ChineseSurfing畅说中文

Welcome to our brand new series “聊聊方言” (Let’s Talk Dialects)! In this first episode of the series, join Daisy and Cici as they dive into the lively and popular Dongbei dialect. Whether you've heard it in Chinese comedy, wondered how to speak it, or just want to understand why it’s so well-loved across China, this conversation is for you. Cici shares fun expressions, local insights, and teaches you how to sound like a true Northeasterner—perfect for a trip to Harbin or just for impressing your friends! Stay tuned for more dialect deep-dives in the coming episodes.

00:01:20 – Topic 1: Where exactly is “Dongbei” (Northeast China)?
Teacher Cici clearly explains the three provinces of Northeast China (黑龙江Heilongjiang, 吉林Jilin, 辽宁Liaoning). 

00:05:45 – Topic 2: How do you say “like” in the Dongbei dialect?
Besides “喜欢 (xǐhuan),” Northeasterners often use “稀罕 (xīhan).” Cici shares two common situations: praising a child as “招人稀罕 (very likable),” or saying “我咋那么稀罕你呢” in a slightly complaining tone (meaning “Why am I doing so much for you?”).
💬 Example sentences: 这孩子真招人稀罕。 / 我咋那么稀罕你呢？ 

00:11:30 – Topic 3: Two super useful words in Dongbei dialect
Cici introduces two highly frequent words:

• “贼 (zéi)”: Not “thief,” but meaning “really, extremely,” as in “贼好吃 (zéi hǎochī-really tasty)” or “贼稀罕 (zéi xīhan-really like).”
• “整 (zhěng)”: A versatile verb meaning “do, make, take, etc” as in “整点酒 (zhěng diǎn jiǔ-have some drinks)” or “整完了 (zhěng wán le-finished).”
  ⚠️ Note: “整” is mostly used among friends in casual settings, not in formal or polite situations like toasting.

00:18:50 – Topic 4: What are the characteristics of the Dongbei dialect?
Cici summarizes:

• Frequent use of retroflex “-r” sounds (e.g., “天儿 tiānr”).
• Direct, quick, and somewhat “hard” tone (e.g., “干哈 gà há” = “干嘛gàn má,” “咋了 zǎ le” = “怎么了”).
• Short, concise words (e.g., 啥 shá = 什么, 咋 zǎ = 怎么).
  

00:25:10 – Topic 5: Practical Dongbei phrases for travelers
Cici teaches three handy expressions you can use right away:

• Complaining about the cold: “这天儿死冷的！(It’s freezing today!)”
• Asking the price: “多少钱？(How much?)” (Pronounce “多” as “duó” with a rising tone.)
• Tone change with numbers: “三个, 七个, 八个” (When followed by a measure word with forth tone, “三, 七, 八” change to the second tone.)

00:32:00 – Wrap-up and invitation
Cici encourages everyone to ask her more questions about the Dongbei dialect and welcomes you to visit Dongbei to experience the language in real life!

• After listening, what Dongbei expression did you learn or find most memorable?
• Do you know any interesting words from other Chinese dialects? Share something from your hometown or a dialect you like!
• Which Chinese dialects are you interested in? What would you like to hear about in this series?

• For Chinese course inquiries or a study plan consultation:
  Email: [email protected]
  WeChat: Chinesesurfing2
• Free learning materials: www.chinese-surfing.com
• Request a full PDF transcript of this episode: [email protected]
• Follow us on Instagram & Xiaohongshu: @Chinese Surfing

In this episode of Chàng Shuō Zhōngwén, host Daisy chats with the warm and lively Teacher Xiao about “superpowers.” Teacher Xiao shares the superpower she most wants—endless energy—and how it would help her balance work, family, and personal time. 

Featured Guest:
Teacher Xiao (Xiǎo Lǎoshī): A mother of a two-year-old daughter and a beloved Chinese teacher at Chinese Surfing. In daily life, she is learning how to manage her energy wisely, finding balance between parenting, teaching, and self-care.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways

00:00:45 – Topic 1: What Superpower Would You Want Most?
Teacher Xiao’s most desired superpower is “unlimited energy.” She wishes for more time to rest, exercise, and especially play with her two-year-old daughter.
📖 Keywords to learn: 超能力 (chāo nénglì) – superpower, 精力 (jīnglì) – energy, 陪伴 (péibàn) – to accompany/spend time with

00:06:20 – Topic 2: Why Doesn’t Daisy Want a Superpower?
Daisy believes happiness is more important—even without superpowers, we can do our best with what we have. Her “superpower” would be giving superpowers to others, like passing out “magic coffee”!

📖 Keywords to learn: 开心 (kāixīn) – happy, 努力 (nǔlì) – to strive/effort, 魔法(mófǎ) - magic

00:11:50 – Topic 3: If You Really Had This Superpower, Would You Use It Daily?
Teacher Xiao thinks people need different levels of energy at different life stages. Right now, in her “middle years,” she feels she needs it most. But she imagines that by her 50s or 60s, she may not need as much—learning instead to relax and accept.
📖 Keywords to learn: 阶段 (jiēduàn) – stage, 放松 (fàngsōng) – to relax, 享受 (xiǎngshòu) – to enjoy

00:18:30 – Topic 4: Would Superpowers Make Life Better or More Complicated?
In the short term, superpowers could solve immediate problems. But if everyone had them, or if used long-term, they might lead to dissatisfaction or losing sight of one’s original intentions.
📖 Keywords to learn: 满足 (mǎnzú) – satisfied, 节奏 (jiézòu) – pace/rhythm, 压力 (yālì) – pressure

00:25:10 – Topic 5: How Can We Gain More Energy Without Superpowers?
Teacher Xiao shares two practical tips:

1. Handle tasks like closing phone apps: Focus on one thing at a time, “close” it when done, and avoid multitasking to preserve mental energy.
2. Take words at face value: Don’t overthink “hidden meanings.” If someone says A, assume they mean A—reduce over-interpretation and guesswork.
   📖 Keywords to learn: 任务 (rènwù) – task, 理解 (lǐjiě) – to understand, 简单 (jiǎndān) – simple

00:31:40 – Topic 6: Life’s “Energy Boosters”—Herbal Coffee?
Teacher Xiao mentions her recent interest in “herbal coffee,” a blend of traditional Chinese herbs and coffee—a possible fun way to recharge.
📖 Keywords to learn: 中药 (zhōngyào) – Chinese medicine, 咖啡 (kāfēi) – coffee, 文化 (wénhuà) – culture, 产品 (chǎnpǐn) – product

00:35:20 – Wrap-Up & Next Episode Teaser

We’d Love to Hear From You!

• If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
• What are your personal tips for managing energy and staying focused?
• What else would you like Teacher Xiao or another Chinese teacher to talk about?

Feel free to leave a comment on the podcast platform or share your thoughts in your Chinese learning community!

Interested in Chinese Classes or Course Consultation?
Email: [email protected]
WeChat: Chinesesurfing2
Instagram & Xiaohongshu: Chinese Surfing
Free learning resources: www.chinese-surfing.com
For a full PDF transcript of this episode, email: [email protected]

Explore Harry Potter with Chinese Teacher Ouyang! She shares why the clever, hard-working Hermione has been her role model for 20 years, but why the quirky, fun Luna would be her ideal roommate. By discussing movie characters, we uncover secrets about different personalities—are you an organized Hermione or a free-spirited Luna? This episode helps you learn Chinese expressions about characters better!

Featured Guest:

• Hermine Ouyang (欧阳老师): A Chinese teacher at Chinese Surfing and a longtime Harry Potter fan who finds inspiration in the characters.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways:

• 00:01:00 - Topic 1: A 20-Year Role Model: Hermione Granger
  Ouyang shares her long-time admiration for Hermione – smart, hard-working, and loves books.
  This is why she chose "Hermione" as her English name!
  📖 Keywords: 人物(rénwù - character), 榜样 (bǎngyàng - role model), 聪明 (cōngmíng - smart), 努力 (nǔlì - hard-working)
• 00:04:20 - Topic 2: Who Would You Live With For A Week?
  A surprising choice: She'd pick Luna Lovegood over Hermione to avoid pressure!
  Luna is imaginative, different, and fun – life with her would be full of surprises.
  🆚 Personality Compare: Hermione = organized planner (J人); Luna = spontaneous free-spirit (P人).

📖 Keywords: 优秀(yōuxiù - outstanding), 性格(xìnggé - personality), 吸引(xīyǐn - attract), 想象力(xiǎngxiànglì - imagination)

• 00:09:10 - Topic 3: Movie Characters vs. Real Life
  Movie characters are often more idealized, while real people are more complex.
  Ron Weasley feels more real and relatable.
  Aurora sees herself in Gryffindor, valuing courage and liking to try new things.

📖 Keywords: 现实(xiànshí - reality), 理想化(lǐxiǎnghuà - idealization), 活力(huólì - vitality), 跳脱(tiàotuō - unconventional), 规矩(guīju - rules), 按部就班(ànbùjiùbān - follow the prescribed order)

• 00:14:30 - Topic 4: Comedy for Relaxation: Mr. Bean
  Aurora enjoys rewatching Mr. Bean for stress relief.
  Good comedy is timeless and great for relaxation.
  📖 Keywords: 放松 (fàngsōng - to relax), 压力 (yālì - pressure), 喜剧 (xǐjù - comedy), 幽默（yōumò - humorous), 过时(guòshí - out of fashion)

We’d Love to Hear From You!

1. Which movie character left the deepest impression on you?
2. Has a movie character ever influenced your life or Chinese learning?
3. Which movie character would you choose to live with for one week?

Leave a comment on our podcast platform or discuss it in your Chinese learning group!

Find Us:
WeChat: Chinesesurfing2
Instagram & Xiaohongshu: Chinese Surfing
Website: www.chinese-surfing.com

What do Chinese teachers do after class? In this episode of 畅说中文 (Chàng Shuō Zhōngwén), host Daisy sits down with the popular and cool Teacher Cici from Chinese Surfing to explore the unseen side of a teacher's daily routine. Whether you're a student curious about your teacher's life or a Chinese learning enthusiast, this conversation offers a warm and honest look behind the scenes.

Featured Guest:
Cici (刘老师, Liǔ Lǎoshī): A professional and popular Chinese teacher at Chinese Surfing, known for her cool style and dedicated teaching. Off-duty, she’s a cat-loving, plan-making, slightly “robotic” but very cute friend.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways

00:00:45 – Topic 1: What’s the First Thing You Do After Class?
Cici shares her post-class routine: sending students off, then spending 10–15 minutes alone in the classroom to organize notes and design homework.
📖 Keywords to learn: 笔记 (bǐjì), 作业 (zuòyè), 放松 (fàngsōng)

00:04:38 – Topic 2: How Do You Spend a 30-Minute Break Between Classes?
When time is short, Cici prepares notes but doesn’t send them immediately. She also previews the next lesson’s content—sometimes looking like a “stone” in front of her computer.
🆚 Compare with Daisy: Daisy prefers walking or drinking tea to reset her mood between different class types.

00:09:29 – Topic 3: Funny or Awkward After-Class Moments
Cici recalls a memorable encounter: running into her Iranian student at a Turkish restaurant. The student introduced her as his Chinese teacher to the waiter, leading to a funny misunderstanding.
📖 Keywords to learn: 遇到 (yùdào), 尴尬 (gāngà), 学生 (xuéshēng)

00:15:41 – Topic 4: How Do You Feel After Your Last Class of the Day?
Cici shares two common feelings: pride (“I’m amazing, I finished another day!”) and exhaustion (“I don’t want to talk anymore!”).

00:20:56 – Topic 5: What Are You Like Outside the Classroom?
Colleagues see Cici as “cool” and professional, but her friends say she’s cute, a little “robotic” (slow to react), and very organized.
📖 Keywords to learn: 酷 (kù), 可爱 (kě’ài), 计划 (jìhuà)

00:31:00 – Wrap-Up & Listener Interaction
Daisy and Cici reflect on why teachers rarely share personal lives in class—it’s all about keeping the focus on students.
🎙️ Teaser: More teachers may join future episodes if listeners are interested!

We’d Love to Hear From You!

• Have you ever met your teacher outside of class? What was that like?
• What do you do right after your Chinese class? Review notes, take a break, or do something else?
• Which Chinese Surfing teacher would you like to hear from next? Let us know!

Leave a comment on the podcast platform or share your thoughts in your Chinese learning group!

Have a Chinese class with Chinese Surfing, or any Chinese program consultation:
Email: [email protected]
WeChat: Chinesesurfing2
Instagram & Xiaohongshu: Chinese Surfing
Free learning materials, please visit: www.chinese-surfing.com
PDF full script for this episode, please email: [email protected]

Join host Daisy and special guest Teacher Aurora as they talk about summer through the lens of a camera! They share personal stories and memories, journeying from the beautiful scenery of Hangzhou to the rustic landscapes of Henan.

Featured Guest:

• Aurora: A popular Chinese teacher who also loves photography. For her, the camera is a way to sincerely record life and express inner feelings, sometimes more powerfully than words.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways

00:00:45 - Topic 1: Your Guide to Photographing Summer Skies

• Aurora shares her favorite summer subject: the sky! She explains the beautiful color changes in summer skies.
• 📖 Keywords to learn: 天空 (tiānkōng), 晴天 (qíngtiān), 颜色(yánsè)
• 📷 Best Time to Shoot: Around 4:00 AM or after 6:00 PM on clear days.
• 🌟 Recommended Spot: Hangzhou's West Lake area, where you can capture stunning views of the sky with famous landmarks.

00:03:52 - Topic 2: Hometown Summers & Childhood Memories

• Aurora's hometown is Zhumadian City in Henan Province.
• Summer scenes she wants to capture there: Golden wheat fields, hardworking farmers, and the harvest season.
• A Childhood Memory: Before refrigerators were common, people used a "Well Pump" (压井, yā jǐng) to draw cool water from deep wells to chill watermelons and other fruits. This is a summer memory she'd love to photograph.
• 📖 Keywords to learn: 井(jǐng), 小麦 (xiǎomài), 玉米 (yùmǐ)

00:08:35 - Topic 3: A Meaningful Photography Project

• Aurora wants to create a short film inspired by the classic Chinese poem "Sympathy for the Peasants" (悯农，mǐn nóng).
• The film would focus on farmers in Henan working through extreme summer drought and intense heat (around 37-38°C / 99-100°F), even risking heatstroke. Their hardship is deeply moving.
• The Film's Goal: To remind everyone: "Don't waste food" and "Cherish what we have now."
• Envisioned Scene: A farmer walking through the fields with a water hose, watering crops while constantly wiping sweat.

00:12:48 - Topic 4: What Photography Means to Aurora

• Photography is a form of inner expression for her, a different way of communicating.
• Her photos became a special connection with a former student, Bao La, who has returned to her home country but still sees China through Aurora's lens.
• Her photos also inspire students like Li Yazhong, who feels he can experience the beauty of a West Lake sunrise through her photos, even if he can't wake up that early, making the scenery feel closer.

00:15:41 - Wrap-up and teaser for the next episode.

We'd Love to Hear From You!

1. What’s your favorite thing to photograph in summer? Beautiful skies, delicious food, or happy moments with family and friends?
2. What is summer like in your hometown? Do you have any special scenery or stories you'd like to share?

Leave a comment below on the podcast platform or discuss it with your teachers and classmates in your Chinese learning group

Have a Chinese class with Chinese Surfing, or any Chinese program consultation:

Email: [email protected]

Wechat: Chinesesurfing2

Instagram&Xiaohongshu: Chinese Surfing

Free learning materials, please visit: www.chinese-surfing.com

PDF full script for episode 1, please email [email protected]