Do you really know how to use the word “this” in spoken Chinese? In this episode, we break down zhège (这个) and show why it is much more than just a simple translation of “this.” You’ll learn ：

⭐Pointing at Things

Zhège duōshao qián?

这个多少钱？

How much is this?

⭐Filler Word / Buying Time

Wǒ juéde...zhège…hái kěyǐ ba.

我觉得...这个…还可以吧。

I think...um…it's okay.

⭐Referring to a Type/Situation

Zhège wèntí hěn fùzá.

这个问题很复杂。

This kind of problem is very complicated.

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Do you know what the real harm of procrastination is?

In this episode, we learn Chinese through a short but powerful passage by one of China’s most respected writers, 史铁生 (Shi Tiesheng), from his essay 《最有用的事》 (The Most Useful Thing) :

 

● 拖延的最大坏处还不是耽误 (Tuōyán de zuìdà huàichù hái bú shì dānwu)

The biggest harm of procrastination is not just wasting time

● 而是会使自己变得犹豫，甚至丧失信心 ( ér shì huì shǐ zìjǐ biànde yóuyù, shènzhì sàngshī xìnxīn)

but that it makes you hesitate, and even lose confidence

● 不管什么事，决定了，就立刻去做 (Bùguǎn shénme shì, juédìng le, jiù lìkè qù zuò)

No matter what it is, once you decide, do it immediately

● 这本身就能使人生气勃勃 ( zhè běnshēn jiù néng shǐ rén shēngqì bóbó)

This alone can make life full of energy

● 保持一种主动和快乐的心情(bǎochí yì zhǒng zhǔdòng hé kuàilè de xīnqíng)

and help you keep an active and happy mindset

 

Learning Chinese works the same way.

Don’t wait until you feel ready or perfect.

If you’ve decided to learn, then start — and start now.

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What would you like to listen to in the next episode, or what other Chinese expressions and Chinese cultural knowledge would you want to learn? Drop your comments below and let me know.

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Learning Chinese characters often feels overwhelming, thousands of symbols, endless stroke practice, and constant forgetting. But what if the problem isn’t your memory, but the method?

In this episode, we break down a smarter, more sustainable system for learning Chinese characters, one that replaces brute-force repetition with structure, logic, and meaning.

You’ll discover four powerful strategies that transform character learning from abstract memorization into an interconnected system:

• How radicals and components reduce thousands of characters into reusable building blocks

• Why learning words in context and full sentences accelerates real-life fluency

• How character evolution and pictographic history create unforgettable visual mnemonics

• How graded reading materials help you progress without burnout or overload

 

Instead of memorizing isolated symbols, you’ll learn how Chinese characters actually work semantically, phonetically, historically, and contextually.

Want to sound more natural in every conversation?

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The content of this podcast is drawn from real teaching experiences of the eChineseLearning instructor team. To protect privacy and enhance audio quality, some or all of the voices are created with AI assistance. We aim to provide professional and insightful perspectives on Chinese language and culture.

 

What would you like to listen to in the next episode, or what other Chinese expressions and Chinese cultural knowledge would you want to learn? Drop your comments below and let me know.

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Ever feel like your Chinese conversations stop too quickly，even though you understand what the other person is saying?

In this episode, we’ll show you how to keep a Chinese conversation going naturally by asking the right follow-up questions. You’ll learn four simple but powerful Mandarin phrases that help you sound engaged, curious, and confident in real-life chats.

We’ll break down when and how to use:

● 比如说呢 (bǐ rú shuō ne) — to ask for examples

● 可以具体点吗？(kě yǐ jù tǐ diǎn ma) — to get clearer details

● 还有呢？(hái yǒu ne) — to invite someone to continue

● 为什么呢？(wèi shén me ne) — to understand the reason behind an opinion

Want to sound more natural in every conversation?

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The content of this podcast is drawn from real teaching experiences of the eChineseLearning instructor team. To protect privacy and enhance audio quality, some or all of the voices are created with AI assistance. We aim to provide professional and insightful perspectives on Chinese language and culture.

 

What would you like to listen to in the next episode, or what other Chinese expressions and Chinese cultural knowledge would you want to learn? Drop your comments below and let me know.

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Have you ever run out of money and didn’t know how to joke about it in Chinese?

In this episode, we break down four super common Chinese expressions people use when they’re broke , you’ll learn:

● 吃土 (chī tǔ) — joking about being broke after spending too much

● 月光 (yuè guāng) — living paycheck to paycheck

● 穷到发慌 (qióng dào fā huāng) — so broke that you start to panic

● 钱包空了 (qián bāo kōng le) — a direct way to say your wallet is empty

Want to sound more natural in every conversation?

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The content of this podcast is drawn from real teaching experiences of the eChineseLearning instructor team. To protect privacy and enhance audio quality, some or all of the voices are created with AI assistance. We aim to provide professional and insightful perspectives on Chinese language and culture.

What would you like to listen to in the next episode, or what other Chinese expressions and Chinese cultural knowledge would you want to learn? Drop your comments below and let me know.

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Have you ever wanted your Chinese conversations to feel smoother and more natural, but didn’t know how to respond in the moment?
 
In this episode, we introduce four powerful Chinese “reaction tools” that native speakers use all the time to keep conversations going, show emotion, and avoid awkward silence.
You’ll learn how to react naturally when you’re surprised, impressed, curious, or genuinely amazed, just like a native speaker ,including:
● 哇 (wā) — to show surprise or admiration, often used with positive comments
● 真的吗 (zhēn de ma) — literally “Is it real?”, a natural way to show curiosity or doubt
● 绝了 (jué le) — meaning “That’s amazing” or “This is incredible”
● 绝绝子 (jué jué zǐ) — a trendy internet expression used by young people to praise something enthusiastically
 
There is a Chinese saying for encouragement:
人生没有白走的路，每一步都算数(rén shēng méi yǒu bái zǒu de lù，měi yí bù dōu suàn shù).
Remember, every step in your language journey counts.

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Do you know how to say “you are beautiful” in Chinese?
 
In this episode, we will teach you three key expressions to praise someone’s appearance naturally and correctly:
● 好看 (Hǎo kàn) – good-looking, it's casual, safe and everyday use.
● 漂亮 (Piào liang) – pretty, often for women or things.
● 美丽 (Měi lì) – beautiful , it's elegant, formal, or poetic.

Want to sound more natural in every conversation?
Book a free 1-on-1 Mandarin trial at eChineseLearning.com and start speaking confidently today!

The content of this podcast is drawn from real teaching experiences of the eChineseLearning instructor team. To protect privacy and enhance audio quality, some or all of the voices are created with AI assistance. We aim to provide professional and insightful perspectives on Chinese language and culture.
 
What would you like to listen to in the next episode, or what other Chinese expressions and Chinese cultural knowledge would you want to learn? Drop your comments below and let me know.

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Who was Confucius, and why does his thinking still influence China—and much of East Asia—over 2,500 years later?
 
In this episode, we take a clear and engaging deep dive into the world of Confucius (孔夫子 kǒng fū zǐ) and Confucianism. You’ll learn who he was, the chaotic world he lived in, and why his ideas about morality, family, and social order became the foundation of Chinese civilization for over two millennia.
 
We break down the core concepts of Confucian thought, including 仁 (rén, benevolence), 礼 (lǐ, ritual and propriety), 孝 (xiào, filial piety), the Golden Rule in Confucian form, and the ideal of the 君子 (jūnzǐ, the morally cultivated person). We also explore how these ideas shaped government, education, and daily life—and why they continue to spark debate in the modern world.

Want to sound more natural in every conversation?
Book a free 1-on-1 Mandarin trial at eChineseLearning.com and start speaking confidently today!

The content of this podcast is drawn from real teaching experiences of the eChineseLearning instructor team. To protect privacy and enhance audio quality, some or all of the voices are created with AI assistance. We aim to provide professional and insightful perspectives on Chinese language and culture.
 
What would you like to listen to in the next episode, or what other Chinese expressions and Chinese cultural knowledge would you want to learn? Drop your comments below and let me know.

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Have you ever encountered something so strange, confusing, or absurd that you just wanted to complain?
In this episode, we explore four extremely common Chinese expressions used to react to unbelievable situations — the kind of phrases native speakers use all the time in real life.
 
You’ll learn:
● 什么鬼啊 (shén me guǐ a) — “What on earth is this?”
● 怎么会这样 (zěn me huì zhè yàng) — “How could this happen?”
● 好离谱啊 (hǎo lí pǔ a) — “This is ridiculous”
● 离谱他妈给离谱开门——离谱到家了 (lí pǔ tā mā gěi lí pǔ kāi mén — lí pǔ dào jiā le) — “This is beyond ridiculous”

Want to sound more natural in every conversation?
Book a free 1-on-1 Mandarin trial at eChineseLearning.com and start speaking confidently today!

The content of this podcast is drawn from real teaching experiences of the eChineseLearning instructor team. To protect privacy and enhance audio quality, some or all of the voices are created with AI assistance. We aim to provide professional and insightful perspectives on Chinese language and culture.
 
What would you like to listen to in the next episode, or what other Chinese expressions and Chinese cultural knowledge would you want to learn? Drop your comments below and let me know.

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Is the number 4 really unlucky in Chinese culture?

In this episode, we will take a calm and clear look at the cultural meaning of the number four, beyond simple superstition. You’ll learn why some people avoid the number 4 because of pronunciation, why numbers like 8 are preferred, and how traditional Chinese culture actually sees “four” as a symbol of balance, order, and completeness.

Want to sound more natural in every conversation?
Book a free 1-on-1 Mandarin trial at eChineseLearning.com and start speaking confidently today!

The content of this podcast is drawn from real teaching experiences of the eChineseLearning instructor team. To protect privacy and enhance audio quality, some or all of the voices are created with AI assistance. We aim to provide professional and insightful perspectives on Chinese language and culture.
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What would you like to listen to in the next episode, or what other Chinese expressions and Chinese cultural knowledge would you want to learn? Drop your comments below and let me know.
 

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