Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today’s episode takes us on a journey that starts with a simple metro station drop-off and spirals into an unexpected encounter with the world of beauty salons. Our storyteller shares a vivid and relatable experience of being drawn into a sales pitch, navigating the fine line between politeness and personal boundaries, and reflecting on the subtle ways external o...
Aug 18, 2025•58 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today’s episode takes us on a journey that starts with a simple metro station drop-off and spirals into an unexpected encounter with the world of beauty salons. Our storyteller shares a vivid and relatable experience of being drawn into a sales pitch, navigating the fine line between politeness and personal boundaries, and reflecting on the subtle ways external o...
Aug 03, 2025•19 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we bring you the timeless tale of 阿诗玛, a story of love, resilience, and sacrifice set in the breathtaking landscapes of Yunnan. 阿诗玛, a beautiful and talented young woman, grows up in a humble family, her voice and spirit captivating all who meet her. Her love story with the brave and skilled 阿黑 blossoms amidst challenges, but their happiness is short-lived...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we bring you the timeless tale of 阿诗玛, a story of love, resilience, and sacrifice set in the breathtaking landscapes of Yunnan. 阿诗玛, a beautiful and talented young woman, grows up in a humble family, her voice and spirit captivating all who meet her. Her love story with the brave and skilled 阿黑 blossoms amidst challenges, but their happiness is short-lived...
Jul 12, 2025•11 min
宁愿+ option A, 也不 + option B is used to express that someone would rather choose A than B, even if A is not perfect. It highlights a deliberate preference for one option over another. It emphasizes the speaker's strong preference for A while firmly rejecting B. The tone often conveys determination, personal values, or reasoning behind the preference. Be sure to check out our Conjunction Collection to catch up on the previous 8 episodes that focused on Coordination Conjunctions. These episodes are...
Jun 20, 2025•4 min
不是......就是...... means "If it's not A, then it's B" or "It must be either A or B."It reflects a binary choice, emphasizing that one of the two options will definitely happen or is true. Be sure to check out our Conjunction Collection to catch up on the previous 8 episodes that focused on Coordination Conjunctions. These episodes are packed with insights and real-life examples to help you master their usage. ************************************************************ Support Our Podcast If our p...
Jun 16, 2025•4 min
是......还是......(shi……haishi…… ) 是...还是 is used to ask a question where the speaker is offering two choices. It translates to "Is it... or...?" in English. 还是VS 或者 还是 is used in questions to present choices. 或者 is used in statements to indicate possibilities. Be sure to check out our Conjunction Collection to catch up on the previous 8 episodes that focused on Coordination Conjunctions. These episodes are packed with insights and real-life examples to help you master their usage. ****************...
Jun 08, 2025•4 min
The structure "要么...要么..." (yàome... yàome...) is a conjunction in Chinese used to express exclusive choices. It highlights a situation where the speaker must choose one option from two or more possibilities, with the implication that only one choice can be made. Distinction Between 要么...要么... and 或者...或者... 要么...要么...Exclusive Choices: One must choose between the options. Implies mutual exclusivity: Choosing one excludes the others. 或者...或者...Neutral Options: Simply lists possibilities without ...
Jun 08, 2025•7 min
After our series on Coordination Conjunctions in 2024, we’re now diving into additional common conjunctions. The topic of this episode is 或者huòzhě……，或者huòzhě....... It is used to present alternatives or options. It can be translated as "either... or..." in English. This construction allows speakers to express choices or possibilities in a clear and concise manner. Be sure to check out our Conjunction Collection to catch up on the previous 8 episodes that focused on Coordination Conjunctions. The...
May 01, 2025•5 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we bring you the story of 王磊, a programmer who came to Beijing three years ago, full of hope and ambition. Like many in the bustling city, his days were a blur of crowded subway rides, late-night work, and a seemingly endless cycle of routine. But one fateful evening, when his phone unexpectedly broke, he was forced to pause—and in that pause, he began to ...
Apr 22, 2025•36 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we bring you the story of 王磊, a programmer who came to Beijing three years ago, full of hope and ambition. Like many in the bustling city, his days were a blur of crowded subway rides, late-night work, and a seemingly endless cycle of routine. But one fateful evening, when his phone unexpectedly broke, he was forced to pause—and in that pause, he began to ...
Mar 29, 2025•9 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today’s episode takes us into the childhood of 巴德·舒尔伯格, a celebrated writer who grew up between the warm encouragement of his mother and the strict criticism of his father. At just eight or nine years old, he wrote his first poem, sparking a moment of pride and excitement. His mother’s glowing praise—“精彩极了！”—filled him with confidence, while his father’s harsh cr...
Mar 19, 2025•45 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today’s episode takes us into the childhood of 巴德·舒尔伯格, a celebrated writer who grew up between the warm encouragement of his mother and the strict criticism of his father. At just eight or nine years old, he wrote his first poem, sparking a moment of pride and excitement. His mother’s glowing praise—“精彩极了！”—filled him with confidence, while his father’s harsh cr...
Mar 13, 2025•9 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we’re sharing a nostalgic tale of 桂花雨, or "Osmanthus Rain," a story that takes us back to the author’s childhood in her coastal hometown. It’s a time when the air is filled with the enchanting fragrance of blooming osmanthus flowers, and the entire village comes together to harvest this delicate treasure before the looming threat of typhoon season. Through...
Feb 22, 2025•40 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we’re sharing a nostalgic tale of 桂花雨, or "Osmanthus Rain," a story that takes us back to the author’s childhood in her coastal hometown. It’s a time when the air is filled with the enchanting fragrance of blooming osmanthus flowers, and the entire village comes together to harvest this delicate treasure before the looming threat of typhoon season. Through...
Feb 04, 2025•9 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we bring you a tale that is both a glimpse into history and a lesson in courage. Set in the late 19th century, our story follows a young Sun Yat-sen, the future father of modern China, as he navigates the traditional Confucian school system. In a classroom where rote learning and strict discipline reign supreme, Sun Yat-sen finds himself questioning the me...
Jan 22, 2025•43 min
Free Transcript for Season 1 Episode 1-5 ************************************************************ Are you a fan of our podcast and hungry for more? Well, we've got a treat for you! By becoming a LCTS member, you'll gain exclusive access to our treasure trove of story and story explanation transcripts for both RealLife Chinese for Beginners and Learning Chinese through stories. Transcript Membership Did you know that you can practice your spoken Chinese with Rui & Simeng and other languag...
Jan 13, 2025•4 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we bring you a tale that is both a glimpse into history and a lesson in courage. Set in the late 19th century, our story follows a young Sun Yat-sen, the future father of modern China, as he navigates the traditional Confucian school system. In a classroom where rote learning and strict discipline reign supreme, Sun Yat-sen finds himself questioning the me...
Dec 29, 2024•7 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we explore the transformative journey of Tang Ying, born in 1990 and regarded as "the model child" in her village. Working as a designer, Tang earned a sizable salary but faced a grueling commute and long hours, leading her to feel like a robot. Ultimately, she decided to return to her hometown, where she started a business selling cured meats with her fam...
Dec 13, 2024•34 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we explore the transformative journey of Tang Ying, born in 1990 and regarded as "the model child" in her village. Working as a designer, Tang earned a sizable salary but faced a grueling commute and long hours, leading her to feel like a robot. Ultimately, she decided to return to her hometown, where she started a business selling cured meats with her fam...
Nov 30, 2024•6 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we’re diving into the charming world of a young boy who embodies the spirit of curiosity and the joy of life. Left in the care of his family while his parents work in Anhui, this little "男子汉" wins hearts with his hearty appetite and playful nature. We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode. Feel free to engage with us and share your comments. LCTS...
Nov 21, 2024•51 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we’re diving into the charming world of a young boy who embodies the spirit of curiosity and the joy of life. Left in the care of his family while his parents work in Anhui, this little "男子汉" wins hearts with his hearty appetite and playful nature. We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode. Feel free to engage with us and share your comments. LCTS...
Nov 12, 2024•7 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we’re diving into the charming world of a young boy who embodies the spirit of curiosity and the joy of life. Left in the care of his family while his parents work in Anhui, this little "男子汉" wins hearts with his hearty appetite and playful nature. We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode. Feel free to engage with us and share your comments. LCTS...
Nov 02, 2024•34 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Today, we’re diving into the charming world of a young boy who embodies the spirit of curiosity and the joy of life. Left in the care of his family while his parents work in Anhui, this little "男子汉" wins hearts with his hearty appetite and playful nature. We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode. Feel free to engage with us and share your comments. LCTS...
Oct 26, 2024•6 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. In this episode we journey to the world of rural Chinese life, as captured through the evocative words of 陈醉云. Picture a humble village home, where melon vines gracefully climb trellises and vibrant gourds dangle like nature's own ornaments. These scenes, with their verdant greens and lively reds, form a unique charm that outshines the grandeur of urban stone lio...
Oct 05, 2024•35 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. In this episode we journey to the world of rural Chinese life, as captured through the evocative words of 陈醉云. Picture a humble village home, where melon vines gracefully climb trellises and vibrant gourds dangle like nature's own ornaments. These scenes, with their verdant greens and lively reds, form a unique charm that outshines the grandeur of urban stone lio...
Sep 28, 2024•9 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. In today’s episode, we journey with renowned author Liang Xiaosheng into a summer memory. On a blazing hot day, our storyteller brings home a watermelon from the market, only to find it’s a “爆炸瓜” – an overripe melon. Planning to throw it away, he’s stopped by his wife’s excitement. She recalls her childhood, a time of scarcity, where such melons were a rare and c...
Sep 20, 2024•39 min
Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. In today’s episode, we journey with renowned author Liang Xiaosheng into a summer memory. On a blazing hot day, our storyteller brings home a watermelon from the market, only to find it’s a “爆炸瓜” – an overripe melon. Planning to throw it away, he’s stopped by his wife’s excitement. She recalls her childhood, a time of scarcity, where such melons were a rare and c...
Sep 13, 2024•8 min
Welcome to another episode of 听故事说中文! In this heartwarming story by 栗良平, we follow the tradition of a humble noodle shop in Tokyo named "小丸子" that stays open late every New Year's Eve. On one particularly cold New Year's Eve, a young mother and her two children, dressed in shabby clothes, enter the shop. The kind-hearted owners, moved by their plight, serve them a bowl of noodle soup with extra ingredients. This simple act of kindness becomes an annual tradition, and over the years, the children...
Sep 02, 2024•44 min
Welcome to another episode of 听故事说中文! In this heartwarming story by 栗良平, we follow the tradition of a humble noodle shop in Tokyo named "小丸子" that stays open late every New Year's Eve. On one particularly cold New Year's Eve, a young mother and her two children, dressed in shabby clothes, enter the shop. The kind-hearted owners, moved by their plight, serve them a bowl of noodle soup with extra ingredients. This simple act of kindness becomes an annual tradition, and over the years, the children...
Aug 24, 2024•9 min
