Why don’t we just call cousins… “COUSINS”? 🤯 In this episode of Bitesize Basics, Mindy and Joeru break down one of the most confusing topics for Mandarin learners — family members. You’ll learn how Mandarin categorizes family based on relationship, generation, and family line — and why it’s actually more logical than you think.

📘 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:

Family members in Mandarin — and why Chinese is much more specific than English when talking about family

🗝 Key Sentence:

姑姑的孩子是我的表姊。

(Gūgu de háizi shì wǒ de biǎo jiě.) My aunt’s child (on my father’s side) is my older female cousin.

🗣 Listener Challenge:

你有表兄弟姊妹或是堂兄弟姊妹嗎？他們是誰的孩子？

Do you have 表 (biǎo) cousins or 堂 (táng) cousins? Can you introduce your family in Mandarin? Try describing how your family members are related to you 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

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Modern Dating in Taiwan — Is it Easier or Harder Today? ****In this episode of Bitesize Convos, Mindy and Joeru talk about how dating has changed over time — from meeting people in school or at work, to using social media and dating apps today. Is modern dating actually easier, or does having too many choices make it harder?

📘 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:
– How people used to meet vs how they meet today
– The pros & cons of dating apps (and why it can feel like an interview 😅)
– When does “meeting up” become a date?
– First date ideas, paying expectations, and relationship milestones

🧠 Listener Challenge:
你覺得現在談戀愛比較容易，還是比較困難？在認識新朋友或約會的時候，有沒有什麼「踩紅線」的行為？ Do you think dating today is easier or harder? What are some “red flags” for you when meeting someone new?

🗣 Bitesize Convos series help 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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From 曖昧 to 約會 😏 What happens after you meet someone you like? In this episode, Mindy and Joeru break down how dating actually happens in Mandarin — step by step. From meeting on dating apps to chatting, asking someone out, and going on a date, you’ll learn the key actions and phrases to talk about dating naturally.

📘 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 describe the dating process in Mandarin (from meeting to going on a date)

🗝 Key Sentence: 今天約會很開心！(Jīntiān yuēhuì hěn kāixīn!) – The date went really well today!

🗣 Listener Challenge:
在交友軟體上認識喜歡的人以後，你會做什麼？What would you do after meeting someone you like on a dating app? Try describing the next steps in Mandarin using today’s vocabulary — 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

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In this episode of Bitesize News, Joeru and Amber break down a climate trend that could directly impact your daily life — the rising probability of a strong El Niño, and what it means for this year’s weather in Taiwan and beyond.

本集將用清楚易懂的中文討論帶你了解「強聖嬰機率上升」代表什麼、為什麼會讓颱風變強、極端天氣如何形成，以及這些變化可能對我們的生活帶來什麼影響。

News source: 民視新聞網, 2026/04/21 (https://www.ftvnews.com.tw/news/detail/2026421W0158*)*

📘 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:

– 什麼是「聖嬰現象」？為什麼今年特別受到關注 (What El Niño is and why it matters this year)

– 強聖嬰機率上升，對氣候與海溫的影響 (How a strong El Niño affects ocean temperatures and climate patterns)

– 為什麼颱風可能變得更強、時間更長 (Why typhoons may become stronger and last longer)

– 極端天氣（高溫、暴雨）如何影響日常生活 (How extreme weather could impact daily life)

🌏 Bitesize News series brings you real-world Mandarin through one timely story every two weeks. Our hosts break down the headlines in clear, structured Chinese, helping B2–C1 learners build advanced listening skills while staying informed. Stay curious — and let the Bitesize Chinese newsroom become your Mandarin classroom.

🔅 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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In this episode of Bitesize Talks, Mindy explores the idea of 「曖昧關係」— those in-between situations where two people have feelings for each other, but aren’t officially together. She talks about why this kind of relationship is so common today, how dating apps play a role, and why some people find it exciting while others feel anxious or insecure. She also shares how people’s attitudes toward relationships are changing, with more people now choosing honesty and clarity over ambiguity.

📘 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 「曖昧關係」 really means in Mandarin
– How to describe modern dating and relationship stages
– Why people feel stressed or confused in ambiguous relationships
– How relationship expectations are changing today

🗣 Listener Challenge:
你喜歡曖昧的感覺嗎？還是你比較喜歡一開始就很清楚的關係呢？ Do you enjoy the feeling of ambiguity, or do you prefer a clear relationship from the beginning? Tell us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese 💛

☕️ 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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Are you single… or 曖昧? 😏 In this episode, Mindy and Joeru walk you through how to talk about your relationship status in Mandarin. From saying you’re single to describing a relationship — or something in between — you’ll learn natural, real-life expressions that people actually use in everyday

📘 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 ask and describe your relationship status in Mandarin

🗝 Key Sentence: 你現在有對象嗎？(Nǐ xiànzài yǒu duìxiàng ma?) – Are you currently seeing someone?

🗣 Listener Challenge:
你現在單身嗎？還是有對象呢？Are you single, or are you seeing someone? Try answering this question in Mandarin using today’s expressions 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

Do you say 影片 or 視頻? 外送 or 外賣? In this episode of Bitesize Convos, we talk about Mainland Chinese terms that are increasingly heard in Taiwan — and why. From internet slang to everyday expressions, we explore how media, culture, and generational differences shape the way we speak.

📘 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 Mainland Chinese terms now heard in Taiwan – How media platforms (抖音、小紅書) influence vocabulary – Generational differences in language acceptance – The debate between language evolution vs cultural identity

🧠 Listener Challenge:
你有注意到台灣和中國之間的用語差異嗎？有沒有哪個中國用語是你覺得不錯的？或是你特別不喜歡的？
Have you noticed vocabulary differences between Taiwan and China? Is there a Mainland Chinese term you like — or one you really dislike?

🗣 Bitesize Convos series help 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

Powered by Firstory Hosting

Some Mandarin vocabulary differences are small. Some… can be dangerous. 😏 In this episode of Bitesize Basics, we explore fun (and sometimes risky!) word differences between Taiwan and Mainland China — from 痛 vs 疼 to 土豆, 愛人, and 酒店. By the end, you’ll know how to avoid some very awkward misunderstandings.

📘 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: Fun and sometimes risky vocabulary differences between Taiwan and Mainland China — and how small word choices can lead to very different meanings.

🗣 Listener Challenge: Have you ever experienced a funny misunderstanding because of vocabulary differences? Tag us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese and share your story 💛

🍰 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 happened after Honduras cut ties with Taiwan? 🇭🇳 In this episode of Bitesize News, Joeru and Amber explore the real impact of Honduras breaking diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 2023 — and how that decision is now affecting its economy, especially the shrimp export industry.

本集用清楚易懂的中文帶你了解宏都拉斯與台灣斷交後的影響，包括白蝦出口重挫、經濟壓力，以及當地開始出現希望恢復對台關係的聲音。

News Source: ETtoday新聞雲, 2026/04/07 (https://www.ettoday.net/news/20260407/3144820.htm?from=fb_et_news_pic)

📘 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:
– 為什麼宏都拉斯與台灣斷交後，白蝦出口大幅下滑 (Why shrimp exports dropped sharply after cutting ties with Taiwan)
– 「斷交」、「建交」、「重挫」等新聞常見用語 (Key news expressions like “cut diplomatic ties,” “establish relations,” and “suffer a major setback”)
– 中國承諾未兌現，對當地產業造成的影響 (How unfulfilled promises impacted the local economy)
– 台灣目前的邦交國現況與外交挑戰 (Taiwan’s current diplomatic situation and global challenges)

🌏 Bitesize News series brings you real-world Mandarin through one timely story every two weeks. Our hosts break down the headlines in clear, structured Chinese, helping B2–C1 learners build advanced listening skills while staying informed. Stay curious — and let the Bitesize Chinese newsroom become your Mandarin classroom.

🔅 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

Do you speak Chinese… or Mandarin? 🤔 In this episode of Bitesize Talks, Joeru shares how studying abroad made him rethink the difference between 中文 and 華語. What does “Chinese” really mean — and why might “Mandarin” be more accurate?

📘 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:
– The difference between Chinese and Mandarin – Why “Mandarin” is more specific – How language and identity are connected

🗣 Listener Challenge:
你說的是「Chinese」還是「Mandarin」？為什麼？
When you introduce yourself, do you say “I speak Chinese” or “I speak Mandarin”? Why did you choose that answer? Tell us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese 💛

☕️ 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