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Episode 47 - Intermediate: On My Way To Work🚗🛑
Have you ever left home early, only to still end up late? In this episode, Christine shares a real-life story about getting stuck in a massive traffic jam on Taiwan’s highway — and how it turned into a lesson about patience and perspective.

You’ll learn how to describe everyday travel troubles in natural Mandarin, like 「塞車塞到爆」(the traffic was jammed to the max), 「完全動不了」(nothing was moving), and 「前面車禍，整個塞住了」(there was an accident ahead — everything was blocked).

Christine also talks about Taiwan’s unique “flexible order” on the roads — where scooters weave through traffic, everyone honks, yet somehow it all works out. You’ll discover how to explain being late politely, share personal experiences, and turn daily frustrations into great Mandarin practice.

✨ Perfect for learners around HSK 3-4, focusing on storytelling, describing real-life situations, and learning conversational expressions you can actually use in Taiwan.

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Episode 46 - Basic: How Did I Know My Best Friend 👯‍♀️

In this heartwarming beginner episode, Christine shares a simple story about meeting a best friend at university — how a random seat assignment became a lasting friendship. You’ll hear natural, everyday Mandarin about meeting people (认识), shared interests (兴趣), hanging out (见面、聊天), and keeping in touch (联络).

The story introduces clear sentence patterns you can use to talk about your own friendships:

• 「我们是在学校认识的」– We met at school
• 「我们常常去咖啡店聊天」– We often chat at cafés
• 「有朋友在身边，生活就不孤单」– With friends by your side, life isn’t lonely

✨ Perfect for learners around HSK 2–3, focusing on daily social interactions, friendship vocabulary, and short past-tense storytelling in Mandarin.

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Episode 45 - Foundations: Describing Directions 🧭

Do you ever get turned around when you’re out and about? In this beginner-friendly episode, Christine teaches the most useful direction words for everyday life—左邊 / 右邊 (left/right), 前面 / 後面 (front/back), 對面 (across from), 旁邊 (next to), and 一直走 (go straight)—through simple, real-world examples like cafés, stations, parks, and shops.

You’ll practice clear sentence patterns such as 「A 在 B 的右邊」(A is to the right of B) and 「一直走就看到…」(go straight and you’ll see …) so you can ask for and give directions confidently in Chinese.

✨ Perfect for learners around HSK 1–2, focusing on everyday navigation, place words, and short location sentences that you can use the next time you’re out in the city.

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Episode 44 - Advanced: Pedestrians and Cars: Competing for Space in the City 🚶‍♀️🚗🚲

In this advanced episode, Christine explores the hidden rules of urban life: who truly has priority on our streets — cars, scooters, bikes, or pedestrians? Through vivid scenes from Taipei, Europe, and Japan, she examines how laws, habits, and culture shape our sense of safety, speed, and respect in public space.

You’ll learn how to discuss urban design and social norms in natural Mandarin: phrases for right-of-way, spatial power (空间使用权), and unspoken rules (默契), plus nuanced comparison language to contrast different cities’ behaviors. The story also models persuasive, reflective structures for framing arguments, asking critical questions, and inviting debate.

✨ Perfect for learners around HSK 5-6, focusing on sophisticated narration, social commentary, and advanced connectors for building nuanced opinions about public space and civic culture.

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Episode 43 - Intermediate: Eco-Friendly Shopping 🌱

Have you ever wanted to buy something but also protect the environment — and didn’t know how to ask in Chinese? In this episode, Christine shares a story about shopping for eco-friendly products with a friend and teaches you how to talk about environmental choices in natural Mandarin.

You’ll learn how to ask questions like 「請問這件衣服是用再生布料做的嗎？」(Is this shirt made from recycled fabric?), 「請問有沒有不用塑膠袋的包裝？」(Do you have packaging without plastic bags?), and 「請問可以自備容器嗎？」(Can I bring my own container?) — all while sounding polite and confident.

Christine also introduces cultural insights into Taiwan’s eco-friendly habits, such as bringing your own cup for discounts and using reusable straws and containers. You’ll hear how environmental protection has become a lifestyle trend and learn how to start your own small eco-friendly conversations in Chinese.

✨ Perfect for learners around HSK 3–4, focusing on polite question patterns, practical vocabulary for daily shopping, and expressing opinions on environmental topics.

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Episode 42 – Basic: Taking a Taxi in Chinese 🚕

Need to get around the city? In this beginner-level episode, Christine teaches you the most useful taxi phrases in Mandarin — from telling the driver where to go, to asking about the price, and even giving route directions.

You’ll learn practical sentences like “請載我去機場” (Please take me to the airport), “可以慢一點嗎？” (Could you slow down a bit?), and “請問，多少錢？” (Excuse me, how much is it?), so you can travel confidently anywhere in Taiwan or China.

Christine also explains how to sound polite and natural with expressions like “麻煩你…” (Could you please…) and “辛苦了！” (Thank you for your hard work!), making your communication smoother and more local.

✨ Perfect for learners around HSK 2–3, focusing on real-life transportation, giving directions, and everyday conversation for traveling in Mandarin-speaking places.

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Episode 41 – Basic: I Went to the Market to Buy Fruit 🍎

What do you usually buy at the market? In this beginner-level episode, Christine shares a short, charming story about a student going to the market with their mom to buy fruit. You’ll hear natural, everyday Mandarin as they talk with the vendor, ask for prices, and carry fruit home.

Through this story, you’ll learn common shopping and food vocabulary, like 蘋果 (apple), 香蕉 (banana), 一斤 (one jin), and 多少錢 (how much) — along with practical sentence patterns for buying things and describing your experiences at the market.

By the end, you’ll be able to describe your own market visits in simple Chinese and sound more natural when shopping or chatting about daily life.

✨ Perfect for learners around HSK 2-3, focusing on real-life shopping situations, basic conversations, and essential vocabulary for food and prices.

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Episode 40 – Intermediate: My First Time at the Gym 🏋️‍♀️

Do you still remember your first time at the gym? In this intermediate-level story, Christine shares her own experience of stepping into a gym for the first time — feeling nervous, unsure how to use the equipment, and eventually finding encouragement and confidence through a friendly coach.

You’ll learn natural expressions to talk about new experiences, feelings of nervousness or surprise, and taking the first step toward change. Christine also introduces useful sentence patterns like “我被嚇到” (I was surprised/scared), “完全不知道怎麼用” (I had no idea how to use it), and “跨出第一步” (to take the first step), as well as common gym vocabulary such as 深蹲 (squat), 熱身 (warm-up), 啞鈴 (dumbbell), and 槓鈴 (barbell).

You’ll also discover cultural insights about gym culture in Taiwan — how some people prefer quiet workouts alone, while others enjoy exercising with friends for motivation.

✨ Perfect for learners around HSK 3-4, focusing on describing personal experiences, emotions, and daily routines in expressive and natural Mandarin.

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