Mandarin Monkey Podcast

Most Chinese learners start with “nǐ hǎo” — but no one actually says that. We break down how native speakers really greet each other, and why using the right phrases makes you sound less like a tourist.We also go deeper on: • Why we might flip our podcast intro to help beginners stay engaged • Life priorities — health, family, work, rest — and how they keep changing • When to push kids into learning skills (like piano, languages, or acting) • Confidence, stage fright, and how to stay brave even when you’re scaredThis episode mixes Mandarin and English, perfect if you’re learning Chinese and want natural conversation plus real-life topics that make you think.Listen, learn, and share your thoughts with us at mandarinmonkey.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn Mandarin while you live your life. Bilingual Mandarin-English. Easy listening. Real topics.Today you get 10 positive stories, quick takes, and daily Mandarin input.What you hear • How to use this podcast while commuting, working out, or doing chores • UK vs Taiwan buses, commuting, and remote work social energy • Good news stories with simple Chinese and English contextGood news highlights • The Red Dress Project, 14 years, 51 countries, Guinness record embroidery • A free compliment stand by a 9-year-old in Illinois • A nurse revives a drunk raccoon that ate fermented fruit • Saving Somerset’s eels with community action • A casque-headed iguana’s rare virgin birth • Australia’s new marine reserve to protect sea life • Viral road-sign cleaning • Saturn’s 128 newly confirmed moons, total now 206Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Practice with our teachers or join Hangouts at mandarinmonkey.com.Leave a review. It helps others find the show.mandarin monkey, mandarin chinese podcast, learn mandarin, chinese listening practice, bilingual mandarin english, taiwan culture, uk vs taiwan buses, positive news stories, red dress project, compliment stand, raccoon cpr, eel conservation, iguana parthenogenesis, australia marine reserve, saturn 128 moons, easy chinese podcast, chinese for beginners, intermediate chinese listening, chinese vocabulary in context Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, we chat in Mandarin and English about the safest countries to move to in 2025. Iceland, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, Taiwan, which one would you choose?This is a bilingual Mandarin and English conversation. You’ll hear natural Mandarin phrases mixed with English, perfect for learners who want to practice listening, pick up everyday vocabulary, and get a feel for real spoken Chinese.What we cover in this episode:Phones listening and targeted adsOur youngest starting schoolGlobal Peace Index 2025 and safe countriesIceland, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, TaiwanTravel stories, turbulence, and long flightsOur final shortlist of countries to liveA closing poem in English and MandarinIf you want to learn Mandarin in a fun, real way through English and Chinese conversation, this podcast is for you.Try a free Mandarin lesson and more at: www.mandarinmonkey.comSubscribe for more episodes and tell your friends if you enjoy the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn upper-beginner Mandarin with real stories from UK life. We talk about meeting Hong Kong neighbors, Cantonese vs Mandarin, Center Parcs, bikes, bowling, mini golf, and family costs. You get natural conversation, clear vocab, and usable phrases.What you learn today • Meeting neighbors in Chinese • Cantonese vs Mandarin basics, Traditional vs Simplified • Family, school, and community vocabulary • Activities vocab: bikes, boats, bowling, mini golf, swimming • Money talk: prices, renting, mortgages, daily costs • Travel talk: Center Parcs pros, cons, and tipsWho this helps • Upper-beginner to intermediate learners • HSK 2–4 • Learners who want comprehensible input and real topics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a bonus Tuesday episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast. We talk about summer holidays in the UK, why we want our kids to spend time in Taiwan, and what happened when a glamping hot tub got way too hot.If you’re learning Mandarin, this podcast gives you real conversations in English and Chinese. You’ll hear everyday Mandarin in context, with natural back-and-forth between a native speaker and a learner.In this episode:Teaching kids about Taiwan and Taiwanese cultureHow family life mixes with language learningWhy daily life experiences are the best way to learn MandarinGlamping stories, from sheep to wasps to a boiling hot tubMandarin Monkey is a bilingual podcast for Mandarin learners who want practice, culture, and fun without textbooks.Listen in, laugh with us, and pick up useful Mandarin along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 414 of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula debate whether people get more done working from home, in a café, or in a library. Tom explains why cafés push him to focus, while Ula admits she gets distracted by people-watching. The conversation moves into Mandarin culture and language, with a funny look at how to say “I’m coming” in Chinese without double meanings, and whether to call women Ayi, Jiejie, or Meimei in Taiwan. The episode mixes everyday Mandarin, cultural tips, and lighthearted conversation, giving you listening practice and real insights into life and language. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We left the kids with Grandpa and went camping in the Cotswolds.In this episode, we talk about:Surviving storms, wind, and waspsSetting up camp like amateursWatching a movie in our tent with a projectorExploring Banbury and WoodstockLearning Mandarin through real, honest conversationUla speaks Mandarin. Tom speaks English. You get natural Mandarin input with built-in context. No textbook. No boring repetition. Just real talk, in two languages.Perfect for learners who want to:Train their ears with native MandarinUse context clues instead of translationsHear real-life conversations, not scripted phrasesWant more? Join lessons, hangouts, or get bonus content: 👉 https://www.mandarinmonkey.com 💬 Email: chat@mandarinmonkey.com 🎧 Join us on Patreon:  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think learning Mandarin is all flashcards and peaceful study sessions? Try doing it with three kids, zero time, and a brain that forgets half the vocab by lunch. In this episode, we talk about the real side of language learning—messy, inconsistent, and occasionally shouted across the room.We cover how we keep (some of) our Mandarin skills alive, why casual conversations aren’t enough, and how learning a language with your partner can be… character-building. There’s also some talk about camping, future dreams, and why structured study is like flossing—everyone says they do it, but come on.www.mandarinmonkey.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into another lively episode of the Mandarin Monkey podcast, where we celebrate the power of life's small victories and recount some unforgettable weekend adventures. From the thrill and challenges of landing a new job (hello, creative video applications!) to the quirky misadventures of a family boating trip overtaken by spiders, this episode covers it all with humor and heartfelt reflections. All in Mandarin and English. Join us as we explore how appreciating "little wins" can significantly boost happiness and why balancing work, family, and play is essential for a fulfilling life. Plus, we'd love to hear from you, share Tom's top 10 favorite films in the comments, and you might get a shoutout in our next episode!Get involved: Drop your favorite films below—we'll spotlight your picks in the upcoming episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into the joys and chaos of family travel, focusing on our experiences in Taiwan. From navigating holidays with kids to finding moments of peace in the middle of it all, we reflect on what makes a trip truly memorable. We chat about Taiwan’s rich cultural moments like Children's Day, the importance of good food, and why nostalgia plays such a big role in where we go next.0:00 Intro & Banter  1:00 Planning Holidays with Kids  3:30 Jet Lag Struggles  4:30 Family Holidays in Taiwan  6:00 Taiwan’s Children’s Day  9:00 Mixing Fun & Peace in Holidays  12:00 The Joy of Having Nowhere to Be  15:00 Feeling Safe Abroad  18:30 What Makes Travel Peaceful?  23:00 How to Recreate That Feeling  26:30 10 Years of Chaos & Reflection  29:00 Planning Without Overplanning  32:00 Japan Adventures & Spontaneity  35:00 Time Pressure & Wanting More  36:00 Tandems & European Dreams  37:30 Travel Safety & Tourist Bubbles  39:30 Safari Dreams & Travel Timing  40:30 Christmas in Taiwan?  44:00 Back to Taiwan: Where & Why  47:00 Cities vs Countryside  49:00 Mountains & Memories  52:00 Revisiting Old Places  53:30 Wrapping Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.