Chinese Bites — with Janine HSK 4️⃣

Janine TAN
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Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend is a simple, story-driven Mandarin podcast designed for learners from HSK1 to HSK4. Each episode feels like a short, friendly coffee chat — relaxed, natural, and easy to follow. The stories use clear, comprehensible Chinese, helping listeners build vocabulary, improve listening skills, and develop a deeper feel for the language. No pressure, no complicated grammar — just enjoyable input that helps your Chinese grow naturally. Every episode includes key vocabulary explanations to support understanding.

Episodes

  1. FEB 2

    🎙️1️⃣1️⃣ When AI Becomes the Only One You Talk To 当 AI 成了唯一的倾诉对象：一场让人反思的故事

    In this episode of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we share a real and thought-provoking story about loneliness, mental health, and the use of AI chat tools. Told in clear HSK4-level Mandarin, this episode focuses on human connection, emotional support, and the limits of technology. It gently reminds us that while AI can talk with us, it cannot replace real help, care, or understanding. 悲剧 – tragedy难过 – sad / upset发生 – happen依赖 – depend on / rely on拒绝 – refuse选择 – choose现实 – reality / real life心理 – mental / psychological相信 – believe讨论 – discuss公开 – make public内容 – content属于 – belong to提醒 – remind代替 – replace专家 – expert原因 – reason孤独 – lonely及时 – timely意识到 – realize痛苦 – pain / suffering鼓励 – encourage帮助 – help

    7 min

  2. JAN 27

    🎙️1️⃣0️⃣ “I Want to Be Chinese”: Learning Daily Life Through TikTok “我想成为中国人”：TikTok 上的真实学习热潮

    In this episode of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we explore a popular TikTok trend where foreigners say: “I want to be Chinese.” Using clear HSK4-level Mandarin, this episode explains what people really mean by this phrase. Through practical examples like learning Chinese, ordering food, using mobile payments, and handling daily life, the trend shows how foreigners are learning to live like locals in China. 外国网友 — foreign netizens表达 — expression具体 — specific分享 — share生活经验 — life experience点外卖 — order food delivery支付 — payment挂号 — register at a hospital租房 — rent an apartment兴趣 — interest

    5 min

  3. JAN 27

    🎙️9️⃣ An App That Checks If You’re Okay “死了么”：一个给独居人用的小 App

    In this episode of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we talk about a viral Chinese app called “死了么” (Are You Dead?). The app is designed for people who live alone. Users check in once a day, and if they miss several days, the system automatically sends an email to an emergency contact. The idea is simple, but it has started many conversations about safety and daily life. 独居 — live alone功能 — function / feature紧急联系人 — emergency contact签到 — check in连续 — consecutive自动 — automatic提醒 — remind生病 — get sick意外 — accident安全 — safety

    5 min

  4. JAN 21

    🎙️8️⃣Why More Foreigners Are Choosing Medical Care in China 为什么越来越多外国人选择去中国看病？

    In this episode of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we talk about a growing trend: more foreigners are choosing to receive medical care in China. This HSK4-level story explains why China’s healthcare system is attracting international patients, including lower costs, improved medical standards, and interest in traditional Chinese medicine. Grab a cup of coffee, press play, and learn Chinese one story at a time. 看病 — see a doctor医疗水平 — medical standard费用 — cost / expense预约 — appointment吸引力 — attractiveness中医 — traditional Chinese medicine治疗 — treatment国际医疗服务 — international medical services接待人员 — reception staff影响力 — influence

    5 min

  5. 12/27/2025

    🎙️7️⃣ Hainan After the Port Closure: From Tourism Island to a New Lifestyle Hub 海南封关之后：从旅游岛到新的消费与生活中心

    In Episode 7 of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we take a closer look at Hainan after the port closure. This HSK4-level episode explains what the policy really means, how Hainan’s economy has shifted from tourism to consumption and trade, and why new lifestyle trends such as shopping and wedding travel are becoming popular. 政策 — policy 引起 — to cause / to trigger 封关 — port closure / customs control 贸易 — trade 进行 — to carry out 运行 — to operate 自由贸易港 — free trade port 关税 — customs duty / tariff 依靠 — to rely on 经济结构 — economic structure 单一 — single / one-sided 推进 — to push forward 消费 — consumption 销售额 — sales revenue 免税店 — duty-free shop 甚至 — even 集……于一体 — combine … into one 收入来源 — source of income 人才 — talent 基础设施 — infrastructure 发展阶段 — stage of development

    8 min

  6. 12/21/2025

    🎙️6️⃣ China’s Kaoyan Exam: From Completion to Waiting 考研落幕：走进等待结果的阶段

    In this episode of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we focus on a key moment for millions of Chinese students: the national postgraduate entrance exam officially ended on December 21. After a full year of preparation, candidates are now entering the waiting stage for results. With applicant numbers continuing to rise and competition growing more intense each year, many students begin preparing early to respond to this challenge. 招生 — admission / enrollment 意义 — meaning / significance 等待结果 — wait for the results 报名人数 — number of applicants 只增不减 — only increasing 竞争激烈 — highly competitive 阶段 — stage / phase 随着 — as / with 连续 — consecutive / continuous 应对 — to deal with / respond to 告一段落 — come to a pause 经历 — experience

    6 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    🎙️5️⃣First Snowfall: Romance and Winter Life in Northern China 第一场雪：北方冬天的浪漫与生活

    In this episode of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we talk about the arrival of the first snowfall in northern China and what winter life really feels like there. Through a warm and descriptive story, you’ll learn how young people experience the romance of snow, how northern families prepare for extreme cold, and how winter生活 slows everything down — from daily routines to family meals. 初雪 — first snowfall浪漫 — romantic气氛 — atmosphere最低温度 — lowest temperature能不……就不…… — avoid doing something if possible提前 — in advance储存 / 保存 — to store天然的冰箱 — natural refrigerator纸牌游戏 — card games热腾腾 — steaming hot家常菜 — home-style dishes生活节奏 — pace of life

    6 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    🎙️4️⃣China’s Short-Drama Boom 短剧热：越来越火的新娱乐方式

    In this episode of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we explore one of the fastest-growing entertainment trends in China today: ultra-short dramas. These 1–3 minute “snackable” story clips are gaining huge popularity among young viewers for their fast pace, dramatic twists, and easy watching experience. 节奏 — pace / rhythm冲突 — conflict反转 — plot twist受欢迎 — popular制作 — to produce成本 — cost收入 — income / revenue平台 — platform质量 — quality趋势 — trend

    5 min

  9. 12/04/2025

    🎙️3️⃣MH370: Hope After 11 Years?《11 年后，MH370 再现希望》

    In this episode of Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend, we discuss a major global news event: Malaysia has announced that the search for missing flight MH370 will restart on December 30, 2025 — bringing new hope after more than eleven years. 宣布 — announce重新 — restart / again失联 — lose contact下落 — whereabouts问号 — mystery / unanswered question搜寻 — search负责 — be responsible for先进 — advanced区域 — area / region残骸 — wreckage / debris原则 — principle线索 — clue家属 — family members / relatives真相 — the truth机会 — opportunity / chance

    5 min

  10. 12/02/2025

    🎙️2️⃣151 Lives Lost: A Wake-Up Call from the Hong Kong Fire Tragedy《151人失去生命：香港大火给城市的警示》

    In this episode, we take a closer look at one of the most devastating fires in recent Hong Kong history.On November 26, 2025, a fire broke out in a high-rise residential area in Tai Po District. Bamboo scaffolding and flammable renovation materials caused the flames to spread rapidly, reaching seven nearby towers in minutes. Firefighters, police, and medical teams worked for over 43 hours to control the blaze.The tragedy resulted in 151 deaths, many injuries, and several missing residents. This story is not only a heartbreaking event, but also a reminder of how important safety awareness is in every city. 上个星期五，香港新界大埔区的一个高层住宅区发生了一场严重的火灾。这个地方的建筑正在做外墙装修，所以在楼外搭了很多竹子做的脚手架。 2025年11月26日下午，其中一栋大楼突然着火。因为外墙的竹子和装修材料很容易着火，火势在很短的时间里就蔓延开了，还烧到了附近的七栋高楼。 这场大火一直到第二天才基本被控制。消防员、警察和救护人员马上来到现场，救援工作持续了 超过 43 个小时。 最后确认，这次火灾导致至少 151 人死亡，还有一些居民受伤，也有人失踪。很多住户被迫在晚上离开自己的家。 这场火灾是一场非常大的悲剧。它提醒我们：无论我们住在哪里，安全都非常重要，不能忽视。 特别是在高楼、装修工程或者有很多设备的地方，我们更要注意防火、防烟，并且了解逃生的方法。 住宅区zhùzhái qūresidential area; housing complex 严重yánzhòngserious; severe 装修zhuāngxiūrenovation; to renovate 材料cáiliàomaterial 脚手架jiǎoshǒujiàscaffolding 容易着火róngyì zháohuǒflammable; easy to catch fire 蔓延mànyánto spread; expand 持续chíxùto continue; to last 控制kòngzhìto control; bring under control 导致dǎozhìto cause; to lead to 死亡sǐwángdeath; to die 受伤shòushānginjured; hurt 失踪shīzōngmissing; disappeared 被迫bèipòforced to; compelled to 悲剧bēijùtragedy 警示jǐngshìwarning; alert 忽视hūshìto ignore; to overlook

    7 min

  11. 12/01/2025

    🎙️1️⃣ Can we really eat two meals with just one dollar?《我能用一美元吃两餐吗？》

    In this short and simple Chinese story, you’ll learn about:• rising living costs in China• why young people feel pressure about work and money• the “saving culture” passed down from parents• and how some people find security through extreme frugality 最近在中国的社交媒体上，有一个很热门的话题，就是“用一美元，也就是七块钱，吃两顿饭”。很多博主都会拍视频，教大家怎样在一天里只花一点点钱就能吃饱，还有如何在生活中节省开支。这些内容吸引了非常多的年轻粉丝。为什么呢？因为他们在视频里展示了各种省钱的方法，比如怎么用最便宜的食材做一顿简单的午餐、怎样利用超市的折扣买到更便宜的东西，甚至还有人分享怎么在城市里找到免费的活动或服务。其实，这种现象在今天的年轻人中越来越普遍。过去几年，中国的经济不太好，很多年轻人都担心自己找不到工作，或者工资不够生活。加上房租、交通、吃饭等生活费用不断上涨，许多人开始感觉压力很大。 请帮我设计一个email news 的排版，并且每一个句子后面都加上拼音 于是，一部分年轻人开始选择尽可能地不花钱。他们希望通过这种方式存更多的钱，让自己心里更有安全感。当别人问他们“这样做真的有用吗？”他们常常回答：“我们的父母以前也是这样过来的，我们也可以继续他们节省的传统。”这种回答听起来既现实，也带着一种无奈。这种“省钱文化”不仅是一种生活方式，也反映了当下年轻人面对经济压力时的心态。有的人把它当作一种挑战，有的人把它看成一种生活方式，也有人只是想通过这种方式获得安全感。你怎么看呢？你愿意一天只花一美元，去体验这种“极限省钱”的生活方式吗？ 社交媒体：人们在网上聊天、发照片、发视频的平台。 内容：文章、视频或节目里说的东西。 展示：让别人看到、给别人看。 利用：把一个东西或机会拿来用。 折扣：东西变便宜，比如打八折。 普遍：很多人都有、常见。 经济：一个国家或社会的收入和花钱情况。 费用：要花的钱，比如吃饭、房租。 无奈：不想但没办法，只能接受。 安全感：让人觉得放心、不担心的感觉。 传统：从上一代继续下来的习惯。 方式：做一件事的方法。 选择：决定做哪一个。 压力：让人紧张、不轻松的感觉。 挑战：一件很难，但需要努力去做的事。

    6 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Coffee Break with a Chinese Friend is a simple, story-driven Mandarin podcast designed for learners from HSK1 to HSK4. Each episode feels like a short, friendly coffee chat — relaxed, natural, and easy to follow. The stories use clear, comprehensible Chinese, helping listeners build vocabulary, improve listening skills, and develop a deeper feel for the language. No pressure, no complicated grammar — just enjoyable input that helps your Chinese grow naturally. Every episode includes key vocabulary explanations to support understanding.

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