Have you ever wondered why someone in Taiwan says “等一下” but then shows up an hour later? Or why 12 a.m. is still considered an early bedtime? 😴

In this episode, Mindy and Joeru talk all about time perception in Taiwan — how people define “early,” “late,” “fast,” and “slow,” and how it shapes everyday life and language.

✨ This episode ran away from me — but in the best way! It’s a bit longer than our usual Bitesize chat, so take your time, pause when you need, and enjoy the ride 🎧

In this episode, we cover:
– What “time sense” (時間觀念) really means in Taiwanese culture
– Why words like 最近、好幾天、等一下 can feel super vague
– How upbringing, work life, and culture affect people’s idea of punctuality
– Fun examples from daily life: sleep, dinner time, marriage age, and more!

🗣 Listener Challenge:
What’s your definition of “on time”? ⏰ Is it different in your home country vs. in Taiwan? DM us or tag us in your IG Story @bitesize.chinese — we’d love to hear your take!

🎙️ The Bitesize Chinese Podcast helps you bridge the gap between classroom Mandarin and how people actuallyspeak — 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! 🎧💬

🔅 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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Want to say “Let’s meet at 10 tomorrow” or “Let’s meet at the café”? In this episode, we teach you how to use a simple and super useful Mandarin sentence pattern 👉 約 + [時間] + 在 + [地點] + 見面

🎯 Today’s Topic: Useful pattern to plan a meetup with others
🗝 Key Sentence: 我們約明天十點在咖啡廳見面。— Let’s meet tomorrow 10AM at the cafe.

In this episode, we cover:
– The meaning and use of 見面 and 跟…見面
– How to use 約 to plan a meetup
– Step-by-step: adding time, location, and activity to your sentence
– Real-life dialogue + a quick quiz!

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Where and when are Mindy and Joeru meeting?
Leave your answer in the comments 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!📱 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

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Is your city fast-paced or slow and laid-back? In this episode, Joeru shares stories from his travels around the world — and what surprised him most about how people live, walk, eat, and even shop in different places.

In this episode, we cover:
– What “生活步調” means and how to use it
– Why escalators in Hong Kong are a cultural shock for many Taiwanese
– The ultra-relaxed vibe of life in France — including two-hour lunches!
– How pace of life varies even within Taiwan, from Taipei to the countryside

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Do you live somewhere fast-paced or slow? What kind of lifestyle do you prefer? Leave us a comment or tag us @bitesize.chinese and tell us what your city feels like!

☕️ 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. 📱 Follow us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese or Facebook for this week’s key vocabulary and 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

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Want to make plans in Mandarin? This week, Mindy and Joeru teach you three natural ways to ask (and answer) if someone is free — using phrases that are simple, super common, and great for real-life conversations. Perfect for beginners looking to sound more natural in daily chats!

🎯 Today’s Topic: Asking if someone is free or busy in Mandarin
🗝 Key Sentence: 你這個週末有空嗎？— Are you free this weekend?

In this episode, we cover:
– Three sets of beginner-friendly phrases to say you’re free or busy
– The difference between 有空、沒空 vs 有事、沒事
– How to use 很忙／不忙 in casual conversations
– Real examples to help you remember and speak with confidence!

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Try using one of today’s phrases! Leave a comment or tag us @bitesize.chinese and tell us: 你今天忙不忙？

🍰 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

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Have you ever heard a Chinese sentence that technically makes sense but still sounds… off? In this episode, Mindy and Joeru share some real-life Mandarin sentences that native speakers find confusing, awkward, or just plain funny — and explain why!

In this episode, we cover:
– Why the same phrase can mean different things depending on your logic or dialect
– Phrases that confuse even native speakers (like 往前一點 and 睡得很晚)
– How everyday speech habits differ from grammar rules
– Fun examples of regional quirks and unusual sentence patterns in Taiwan

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Have you ever said something in Mandarin that made your teacher or friend go 😅 “Uhh… that’s not what we say”? Share your story with us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese!

🎙️ The Bitesize Chinese Podcast helps you bridge the gap between classroom Mandarin and how people actuallyspeak — 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! 🎧💬

🔅 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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Do 很、好、真 all just mean “very”? Not exactly! In this episode, we break down the subtle but important differences between these three common Mandarin adverbs — and when to use each one in real life.

🎯 Today’s Topic: Common weather expressions and how to talk about how it feels outside

🗝 Key Sentence: 今天出大太陽！（Jīntiān chū dà tàiyáng!）– It’s sunny today!

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Try using these three versions: 一口中文的老師很棒 / 好棒 / 真棒
Which one feels most you? Tag us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese and let us know!

🍰 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

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How different is the weather in Northern vs. Southern Taiwan? ☁️☀️ In this episode, Joeru reflects on how weather can feel completely different depending on where you are in Taiwan. From Taipei’s gloomy drizzle to Kaohsiung’s blazing sunshine, she shares personal stories, seasonal changes, and key Mandarin phrases to help you describe the weather like a local.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
– Mandarin phrases to talk about weather and climate differences
– What makes northern Taiwan feel colder (even if it’s not)
– How to describe seasonal transitions using natural, everyday language

🗣 Listener Challenge:
你比較喜歡北部的天氣還是南部的天氣？為什麼？
Do you prefer the weather in the north or the south of Taiwan? Tell us why — and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese!

🔅 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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How’s the weather today? ☀️🌧️ In this episode, Mindy and Joeru explore the most useful ways to describe weather in Mandarin! Whether it’s sunny and cool or wet and windy, you’ll learn how to express different conditions clearly — and pick up patterns like 又…又… and X X 的 (for soft, descriptive tone).

🎯 Today’s Topic: Common weather expressions and how to talk about how it feels outside

🗝 Key Sentence: 今天出大太陽！（Jīntiān chū dà tàiyáng!）– It’s sunny today!

🗣 Listener Challenge:
你喜歡怎樣的天氣？今天的天氣怎麼樣？
What kind of weather do you like? How’s the weather where you are today? Try describing it in Mandarin and tag us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese!

🔅 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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Visiting Taiwan soon? 🇹🇼🌏 Mindy and Joeru share must-know travel tips—from handling wild weather and local customs to why you should keep receipts and avoid driving. Get ready for fun insights and practical advice!

Episode Outline:

• Taiwan’s Weather
• Safety Tips and Driving Risks
• Spending Tips
• Language 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

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Did you sleep well last night? 😴🛏️ In this episode, Mindy and Joeru talk all about sleep—from going to bed and waking up, to feeling sleepy, oversleeping, and even dreaming! You’ll learn how to talk about your sleep habits in Mandarin and practice the super useful sentence pattern: 你昨天晚上睡得好嗎？ (Did you sleep well last night?).

🎯 Today’s Topic: Everyday sleep vocabulary and how to talk about your sleeping habits in Mandarin

🗝 Key Sentence: 你昨天晚上睡得好嗎？（Nǐ zuótiān wǎnshàng shuì de hǎo ma?)

🗣 Listener Challenge:
你平常都幾點睡覺？幾點起床？
What’s your usual sleep schedule? Are you a night owl or an early bird? Tell us in Mandarin on Instagram @bitesize.chinese!

🔅 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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