Chinese Bites — with Jianying | HSK 1️⃣

In this episode, we learn how to say yes, no, and “maybe next time” in Chinese — politely and naturally.

You’ll practice common expressions like 可以, 好啊, 不行, and 下次吧, and learn how Chinese softens refusals to keep conversations friendly.

• 可以

• 好 / 好啊

• 不行

• 不可以

• 下次吧

In this episode, we learn how to make choices in Chinese using two essential words that both mean “or”: 或者 and 还是.

You’ll discover when to use 或者 in statements and 还是 in questions, and how Chinese clearly separates talking about options from asking someone to choose.

• 或者 → or (in statements)

• 还是 → or (in questions)

In this episode, you’ll learn how to connect ideas naturally in Chinese using three essential words: 因为 (because), 所以 (so), and 但是 (but).

• 因为 → because

• 所以 → so

• 但是 → but

In this episode, you’ll learn how to ask “why” and “how is it” in Chinese using two essential question words: 为什么 and 怎么样.

We’ll then practice giving simple, natural reasons with 因为 + adjective, without long sentences or complicated grammar. Everything stays short, clear, and beginner-friendly.

• 为什么 → why

• 怎么样 → how is it

  因为 + adjective

In this episode, we continue building on degree expressions in Chinese and learn how to fine-tune your tone without changing sentence structure.

You’ll discover how to use 还, 真, and 非常 to sound more natural when describing people, situations, and feelings — from calm and realistic to emotional or polite and formal.

• 还 → quite / not bad

• 真 → really (emotional)

• 非常 → very (neutral, strong)

In this episode, we take a deeper look at how Chinese expresses degree and feeling.

You’ll learn how to choose between 很, 太…了, and 有点儿 — words you may have seen before, but now organized clearly so you know when to use each one naturally.

✔ Degree words

• 很 → neutral / default

• 太…了 → strong emotion

• 有点儿 → mild, often negative

• Subject + 很 + adjective

• 太 + adjective + 了

• 有点儿 + adjective

In this episode, you’ll learn how to compare things in Chinese using just two simple but powerful words: 更 (more) and 最 (most).

We’ll practice making comparisons, expressing preferences, and talking about what you like more or like the most — all in clear, beginner-friendly Chinese. No complicated grammar, just natural phrases you can use right away.

✔ New words

• 更 = more / -er

• 最 = most / the -est

• A + 更 + adjective more...

• 最 + adjective the most

• 更喜欢 + noun prefer...

• 最喜欢 + noun favorite+N

• A 还是 B？ A or B

• 你最喜欢什么？What's your favorite?

✔ Structures✔ Question patterns

"Learn how to use 有 (yǒu) to express 'there is / there are' in Chinese — one of the most essential patterns for describing rooms, desks, bags, and daily surroundings."

✔ Structure

Place + 有 + noun

• Place + 有 + noun + 吗？

• Place + 有什么？

上、下、里、外、前面、后面

一本书、一个手机、一个人、一座山、一杯咖啡…

✔ Questions✔ Location Words✔ Useful Words

"Learn how to combine time words and frequency words to describe your daily habits in natural Chinese. Perfect for talking about morning routines, weekend hobbies, and everyday activities!"

✔ Time Words

早上、晚上、周末、每天、中午、下午

常常、有时候、偶尔、不常、从不

Subject + Time + Frequency + Verb

• 你……吗？

• 你……多不多？

跑步、唱歌、画画、游泳、跳舞、弹钢琴、踢足球、打网球

✔ Frequency Words✔ Key Sentence Pattern✔ Question Patterns✔ Example Actions

"Learn how to talk about how often you do something using everyday frequency words like 常常, 有时候, 偶尔, 不常, and 从不 — perfect for describing hobbies and routines."

常常 chángcháng often

有时候 yǒu shíhòu sometimes

偶尔 ǒu'ěr occasionally

不常 bùcháng not often

从不 cóngbù never

跑步 pǎobù to run

唱歌 chànggē to sing

画画 huàhuà to draw / paint

游泳 yóuyǒng to swim

爬山 páshān to hike

跳舞 tiàowǔ to dance

弹钢琴 tán gāngqín to play the piano

踢足球tī zúqiú to play soccer

打网球 dǎ wǎngqiú to play tennis

✔ Sentence Pattern

主语 + 频率词 + 动词 （subject+frequency word +Verb)

✔ Question Patterns

• 你……吗？

• 你……多不多？