Little Mandarin: Learn Chinese through conversations

Eudora’s Mandarin Café

Welcome to Little Mandarin, your weekly companion for exploring the Chinese language and culture! Each topic is presented in two versions: 🎙 Tuesday – English Episode: Perfect for beginners (HSK1–3). We explore key grammar, useful vocabulary, and cultural context. 🎙 Thursdays: Mandarin real talk for intermediate learners and curious beginners. A more intimate look into modern Chinese life Hosted by Eudora — born in China, shaped in London, now recording from Paris. ▶ Lessons: https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1750365014.903645&ep= ▶ YouTube: The Mandarin Edit

  1. 12/18/2025

    Holiday Gift Ideas 🎁 — What to Give (and Say) in Mandarin! S01E59【ENG】节日礼物

    🍷 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply! 💸 Get 30% OFF your first class  🔗https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:🔗 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664 Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙 🎁 Still looking for the perfect holiday gift? In this episode, we’ll explore how to talk about presents in Mandarin — what to give, how to say it politely, and what not to give! Learn practical phrases for giving and receiving gifts, and sound like a native this festive season. 🎀 还在想送什么礼物吗?这一集我们来学学中文里的“送礼”表达:送什么合适、怎么说更自然,还有哪些礼物是禁忌!让你的节日祝福更有心、更地道。 🧩 Grammar of the Day 送 (sòng) — to give (as a gift) Structure:👉 Subject + 送 + Object + 给 + Person Examples: 我送一本书给你。Wǒ sòng yì běn shū gěi nǐ.→ I give a book to you.他送礼物给老师。Tā sòng lǐwù gěi lǎoshī.→ He gives a gift to the teacher.妈妈送我一件红色的外套。Māma sòng wǒ yí jiàn hóngsè de wàitào.→ My mom gave me a red coat. 🎁 Key Vocabulary 礼物 (lǐwù) — gift / present我准备了一份礼物。(I prepared a gift.)包装 (bāozhuāng) — to wrap请帮我包装一下。(Please wrap it for me.)收到 (shōudào) — to receive我收到了你的礼物。(I received your gift.)红包 (hóngbāo) — red envelope / money gift奶奶给了我一个红包。(Grandma gave me a red envelope.)惊喜 (jīngxǐ) — surprise太惊喜了!(What a surprise!)有心 (yǒu xīn) — thoughtful你太有心了!(That’s so thoughtful of you!)节日 (jiérì) — holiday / festival节日快乐!(Happy holidays!)合适 (héshì) — suitable这份礼物很合适。(This gift is perfect.)感谢 (gǎnxiè) — to thank / gratitude非常感谢你的礼物。(Thank you so much for your gift.)禁忌 (jìnjì) — taboo / something to avoid送钟在中国是禁忌。(Giving clocks is taboo in China.) 💬 Daily Dialogues 🎀 Situation 1: Giving a Gift to a Friend 👩 A: 这是给你的礼物,节日快乐!Zhè shì gěi nǐ de lǐwù, jiérì kuàilè!This is for you — happy holidays! 👩 B: 哇,谢谢你!太有心了!Wa, xièxiè nǐ! Tài yǒu xīn le!Wow, thank you! That’s so thoughtful of you! 👩 A: 希望你喜欢。Xīwàng nǐ xǐhuān.Hope you like it. 👩 B: 我很喜欢,谢谢!Wǒ hěn xǐhuān, xièxiè!I really like it, thank you! 🍵 Situation 2: Choosing a Gift for Family 👩 A: 你准备给爸爸妈妈买什么?Nǐ zhǔnbèi gěi bàba māma mǎi shénme?What are you planning to buy for your parents? 👩 B: 我打算送茶叶和红酒。Wǒ dǎsuàn sòng cháyè hé hóngjiǔ.I’m planning to give tea and red wine. 👩 A: 很不错,很有心。Hěn búcuò, hěn yǒu xīn.Nice choice, very thoughtful. 💄 Situation 3: Receiving a Gift 👩 A: 生日快乐!这是给你的礼物。Shēngrì kuàilè! Zhè shì gěi nǐ de lǐwù.Happy birthday! Here’s your present. 👩 B: 太惊喜了,谢谢你!Tài jīngxǐ le, xièxiè nǐ!What a surprise! Thank you! 👩 A: 打开看看吧~Dǎkāi kànkan ba~Open it and see! 👩 B: 哇,好漂亮!我太喜欢了!Wa, hǎo piàoliang! Wǒ tài xǐhuān le!Wow, it’s so beautiful! I love it!

    18 min
  2. 12/16/2025

    Let’s Go Holiday Shopping!🛍️ Learn Mandarin for Festive Deals! S01E59【ENG】节日购物

    🍷 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply! 💸 Get 30% OFF your first class  🔗https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:🔗 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664 Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙 🛍️ It’s holiday shopping season! In this episode, we’ll explore how Chinese people shop before big festivals, learn useful phrases like “I want this” and “How much is it?”, and practice real-life shopping dialogues. Perfect for preparing your Mandarin before the Christmas and New Year sales! 🛒 节日快到了!这一集我们来学学中文里的购物表达,像是“我想要这个”、“多少钱”,还有节日购物的小对话。一起感受中国人过年前购物的热闹气氛吧! 🧩 Grammar of the Day 想要 (xiǎng yào) — to want / would like Structure:👉 Subject + 想要 + Object Examples: 我想要这件毛衣。Wǒ xiǎng yào zhè jiàn máoyī.→ I want this sweater.你想要什么颜色?Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme yánsè?→ What color do you want?我不想要太贵的。Wǒ bù xiǎng yào tài guì de.→ I don’t want the expensive one. 🛍️ Key Vocabulary 打折 (dǎzhé) — on sale / discount今天打八折。(20% off today.)买单 (mǎidān) — pay the bill我们去买单吧。(Let’s pay the bill.)便宜 (piányi) — cheap太便宜了!(So cheap!)贵 (guì) — expensive太贵了,我不买。(Too expensive, I won’t buy it.)试一试 (shì yí shì) — try on我可以试一试吗?(Can I try it on?)红色 (hóngsè) — red我想要红色的衣服。(I want the red one.)购物 (gòuwù) — shopping我最喜欢节日购物!(I love holiday shopping!)购物车 (gòuwù chē) — shopping cart我先加到购物车。(I’ll add it to my cart first.)包邮 (bāo yóu) — free shipping这个包邮吗?(Is this free shipping?)礼物 (lǐwù) — gift我在找礼物。(I’m looking for a gift.) 退货 (tuìhuò) — return goods可以退货吗?(Can I return it?) 收银台 (shōuyíntái) — cashier收银台在那边。(The cashier is over there.) 💬 Daily Dialogues 🧥 Situation 1: At a Clothing Store 👩‍🦰 A: 你好,我想要看这件毛衣。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng yào kàn zhè jiàn máoyī.Hi, I’d like to look at this sweater. 👩‍💼 B: 好的,这是新款,现在在打折。Hǎo de, zhè shì xīnkuǎn, xiànzài zài dǎzhé.Sure, it’s a new arrival and on sale now. 👩‍🦰 A: 我可以试一试吗?Wǒ kěyǐ shì yí shì ma?Can I try it on? 👩‍💼 B: 当然可以!试衣间在那边。Dāngrán kěyǐ! Shì yī jiān zài nàbiān.Of course! The fitting room is over there. 👩‍🦰 A: 这件太贵了,有没有便宜一点的?Zhè jiàn tài guì le, yǒu méiyǒu piányi yīdiǎn de?This one’s too expensive — do you have a cheaper one? 👩‍💼 B: 有的,这件在打七折。Yǒu de, zhè jiàn zài dǎ qīzhé.Yes, this one is 30% off. 💻 Situation 2: Online Shopping 👩 A: 这个外套看起来不错,我加到购物车。Zhège wàitào kàn qǐlái bùcuò, wǒ jiā dào gòuwù chē.This coat looks nice, I’ll add it to my cart. 👩 B: 它包邮吗?Tā bāo yóu ma?Is it free shipping? 👩 A: 包邮!而且今天打八折。Bāo yóu! Érqiě jīntiān dǎ bāzhé.Yes, free shipping! And it’s 20% off today. 👩 B: 太好了!要是大小不合适,可以退货吗?Tài hǎo le! Yàoshi dàxiǎo bù héshì, kěyǐ tuìhuò ma?Great! If the size doesn’t fit, can I return it? 👩 A: 可以的,七天内免费退货。Kěyǐ de, qītiān nèi miǎnfèi tuìhuò.Yes, free return within seven days. 🎁 Situation 3: Buying a Gift at the Mall 👩 A: 你好,我在找礼物,送给朋友的。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ zài zhǎo lǐwù, sòng gěi péngyou de.Hi, I’m looking for a gift for my friend. 👩 B: 男生还是女生?Nánshēng háishì nǚshēng?For a boy or a girl? 👩 A: 女生,她喜欢可爱的东西。Nǚshēng, tā xǐhuān kě’ài de dōngxī.A girl — she likes cute things. 👩 B: 这款香薰蜡烛很受欢迎。Zhè kuǎn xiāngxūn làzhú hěn shòu huānyíng.This scented candle is very popular. 👩 A: 太好了,请帮我包装一下。Tài hǎo le, qǐng bāng wǒ bāozhuāng yíxià.Perfect, please wrap it for me. 👩 B: 没问题,收银台在那边。Méi wèntí, shōuyíntái zài nàbiān.No problem — the cashier is over there.

    20 min
  3. 12/11/2025

    Holiday Food in China🧧 — What We Eat to Celebrate! S01E58【ENG】节日的味道

    🍷 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply! 💸 Get 30% OFF your first class  🔗https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:🔗 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664 Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙 Every Chinese holiday has its own flavor — dumplings for Spring Festival, sweet rice balls for Lantern Festival, mooncakes for Mid-Autumn, and longevity noodles for birthdays. 🥟🍜 In this episode, let’s discover the meaning behind these festive dishes and learn how to talk about holiday food in Mandarin! ✨ 中国的每个节日,都有属于它的味道。🥟🍜春节的饺子、元宵节的汤圆、中秋节的月饼、生日的长寿面……每一种食物都代表着团圆和祝福。这一集,我们一起来聊聊“节日的味道”吧!🧧✨ 📘 Grammar of the Day — 因为……所以…… (yīn wèi… suǒ yǐ…) Meaning: because… therefore… Structure:👉 因为 + reason + 所以 + result Examples:1️⃣ 因为今天是春节,所以我们包饺子。(Because today is Spring Festival, we make dumplings.) 2️⃣ 因为奶奶生日,所以我们吃长寿面。(Because it’s Grandma’s birthday, we eat longevity noodles.) 3️⃣ 因为我喜欢甜的,所以我最爱汤圆。(Because I like sweet things, I love rice balls the most.) 💡 Tip: Use this pattern to explain reasons in daily life — why you eat something, go somewhere, or like something. 🧾 Key Vocabulary (HSK1–3) 节日 (jié rì) — holiday, festival春节 (chūn jié) — Spring Festival年糕 (nián gāo) — rice cake汤圆 (tāng yuán) — sweet rice balls粽子 (zòng zi) — rice dumpling月饼 (yuè bǐng) — mooncake长寿面 (cháng shòu miàn) — longevity noodles因为 (yīn wèi) — because所以 (suǒ yǐ) — therefore家人 (jiā rén) — family membersExample Sentences:1️⃣ 春节的时候,我们一起吃饺子。(We eat dumplings together during Spring Festival.) 2️⃣ 因为今天是奶奶的生日,所以我们吃长寿面。(Because it’s Grandma’s birthday, we eat longevity noodles.) 3️⃣ 我最喜欢吃月饼。(I like mooncakes the most.) 💬 Daily Dialogue Section 🗣️ Situation 1 — Talking about favorite holiday foodA: 你最喜欢哪个节日?B: 我最喜欢春节,因为可以吃饺子!A: 哈哈,我喜欢中秋节,可以吃月饼。 English:A: Which holiday do you like the most?B: I love the Spring Festival because we can eat dumplings!A: Haha, I like Mid-Autumn Festival — I can eat mooncakes! 🗣️ Situation 2 — At home on Grandma’s birthday妈妈: 今天是奶奶的生日,我们吃长寿面。孩子: 为什么要吃长寿面?妈妈: 因为长寿面代表健康和长命。 English:Mom: Today is Grandma’s birthday — we’re having longevity noodles.Child: Why do we eat longevity noodles?Mom: Because they represent health and a long life. 🗣️ Situation 3 — Inviting a friendA: 明天是元宵节,你想来我家吗?B: 好啊!你家会煮汤圆吗?A: 会啊,一起煮吧! English:A: Tomorrow is Lantern Festival — want to come to my house?B: Sure! Will your family make rice balls?A: Yes! Let’s cook them together!

    21 min
  4. 12/09/2025

    Winter Comfort Food in China🍜 — Dumplings, Noodles & Hot Soup! S01E58【ENG】冬天的味道

    🍷 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply! 💸 Get 30% OFF your first class  🔗https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:🔗 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664 Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙 When winter arrives, nothing feels better than a bowl of something warm — dumplings, soup noodles, or hot broth. 🥟🍲In this episode, let’s explore the most comforting winter foods in China and learn useful Mandarin phrases to talk about them! ❄️ 冬天来了,没有什么比一碗热汤更温暖。🥟🍜 这一集我们来聊聊中国人最爱的冬日美食:饺子、汤面和热汤,也学学怎么用中文表达这些冬天的味道~ ❄️ 📘 Grammar of the Day — “的时候” (de shíhou) Meaning: when / at the time of Structure:👉 [Action/Time] + 的时候 + [Another Action] Examples:1️⃣ 冬天的时候,我喜欢喝热汤。(When it’s winter, I like to drink hot soup.) 2️⃣ 我吃面的时候,喜欢加一点辣椒。(When I eat noodles, I like to add some chili.) 3️⃣ 下雪的时候,我们在家包饺子。(When it snows, we make dumplings at home.) 💡Tip:You can use “的时候” to describe when something happens — perfect for talking about daily habits, weather, or memories. 🧾 Key Vocabulary (HSK1–3) 冬天 (dōng tiān) — winter饺子 (jiǎo zi) — dumpling汤面 (tāng miàn) — soup noodles热汤 (rè tāng) — hot soup辣椒 (là jiāo) — chili pepper下雪 (xià xuě) — to snow家 (jiā) — home喜欢 (xǐ huan) — to like做饭 (zuò fàn) — to cookExample Sentences:1️⃣ 冬天我喜欢吃饺子。(I like to eat dumplings in winter.) 2️⃣ 汤面又热又香。(The soup noodles are hot and delicious.) 3️⃣ 我做饭的时候,喜欢听音乐。(When I cook, I like to listen to music.) 💬 Daily Dialogue Section Situation 1 — At home on a cold day:A: 天气太冷了,我想吃点热的。B: 要不要吃饺子?或者我们煮点汤面?A: 好啊,喝一碗热汤最舒服了。 English:A: It’s so cold! I want something hot.B: How about dumplings? Or we can make some soup noodles.A: Perfect — nothing feels better than a bowl of hot soup. Situation 2 — At a restaurant:服务员: 你们要点什么?客人: 我要一碗牛肉汤面。你呢?朋友: 我想吃饺子,猪肉白菜的。 English:Waiter: What would you like to order?Customer: I’ll have a bowl of beef noodle soup. And you?Friend: I’d like dumplings — pork and cabbage, please. Situation 3 — Chatting with friends online:A: 你现在在干什么?B: 我在家做饭,包饺子呢!A: 哇,好香的冬天味道~ English:A: What are you doing right now?B: I’m cooking at home — making dumplings!A: Wow, that’s the smell of winter!

    16 min
  5. 12/04/2025

    Festive Winter Drinks 🍷 Learn How to Say Wine & Cheers in Mandarin S01E57【ENG】冬日微醺

    🍷 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply! 💸 Get 30% OFF your first class  🔗https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:🔗 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664 Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙 Let’s warm up with festive winter drinks! 🍷 In this episode, you’ll learn how to talk about red wine, rice wine, and mulled wine in Mandarin, plus how to say “cheers” like a native. Simple grammar, easy vocabulary, and cozy winter vibes. 冬天的夜晚,最适合和朋友小酌一杯。🍶 本集教你用中文聊红酒、米酒、热红酒,还有“干杯”的表达,一起用温暖的中文迎接冬天~ 📘 Grammar of the Day 跟 (gēn) — “with / together with” Used to express doing something with someone. Examples: 我喜欢跟朋友一起喝酒。Wǒ xǐhuān gēn péngyou yìqǐ hējiǔ.I like to drink with my friends.今天我跟同事去喝一杯。Jīntiān wǒ gēn tóngshì qù hē yì bēi.Today I’m going to have a drink with my colleagues. 🍷 Key Vocabulary 葡萄酒 (pú táo jiǔ) — wine我爸爸喜欢喝葡萄酒。Wǒ bàba xǐhuān hē pútaojiǔ.My dad likes drinking wine.红酒 (hóng jiǔ) — red wine冬天喝红酒很舒服。Dōngtiān hē hóngjiǔ hěn shūfu.Drinking red wine in winter feels nice.白酒 (bái jiǔ) — Chinese spirit (baijiu)白酒很烈。Báijiǔ hěn liè.Baijiu is very strong.米酒 (mǐ jiǔ) — rice wine奶奶冬天会做米酒。Nǎinai dōngtiān huì zuò mǐjiǔ.My grandma makes rice wine in winter.热红酒 (rè hóng jiǔ) — mulled wine圣诞节的时候人们喜欢喝热红酒。Shèngdànjié de shíhou rénmen xǐhuān hē rè hóngjiǔ.People love drinking mulled wine at Christmas.啤酒 (pí jiǔ) — beer我朋友喜欢喝啤酒。Wǒ péngyou xǐhuān hē píjiǔ.My friend likes beer.喝醉 (hē zuì) — to get drunk他喝醉了。Tā hē zuì le.He got drunk.一杯 (yì bēi) — a glass of我只喝一杯。Wǒ zhǐ hē yì bēi.I only drink one glass.干杯 (gān bēi) — cheers来,干杯!Lái, gānbēi!Cheers! 💬 Daily Dialogue 日常对话 Scene: Two friends meet for drinks on a cold night. A:今天好冷,我们去喝一杯吧?Nǐtiān hǎo lěng, wǒmen qù hē yì bēi ba?It’s so cold today, let’s go have a drink! B:好啊,我想喝热红酒。冬天喝这个最棒!Hǎo a, wǒ xiǎng hē rè hóngjiǔ. Dōngtiān hē zhège zuì bàng!Sure! I want to drink mulled wine — it’s the best in winter! A:我不太能喝酒,我只喝一点点。Wǒ bú tài néng hējiǔ, wǒ zhǐ hē yì diǎndiǎn.I can’t drink much — just a little. B:没问题,我们一边喝酒,一边聊天。Méi wèntí, wǒmen yìbiān hējiǔ, yìbiān liáotiān.No problem — we can drink and chat at the same time.

    17 min
  6. 12/02/2025

    Cozy Winter Drinks ☕ Learn Warm Mandarin Words for the Season S01E57【ENG】冬日暖饮

    🍷 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply! 💸 Get 30% OFF your first class  🔗https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:🔗 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664 Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙 It’s cold outside — let’s warm up with cozy winter drinks! ☕ In this episode, you’ll learn how to talk about hot chocolate, milk tea, and other comforting drinks in Mandarin. Simple grammar, easy vocabulary, and a warm winter vibe. 天气冷了,一起来学冬天最暖的饮品词汇吧!❄️ 跟我一起用中文聊热巧克力、奶茶、姜茶,让这个冬天变得更温暖~ 📘 Grammar of the Day 一边…一边… (yì biān … yì biān …) — to describe doing two actions at the same time. Examples: 我喜欢一边喝热巧克力,一边看电影。Wǒ xǐhuān yìbiān hē rè qiǎokèlì, yìbiān kàn diànyǐng.→ I like drinking hot chocolate while watching a movie.她一边听音乐,一边学习。Tā yìbiān tīng yīnyuè, yìbiān xuéxí.→ She studies while listening to music. 🍵 Key Vocabulary 热巧克力 (rè qiǎo kè lì) — hot chocolate我喜欢喝热巧克力。Wǒ xǐhuān hē rè qiǎokèlì.I like drinking hot chocolate.奶茶 (nǎi chá) — milk tea她每天都喝奶茶。Tā měitiān dōu hē nǎichá.She drinks milk tea every day.姜茶 (jiāng chá) — ginger tea冬天喝姜茶很舒服。Dōngtiān hē jiāng chá hěn shūfu.Drinking ginger tea feels nice in winter.豆浆 (dòu jiāng) — soy milk我早上常常喝豆浆。Wǒ zǎoshang chángcháng hē dòujiāng.I often drink soy milk in the morning.红枣茶 (hóng zǎo chá) — red-date tea红枣茶有淡淡的甜味。Hóngzǎo chá yǒu dàndàn de tiánwèi.Red-date tea has a gentle sweetness.加 (jiā) — to add我喜欢在奶茶里加珍珠。Wǒ xǐhuān zài nǎichá lǐ jiā zhēnzhū.I like to add pearls to my milk tea.杯子 (bēizi) — cup我的杯子里是热豆浆。Wǒ de bēizi lǐ shì rè dòujiāng.There’s hot soy milk in my cup.甜 (tián) — sweet这个热巧克力很甜。Zhège rè qiǎokèlì hěn tián.This hot chocolate is sweet.热的 (rè de) — hot我要一杯热的。Wǒ yào yì bēi rè de.I want a hot one.一杯 (yì bēi) — a cup of请给我一杯姜茶。Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi jiāng chá.Please give me a cup of ginger tea. 💬 Daily Dialogue 日常对话 Scene: Two friends are in a café on a cold winter day. A:你好!你想喝什么?Nǐ hǎo! Nǐ xiǎng hē shénme?Hi! What do you want to drink? B:我要一杯热巧克力。你呢?Wǒ yào yì bēi rè qiǎokèlì. Nǐ ne?I want a cup of hot chocolate. And you? A:我想喝姜茶。冬天喝姜茶很舒服。Wǒ xiǎng hē jiāng chá. Dōngtiān hē jiāng chá hěn shūfu.I want to drink ginger tea. It feels so nice in winter. B:我们一边喝茶,一边聊天吧。Wǒmen yìbiān hē chá, yìbiān liáotiān ba.Let’s drink tea and chat at the same time.

    16 min
  7. 11/27/2025

    How to Soften Your Tone ✨ in Mandarin S01E56【ENG】语气更自然

    🍷 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply! 💸 Get 30% OFF your first class  🔗https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:🔗 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664 Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙 Small words, big difference! ✨ Learn how to use the Mandarin particles 吧, 呢,  to make your tone sound softer, friendlier, and more natural. These tiny words can completely change how you sound — from direct to gentle, from cold to warm. 小小词,大变化!✨ 本期节目带你学习语气助词 吧、呢 的用法,让你的中文语气更柔和、更自然、更地道。掌握这些小词,让你的中文听起来更温柔、更亲切。 📘 Grammar of the Day 吧 (ba) — used to make suggestions or soften commands我们走吧。 (Let’s go.)给我一杯茶吧。 (Give me a cup of tea, please.)呢 (ne) — used for gentle questions or to show continuation你在做什么呢? (What are you doing?)我在想呢。 (I’m still thinking.) 📝 Key Vocabulary  走吧 (zǒu ba) — let’s go我们走吧。 (Let’s go.)喝水吧 (hē shuǐ ba) — drink some water喝点儿水吧。 (Have some water.)试试吧 (shì shì ba) — give it a try你试试吧。 (You try it.)等一下吧 (děng yí xià ba) — wait a moment你等一下吧。 (Please wait a moment.)再说吧 (zài shuō ba) — let’s talk about it later这个太贵了,我们再说吧。 (This is too expensive, let’s talk about it later.)好吧 (hǎo ba) — okay then / fine好吧,我明白了。 (Okay then, I understand.)你呢 (nǐ ne) — how about you?我很好,你呢? (I’m good, how about you?)在做什么呢 (zài zuò shénme ne) — what are you doing?你在做什么呢? (What are you doing?)想什么呢 (xiǎng shénme ne) — what are you thinking about?你在想什么呢? (What are you thinking about?)下次吧呢 (xià cì ba ne) — maybe next time (softer)我现在太忙了,我们下次吧呢。 (I’m too busy now, maybe next time?) 🌿 Profound Content  Dialogue 1 — Friends making plansA: 周末一起去看电影吧。B: 好啊,我也想去呢。 (A: Let’s go watch a movie this weekend.B: Okay, I also want to go.) Dialogue 2 — Soft refusalA: 今天帮我一下吧。B: 不好意思,我现在有点儿忙,我们下次吧呢。 (A: Please help me today.B: Sorry, I’m a bit busy now, maybe next time?) Dialogue 3 — Casual chatA: 你在做什么呢?B: 我在想去哪儿玩呢。 (A: What are you doing?B: I’m thinking where to go have fun.)

    18 min
  8. 11/25/2025

    Say No Without Being Rude 🙇 Mandarin Guide S01E56【ENG】客气拒绝

    🍷 Learn Mandarin with Me — 1-on-1 on Preply! 💸 Get 30% OFF your first class  🔗https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1753189602.091521&ep=check out my full profile:🔗 https://preply.com/en/tutor/2970664 Let’s learn with good vibes and great Mandarin! ✨🥂💙 Learn how to say no politely in Mandarin without sounding rude 🙇✨ In this episode, we explore simple grammar, useful vocabulary, and everyday dialogues that help you refuse kindly while keeping the conversation warm. 学会如何在中文里礼貌地说“不” 🙇✨ 本期节目带你学习简单语法、常用词汇和生活对话,让你既能清楚拒绝,又能保持温和礼貌。 📘 Grammar of the Day 不能 / 不可以 — cannot / not allowed不好意思,我今天不能去。 (Sorry, I can’t go today.)这里不可以抽烟。 (You can’t smoke here.)有点儿 + adjective — a bit … (softens refusals)今天有点儿忙。 (I’m a bit busy today.)这个时间有点儿难。 (This time is a bit difficult.)还是…吧 — better to… / let’s … instead你很累,我们还是明天吧。 (You’re tired, let’s do it tomorrow instead.)我们还是下次见吧。 (Let’s meet next time instead.) 📝 Key Vocabulary (10 items with examples) 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) — sorry / excuse me不好意思,我今天没空。可能 (kě néng) — maybe / possibly我可能去不了。下次吧 (xià cì ba) — maybe next time我们下次吧。忙 (máng) — busy今天我很忙。没空 (méi kòng) — not available / no free time明天我没空。方便 (fāng biàn) — convenient今天不太方便。有点儿 (yǒu diǎnr) — a bit / somewhat这个时间有点儿难。不能 (bù néng) — cannot / unable to不好意思,我不能帮你。不可以 (bù kě yǐ) — not allowed / not okay这里不可以抽烟。还是…吧 (hái shì … ba) — better to… / let’s … instead太晚了,我们还是明天吧。 🌿 Profound Content (Dialogues from the episode) Dialogue 1 — Invitation to a mealA: 明天一起吃饭吗?B: 不好意思,我明天有点儿忙。我们还是下次吧!(A: Want to have dinner tomorrow?B: Sorry, I’m a bit busy tomorrow. Let’s do it next time!) Dialogue 2 — Asking for helpA: 你能帮我做作业吗?B: 不好意思,现在不方便。你还是问老师吧。(A: Can you help me with homework?B: Sorry, it’s not convenient right now. You’d better ask the teacher instead.) Dialogue 3 — Weekend planA: 周末去打篮球,好吗?B: 我可能不能去,天气有点儿热。我们还是下个星期吧。(A: Want to play basketball this weekend?B: I might not be able to go, it’s a bit hot. Let’s do it next week instead.)

    20 min

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About

Welcome to Little Mandarin, your weekly companion for exploring the Chinese language and culture! Each topic is presented in two versions: 🎙 Tuesday – English Episode: Perfect for beginners (HSK1–3). We explore key grammar, useful vocabulary, and cultural context. 🎙 Thursdays: Mandarin real talk for intermediate learners and curious beginners. A more intimate look into modern Chinese life Hosted by Eudora — born in China, shaped in London, now recording from Paris. ▶ Lessons: https://preply.com/en/?pref=NjkzNjk1Mw==&id=1750365014.903645&ep= ▶ YouTube: The Mandarin Edit

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