Do you like doing things when the night is quiet? Listen to Howto.zhongwen podcast, turn off the lights, and quietly listen to an episode. Let yourself relax...

Being rejected always feels uncomfortable, but rejecting others is an art. Do you know how to say no? Can you refuse someone without making them feel upset? Let’s explore the art of rejection together! 被拒絕總是讓人難受，而拒絕人則是一門藝術。你懂得拒絕嗎？你能在拒絕別人的同時，還讓對方不感覺到不愉快嗎？讓我們一起研究拒絕的藝術吧！ Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you l...

The summer heat often leaves people without an appetite. Besides enjoying some cold, tangy, and spicy dishes, what else can you do? Do you try your best to stimulate your appetite, or just snack on random things and skip meals altogether? Let's rediscover our appetite! 夏天天氣好熱，常常讓人沒有胃口。這時候除了可以吃些冰冰涼涼、酸酸辣辣的菜，還可以怎麼做呢？你會想盡辦法開胃，或者就乾脆吃一些「有的...

Do you like collecting various stickers? Do you buy them or download free ones? Stickers can help add 'warmth' beyond just text, allowing your messages to express more of your personality and emotions, making chatting more fun. Just remember to choose the right audience and timing when using stickers, so you don't accidentally cause unnecessary misunderstandings! 你喜歡搜集各種貼圖嗎？...

The Habits of Listening to Music Music is deeply connected to our daily lives. People often go through their routines while being surrounded by music. However, music listening habits have changed significantly due to internet technology. Nowadays, people access various kinds of music through streaming services instead of buying CDs. In this episode, Lisa and April will share their thoughts about l...

It's near the end of the summer. Have you had any unforgettable travels during the vacation? Whether you are about to catch the tail of summer and start a new journey or are ready to move to a new place, packing is always very time-consuming. In this episode, Lisa and April will share their packing tips, discuss why people take such a long time to pack, and the feelings that cross their minds...

Going to the dentist might be the most or the second horrible thing in one's life. In this episode, Joanne and April will share their experience of visiting a dentist, show you how to explain specific terms in Chinese and introduce words that dentists often say during the treatment. We hope you'll be able to express your discomfort clearly in Chinese, even if you have a toothache. 「該看牙...

Persuasion is an art, whether you aim to persuade yourself or others. In this episode, Lisa and April will explore the concept of persuasion and analyze the factors that influence its success. This episode is fascinating and could offer valuable insights to help you resolve communication issues. Don't miss it! Have we persuaded you to listen? 要怎麼改變別人的想法、「說服」別人？如果對方有自己...