Why do Taiwanese people love 冷笑話 so much? In this episode, Mindy and Joeru break down the world of Chinese “cold jokes” — the jokes that make you question your life choices… and then laugh anyway. From simple Q&A riddles to Taiwan’s signature 諧音哏 (sound-based puns), you’ll learn how these jokes work, why they’re everywhere, and how to catch the hidden punchline like a local.

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:
– What “冷笑話” originally meant and how the meaning changed
– Why Taiwan LOVES sound-based puns (諧音哏)
– Examples of classic cold jokes you’ll hear on drink covers, menus, and even shop names
– How to recognize & enjoy 諧音哏 in daily life

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Tell us the best (or worst!) 冷笑話 you’ve ever heard — or try making your own 諧音哏!
Tag us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese so we can laugh (or cringe) with you 😂

🎙️ The Bitesize Chinese Podcast helps you bridge the gap between classroom Mandarin and how people actually speak — with all the quirks, slang, and culture that come with it. Each bi-weekly episode is a bite-sized challenge designed to stretch your skills and bring you from intermediate to almost advanced — one conversation at a time. Tune in, take a bite, and keep growing with us! 🎧💬

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

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Feeling chilly lately? ❄️ In this episode, Mindy and Joeru teach you how to say “It’s cold” in Mandarin — from the simple 很冷 (hěn lěng) to fun, expressive phrases like 冷死了！(lěng sǐ le!) and 冷得要命！(lěng de yàomìng!). You’ll also learn how “cold” can describe not just the weather, but even a bad joke — the famous 冷笑話 (lěng xiàohuà)!

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

🎯 Today’s Topic: Ways to express “cold” in Mandarin and how Taiwanese people stay warm in winter

🗝 Key Sentence: 今天好冷喔！（Jīntiān hǎo lěng o!）– It’s so cold today!

🗣 Listener Challenge:
天氣冷的時候，你會做什麼？(Tiānqì lěng de shíhou, nǐ huì zuò shénme?)
What do you usually do when it’s cold?
Share your answer in our Instagram Story (you’ll find it in our “Listener Challenge” highlight!) 💛

🍰 About Bitesize Basics 🍰
Welcome to 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 — a podcast series for beginner Mandarin learners (A1)! Each episode teaches one useful grammar point or vocabulary set through fun, practical conversations. Learn with Mindy and Joeru and build your Mandarin step by step! 📱 Follow us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese for this week’s vocabulary recap and practice tips!

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

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What temperature counts as “cold” in Taiwan? 🧣 In this episode, Mindy talks about how Taiwanese people define “cold” — and why locals start wearing puffy jackets and using hand warmers as soon as the temperature drops below 20°C!

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

In this episode, you’ll learn:
– How “cold” feels different in a tropical, humid climate
– Common winter habits and phrases you’ll hear in Taiwan
– Why Taiwanese people say they’re afraid of wet cold, not dry cold

🗣 Listener Challenge:
你覺得幾度算冷？(Nǐ juéde jǐ dù suàn lěng?)
What temperature counts as cold for you?
Tell us your answer in our Instagram Story — and check out the “Listener Challenge” highlight to see how others answered! 💛

☕️ About Bitesize Talks:
Welcome to ☕️ 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 ☕️ — a podcast series designed for A1–A2 level Mandarin learners who want a bit more challenge! Join Mindy and Joeru as they share casual, real-life stories in natural Mandarin, helping you grow your confidence one conversation at a time.

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

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Is it pouring or just a drizzle? 🌧️ In this episode, Mindy and Joeru teach you how to describe rainy weather in Mandarin — from light drizzle (下毛毛雨) to heavy downpour (下大雨) — and how to sound more natural using the pattern 雨下得～. You’ll also learn everyday words like 打雷, 閃電, 淋雨, and the funny expression 落湯雞 (“soaked like a wet chicken” 🐔).

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

🎯 Today’s Topic: How to talk about rain and humid weather in Mandarin

🗝 Key Sentence: 雨下得很大！（Yǔ xià de hěn dà!） – It’s raining heavily!

🗣 Listener Challenge:
今天的天氣怎麼樣？你那裡下雨了嗎？
How’s the weather where you are today? Try using 「下雨」 or 「雨下得很大」 in your own sentence and tag us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese

🍰 About Bitesize Basics 🍰
Welcome to 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 — a podcast series for beginner Mandarin learners (A1)! Each episode teaches one useful grammar point or vocabulary set through fun, practical conversations. Learn with Mindy and Joeru and build your Mandarin step by step!

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

Powered by Firstory Hosting

In this episode, Mindy and Joeru dive into Taiwanese dining etiquette — from waiting for elders to start eating, to using public chopsticks, to why you should never stick your chopsticks straight into your rice. They also compare how dining culture in Taiwan differs from Western table manners — where everyone has their own plate and sticking to utensil order matters!

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

In this episode, we cover:
– Common do’s and don’ts at a Taiwanese dinner table (like waiting for elders and not making chewing sounds)
– Why sharing dishes (合菜) reflects Taiwan’s community values
– Key differences between Western “individual dining” and Taiwan’s “shared dining”
– How the idea of not wasting food leads to Taiwan’s strong “打包 culture”
– Personal stories and cross-cultural surprises from both hosts

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Next time you eat with Taiwanese friends, try noticing one table manner that feels different from your culture. Share your experience or sentence in Mandarin and tag us @bitesize.chinese — we’d love to hear your thoughts!

🎙️ The Bitesize Chinese Podcast helps you bridge the gap between classroom Mandarin and how people actually speak — with all the quirks, slang, and culture that come with it. Each bi-weekly episode is a bite-sized challenge designed to stretch your skills and bring you from intermediate to almost advanced — one conversation at a time. Tune in, take a bite, and keep growing with us! 🎧💬

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

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Sharing dishes is a big part of Taiwanese food culture — whether you’re eating with friends, family, or colleagues. In this episode, Mindy and Joeru teach you the most useful verbs and polite phrases you’ll hear at a family-style table, plus how to ask others to help serve you in a natural, Taiwanese way.

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

🎯 Today’s Topic: Common verbs and polite phrases used when eating family-style in Mandarin

🗝 Key Sentence: 請幫我夾菜。（Qǐng bāng wǒ jiá cài。）– Please help me get some food

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Use 我幫你／請幫我 + action to describe something you would say during a shared meal.
Example: 我幫你盛飯 / 請幫我倒茶.
Share your sentence with us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese! 🍽️💛

🍰 About Bitesize Basics 🍰
Welcome to 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 — a podcast series for beginner Mandarin learners (A1)! Each episode teaches one useful grammar point or vocabulary set through fun, practical conversations. Learn with Mindy and Joeru and build your Mandarin step by step!

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

Powered by Firstory Hosting

Did you know there are “rules” when eating in Taiwan? 🥢🍚 In this episode, Mindy talks about what’s considered polite — and impolite — at the Taiwanese dinner table. From how to hold your bowl and chopsticks, to sitting posture and when to use 公筷母匙 (public chopsticks and spoons), you’ll learn the habits that shape how people eat together in Taiwan.

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

In this episode, you’ll learn:
– What “餐桌” (dining table) means in Mandarin
– Chopstick rules: why you shouldn’t stick them in your rice or food
– Proper posture and polite table behavior
– How 合菜 (shared dining) changes dining etiquette
– The meaning behind 公筷母匙 (public chopsticks and spoons)

🗣 Listener Challenge:
What about your culture? Are the dining rules similar or totally different from Taiwan’s? Share your thoughts in Mandarin on Instagram and tag us @bitesize.chinese — we’d love to hear your stories!

☕️ About Bitesize Talks:
Welcome to ☕️ 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 ☕️ — a podcast series designed for A1–A2 level Mandarin learners who want a bit more challenge! Join Mindy and Joeru as they share casual, real-life stories in natural Mandarin, helping you grow your confidence one conversation at a time.

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

Powered by Firstory Hosting

How do you eat your meal — with chopsticks or a fork? 🥢🍴 In this episode, Mindy and Joeru explore the everyday Mandarin words for tableware — from chopsticks and spoons to plates, bowls, and cups. You’ll learn how to use the simple yet powerful pattern 用 + [餐具] + [動作] to describe what you do at the table in natural Mandarin.

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

🎯 Today’s Topic: Common tableware words and how to say what you do with them

🗝 Key Sentence: 我用筷子夾菜。(Wǒ yòng kuàizi jiá cài.) – I use chopsticks to pick up food.

🗣 Listener Challenge:
你吃飯的時候，會用什麼餐具？ What tableware do you usually use when you eat? Try making one sentence in Mandarin — for example:
👉 我喜歡用筷子吃麵。(I like to use chopsticks to eat noodles.)
👉 我常用杯子喝咖啡。(I often use a cup to drink coffee.)
Share your sentence on Instagram and tag us @bitesize.chinese!

🍰 About Bitesize Basics 🍰
Welcome to 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 — a podcast series for beginner Mandarin learners (A1)! Each episode teaches one useful grammar point or vocabulary set through fun, practical conversations. Learn with Mindy and Joeru and build your Mandarin step by step!

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

Powered by Firstory Hosting

What’s it like to share an apartment with roommates? In this episode, Mindy and Joeru talk about 合租 hézū — shared renting, and what it’s like to live with other people under one roof.
They discuss common rental types in Taiwan, like 套房 (studio) and 雅房 (shared room), and explore the real-life ups and downs of roommate life — from keeping shared spaces clean, splitting chores, to dealing with different personalities.
You’ll also learn practical Mandarin for talking about conflicts, communication, and coordination — all essential topics if you live with others or want to describe your own living situation in Chinese!

📘 Podcast Notes
Full transcripts and structured study support to help you turn listening into real learning.
Now Available here: https://ko-fi.com/bitesizechinese

In this episode, you’ll learn:
– Vocabulary for describing rental types and roommate relationships
– How to talk about house chores, habits, and shared spaces
– Useful expressions for conflicts, communication, and compromise

🗣 Listener Challenge:
What kind of roommate are you — quiet, tidy, or messy?
Describe your ideal roommate in Mandarin and tell us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese!

🎙️ The Bitesize Chinese Podcast helps you bridge the gap between classroom Mandarin and how people actually speak — with all the quirks, slang, and culture that come with it. Each bi-weekly episode is a bite-sized challenge designed to stretch your skills and bring you from intermediate to almost advanced — one conversation at a time. Tune in, take a bite, and keep growing with us! 🎧💬

🔅 Podcast Notes | 逐字稿＋學習筆記
🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🔅 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🔅 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

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Looking for a place to live in Taiwan? 🏠 In this week’s episode, Mindy and Joeru chat about how to describe your apartment in Mandarin — from cozy studios and shared rooms to words you’ll need when signing a lease. From 套房 to 房東, this episode covers all the essential words you’ll need when renting in Taiwan — including what 頂樓加蓋 really means.

🎯 Today’s Topic: Real-life Mandarin for describing apartments

🗝 Key Sentence: 我租了一間套房。(Wǒ zū le yì jiān tào fáng.) — I rented a studio.

🗣 Listener Challenge: Which kind of apartment sounds most like you? Try saying it in Mandarin and share it with us @bitesize.chinese!

🍰 About Bitesize Basics 🍰
Welcome to 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 — a podcast series for beginner Mandarin learners (A1)! Each episode teaches one useful grammar point or vocabulary set through fun, practical conversations. Learn with Mindy and Joeru and build your Mandarin step by step! 📱 Follow us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese for this week’s vocabulary recap and practice tips!

🔅 Buy us a coffee｜贊助我們一杯咖啡
🔅 Leave a comment | 留言給我
🪷 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Website
🪷 Bitesize Chinese 一口中文 Instagram
🪷 Learn Chinese with us | 跟我們學中文

Powered by Firstory Hosting