Little Mandarin: Learn Chinese through culture and real life

🏃‍♀️ I used to hate P.E. class—especially those awful 800-meter runs. But guess what? Now I actually enjoy working out (well, sometimes). In this episode, I’ll tell you about my favorite sport, why I love it, and how I finally made peace with exercise. 🏊‍♀️ You'll also learn how to talk about sports in Mandarin: useful verbs, common nouns, and how to say what you like (or really don’t like...

Hey hey! 🧡 In this episode of Little Mandarin 小中文 , we’re talking about something close to real life — sports! Whether you're a yoga fan, a table tennis pro, or just someone who loves a nice walk after dinner, today’s episode is for you. We’ll explore how to talk about what you can do in Mandarin using the fun and easy pattern 会 + 打 + 球 — plus lots of useful words for everyday activitie...

🧠 Vocabulary & Grammar Highlights 下班 finish work 坐地铁 take the metro 点菜 order food 辣 spicy 聊天 chat 喝酒 drink alcohol 刷手机 scroll on the phone 洗澡 take a shower 睡觉 go to sleep 一边…一边… while doing two things 要不要…？ shall we…? / do you want to…? …以后 after... 就…了 then / immediately 说得好像… say it like... (ironic or joking) Transcript 🕕 下班以后 那天我下班有点晚，大概是...

✨ In this episode, we're talking about how to hang out with your friends — in Mandarin! From casual phrases like "long time no see" to fun Gen Z slang like 饭搭子 and 发疯精 , you'll learn how to sound natural, relatable, and just a little bit cooler 😎 We’ll cover: Cultural differences in how friends talk Grammar tips: how to use 一起 (together) and 吧 (suggestion particle) HSK1–2 friendly vocab...

What’s in your suitcase when you travel? In this fun and practical Mandarin episode, Eudora shares her must-pack travel items—from earplugs to red scarves—and explains why these little things bring comfort and ritual to every trip. ✈️🎒 You’ll learn useful travel-related vocabulary, hear natural sentence examples, and review the grammar pattern "无论...都…" (No matter… still…). Great for...

Summer is here ☀️ and travel plans are in the air! In this episode, we’ll explore essential Mandarin vocabulary and sentence patterns for your next trip—whether you're flying to Greece, checking into a Paris hotel, or simply asking for directions on the road. From taking taxis to chatting about your vacation plans, this episode will give you the tools to share your adventures in Mandarin 🧳 ✏️ Gra...

Need a little escape? 🧳 Tonight’s story has no ghosts 👻, no blood 🩸, no crime 🕵️‍♀️—just one hotel 🏨, one night 🌙,and one room that felt... a little too familiar. A mug you once loved. A book you never told anyone about. A note you don’t remember writing. Feel free to enjoy this on the metro 🚇, on your way to work ☕,at the gym 💪, or — if you prefer —let me be your bedtime story tonight 🌙...

✈️ Planning your summer trip? In this episode, we’ll teach you how to book a hotel in Mandarin , from asking for a room to checking out politely — all in a fun, beginner-friendly way! Whether you're traveling soon or just dreaming about it, let’s learn how to ask for a room like a pro. 🛎️ 👉 You’ll learn how to use "想" to express wants , talk about time, and say essential phrases like “I want to...

What do Chinese people eat for breakfast? And how is it different from the West? In this episode, we take you to the streets of morning China — full of hot soy milk, steamed buns, congee, and early commuters grabbing a quick bite. 🥢 Meanwhile, we also compare it with the Western world of toast, cereal, and coffee on the go. ☕🍞 🎙️ Let’s talk about habits, flavors, and what breakfast says about d...

What’s for breakfast? In this cozy episode, we’re exploring the delicious world of Chinese breakfast—from warm soy milk to fluffy steamed buns. You’ll learn essential Mandarin vocabulary and grammar to describe your morning favorites 🥢. Whether you’re a fan of congee or just curious about Chinese food culture, this episode is your perfect morning bite. ✨ Don’t forget to check the key vocabulary...

🧠 Already know some Mandarin but want to level up? In this advanced-level episode, Eudora dives deep into what it really takes to improve your Mandarin once you’re beyond the basics. From shifting your thinking patterns to mastering native tones and expressions, this is your roadmap to sounding natural and confident. You’ll learn: How to stop thinking in English and start thinking in Mandarin 🧏‍...

✨ New to Mandarin? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! In this episode, Eudora walks you through the smartest, simplest, and most fun ways to start learning Mandarin as a complete beginner. From understanding pinyin , to mastering tones , to turning daily life into your classroom—this episode is your roadmap to falling in love with the Chinese language. 💬🎧 You’ll learn: Why Mandarin grammar is e...

☀️ In this episode, I talk about why I love summer time (and why winter time really doesn’t work for me 😒). From gloomy London winters to magical Parisian summer nights, let’s chat about how daylight saving time changes not just the clock, but also our mood, lifestyle, and even our desire to go out. If you've ever felt that extra hour of sunshine makes everything better—you’re not alone 💛 ☀️ 这...

In this cozy and sunny episode, we explore how to talk about time in Mandarin: from the hour and minutes to words like today , tomorrow , summer time , and more! You’ll also discover a fun cultural surprise—China uses only one time zone ! 😮 We’ll break down an easy grammar structure for daily time expressions, share key HSK1–2 vocabulary, and dive into beautiful Chinese phrases about time in our...

For Chinese people, cooking is more than just making food—it’s about family, culture, and enjoying life. From street food to home-cooked meals, every dish carries a sense of warmth and connection. In this episode, we’ll talk about the importance of cooking in Chinese culture, why many people love to cook at home, and how food is deeply tied to emotions and memories. Grab a cup of tea and join this...

April Fool’s Day is here! 🤡 Have you ever been fooled by a prank? Or maybe you love playing tricks on your friends? In today’s episode, we’re diving into April Fool’s Day in Mandarin —how to say “You tricked me!” (你骗我了！) and “I was fooled!” (我被骗了！), plus fun expressions and grammar that will help you react to jokes like a native speaker! 🎭 We’ll also explore 被 (bèi) , the passive voic...

Shanghai is a city of contrasts—modern skyscrapers and hidden alleyways, fine dining and street food, fast-paced business and slow morning walks. Today, I’ll take you on a carefully curated one-day trip through the real Shanghai, avoiding tourist traps and diving straight into the local experience. 🍜🚶‍♂️ From savoring authentic shengjian bao (pan-fried dumplings) to strolling under the plane tre...

Shanghai is a paradise for food lovers! From steaming soup dumplings (小笼包) to late-night street snacks, the city's food scene is as exciting as its skyline. In this episode, we’ll take you through a perfect day in Shanghai , focusing on restaurant conversations, ordering food, and paying the bill —all in Mandarin! You'll learn: ✔️ How to order food politely and sound natural in a Chines...

Feeling overwhelmed? Stressed out? 😫 We’ve all been there! But how do you express stress naturally in Mandarin? In this episode, we dive into how stress is viewed in Chinese culture, introduce key grammar and vocabulary, and provide real-life example sentences to help you sound natural when talking about pressure. 🏋️‍♂️ By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to: ✅ Express different levels of...

Join me on a perfect day in Paris, where we explore the city's literary charm, artistic treasures, and cozy café culture. ☕️ From the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore to the stunning masterpieces in Musée d'Orsay , and finally sipping coffee in a charming Parisian café, this episode is a walk through the very soul of Paris. Whether you're a book lover, an art enthusiast, or simply someone...

🇫🇷 Bonjour Paris! Ready to explore the City of Lights—using Mandarin? 🗼✨ Planning a trip to Paris or just love travel-themed language learning? In this episode, we take you through a perfect day in Paris , step by step, with essential Mandarin phrases for transportation, sightseeing, cafés, shopping, and hotels! 🚇🥐🛍 You'll learn: ✔️ How to buy a metro ticket and navigate Paris like a pro 🚆 ✔️...

🗓️ Have you ever wondered if best-before dates are really necessary? Do bananas, honey, or even bottled water really need an expiry date? In this episode, we chat about whether best-before dates are about food safety or just a marketing trick. Are we throwing away perfectly good food just because of a number on the package? And more importantly—do you trust the date or your own senses? Let's find...

⏰ What time is it? How do you say morning, afternoon, or evening in Mandarin? And why do Chinese weekdays start with "Week One" instead of Monday? In today’s episode, we break down how to ask and tell time in Mandarin , explore some interesting cultural insights 🏮, and learn practical expressions to help you never miss a meeting, meal, or date in China! 🕰️ ✅ Learn how to ask for the t...

🍷 Wine Not? A Snarky Guide to My Favorite Bottles 🍷 Ever felt overwhelmed by endless wine choices 🍾 and pretentious tasting notes 🧐? Fear not! In this episode, I take you on a witty, no-nonsense ride 🚀 through my favorite wines—no unnecessary jargon, just the good stuff. From elegant reds 🍷 to crisp whites 🥂 , I’ll share my go-to bottles , when to drink them, and how to sound like a pro wit...

🍷 Wine lovers, this one's for you! Whether you enjoy a glass of red, white, or sparkling, today’s episode will help you talk about wine in Mandarin ! We’ll learn essential wine vocabulary , how to order at a restaurant , and even some fun Chinese drinking culture insights . ✨ Plus, don’t forget to check the episode description for today’s key grammar and vocabulary —it’ll help you review! On...