Mandarin Monkey Podcast

Hosts dive into a read-along of essential Mandarin phrases, exploring variations of greetings and the nuances between formal and casual speech. They break down key expressions for desires and needs, along with helpful sentence structures for identity. The duo also discusses vocabulary and grammar tips, regional language differences, and how to politely ask for help or apologize. With insights on expressing affection and planning invitations, listeners gain practical tools for everyday Mandarin conversations.

In this lively discussion, the hosts dive into Taiwan's buzzing election scene, sharing thoughts on its chaotic campaign atmosphere. They explore the differences in school subjects between Taiwan and England, revealing quirky classroom anecdotes. The conversation takes a fun turn with playful language games and cultural insights. They reflect on the challenges of teaching while contrasting respect toward educators in Taiwan with their experiences in the UK. Finally, they ponder the roles of tech leaders versus politicians in shaping a brighter future.

Dive into the nuances of comparing in Mandarin! The hosts break down two essential comparison patterns. Discover how to use 比较 before adjectives for contextually rich comparisons. They share engaging examples involving cities and perfumes, like Las Vegas being more fun than London. Then, learn the direct comparison structure with practical sentences, making your Mandarin sound more natural. It's an enlightening session filled with practical tips for language lovers!

The hosts tackle fun desert island scenarios, sharing hilarious student responses about survival essentials. They explore practical items needed for survival, like a knife and magnifying glass, while also navigating cultural tea habits. Language lessons abound, focusing on nuances in Chinese expressions for appearance and emotions. Live interactions create humorous moments, especially when their tripod breaks mid-discussion. The duo encourages language learners to embrace mistakes and build confidence as they preview exciting future content.

Listen in as the hosts tackle the quirky challenge of recording an audiobook at home. Delve into fascinating debates on sleep-learning and ideal bedtime sounds for better language absorption. They also share memorable tricks for learning Chinese characters and discuss experiences with high-rise window cleaning. Discover how to manage toxic dynamics in learning groups and the differences between Mandarin in Taiwan and China. Plus, hear amusing anecdotes about earthquakes, parenting, and the best cities in Taiwan!

Dive into a mix of candid anecdotes about sickness and the thrills of virtual reality. The hosts share their experiences with new VR setups and the emotional impact of immersive films. From terrifying horror demos to heart-pounding adventures, they explore how VR can trigger real-life sensations. Plus, learn about a fascinating lunar festival and the importance of idioms in Mandarin. Join them as they navigate the highs and lows of both being under the weather and soaring through virtual worlds.

In this episode, we really go on a rant about things, we were supposed to talk about Taiwan's birthday for the majority but ended up talking about hen and hao and feichang and also numbers and degrees and dollars, just everything really. We do end up talking about the birthday though so don't worry if you wanted to know whats happens 10/10 we will tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss, in Chinglish, how having the flu while trying to be productive isn't great or easy, the movie Venom (Tom Hardy) albeit very briefly and without any spoilers. AND the major one is measure words which sort of starts about 30 odd minutes from the end. So in the middle-ish. All spoken in delightful Chinglish for your listening pleasure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the poignant and intricate customs surrounding Taiwanese funerals, from folding lotus paper offerings to the significance of fortune-telling in rituals. Discover insights on property ownership and mortgage challenges in Taiwan while dreaming of living inside a movie universe, like Newt Scamander's whimsical suitcase world. Tom and Ula contrast the terrifying moments in horror films with their real-life escapades, showcasing a blend of culture, personal anecdotes, and cinematic reflections that keep listeners entertained.

In this entertaining conversation, the hosts dive into their quirks, including fears and annoying habits like public spitting and chronic snoring. They also explore the cultural differences in food and share their sweet tooth cravings. Dreaming takes a bizarre turn as they recount vivid nightmares and the strangest dreams about sugar gliders. Plus, they discuss upcoming plans for community engagement through a new WhatsApp group, alongside the excitement of future lessons and content.