Mandarin Monkey Podcast

Mandarin Monkey
  • 4.4 (22)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Chinese and English Language podcast. A mixed couple (Tom & Ula) living in Taiwan, teach Chinese through the use of Chinglish (Chinese and English) on a variety of topics. Learn Chinese, study methods, Entertainment, news, life, business, hints and tricks to learning Mandarin. Hear a native speaking naturally and at natural pace but with the English translation so you can follow the context of the conversation. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Listener Mailbag: Taiwan Ghost Month, Saving Face & Learning Mandarin in Real Life | Ep. 456

    3 DAYS AGO

    Listener Mailbag: Taiwan Ghost Month, Saving Face & Learning Mandarin in Real Life | Ep. 456

    Welcome back to Mandarin Monkey Podcast Episode 456. This one’s a proper listener mailbag episode. We read your emails and end up talking about all sorts: learning Mandarin on a tractor in rural Iowa, a workplace misunderstanding about saving face, the chaos of Taiwan Ghost Month, whether the third tone is designed to ruin lives, typing Chinese on a Mac, and one very wholesome story about using Mandarin to ask for a father’s blessing. As usual, Tom speaks English, Ula speaks Mandarin, and somewhere in the middle we all try to make sense of life, language, and cultural confusion. In this episode: real stories from Mandarin Monkey listeners around the worldTaiwan Ghost Month taboos and superstitionssaving face in Chinese and Taiwanese culturelearning Mandarin through real conversationMandarin tones, typing Chinese, and bilingual family lifewhy this community is a lot bigger than either of us expected If you're learning Mandarin Chinese, interested in Taiwanese culture, or just enjoy chaotic bilingual conversations, you’re in the right place. Send us your stories, questions, wins, disasters, cultural confusion, and Mandarin struggles. We need more for future mailbags. Write in and be part of the next episode. #LearnMandarin #MandarinChinese #TaiwanCulture #ChineseListeningPractice #BilingualPodcast #MandarinMonkey #LearnChinese #GhostMonth #SavingFace #Taiwan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  2. This Might Be the Worst Podcast Game Ever

    5 DAYS AGO

    This Might Be the Worst Podcast Game Ever

    This episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast takes a strange turn. We somehow ended up playing a “tiny acting” game we found online… which is great for YouTube and absolutely terrible for podcast listeners. Expect awkward silence, ridiculous acting challenges, and one very questionable scenario involving a dog in a waiting room. Along the way we also talk about: • why words start to feel strange when you repeat them too much • life stress after moving countries • how comments about your voice can stick with you for years • why sometimes the best thing you can do is just laugh and relax If you enjoy learning Mandarin through real conversations, chaos, and the occasional terrible idea… welcome to Mandarin Monkey. Listen to the full podcast and learn Chinese with us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  3. Mailbag: Learning Mandarin While Doing the Dishes, Running, and Raising Bilingual Kids

    13 MAR

    Mailbag: Learning Mandarin While Doing the Dishes, Running, and Raising Bilingual Kids

    Can you really learn Mandarin while doing the dishes? What about while running, driving, or just surviving family life on broken sleep? In this Mandarin Monkey mailbag episode, we dive into real listener stories and questions about learning Chinese in the middle of normal life. From passive listening and bilingual parenting to sleep deprivation, kids climbing into bed sideways, and the never-ending mystery of 了, this one goes everywhere. In this episode: learning Mandarin while doing the disheswhy some people understand more while running than studyinga 58-year-old dad starting Mandarin in retirementraising bilingual children outside Taiwan and Chinawhether natural input is enough for kids why 了 still confuses everyone sleep, parenting, and recovering from Switzerland If you're learning Mandarin and trying to make it fit around work, family, or everyday chaos, this episode is for you. Tell us in the comments: Where do you listen to Mandarin Monkey? Doing the dishes? Driving? Walking? Hiding from your children for five minutes? Mandarin Monkey is a bilingual Mandarin Chinese and English podcast designed to help you improve your listening through real conversation, humour, and everyday life. #LearnMandarin #MandarinChinese #ChineseListeningPractice #BilingualPodcast #LanguageLearning #MandarinMonkey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  4. Our 36 Hours in Zurich | Swiss Chocolate, $50 Chocolate, Kangaroo Steak & Scooter Adventures

    11 MAR

    Our 36 Hours in Zurich | Swiss Chocolate, $50 Chocolate, Kangaroo Steak & Scooter Adventures

    We just spent 36 hours in Zurich, Switzerland filming an event at the FIFA Museum… and somehow turned it into a mini travel adventure. In this episode we talk about: • flying to Switzerland with camera gear • our first taste of real Swiss chocolate • accidentally spending £50 on chocolate • riding electric scooters around Zurich • trying kangaroo steak in an Australian restaurant • discovering how expensive Switzerland really is • meeting our Uber driver with a powerful story about Iran • exploring Lake Zurich early in the morning It was a very short trip, but Zurich turned out to be one of the most beautiful and peaceful cities we've visited. This episode is also great for Mandarin learners, as Ula shares thoughts and stories in Mandarin while we talk about the experience in English. If you've ever been to Switzerland, tell us your favourite place! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  5. We Forgot to Press Record… Then Got Hired to Film in Switzerland

    8 MAR

    We Forgot to Press Record… Then Got Hired to Film in Switzerland

    We just recorded 40 minutes of podcast… and realised we never pressed record. So here we are doing it again. In this episode we talk about: • Our first corporate filming job in London • Why we're suddenly flying to Zurich next week • The launch of our new gaming channel Monkey Plays • Whether language exchange apps actually work • Why Pleco is amazing (but not perfect) • Why people in Taiwan don’t really say 你好吗 • And how to actually use podcasts to improve your Mandarin Plus we answer your emails about: Using Mandarin podcasts for learningCantonese vs Mandarin situationsLanguage exchange apps like TandemStudy methods and common mistakes learners make If you want to send us a question for a future mailbag episode, email us! chat@mandarinmonkey.com Monkey PlaysOur new gaming channel where you can learn Mandarin while watching games: Raft Overcooked 2 Peak (and more coming) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxuNENWdUdcvRMuMiADUFmQ Full playthroughs and interactive vocab games are available on Patreon. patreon.com/monkeyplaysgames Mandarin Monkey LinksPodcast: https://mandarinmonkey.com Lessons: https://mandarinmonkey.com/lessons Patreon: https://patreon.com/mandarinmonkey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  6. I Lost a Translation Job Over “Face” (And Called My Boss a Bastard)

    27 FEB

    I Lost a Translation Job Over “Face” (And Called My Boss a Bastard)

    This week’s mailbag episode is… painful. • A freelance translator loses a business contract because he didn’t understand 面子 (miànzi). • Someone tries to compliment their manager… and accidentally calls him a bastard. • Another listener’s Chinese name sounds dangerously close to “horse sh*t.” We talk about cultural competence in business Mandarin, tone disasters, gaming as a language-learning method, and why choosing a Chinese name is more serious than you think. If you’ve ever made a language mistake that keeps you awake at night, this one’s for you. Don’t lose confidence. Just don’t translate “losing face” word for word. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  7. British Slang That Confuses Mandarin Learners | Episode 450

    25 FEB

    British Slang That Confuses Mandarin Learners | Episode 450

    Episode 450 is here! 🎉 In this fun and chaotic bilingual episode, we chat about life getting back to normal after the holidays, the challenges of new projects, and a possible Mandarin retreat idea… before things take a very British turn 😅 We dive into one tiny English word — “piss” — and explore the MANY ways British people actually use it in real life. If you’ve ever been confused by British slang, this episode is for you. This podcast is spoken in both Mandarin and English, making it perfect for learners who want natural, real-world listening practice. What you’ll hear in this episode: Real couple conversation in Mandarin + EnglishBritish slang explained in contextCultural differences in language useRelaxed, natural listening practiceWhether you're a beginner or advanced learner, come hang out and improve your Mandarin the natural way. 📩 Got a story to share? Email us: chat@mandarinmonkey.com 🎓 Want to learn with us? Try a free trial lesson! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  8. From Tears to Taiwan, Real Mandarin Learner Stories That Will Inspire You | Mailbag #449

    20 FEB

    From Tears to Taiwan, Real Mandarin Learner Stories That Will Inspire You | Mailbag #449

    This week on the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, we read three powerful emails from listeners whose Mandarin journeys couldn’t be more different — yet share the same courage. From feeling fluent for the first time, to reconnecting with family and heritage, to quitting a job and moving to Taiwan for love and language… These are real stories from real learners navigating confidence, shame, identity, relationships, and bold life decisions — all through Mandarin. Whether you’re: A beginner starting from scratchA heritage learner feeling pressureDating someone TaiwaneseOr dreaming of living in TaiwanThis episode is for you. We speak naturally in both Mandarin and English throughout the episode, so learners of all levels can follow along and build real-world listening skills. 💛 Mandarin isn’t just grammar and vocab lists. It’s connection, risk, community, and growth. 加油 — we’re in this together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
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4.4
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Chinese and English Language podcast. A mixed couple (Tom & Ula) living in Taiwan, teach Chinese through the use of Chinglish (Chinese and English) on a variety of topics. Learn Chinese, study methods, Entertainment, news, life, business, hints and tricks to learning Mandarin. Hear a native speaking naturally and at natural pace but with the English translation so you can follow the context of the conversation. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Mandarin Monkey
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    508
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mandarin Monkey
  • Show Website
    Mandarin Monkey Podcast

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