Ula doesn't want to read fiction. Tom want's her to try it. Can Tom convince her to read a novel? Also what does Ula's strange dream about her mother, travelling to the mountains and been caught doing something naughty in university mean? Let's find out in the Mandarin monkey podcast. Your Mandarin Chinese and English dream of a bi-lingual podcast.

#343 - READ A BOOK! | One Mandarin Speaker and One English Speaker | Bi-Lingual Podcast

Tom and Ula talk about the new Mandarin hangout set up coming in 2024 and how it can help you learn Mandarin faster and find a better time to make friends and level up. Diving into whether or not its the journey to fluency thats the fun bit or the fluency itself, and what fluency really means in any language. Should we enjoy the enjoy or try and get to the result as quickly as possible? All this discussed in both Mandarin Chinese and English. Enjoy!

#344 - The Journey or The End? | Mandarin and English Bilingual Podcast | Mandarin Monkey

Dive into a thrilling episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, where language learning meets fun and unpredictability! 🌟 In this special edition, hosts Ula and Tom take on the classic game of Truth or Dare, with a bilingual twist. 🇨🇳🇬🇧

Ula, speaking exclusively in Mandarin, and Tom, responding in English, navigate a series of daring challenges and revealing truths. This episode isn't just a game; it's a rollercoaster of emotions, cultural exchange, and linguistic gymnastics. 🎭

Whether you're a Mandarin learner, an English enthusiast, or just in for a good laugh, this episode has something for everyone. 🎧 Laugh, learn, and leap into language with us. As Ula and Tom reveal their truths and face their dares, you'll find yourself not just entertained, but also picking up phrases in both languages. 📚

So, plug in your headphones and join us for an episode filled with surprises, learning, and a whole lot of fun. Who knows? You might just dare to learn a new language by the end of it! 😉

#345 - Truth or Dare | Mandarin Chinese & English learning podcast

In this heartwarming and lively episode of Mandarin Monkey, hosts Tom and Ula dive into the emotionally rich topic of parenthood. After a special request from an Instagram follower, they open up about the joys, challenges, and anxieties of becoming new parents, sharing their personal experiences and insights. The episode takes a playful turn with the game "Is It Me? Is It You?", where Tom and Ula make humorous and revealing statements like "Who is most likely to get a lower back tattoo?" and respond with a quick show of paddles, igniting laughter and surprising admissions. This unique game is conducted in both Mandarin and English, offering listeners an engaging and fun way to learn both languages through a free-flowing, 'Chinglish' conversation. Whether you're a language learner, a new parent, or just in for some good-hearted entertainment, this episode of Mandarin Monkey promises an enjoyable blend of cultural exchange, personal stories, and delightful banter. Tune in for an episode that's far from boring, and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Mandarin Monkey!

#346 - Is It Me Or Is It You? | Mandarin Monkey Podcast

Welcome to a special episode of the Mandarin Monkey podcast, where we blend the fun of learning Mandarin with the joy of gratitude! In this episode, we take a delightful detour from our usual Mandarin lessons to discuss what makes us truly grateful. Join us as we share hilarious personal stories, sprinkle in some Mandarin phrases related to gratitude, and explore how acknowledging the little things can make a big difference in our language journey and life. Whether it's the thrill of nailing a new Mandarin phrase, the warmth of family laughter, or the simple pleasure of a good cup of tea, we cover it all with our trademark humor and light-heartedness. This episode isn't just about improving your Mandarin; it's about enriching your life with gratitude and laughter. Tune in for an episode full of language learning tips, fun, and heartfelt moments that will leave you smiling and motivated in your Mandarin learning adventure!

#347 - Celebrating Gratitude | Bilingual podcast | Mandarin and English

Hey Mandarin Monkey fam! This week, we’re taking a hilarious hike through the history of social media – yes, we’re talking about the good, the bad, and the downright cringe-worthy moments from our digital pasts. Remember the thrill of customizing your MySpace page or the challenge of expressing your whole vibe in just 140 characters? How about those Vine creations we all thought were cinematic masterpieces?

Join us as we reminisce about the days when social media was just finding its feet, diving into the trends that had us hooked, and the posts that make us face-palm now. From virtual farms to the first selfie hashtags, we’re unpacking it all with our usual blend of humor and insight.

But what’s a trip down memory lane without picking up a few new phrases along the way? In true Mandarin Monkey style, we’ll sprinkle in some Mandarin related to social media. Whether you’re here to chuckle over our digital faux pas or to snag some new vocabulary for your Mandarin arsenal, this episode promises to deliver.

Mandarin Monkey

#359 - 社交媒体 Social Media | Casual Mandarin Chinese & English Podcast

Tom and Ula discuss good and bad advice they have gotten over the years.

Mandarin Vocabulary Related to Advice:
建议 (Jiànyì) - Advice
最好 (Zuì hǎo) - Best
最坏 (Zuì huài) - Worst
经验 (Jīngyàn) - Experience
智慧 (Zhìhuì) - Wisdom
错误 (Cuòwù) - Mistake
成功 (Chénggōng) - Success
失败 (Shībài) - Failure
教训 (Jiàoxùn) - Lesson
启发 (Qǐfā) - Inspiration

#360 - Advice 建议 Jiànyì - Good or Bad Advice and vocabulary in Mandarin and English

What would you choose to encapsulate the essence of today? From the latest technological marvels to cultural icons, and personal mementos that hold significant meaning, we discuss what should make the cut for our hypothetical time capsule. We'll delve into not just what items to include, but why they matter and what they could tell people a century from now about the world as we know it. Laugh and reflect with us as we consider how today's commonplace might be tomorrow's history. Let’s make history together, one item at a time!

Time Capsule (时间胶囊) - Shíjiān jiāonáng
Technology (技术) - Jìshù
Culture (文化) - Wénhuà
Historical (历史的) - Lìshǐ de
Predictions (预测) - Yùcè
Environmental (环境的) - Huánjìng de
Communicate (沟通) - Gōutōng
Valuable (有价值的) - Yǒu jiàzhí de
Future Generations (未来的一代) - Wèilái de yídài
Hopes and Dreams (希望与梦想) - Xīwàng yǔ mèngxiǎng

#361 - Time Capsule Treasures -时间胶囊 - Shíjiān jiāonáng

In this episode, Tom and Ula dive into the fascinating world of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn! 📚✨ Join us as we explore this epic fantasy novel and see just how many fantastical words we can understand. 🤔 From allomancy to mistwraiths, Ula reads a few passages to challenge both Tom and our listeners. Can you keep up with the magical terms and complex world-building? 🧙‍♂️🔍 Tune in to test your fantasy vocabulary skills and discover why Mistborn is a must-read for fantasy lovers!

#375 - Mistborn in Mandarin - Reading a Brandon Sanderson book in TWO languages

All spoken in both English and Mandarin. In this episode (376), we take a fun trip down memory lane, revisiting what we were talking about years ago on the podcast and reflecting on how far we've come. Plus, after much deliberation, we finally pull the trigger on a big decision—buying a gaming PC! Tune in for some nostalgia, tech talk, and the usual laughs. 

Skritter - Learn to write Chinese
skritter.com?ref=mandarinmonkey

Use promoCode: MANDARINMONKEY
for 10% off everything

回顾过去, 迎接新科技: Our Journey Down Memory Lane and a Gaming PC Buy!

Chinese and English Language podcast. A mixed couple (Tom & Ula) living in Taiwan, teach Chinese through the use of Chinglish (Chinese and English) on a variety of topics. Learn Chinese, study methods, Entertainment, news, life, business, hints and tricks to learning Mandarin. Hear a native speaking naturally and at natural pace but with the English translation so you can follow the context of the conversation. Enjoy.