Mandarin Monkey Podcast

In this episode, we explore 20 of the most ridiculous, real world records ever set — and learn how to talk about them in Mandarin. From smashing toilet seats with your head to balancing snails on your face, this is your crash course in weirdness and useful Mandarin vocabulary. Whether you’re a language learner or just love strange facts, we’ve got you covered. Mandarin Vocabulary List (Traditional...

From baby mop outfits to chopstick fans and silent karaoke mics — the world has no shortage of strange inventions. In this episode, Tom and Ula explore 20 bizarre gadgets from around the globe and break down the Mandarin vocabulary behind each one. It’s the perfect mix of language learning, cultural curiosity, and a whole lot of "Wait… that's real?" Whether you're here for the vocab or just want t...

1. Balut – Fertilized duck embryo (Philippines) 鴨仔蛋 | yā zǐ dàn | Duck embryo egg 2. Surströmming – Fermented herring (Sweden) 瑞典酸鯡魚 | ruì diǎn suān fèi yú | Swedish sour herring 3. Casu Marzu – Maggot cheese (Italy) 活蛆乳酪 | huó qū rǔ lào | Live maggot cheese 4. Fried Tarantula (Cambodia) 炸狼蛛 | zhà láng zhū | Fried tarantula 5. Hákarl – Fermented shark (Iceland) 發酵鯊魚肉 | fā xiào...

Ever heard of a law that bans you from handling salmon "suspiciously"? Or a rule that says men must wear Speedos at public pools in France? In this episode, we dive into some of the strangest, most ridiculous laws from around the world. From kites being outlawed in the UK to Japan’s weight regulations, we break down these bizarre rules, their origins, and whether they actually make any sense. Plus...

Unusual Hobbies (特殊的爱好 - tè shū de ài hào) Extreme Ironing (极限熨烫) – jí xiàn yùn tàng Quidditch (魁地奇) – kuí dì qí Cheese Rolling (奶酪滚动比赛) – nǎi lào gǔn dòng bǐ sài Toy Voyaging (玩具旅行) – wán jù lǚ xíng Competitive Duck Herding (竞技赶鸭子) – jìng jì gǎn yā zi Trainspotting (火车观察) – huǒ chē guān chá Mooing Competitions (学牛叫比赛) – xué niú jiào bǐ sài Soapbox Racing (肥皂...

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast , we chat about the Eisenhower Matrix (艾森豪威尔矩阵, Àisēnháowēi’ěr jǔzhèn) —not as experts, but just as two people trying to figure out where all our time goes. We’ve all been there: feeling 忙碌 (mánglù, busy) but not necessarily productive (有成效的, yǒu chéngxiào de) . So, what actually makes something 重要 (zhòngyào, important) versus just 紧急...

In episode #392 of Mandarin Monkey , we speculate about what it’s like moving to the mountains in Taiwan (we don't live in the mountains) and the joys (and challenges) of using Starlink for internet. We also dive into the differences between nosy neighbors in English and Taiwanese culture—who’s watching, who’s gossiping, and who just doesn’t care? Finally, we put our translation skills to the test...

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast , Tom and Ula dive into the world of untranslatable words —those linguistic gems that exist in Mandarin but leave English speakers scratching their heads, and vice versa. They explore phrases like "懒得理 (lǎn de lǐ)" —the perfect expression for when you just can’t be bothered—and "面子 (miànzi)" , the all-important social concept of saving face. From...

In this engaging episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, hosts Tom and Ula delve into the fascinating world of literal translations between Mandarin and English. They explore how certain phrases, when translated word-for-word, can lead to humorous or confusing interpretations due to cultural and linguistic differences. The discussion includes idioms and expressions from both languages, highlightin...

Ula and Tom speak about some confusing Mandarin and English words. All in Mandarin and English (Chinglish) for your listening pleasure. Mandarin Lessons www.mandarinmonkey.com 帶 (dài) vs. 戴 (dài) 帶 (dài) : to bring/carry ( 請帶你的護照。Qǐng dài nǐ de hùzhào. – Please bring your passport. ) 戴 (dài) : to wear (accessories) ( 她戴了一條項鍊。Tā dài le yī tiáo xiàngliàn. – She wore a necklace. )...

Unpleasant Sounds or Awkward Pronunciation 膩 (nì) – Greasy, overly rich (often used for food but also for excessive behavior). 黏 (nián) – Sticky, clinging (can refer to textures or overly attached people). 齁 (hōu) – Overly sweet or salty (common in Taiwanese Mandarin but sounds rough). 癢 (yǎng) – Itchy (some dislike the way it sounds when spoken). 喳喳叫 (zhā zhā jiào) – Chattering noisily (an...

The U.S. is taking steps to ban TikTok—so what does this mean for users, creators, and businesses? In this episode of Mandarin Monkey , Ula (speaking Mandarin) and Tom (speaking English) dive into the controversy surrounding TikTok’s potential ban in America. We discuss why the U.S. government is pushing for it, what might happen next, and whether TikTok can survive this legal battle. Join us for...

In this episode, Tom and Ula dive into the ultimate holiday debate: Do you plan every detail of your trip, have one big activity in mind, or just relax the entire time? Ula speaks in Mandarin, while Tom responds in English, creating a perfect mix of conversational practice for Mandarin learners. Whether you’re planning your next getaway or looking to improve your listening skills, this episode off...

In this bilingual episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula dive into their New Year’s goals and share practical strategies to make them happen. Ula speaks Mandarin, while Tom provides the English perspective, creating the perfect blend for language learners and goal-setters alike. Whether you’re aiming for personal growth, career success, or healthier habits, this episode offers insight...

Looking for a fun and relaxed way to improve your Mandarin? Join Tom and Ula for this bilingual podcast where they mix Mandarin and English to talk about everyday life, gaming, and parenting. This week, they explore how Stardew Valley makes them so relaxed they nearly fall asleep, while Enshrouded keeps their focus sharp. They also chat about the challenges of raising kids in a tech-savvy world an...

In this episode of Mandarin Monkey, we dive into the exciting changes happening at Mandarin Monkey! We discuss our plans to rebrand the website and update our podcast thumbnails to better connect with our audience. We also chat about new merchandise ideas and fitting acoustic panels in our new studio for an even better recording experience. Travel dreams take center stage as we weigh the magic of...

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast , we dive into the fascinating world of TikTokers and live streamers in Taiwan and China—how they captivate audiences and grow their following. We also share plans to transform our home into a winter wonderland and brainstorm festive ideas for Chinese New Year. Plus, an update on exciting plans for our studio! Whether you're learning Mandarin, explori...

In this episode, Tom and Ula take you on a hilarious journey through the chaos of moving into their new home. From a wardrobe that refused to cooperate to an almost-electrical fire that cost a whopping $500 to fix, they’re sharing it all—with plenty of Chinglish banter along the way! Whether you’re learning Mandarin or just love a good bilingual chat, this episode is packed with fun stories, usefu...

In this episode we are waiting for a call from our solicitor to let us know everything has gone through on our new house purchase. Nervousness, excitement, apprehension it's all in this episode. Oh, and we are standing up because we threw away our chairs and packed most of the studio. All spoken in Mandairn and English for you learners of Chinese and English. www.mandarinmonkey.com <---- for Ma...

In this episode, we discuss our upcoming house move and dive into a fun game of Would You Rather ( A háishi B ). Practice Mandarin comprehension as we explore tricky choices and share personal updates. Perfect for Mandarin learners looking to improve their listening skills with real-life conversations and playful language practice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the worlds number 1 Chinglish podcast we discuss a whole host of things in both Mandarin and English. Moving house, to do's, goals, new business ideas, revamping Mandarin Monkey, and then suddenly Ula asks Tom how he is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We finally got some great news about our new house and actually just after recording went to see it and measure things. This one is slightly shorter because we are excited. BUT, it's all spoken in both Mandarin and English for your learning pleasure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All spoken in both English and Mandarin. In this episode (376), we take a fun trip down memory lane, revisiting what we were talking about years ago on the podcast and reflecting on how far we've come. Plus, after much deliberation, we finally pull the trigger on a big decision—buying a gaming PC! Tune in for some nostalgia, tech talk, and the usual laughs. Skritter - Learn to write Chineseskritte...

In this episode, Tom and Ula dive into the fascinating world of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn! 📚✨ Join us as we explore this epic fantasy novel and see just how many fantastical words we can understand. 🤔 From allomancy to mistwraiths, Ula reads a few passages to challenge both Tom and our listeners. Can you keep up with the magical terms and complex world-building? 🧙‍♂️🔍 Tune in to test your...

In this episode, we share some disappointing news: our new house plans have been delayed, impacting our goals and vision for the future. But setbacks can lead to growth! We reflect on our achievements this year and discuss new goals to aim for next year. Join us for an honest conversation on turning challenges into motivation, while learning Chinese along the way. Ideal for those interested in Chi...