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Why is learning Chinese so hard with German Bookish YouTuber Angie Dumas
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Musical tones, grammar traps, aha moments. Chinese sounds simple—until it isn't. From tone tricks to missing tenses, Steph and Angie chat about the unexpected complexity of learning Mandarin, especially for speakers of English and German. Their conversation unpacks how tonal cues, filler sounds like “ma” and “ah,” and even body language all shape meaning, while verbs and grammar markers leave learners scratching their heads. Hear what surprised them most and what finally clicked in this honest, funny, and relatable episode on navigating a famously “easy” language—until you try speaking it.
Full conversation:
https://geopatsabroad.buzzsprout.com/2039972/episodes/11201561-german-chinese-languages-in-shanghai-with-bookish-youtuber-angie-dumas
Angie's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6LBSm1HZjecZt7EVnyUImw
Traveling Mailbox: https://travelingmailbox.com/?ref=3422
Top 3 services that have help me while living in different countries: Affiliate links so I'll get a small commission.
🔥 Traveling Mailbox: scan/forward postal service for Americans. It's saved me time, money and headaches.
https://travelingmailbox.com/?ref=3422
🔥Chase Sapphire Credit Card: annual fee, NO currency conversion fee. Used this in many countries globally.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19Q/MDNYO68N38
🔥 Stackry: Shop in the U.S. and have the items shipped internationally.
https://www.stackry.com/register?referral=7118738
--------------------
🤸🏽Music from
Damon Castillo: https://www.damoncastillo.com/
and
Key Frame Audio , https://keyframeaudio.com/
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By Stephanie FuccioSend us a text
Musical tones, grammar traps, aha moments. Chinese sounds simple—until it isn't. From tone tricks to missing tenses, Steph and Angie chat about the unexpected complexity of learning Mandarin, especially for speakers of English and German. Their conversation unpacks how tonal cues, filler sounds like “ma” and “ah,” and even body language all shape meaning, while verbs and grammar markers leave learners scratching their heads. Hear what surprised them most and what finally clicked in this honest, funny, and relatable episode on navigating a famously “easy” language—until you try speaking it.
Full conversation:
https://geopatsabroad.buzzsprout.com/2039972/episodes/11201561-german-chinese-languages-in-shanghai-with-bookish-youtuber-angie-dumas
Angie's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6LBSm1HZjecZt7EVnyUImw
Traveling Mailbox: https://travelingmailbox.com/?ref=3422
Top 3 services that have help me while living in different countries: Affiliate links so I'll get a small commission.
🔥 Traveling Mailbox: scan/forward postal service for Americans. It's saved me time, money and headaches.
https://travelingmailbox.com/?ref=3422
🔥Chase Sapphire Credit Card: annual fee, NO currency conversion fee. Used this in many countries globally.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19Q/MDNYO68N38
🔥 Stackry: Shop in the U.S. and have the items shipped internationally.
https://www.stackry.com/register?referral=7118738
--------------------
🤸🏽Music from
Damon Castillo: https://www.damoncastillo.com/
and
Key Frame Audio , https://keyframeaudio.com/