Howto.Zhongwen好土中文

How late is real late in your culture? In this episode, Joanne and Lisa will share their opinions about the definition of 'being late' in Taiwanese culture. They will raise several situational examples to explain people's feelings when they encounter someone who is late. Also, they will give you some sentence templates to help you deal with the situation when you or your friends are la...

We all agree that music is a universal language that needs no translation. In this episode, April and Joanne will talk about learning music in Taiwan. Where can you find a music class in Taiwan? What are the music class types in Taiwan? What do Taiwanese people think about Learning Music? Join this episode with us, and let music speak! 你學過什麼「樂器」嗎？「學音樂」這件事情雖然很有趣，但也要付出...

Have fun with kids' conversation! In this episode, Joanne invited three 7-year-old kids to demonstrate how Chinese native children communicate with others. You might notice that they use many informal, non-standard languages, which you've been told to refrain from using in your language class. Test yourself to see how many irregular useage patterns you recognize or understand in this episo...

Are you a fast fashion follower? How frequently do you purge your old clothing? The fast fashion trend has ushered in a new era in the fashion industry, introducing fresh design concepts and appealing products. Additionally, it has subtly altered our shopping habits. In this episode, April and Joanne will delve into the world of fast fashion and how it impacts our approach to clothing purchases....

What's your image about agriculture? How do you perceive the relations of agriculture and your daily life? In this episode, April and Lisa will explore the concept of agriculture in the Chinese language and culture. You will learn some Chinese idioms which embedded the spirit of agricultural hummanities. 台灣的農業有什麼特色？哪些農產品特別多呢？看到一大片稻田的時候，總能讓人感覺心情愉悅。除了...

In this episode, April and Lisa will discuss a new term in the latest decade: the cancel culture. The cancel culture responds to the people deemed to speak or act inappropriately. The netizens cancel the person's right to speak and his/her social influences by boycotting. This movement has different faces in different cultures. April and Lisa will discuss their observations of it and introduce...

The smartphone is taking over the main functions of watches---showing the time information. Nowadays, the design of watches combines modern fashion and functions together. Wearing a watch is no longer for checking the time but reveals your unique taste in choosing accessories. Besides, the smartwatch can help you have an efficient, healthy life. In this episode, Joanne and April will explore the n...

You might have noticed the BBQ smell in the air during the period of the Moon Festival if you are living in Taiwan. Having a BBQ with families and friends is one of the most popular activities in the night of the Moon Festival in Taiwan. We've introduced things Taiwanese love to do during the Moon Festival. In this episode, Joanne and April will upgrade your knowledge of the modern culture of...

At the beginning of the semester, course selection is essential for every college student. If you are enrolled in a course you like, you'll feel motivated to learn. On the other hand, if you don't get the courses you want, you might feel disappointed. In this episode, Lisa and April will discuss things related to course selection. How do you say, "This course is easy" in Chinese?...

In this episode, we will discuss what stereotypes are and what stereotypes Taiwanese people may have about foreigners and different countries. 「你是外國人，英文一定很好吧！」這可能是台灣人對外國人的「刻板印象」。 刻板印象在生活中隨處可見。用以前的經驗來判斷新的事物之前，記得要想一想這樣的「刻板印象」會不會傷害別人，會不會限制了別人。也不要隨便用刻板印象去評價別人喔！在這一集我們會聊聊什麼是刻板印...

Sometimes, we face the effects of negative vibes, and the reason for the vibes could come from anywhere. We might experience anger, depression, irritability, sadness, and hopelessness during the vibe hits. In this episode, Lisa and April will talk about their experience of the negative vibes and share how they deal with the negative feelings. They will also discuss effective listening and respondi...

Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. ⁠https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen⁠ Visit our website:  ⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

Do you enjoy treasure hunting at thrift stores? What should you be aware of when buying secondhand items? Whether you're aiming to save money or promote resource reuse, buying and using secondhand goods is a great approach! 你喜歡到二手商店尋寶嗎？買二手商品要注意哪些事情？要在哪裡買呢？不管你是想省錢，或是重複利用資源，購買、使用二手商品都是個好方法喔！ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Pl...

You might have noticed that there are so many Claw Machine Arcades in Taiwan. Have you ever tried to win something in a claw machine? In this episode, April and Joanne will give you a brief introduction to the types of clawing games, and they will also share with you their experiences in playing the claw machine. Well, we can't guarantee that you will become a master of clawing games after lis...

Do you think a language gap exists between your textbook and your real life? Do you sometimes complain that the textbook language is inadequate and unreal for dealing with situations in your life? In this episode, Lisa and Joanne will talk about the reason for the gap. As a language learner, how to treat the difference and use languages from different resources? Don't miss this episode, you wi...

Are you homesick? The food taste of home is always the best cure for it. In this episode, Lisa and Joanne will talk about the dietary shocks that international students usually encounter when they first come to Taiwan. They will compare the main diet differences between Taiwan and other places. They will also introduce some tips for the new residents about replicating the food taste of their homet...

Self-service has become a common approach to empower people to access the resources they need automatically and independently. You can easily find many self-service examples in our daily life, including self-service checkout in the store, self-service gas stations, and even the self-service library. In this episode, Lisa and April will discuss the many types of self-services in Taiwan. Some of the...

Students usually take summer vacation as a great opportunity to boost their language abilities. In this episode, Joanne and April will discuss the types of summer Chinese courses and the choosing tips. If you don't have a summer break, you shouldn't worry. We will also provide some ideas for self-practicing, which can be easily imported into your daily learning routines. Don't miss thi...

You probably have noticed that there are many temples in Taiwan. In this episode, April and Joanne will introduce the folk religions in Taiwan. Next time you see a temple on the street, you can tell who is the temple's main deity and know the deity’s responsibility. Try to pray for good luck for your work, marriage, health, and even fortune.台灣人大部分信什麼宗教？如果你這樣問台灣人，可能會發...

It is relatively easy to have a hot spring bath in Taiwan. Many well-known hot springs exist in the mountains, around the river, or even in the ocean. One of the most relaxing things in Taiwan is to visit the hot spring. In this episode, April and Joanne will introduce some must-know vocabulary and customs of going to a hot spring. Although it is summer, it's still an excellent time to experie...

Do you have an international driving license? Have you tried to drive a car in Taiwan? Do you think getting used to the traffic in Taiwan is difficult? In this episode, Lisa and Joanne will discuss traffic realities in Taiwan, and the situation you might bump into when you drive in Taiwan. 在台灣開車有什麼應該注意的事情？開車時常用的各種詞語，這一集都幫你準備好了～如果不太確定這些詞語的意思，可以...

Dragon boat racing is one of the most distinctive activities during the Dragon Boat Festival. Would you like to participate in a dragon boat race? What are some important things to consider when participating in a dragon boat race? And what are the roles and responsibilities of the members on a dragon boat? After listening to this episode, even if you haven't participated in a dragon boat race...

Going to the cinema is always an enjoyment. In this episode, Lisa and Joanne will discuss the words and procedures you need to know when going to a Taiwan cinema. After listening to this episode, plan a leisurely journey about watching a movie with your friends. 你喜不喜歡去電影院看電影？在台灣到電影院看電影要怎麼買票？可以選位子嗎？有哪些需要注意的事情？如果沒看清楚，你可能會發現你想看的「英文」...

How often do you check your email or text on your phone? Do you feel anxious if you can not access the internet? Do you subscribe to many online resources but never finish reading any of them? Do you think you can't concentrate on things and always run out of time? Be careful! You might have information anxiety if you have any 'YES' to these questions. In this episode, Lisa and Joanne...

In this episode, we listed the crucial days Taiwanese would like to spend with their families. And we discussed why these days mean a lot to the Taiwanese. Take advantage of this episode if you want to fit in Taiwan more. 在台灣有哪些重要的節日通常會和家人一起度過？如果你想體驗台灣特別的節日，一定要先聽過這集，了解這些節日對多數台灣人的意義。也能知道這些常見的節日(農曆新年、清明連假、端午節、中秋...