Tricolor Chinese Culture Podcast

慢慢来 (màn màn lái): Learning the Pace of Life What does it really mean when people in China say 慢慢来 — “take it slowly”? In this final episode of Season 5: Beyond Translation , host Stephanie Wendler explores how this simple phrase reflects a much deeper cultural mindset around patience, trust-building, learning, and healing. Joined by Xi’an-based teacher, KK, the conversation moves beyond tra...

麻烦 (máfan): The Awareness of Inconvenience What does it really mean when someone in China says 麻烦 ? Often translated as “trouble” or “inconvenience,” 麻烦 is a word that appears everywhere in daily life. It can mean please , sorry for the trouble , this is complicated , or even thank you for the effort. But beneath all of those meanings is something deeper: an awareness of how our actions affe...

关系 (guānxi): The Power of Connection What does it really mean when people in China talk about 关系 ? Often translated as “connections” or “relationships,” 关系 is about far more than simply knowing the right people. It reflects networks of trust, reciprocity, loyalty, and mutual responsibility that quietly shape everyday life in China. In this episode of our Beyond Translation season, host Steph...

加油 (jiāyóu): Encouragement You Can Feel What does it really mean when someone in China says 加油 ? Often translated as “keep going” or “you can do it,” 加油 is more than just a phrase of encouragement. It shows up in moments of effort, exhaustion, and perseverance—whether on a race course, before an exam, or in the middle of something difficult. In this episode of our Beyond Translation season,...

面子 (miànzi): More Than Just “Face” What does it really mean when someone in China talks about 面子 ? Often translated as “face,” 面子 goes far beyond reputation or pride. It shapes how people communicate, how they handle disagreement, and how they protect one another’s dignity—sometimes in ways that aren’t immediately visible to outsiders. In this episode of our Beyond Translation season, host S...

辛苦 (xīnkǔ): Seeing the Effort Behind the Work What does it really mean when someone in China says 辛苦了 ? Often translated as something like “you’ve worked hard,” 辛苦 goes beyond simple gratitude. It acknowledges the effort, endurance, and unseen labor behind what someone has done. It’s a way of recognizing not just the action, but the weight someone carried to make it happen. In this episode...

热闹 (rènao): When Life Gets Loud What does it really mean when someone in China says a place is 热闹 ? Often translated as lively or bustling , 热闹 is about more than noise or crowds. It reflects a deeper cultural appreciation for shared spaces, community energy, and the feeling that life is happening all around you. In this first episode of our Beyond Translation season, host Stephanie Wendler...

What happens when words mean more than what the dictionary says? The Tricolor Chinese Culture Podcast returns for Season 5 with a deeper exploration into the language of everyday life in China—where words are not just definitions, but reflections of relationships, values, and lived experience. This season, Beyond Translation , dives into Chinese expressions that resist simple explanation. These ar...

In this episode, we sit down with two educators from XIS’s secondary department, Liz Li and Jonathan Venneberg. Liz shares her observations as a coworker, friend, and cultural guide to our foreign staff, while Jonathan offers a dual viewpoint as both a current foreign staff member and an XIS alumnus from the Class of 2018, speaking to the experience of navigating China as both guest and host. We a...

Both within and beyond XIS, Luke and Kiko have had countless opportunities—through a range of professional and personal experiences—to observe and engage with 外国人 (foreigners). In addition to the warm smiles they offer in the Xi’an International School office, they bring valuable wisdom and insight for anyone seeking to live well in China. At the end of the episode, we also hear from Hayden Fee...

In this episode, we’re joined by long-time friend of Xi'an International School, Steven Hou. From teaching middle school English at an international school, to working with engineers at an IT firm in Shanghai, and now consulting Chinese families on college admissions abroad, Steven brings a wealth of experience working across cultures. We’ll also hear some perceptive cultural insights from XI...

In this episode we get to hear "suitcase stories" from a local friend outside of the XIS community. Audrey's work as a teacher and translator and her involvement with English corners have given her lots of opportunities to interact with and build relationships with foreigners in China and she has some great insights to share. We also get to hear G10 student, Kimi Lee, share a collab...

In this conversation we get to hear from our very own Miss Harris (XIS Principal) and Niu Laoshi (lead for XIS' Chinese language program)! Both of them have a lot of experience (and stories!) of watching new arrivals come and adjust to their new life here in China and at XIS. We also learn some important cultural tips from XIS G10 student, Helina Ju, as well as learn the idiom, "因地制宜...

This is a special episode, where two of XIS's summer interns, Laura and Andrea Gonzalez, interview XIS G5 teacher, Tori Vaughn, about her "suitcase stories". We also get a great opportunity to learn some valuable lessons from XIS G11 student, Uri Kim as well as learn the idiom, "礼尚往来“/”Courtesy demands reciprocity".

,We get to hear some great advice from XIS G11 student, William Zhang, that includes the idiom, "入乡随俗“/ "When you enter the village follow their customs." We also get a chance to hear from XIS's former G2 teacher, Sidney Stewart: What she brought with her, all that she gained and learned during her stay in China, and what she wants to take back to her passport culture.

This season: Suitcase Stories — exploring the deeply personal journeys of going and staying in China. What do we pack when we cross cultures? What do we carry home? And what transforms us along the way? From unexpected discoveries to hard-won lessons, these conversations dive into what makes Chinese culture unique and how it shapes us. Hear stories about the things we carry, the things we leave be...

In this episode we get to hear Kevin Hu and Lucy Liu, two local friends, give explanation of and insight into some of the traditions of CNY as well as share some of their favorite memories. I learned a lot from this conversation and am excited to share it with you. Also we get a chance to learn about 红包/hóngbāo/red packets from XIS senior,  Asher Wendler. We would love your feedback on this seas...

Chinese New Year (CNY) is so big that it needs at least 2 episodes. In this episode (Part 1) we get the "outsider's" perspective with Paul and Analisa. They share what it's like celebrating this important holiday with local friends and what they have learned about the holiday and Chinese culture through their experiences. We also get to hear April Carrillo share her favorite CN...

What do dragon boat races, a patriot-poet named Qu Yuan, zongzi (glutinous rice- with filling- steamed in bamboo leaves) and fragrant pouches have in common? They are all connected with a holiday that falls on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar. In this episode we will talk with Louisa Xia and Athena Hao about their understanding of and experiences with Dragon Boat Festival. We als...

 Tomb sweeping festival (清明节qīngmíngjié) may be observed in the early spring (April 4 or 5) but learning about the meaning and traditions associated with it can give us insight into Chinese culture that is helpful no matter what season we're in. This episode features a conversation with He Laoshi (Teacher He) as well as a conversation with DeAnn, an American that has taught English in Chin...

,With Mid-Autumn Festival right around the corner, it's a great time to get a taste for the season through stories. In this episode, Melinda Tan and Deborah Liu share their hometown and away from home memories and experiences with Mid-Autumn Festival . At the end of the episode we also get to hear Kyle Ju tell the famous Mid-Autumn Festival legend of Houyi and Chang'e.

This episode features a conversation with my good friends, Steve and Linda. They share about their experiences when they first arrived in China back in the late 80's/early 90s, what they've loved about their lives in China over the almost 3 decades they've spent here, and the deep friendships they've made along the way. At the end of the episode, XIS senior, Joseph Kim, teaches...

This episode features XLIS Deputy Head of School, Brian Lalor. Brian shares with us what he's learned about culture and life as he's lived and been a leader in Xi'an as well as in other cross-cultural contexts in Asia. At the end of the episode, XIS senior, Abraham Kim, teaches us some Chinese history and a life lesson through the idiom, "纸上谈兵/zhǐshàngtánbīng/To discuss bat...

In this episode, Blake and Rachel, long-time local staff here at Xi'an International School, share the major cultural differences that they've observed over the years, where cultural misunderstandings are more likely to happen between Chinese and foreign staff, and how to build bridges between the cultures. At the end of the episode, XIS senior, Kevin Kang, teaches us the Chinese idiom,...

In this episode, one of our newer Chinese staff members at Xi'an International School shares about her cross-cultural experiences and what has surprised her about working with people from different cultures. She also shares about her family dynamics growing up and what's important to her with her own family now. At the end of the episode, XIS grade 11 student, Hanna Jung, teaches us the...