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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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 ...
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 a...
A fast-paced life often brings invisible stress. Not only does the body feel tired, but the mind also needs timely relaxation. In this episode, we will talk about ways to relax and the right moments to do so! Brew yourself a cup of hot tea or coffee, and enjoy this episode with ease. 快節奏的生活常常帶來無形的壓力，不只身體會感到疲憊，心靈也需要適時放鬆。在這一集中，我們將談談放鬆的方法，以及應該放鬆的時間點！泡杯熱茶或者熱咖啡，輕鬆地聽這集節目吧～ 生詞表 (Vocabulary List) 生活節奏 (shēnghuó jiézòu) – pace of life 緊繃、焦慮 (jǐnbēng, jiāolǜ) – tension, anxiety 調整敏感度、覺察自己的狀況 (tiáozhěng mǐ...
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 vicari...
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 “avoi...
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...
“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...
Do you enjoy working with others and completing tasks as a team? Or do you prefer to work alone and get things done by yourself? In-class group work requires communication and task-sharing, and sometimes you might even run into irresponsible teammates. But it's also a great chance to practice important skills. Once you enter the workforce, the ability to communicate and delegate tasks might be just as important as your professional expertise! 你喜歡跟人合作，分組進行任務嗎？還是你更喜歡單打獨鬥，自己完成任務？課堂分組要跟人溝通、分配任務，有時候還...
Spring is here! What kind of flowers are blooming near your home? Do you enjoy flower viewing? When you see a beautiful sea of blossoms, does it make your heart “bloom with joy”? As the saying goes, “Pick the flowers while they bloom; don’t wait until there are only bare branches left.” Let’s seize the chance to enjoy this limited-time beauty gifted by nature together! 春天來了，你家附近有什麼花呢？你喜歡賞花嗎？看到美麗的花海，是否會讓你「心花朵朵開」？「花開堪折直須折，莫待無花空折枝」，讓我們一起把握大自然給予的期間限定美景吧！ 1. 花相關動作與形態 • 賞花shǎnghuā: flower viewing / en...
Every year around the third month of the lunar calendar, people in Taiwan take part in the lively and meaningful event called the “Mazu Pilgrimage.” During this event, thousands of followers walk alongside Mazu’s palanquin, joining a long journey to offer incense and pray for blessings. Some people even walk hundreds of kilometers! It’s not just about religion — along the way, you can really see and feel Taiwan’s local culture, friendly people, and beautiful scenery. So, let’s take a closer look...
Whether it’s through language, clothing, or music, a person’s "sense of era" and "cultural bubble" often shine through. Even within the same language, people from different generations tend to use words and expressions differently. If you truly want to understand someone, you must first understand the language and expressions they are accustomed to. Do you want to learn phrases commonly used in business settings or slang popular among younger generations? How should one go about learning and usi...
Do you prefer a packed, fast-paced itinerary, or a slower, more mindful "slow travel" experience? If you're tired of planning detailed schedules or no longer want to rush through attractions without truly experiencing them, maybe it's time to plan a slow travel journey! 你喜歡行程豐富的充實旅行，還是放慢速度關注感受的「軟旅行」？如果厭煩了規劃行程，或者不想總是走馬看花地拜訪景點，也許你現在該規劃的是一場軟旅行喔！ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. https://www.facebook.com/how...
How many "online friends" do you have? Have you ever met your online friends in person? Do they look or act like you imagined? Joanne and April are online friends who have been recording together all this time but have never met in real life! What does it feel like to be so familiar yet so unfamiliar after so many years? Come listen to how we view "online friends"! 你有多少「網友」？你跟網友見過面嗎？你的網友跟你想像中的樣子一樣嗎？Joanne跟April是網友，而且是錄音錄到現在都沒見過面的網友！這麼多年又熟悉又陌生是什麼樣的感覺？來聽聽看我們怎麼看「網友」吧！ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and ...
In this episode, April and three American students discuss what it is like to be a senior in college. Topics include how the students feel about graduating, their plans after graduation, and struggles they have as fourth year students. 在這一集中，April 和三位美國學生一起聊聊大學四年級學生對畢業的感覺。除了討論對畢業後的感覺以外，還說到了畢業後的計畫，以及所面臨的壓力。快來聽聽他們對畢業的看法，也歡迎大家和我們分享自己的經驗！ Recommend Level: CEFR A2 (and above) Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode. https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhong...
In this episode, April and Julia dive into the special celebration of Thanksgiving! We discuss classic Thanksgiving foods like turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce, as well as fun traditions such as Black Friday and family dinners. Additionally, we explore the history of Thanksgiving, touching on its controversies, and compare it with Christmas. To wrap things up, April poses an interesting question: Does your country have a holiday similar to Thanksgiving? Tune in now and join ...
Is writing Chinese characters difficult for you? In fact, for people in Taiwan, writing characters isn’t that easy either. Native speakers spend a lot of time practicing the skill of writing characters and trying to memorize them. Nowadays, even though people type more than they write characters by hand, it can still be a calming and therapeutic activity 你喜歡寫字嗎？對你來說寫中文字是不是一件很困難的事？其實對台灣人來說，寫字也一點都不簡單。但有時候寫字也可能是一件療癒的事情呢！來聽聽看我們對寫字的看法吧！ Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you ...
Is it the middle of the night where you are now? Many people enjoy a bit of personal time before bed, and sometimes, if they enjoy it for too long, it turns into staying up late. Why is it that more and more modern people are staying up late? Do you like doing things when the night is quiet? Listen to Howto.zhongwen podcast, turn off the lights, and quietly listen to an episode. Let yourself relax, and maybe you won’t stay up late tonight! 你那裡現在是半夜了嗎？許多人喜歡在睡前享受一點屬於自己的時光，有時候一不小心享受太久，就變成了熬夜。為什麼現代人...
Being rejected always feels uncomfortable, but rejecting others is an art. Do you know how to say no? Can you refuse someone without making them feel upset? Let’s explore the art of rejection together! 被拒絕總是讓人難受，而拒絕人則是一門藝術。你懂得拒絕嗎？你能在拒絕別人的同時，還讓對方不感覺到不愉快嗎？讓我們一起研究拒絕的藝術吧！ Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode.https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen Visit our website: https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/ Support Us: h...
The summer heat often leaves people without an appetite. Besides enjoying some cold, tangy, and spicy dishes, what else can you do? Do you try your best to stimulate your appetite, or just snack on random things and skip meals altogether? Let's rediscover our appetite! 夏天天氣好熱，常常讓人沒有胃口。這時候除了可以吃些冰冰涼涼、酸酸辣辣的菜，還可以怎麼做呢？你會想盡辦法開胃，或者就乾脆吃一些「有的沒的」零食，略過正餐？讓「好土中文」陪你一起找回好胃口吧！ Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode.https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen...
Do you like collecting various stickers? Do you buy them or download free ones? Stickers can help add 'warmth' beyond just text, allowing your messages to express more of your personality and emotions, making chatting more fun. Just remember to choose the right audience and timing when using stickers, so you don't accidentally cause unnecessary misunderstandings! 你喜歡搜集各種貼圖嗎？你會買，或者下載免費貼圖？貼圖可以幫我們補充文字以外的「溫度」，讓文字訊息加上你的個性與情緒，增添聊天的樂趣。使用貼圖記得要選擇適合的對象與時機，才不會反而造成不必要的誤會喔！ Please preview the keywords of thi...
The Habits of Listening to Music Music is deeply connected to our daily lives. People often go through their routines while being surrounded by music. However, music listening habits have changed significantly due to internet technology. Nowadays, people access various kinds of music through streaming services instead of buying CDs. In this episode, Lisa and April will share their thoughts about listening to music and discuss how it influences their emotions and daily life, as well as the change...
It's near the end of the summer. Have you had any unforgettable travels during the vacation? Whether you are about to catch the tail of summer and start a new journey or are ready to move to a new place, packing is always very time-consuming. In this episode, Lisa and April will share their packing tips, discuss why people take such a long time to pack, and the feelings that cross their minds while packing luggage. Remember to listen to this episode while(before) you are packing your luggage. 什麼...
Going to the dentist might be the most or the second horrible thing in one's life. In this episode, Joanne and April will share their experience of visiting a dentist, show you how to explain specific terms in Chinese and introduce words that dentists often say during the treatment. We hope you'll be able to express your discomfort clearly in Chinese, even if you have a toothache. 「該看牙醫了！」聽到這句話，你的心情是雀躍還是恐懼？看牙醫前要先知道怎麼掛號、怎麼讓診所知道你的問題。還有牙醫師常常會說的話，這一集裡都有喔！ Please preview the keywords of this week on ...
Persuasion is an art, whether you aim to persuade yourself or others. In this episode, Lisa and April will explore the concept of persuasion and analyze the factors that influence its success. This episode is fascinating and could offer valuable insights to help you resolve communication issues. Don't miss it! Have we persuaded you to listen? 要怎麼改變別人的想法、「說服」別人？如果對方有自己堅持的想法，你能不能理性分析、感性理解，最後說服對方？快來聽「好土中文」，不只中文能越來越好，還能聽到很多有趣的話題喔！ Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you liste...
台灣各地在最近的颱風過境時，幾乎都放了兩天颱風假，許多地方因為颱風帶來的暴雨造成了淹水。「極端氣候」已經成為這幾年全球重要的議題。一起來聊聊極端氣候對我們的影響吧！ According to weather scientists' investigations, you may be experiencing the highest temperatures ever recorded, and they are expected to keep rising in the future. Extreme climates affect nearly all of us in different ways. In this episode, Lisa and April will discuss the changes they have experienced due to extreme climates and share their feelings about being part of this dynamically changing system. Please pre...
Have you ever experienced an air defense exercise in your country? In Taiwan, we have an annual air defense drill to help citizens practice emergency responses. In this episode, Joanne and Lisa will share their experiences during the air defense exercise and introduce some important words you will hear during the practice. 你知道什麼是「防空演習」嗎？聽到防空警報應該怎麼做？如果違反規定，可是會罰三萬到十五萬台幣的！一起來了解一下在台灣遇到防空演習的時候要注意哪些事情吧！ Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode.http...
When was the last time you took a selfie on your cell phone? What prompts you to take selfies, whether alone or with friends? Although selfies are not a new concept, they have become one of the most common activities people engage in with their phones. In this episode, Lisa and April will delve into the concept of selfies and explore why people are so inclined to take them in their daily lives. 美美的自拍照是照片，還是照「騙」？你的手機裡有多少「自拍」的照片？你經常「修圖」嗎？除了聊聊大家喜歡自拍的原因，在這一集還可以學到一些跟「把自己的照片拍得更漂亮(或者修得更漂亮)」有關係的詞語～很實用喔！...
Can a person's mind get tired just like their body ? In this episode, we will discuss where emotional fatigue comes from, how we should overcome it, or how to resolve this feeling of mental exhaustion. 人的心和人的身體一樣會累嗎?你聽過情緒勞務嗎?在這一集好土中文裡，我們會討論"心累"的原因，以及我們應該怎麼克服這種心累的感覺? Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode.https://www.facebook.com/howto.zhongwen Visit our website: https://howtozhongwen.wordpress.com/ Support Us: htt...
夏天就要去海邊！到海邊玩水、玩沙有哪些防曬的方法？這些防曬用品的中文是什麼？有哪些要注意的事情？享受浪漫的海邊假期前，先來了解這些跟海邊玩水有關的中文吧！ Summer is coming, and it's time to hit the beach! What are some ways to protect yourself from the sun? What are these sun protection products called in Chinese? What should you be mindful of? Before enjoying a wonderful beach vacation, let's first learn these Chinese terms related to playing in the water at the beach! Please preview the keywords of this week on Facebook before you listen to this episode.https:/...
