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Chinese Language Convo Club - Casual Chinese Speaking Practice

Chinese Language Convo Club - Casual Chinese Speaking Practice

Written by: Chinese Language Convo Club - Learn Chinese
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 This podcast series offers a talk-show-style approach to exploring Chinese language and culture. As a long-time student of Chinese, I’m joined by Vicky Zhang, my friend and a seasoned Chinese teacher. Alongside us, we’ll sometimes feature a guest or two—some teaching Chinese, others stepping into the shoes of learners, just like me. Language learning is a collaborative journey, and we invite anyone with something to contribute to join us along the way. While we’re not an immersion-style podcast, our goal is to keep the lessons fun, casual, and informative. New Lessons weekly.Chinese Language Convo Club - Learn Chinese Foreign Language Audiobooks
Episodes
  • 3 Chinese Love Words You Must Know: 暧昧, 约会 & 表白

    3 Chinese Love Words You Must Know: 暧昧, 约会 & 表白
    Feb 2 2026

    In this episode of Chinese Language Convo Club, we delve into three essential Chinese love words that come up again and again in real-life dating conversations: 暧昧 (ambiguous feelings), 约会 (going on dates), and 表白 (confessing your feelings).

    With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Vicky and I break down how romantic relationships typically unfold in Chinese dating culture, and how it differs from Western dating norms. You’ll learn what these words really mean, how native speakers use them, and when 约会 turns into 交往.

    The episode includes natural Chinese dialogues, clear explanations, cultural insights, and repeat-after-me practice to help you sound more natural and confident when talking about relationships in Mandarin.

    Perfect for intermediate Chinese learners, podcast listeners who want real spoken Chinese, and anyone curious about love, dating, and romance in Chinese culture.


    For The Complete Transcript, Click Here:

    https://turboscribe.ai/transcript/share/477381560584301628/okfSdv4XEu74yPtZU1W6STG67OdJSeMvd_go3M4sSv8/3-love-words-you-must-know
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    17 mins
  • Cheers in Chinese: How to Toast, Sip, or Politely Say No

    Cheers in Chinese: How to Toast, Sip, or Politely Say No
    Jan 19 2026
    What does “干杯” really mean—and do you actually have to finish your drink? In this episode, we explore Chinese drinking culture, from casual dinners with friends to formal business banquets. You’ll learn key toasting phrases, pronunciation tips, and polite ways to decline alcohol—without losing face.“干杯”一定要喝完吗？敬酒时为什么杯子要放低？这一集我们通过生活化对话，带你了解中文里的喝酒文化、正式与非正式的敬酒礼仪，以及各种得体又自然的“不喝酒”说法。Gānbēi” yídìng yào hē wán ma? Jìngjiǔ shí wèishénme bēizi yào fàng dī? Zhè yí jí wǒmen tōngguò shēnghuó huà duìhuà, dài nǐ liǎojiě Zhōngwén lǐ de hējiǔ wénhuà, zhèngshì yǔ fēi zhèngshì de jìngjiǔ lǐyí, yǐjí gè zhǒng détǐ yòu zìrán de “bù hējiǔ” shuōfǎ.🟢 Dialogue 1: Casual dinner with friends小兰: 来，干杯！在中文里，“干杯”就是“cheers”的意思。湖帆: 哦，那要喝完吗？小兰: 不一定，朋友之间随意一点就好。湖帆: 明白了！那我就小酌一口～ Pinyin：A: Lái, gānbēi! Zài Zhōngwén lǐ, “gānbēi” jiù shì “cheers” de yìsi.B: Ó, nà yào hē wán ma?A: Bù yídìng, péngyǒu zhījiān suíyì yīdiǎn jiù hǎo.B: Míngbai le! Nà wǒ jiù xiǎo zhuó yì kǒu ~English:A: Okay, cheers! In Chinese, “干杯 (gānbēi)” means “cheers.”B: Oh, do I have to finish the drink?A: Not necessarily — with friends, it’s more relaxed.B: Got it! Then I’ll just take a small sip.🟠 Dialogue 2: Formal business banquet小刘: 王经理，我敬您一杯！感谢您的合作。王经理: 谢谢！我也回敬您一杯。先您后我，这是礼貌。小刘: 对，听说敬酒时杯口要比对方低一点？王经理: 是的，表示尊重。Pinyin:Xiao Liu: Wáng jīnglǐ, wǒ jìng nín yì bēi! Gǎnxiè nín de hézuò.Wang Jingli: Xièxiè! Wǒ yě huíjìng nín yì bēi. Xiān nín hòu wǒ, zhè shì lǐmào.Xiao Liu: Duì, tīngshuō jìngjiǔ shí bēikǒu yào bǐ duìfāng dī yìdiǎn?Wang Jingli: Shì de, biǎoshì zūnzhòng.English:A: Manager Wang, I’d like to toast to you! Thank you for your cooperation.B: Thank you! I’ll also return the toast. You first, then me — that’s polite.A: Right, I heard the rim of my glass should be slightly lower than yours?B: Yes, that shows respect.Polite Refusals: 1. 我今天不太能喝酒，还请多包涵。Wǒ jīntiān bù tài néng hējiǔ, hái qǐng duō bāohan.“I can’t really drink today — thank you for understanding.”➡️ Super common, soft, humble tone.2. 我酒量不好，今天就先不喝了。Wǒ jiǔliàng bù hǎo, jīntiān jiù xiān bù hē le.“My alcohol tolerance isn’t great, so I’ll pass today.”➡️ A very accepted excuse; no one argues with “low tolerance.”3. 我等等还要开车，就不喝酒了。Wǒ děngdeng hái yào kāichē, jiù bù hējiǔ le.“I still need to drive later, so I can’t drink.”➡️ 100% respected; people will immediately stop pushing alcohol.4. 我身体不太舒服，医生也不建议我喝酒。Wǒ shēntǐ bù tài shūfu, yīshēng yě bù jiànyì wǒ hējiǔ.“I’m not feeling well, and my doctor advised me not to drink.”➡️ No one will challenge this.Soft & Friendly Ways (Still Polite)5. 我陪大家就好，我喝茶/水就行。Wǒ péi dàjiā jiù hǎo, wǒ hē chá/shuǐ jiù xíng.“I’ll join everyone in spirit — tea/water is fine for me.”➡️ Shows participation without drinking alcohol.6. 我浅尝一下就好，真的不太能喝。Wǒ qiǎncháng yíxià jiù hǎo, zhēn de bù tài néng hē.“I’ll just take a tiny sip; I really can’t drink much.”➡️ Not very effective. Drinking in China is an "all or nothing" event! Direct But Still Polite7. 不好意思，我真的不喝酒。Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ zhēnde bù hējiǔ.“Sorry, but I really don’t drink alcohol.”➡️ Clear boundary, still polite.8. 我对酒精过敏，所以真的不能喝。Wǒ duì jiǔjīng guòmǐn, suǒyǐ zhēnde bùnéng hē.“I’m allergic to alcohol, so I really can’t drink.”➡️ Absolutely respected; people will even protect you from more toasts.A Playful but Safe Excuse (Used in Friendly Settings)9. 我喝一杯就会脸红得像虾，还是算了吧！Wǒ hē yì bēi jiù huì liǎnhóng de xiàng xiā, háishi suànle ba!“If I drink even one glass I turn red like a shrimp, so better not!”➡️ Lightens the mood, keeps things friendly.
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    28 mins
  • 资深吃货! Learn Festive Chinese Food Slang for the Holidays

    资深吃货! Learn Festive Chinese Food Slang for the Holidays
    Dec 30 2025

    We'll be back in a few weeks to bring you more fun lessons on Chinese language and culture, but in the meantime, celebrate the holidays and boost your Chinese vocabulary in this quick five-minute bilingual episode! 🥟✨ Learn how to describe a true foodie (资深吃货), talk about a big holiday feast (大餐), and even say you’ve eaten to your limit (吃到嗓子哑了). Perfect for learners who love language, culture, and great food. Listen, laugh, and learn festive Mandarin phrases you can use right away!
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    5 mins
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