Howto.Zhongwen好土中文

Howto.zhongwen

Howto.Zhongwen (好土中文) is a podcast for immersing yourself in authentic Chinese, hosted by 3 experienced Chinese language teachers, Lisa, Joanne, and April. We will discuss various interesting topics in our podcasts: life, news, opinions, the culture relate to Taiwan, and intriguing language usages. We believe learners' Chinese proficiency will be improved via learning meaningful content from native speakers. New episodes on every Wednesday. You are very welcome to join and interact with us. Please subscribe to 好土中文. Follow us on FB/IG: Howto.zhongwen.

  1. MAR 6

    Ep. 181-過節的儀式感

    Do you enjoy celebrating holidays? As life moves faster and busier, many people feel that the festive atmosphere has faded. Yet it is often those small things we feel we have to do that create our most vivid memories of home and holidays. In this episode, hosts Lisa and April explore the idea of ritual in holiday celebrations. In this episode, we talk about familiar traditions people often take part in during festivals—for example, writing and posting Spring Festival couplets or playing mahjong during the Lunar New Year. During the Lantern Festival, even people who do not usually eat tangyuan (or yuanxiao) may feel that they should at least have a bowl. These activities are more than just formalities; they are emotional connections that link us to our culture and memories. When people are away from home and unable to celebrate, they often feel a strong sense of loss, which reflects how important these rituals really are to us. Join us as we rediscover the warmth hidden in New Year cards and traditional customs, and reflect on the rituals that, for you, simply cannot be skipped when celebrating a holiday. 你喜歡「過節」嗎?隨著生活節奏加快,很多人覺得節慶氣氛淡了,但正是那些「非做不可」的小事,構成了我們對家與節日的獨特記憶。本集節目中,主持人 Lisa 與 April 將帶領大家探討過節的儀式感。 在這一集中,我們會聊聊那些在節慶中常做的事,例如春節時寫春聯、貼春聯、打麻將。元宵節時就連平常不怎麼吃湯圓(或者元宵)的人也會覺得一定要來一碗。這些活動不只是形式,更是一種情感的連結。當人在異鄉無法過節時,心中特別容易產生失落感,這其實也正反映了我們對儀式感的重視。 讓我們一起找回那些藏在賀年卡與傳統習俗中的溫暖,聊聊對你而言,過節有哪些絕對不能省略的儀式吧! 生詞表 (Vocabulary List) 過節的儀式感 (guòjié de yíshìgǎn) Rituals of celebrating holidays / Sense of ritual 元宵節 (Yuánxiāo Jié) Lantern Festival 寫春聯 / 貼春聯 (xiě chūnlián / tiē chūnlián) Writing / Pasting Spring Festival couplets 打麻將 (dǎ májiàng) Playing Mahjong 失落感 (shīluògǎn) Sense of loss / Post-holiday blues 賀年卡 (hèniánkǎ) New Year's greeting cards 回憶 (huíyì) Memories

    13 min
  2. 11/25/2025

    Ep. 180- How to Use “Howto.Zhongwen” to Boost Your Listening Skills

    On your journey of learning Chinese, do you often feel that the sentences in textbooks are correct and standard, but once you step into real life, you can’t understand what people are saying—and you’re not sure how to respond?“Howto.Zhongwen” aims to help you cross that barrier and become your best companion as you move from textbook language to everyday speech. We’ll introduce you to natural, real-life expressions that you won’t find in textbooks but will hear all the time.If you’re curious about how listening to “Howto.Zhongwen”can help you, start with this episode—listen easily, learn naturally, and gradually make Chinese a part of your life! 你在學中文的路上,常常會覺得課本裡的句子很正確、很標準,卻一走進真實生活就聽不懂、也不太會說嗎?「好土中文」希望能陪你跨過這道門檻,成為你從課本走向生活語言的好夥伴。我們會用自然又貼近生活的方式,帶你認識那些課本裡學不到、卻天天都會聽到的中文。如果你也想了解聽「好土中文」能帶來什麼幫助,歡迎從這一集開始,輕鬆聽、自然學,一點一滴把中文用起來! 生詞表 (Vocabulary List) 1. 母語人士 native speakers 外籍人士 foreign residents / non-native users 外國人 foreigners 國際友人 international friends / global learners 2. 詞彙 vocabulary 針對性 specificity / targeted content 3. 模仿 imitation 互動 interaction 回應 response / replying 4. 禮儀 etiquette / politeness 搶話 interrupting / talking over someone 你先 “You first.” / yielding the turn 鞏固 reinforcement / consolidation 精準度 accuracy / precision

    15 min
  3. 08/12/2025

    Ep. 178- Dating variety show

    Have you ever watched a dating reality show? Is it true love—or just a scripted act? What’s your opinion? In this episode, Lisa and April talk about why dating reality shows are so addictive and what makes them so popular. These programs give viewers a strong sense of immersion and emotional resonance, and they can easily become trending conversation topics. You don’t even have to be in a real relationship to experience the excitement and ups and downs of romance—the show lets you live it vicariously. Beyond entertainment, dating reality shows also reflect the evolving views on love in modern society: shifting from the traditional matchmaking model of “marriage as the ultimate goal” to a more open attitude toward relationships. 你看過戀愛綜藝嗎?那是真愛?還是劇本?你怎麼看? 在這一集當中,Lisa 和 April 要聊聊為何戀愛綜藝能讓人一追就停不下來?!為什麼戀愛綜藝如此受歡迎? 戀愛綜藝的內容讓觀眾有代入感、有情感共鳴,甚至能成為聊天的熱門話題。你不用真的去談戀愛,就能在節目裡體驗心動與波折。戀愛綜藝不只提供娛樂的效果,還反映出現代的戀愛觀:從過去「以結婚為終極目標」的相親模式,走向更開放的感情態度。 戀愛綜藝, liàn'ài zōngyì, Dating variety show 波折, bōzhé, Setbacks and twists 代入感, dàirùgǎn, Sense of immersion 有共鳴, yǒu gòngmíng, To resonate 反映時代的風氣, fǎnyìng shídài de fēngqì, Reflect the spirit of the times 相親節目, xiāngqīn jiémù, Matchmaking show 以結婚為目標, yǐ jiéhūn wéi mùbiāo, With marriage as the goal 終極目標, zhōngjí mùbiāo, Ultimate goal 開放, kāifàng, Open-minded 狀態, zhuàngtài, State/condition

    15 min
  4. 08/09/2025

    Ep. 177- Avoidance

    In this episode, Lisa and April dive into an experience almost everyone has had—avoidance. We explore why we sometimes feel the urge to avoid certain situations, and whether avoidance is really as bad as it seems. We also share more positive and practical ways to face the circumstances that trigger such feelings. Through this lighthearted yet sincere conversation, we hope you’ll discover your own strategies for relieving stress and take a fresh look at the deeper meaning and reasons behind “avoidance.” 在這一集的節目中,Lisa 和 April 一起聊聊一個幾乎人人都曾有過的經驗——逃避。我們探討,為什麼有時候我們會想要逃避,以及逃避是否真如想像中那麼不好。除此之外,我們也分享一些更積極、正面的方式,幫助自己去面對那些引發逃避念頭的情境。希望透過這段輕鬆卻真誠的對話,你能找到適合自己的紓壓方法,並重新思考「逃避」背後的意義與原因。 生詞: 1. 逃避 táo bì - to avoid or to escape 2. 焦慮 jiāo lǜ - anxiety 3. 面對 miàn duì - to face or to confront 4. 持續輸出 chí xù shū chū - continuous output 5. 成果 chéng guǒ - result or achievement 6. 誇獎 kuā jiǎng - praise or compliment 7. 轉念 zhuǎn niàn - to shift one’s mindset or to change one’s way of thinking 8. 真心佩服 zhēn xīn pèi fú - to genuinely admire or sincerely respect 9. 發自內心地佩服 fā zì nèi xīn de pèi fú - to admire from the bottom of one’s heart 10. 堅持 jiān chí - to persist

    17 min
  5. 05/06/2025

    Ep. 176- Real Friendships in a Virtual World. 虛擬世界裡的真實友誼

    What makes a friendship in the virtual world different from one in real life? More and more people enjoy chatting with AI—do you ever feel like ChatGPT understands you better than your real-life friends? When something big happens, who do you want to share it with first—a friend online or someone in the real world? Join us as we explore what “real friendship” means in a digital age. 虛擬世界裡的真實友誼 虛擬世界裡的友誼,跟真實世界的有什麼不同?越來越多人喜歡跟AI聊天,你會不會覺得ChatGPT比你的朋友還瞭解你?你想第一時間分享悲喜的那位朋友,是在網路上的還是現實世界裡的?來聽聽我們對於虛擬世界裡的真實友誼的看法吧! Keywords with Pinyin: Online World & People: 虛擬世界 (xū nǐ shì jiè) – virtual world 網友 (wǎng yǒu) – online friend Boundaries & Emotional Safety: 打擾 (dǎ rǎo) – to bother, to interrupt 安全感 (ān quán gǎn) – sense of security 批判 (pī pàn) – criticism Emotional Connection: 情感交流 (qíng gǎn jiāo liú) – emotional exchange 熟悉度 (shóu xī dù) – level of familiarity Online Identity & Names: 代稱 (dài chēng) – nickname, alias 代號 (dài hào) – code name, username Emotional Support: 接住情緒 (jiē zhù qíng xù) – to catch or hold someone's emotions 舒緩情緒 (shū huǎn qíng xù) – to soothe emotions 降低壓力 (jiàng dī yā lì) – to reduce stress 友好的談話 (yǒu hǎo de tán huà) – friendly conversation Risks & Complexity: 欺騙 (qī piàn) – deception 標籤 (biāo qiān) – label, stereotype 面向 (miàn xiàng) – aspect, facet Maturity & Behavior: 端莊得體 (duān zhuāng dé tǐ) – poised and proper 大度 (dà dù) – magnanimous, tolerant 小屁孩 (xiǎo pì hái) – immature brat, childish person Online Image & Persona: 形象 (xíng xiàng) – image, persona 人設 (rén shè) – character setting, constructed identity Digital Identity: 帳號 (zhàng hào) – account 獨一無二 (dú yī wú èr) – one of a kind, unique

    18 min
  6. 04/29/2025

    Ep. 175- Clothes Make the Person – Dressing Right for the Occasion. 人要衣裝--在什麼場合做什麼打扮

    “Clothes make the person”—the right outfit and grooming can leave a strong first impression. But knowing what to wear and how to present yourself in different situations is a real skill. In this episode, we explore various vocabulary related to clothing and appearance, and share our thoughts on what it means to be appropriately dressed. 「人要衣裝」,合適的服裝與打扮能夠帶給別人良好的第一印象。在什麼場合應該怎麼打扮卻是一門大學問。在這一集中我們會使用許多關於服裝、打扮的用語,聊一聊我們對於「合適的打扮」的看法! Makeup & Grooming Vocabulary: 化妝 (huà zhuāng) – to wear makeup 打扮 (dǎ bàn) – to dress up, to style oneself 淡妝 (dàn zhuāng) – light makeup 全妝 (quán zhuāng) – full makeup 脫妝 (tuō zhuāng) – makeup coming off 眼妝 (yǎn zhuāng) – eye makeup Skincare & Beauty Products: 保養 (bǎo yǎng) – skincare/maintenance 防曬 (fáng shài) – sun protection 口紅 (kǒu hóng) – lipstick 粉餅 (fěn bǐng) – pressed powder Complexion & Appearance: 氣色 (qì sè) – complexion, overall look of health Formal Attire: 套裝 (tào zhuāng) – matching outfit/suit (often for women) 西裝 (xī zhuāng) – suit (for men) 打領帶 (dǎ lǐng dài) – to wear a tie 高跟鞋 (gāo gēn xié) – high heels 端莊 (duān zhuāng) – dignified, proper 莊重 (zhuāng zhòng) – solemn, respectful Casual & Image-related Terms: 隨性 (suí xìng) – casual, carefree 藍白拖 (lán bái tuō) – blue-and-white flip-flops (a Taiwanese casual staple) 形象 (xíng xiàng) – image, impression 專業形象 (zhuān yè xíng xiàng) – professional image Cultural Norms: 社會風氣 (shè huì fēng qì) – social atmosphere, societal trend Special Occasions: 夜店 (yè diàn) – nightclub 參加婚禮 (cān jiā hūn lǐ) – to attend a wedding 新娘 (xīn niáng) – bride Negative Impressions: 邋遢 (lā tā) – sloppy, untidy 不得體 (bù dé tǐ) – inappropriate (in dress or behavior) 隆重 (lóng zhòng) – grand, ceremonious Cultural Movements: 女性主義崛起 (nǚ xìng zhǔ yì jué qǐ) – rise of feminism

    15 min
  7. 04/22/2025

    Ep. 174- Micro-Retirement. 微退休

    What do you want to do after retirement? And more importantly, why wait? What if you could start living your "retirement life" now, in small meaningful ways? This episode explores the concept of micro-retirement, a growing trend especially among younger generations. We’ll look at how it connects to remote work, financial planning, lifestyle design, and cultural attitudes toward work and rest. Let’s dive into what micro-retirement really means and why it might be a life strategy worth considering. 退休之後你想做什麼?你想不想現在就開始過「退休生活」?「微退休」也許是一個你可以思考的方式!來一起了解一下什麼是微退休吧! 🧳 Retirement & Career Choices 退休 (tuì xiū) – retirement 辭職 (cí zhí) – resignation / quitting a job 微退休 (wēi tuì xiū) – micro-retirement 🌍 Work & Lifestyle Shifts 疫情 (yì qíng) – pandemic 遠端工作 (yuǎn duān gōng zuò) – remote work 全心全意 (quán xīn quán yì) – wholeheartedly / with full dedication 💸 Well-being & Resources 儲蓄 (chǔ xù) – savings 生活品質 (shēng huó pǐn zhí) – quality of life 心理健康 (xīn lǐ jiàn kāng) – mental health 👩‍💻 Generational Trends Z世代 (Z shì dài) – Gen Z (born mid-1990s to early 2010s) 🧠 Cultural Perspectives & Values 文化差異 (wén huà chā yì) – cultural differences 承擔後果 (chéng dān hòu guǒ) – taking responsibility / bearing consequences 社會風氣 (shè huì fēng qì) – social atmosphere / public attitudes 循環 (xún huán) – cycle / recurring pattern 罪惡感 (zuì è gǎn) – guilt 觀念轉變 (guān niàn zhuǎn biàn) – shift in mindset 正當理由 (zhèng dāng lǐ yóu) – legitimate reason / justification Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/

    17 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Howto.Zhongwen (好土中文) is a podcast for immersing yourself in authentic Chinese, hosted by 3 experienced Chinese language teachers, Lisa, Joanne, and April. We will discuss various interesting topics in our podcasts: life, news, opinions, the culture relate to Taiwan, and intriguing language usages. We believe learners' Chinese proficiency will be improved via learning meaningful content from native speakers. New episodes on every Wednesday. You are very welcome to join and interact with us. Please subscribe to 好土中文. Follow us on FB/IG: Howto.zhongwen.

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