We're back with Angela's "Real You Mandarin: Beginnings" course co-creator and Taiwan-based Mandarin teacher, Jane Liu - this time, talking about taboo topics and common mistakes in Mandarin.

We dive into 3 specific terms: 1. "舒服 (shū fú)" vs "自在 (zì zài)", 2. "要不要約 / 要不要约 (yào bú yào yuē)" vs. "要不要約出去玩 / 要不要约出去玩 (yào bú yào yuē chū qù wán)", and 3. the concept of "報喜不報憂 / 报喜不报忧 (bào xǐ bú bào yōu)" (only reporting good news, not bad). Let's just say the first two, if used incorrectly, could be mistaken for... *intimate* meanings.

Let us know in the comments or on social media what you thought about the episode and/or what surprised you the most!

If you want to learn other taboo topics and common mistakes, we have an entire module dedicated to this in our "Real You Mandarin: Beginnings" course. If you haven't already, try the free preview lesson on dating apps & describing your type, and check out the full syllabus to see if the course format is right for you. Head to ⁠https://www.realyoumandarin.com⁠ to access the free preview lesson and check out the full course.

Follow Jane on Instagram at ⁠@janesmandarin⁠ to explore working with her 1:1 and to stay up-to-date on her other Mandarin offerings.

Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@realyoumandarin⁠ and on TikTok at ⁠@realyoumandarin