Episodes

  • When "Perfect" Stops Feeling Perfect | The China Code Ep.4

    When "Perfect" Stops Feeling Perfect | The China Code Ep.4
    May 19 2026
    Welcome to The China Code, where every two weeks we break down a trending Chinese internet buzzword. Today's phrase: 祛魅 （qū mèi） – stripping away the "filter" and seeing the truth underneath. Have you ever finally gotten something you deeply wanted – only to realize it felt… more ordinary than you imagined? In China, more and more young people are using the word 祛魅 to describe that moment when the filter comes off and reality comes into focus. Let's talk about why people are "demystifying" the modern dream, and what happens when we stop chasing the fantasy and start seeing things as they really are. CONTACT THE TEAM We'd love to hear your feedback or suggestions for future buzzwords! Email: crilearnchinese@gmail.com Facebook: @crilearnchinese TikTok: @takeaway.chinese
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    5 mins
  • Trending hobbies among young people in China 中国年轻人的热门爱好有哪些？

    Trending hobbies among young people in China 中国年轻人的热门爱好有哪些？
    May 19 2026
    What's your favorite hobby – music, travel, or something else? In this episode of Takeaway Chinese, you'll discover some of the trendiest hobbies among young people in China right now! Join us to learn useful expressions, fun cultural insights, and everyday vocabulary! On the show: Niu Honglin & Steve. (02:22) Describe your hobbies in Chinese. (12:36) What are some trending hobbies in China?
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    28 mins
  • Special: How to say "health preservation 养生" in Chinese?

    Special: How to say "health preservation 养生" in Chinese?
    May 15 2026

    In this special episode of Takeaway Chinese, we're going to learn how to say "health preservation" in Chinese.
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    1 min
  • Special: How to say "special edition 特辑" in Chinese?

    Special: How to say "special edition 特辑" in Chinese?
    May 12 2026

    In this special episode of Takeaway Chinese, we're going to learn how to say "special edition" in Chinese.
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    1 min
  • How to say someone is smart… or silly in Chinese? “聪明”vs“笨”：中文里不止一种说法

    How to say someone is smart… or silly in Chinese? “聪明”vs“笨”：中文里不止一种说法
    May 11 2026
    In Chinese, intelligence isn't just about IQ. Someone can be 聪明 (smart), 机灵 (clever), 精明 (shrewd), or even 大智若愚 (great wisdom under the guise of folly) — and each word reveals a different way Chinese speakers think about wisdom, personality, and social behavior. In our new episode of Takeaway Chinese, we're exploring how Chinese speakers describe smart, clever, silly, goofy, and everything in between. (02:08) Different ways to say "smart" in Chinese (11:24) Calling your partner "dumb" in Chinese can actually sound romantic?
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    29 mins
  • Special: How to say "save 拯救" in Chinese?

    Special: How to say "save 拯救" in Chinese?
    May 8 2026

    In this special episode of Takeaway Chinese, we're going to learn how to say "save" in Chinese.
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    1 min
  • Chasing Perfect… or Choosing Real? | The China Code Ep.3

    Chasing Perfect… or Choosing Real? | The China Code Ep.3
    May 5 2026
    Welcome to The China Code, where every two weeks we break down a trending Chinese internet buzzword. Today's phrase: 活人感 (huó rén gǎn) – the feeling of a living human or the sense of a real person. Have you ever looked at a flawless post – and felt… nothing? 活人感 is the opposite of that feeling. It's the sense that there's a real, living person behind the screen – the kind of raw, unfiltered presence that makes you pause and think: this feels real. In a world of curated content and AI-generated interactions, why does this feeling matter so much – and why are people starting to seek it out? Let's explore what "real" really means – and why it's becoming more valuable than ever. CONTACT THE TEAM We'd love to hear your feedback or suggestions for future buzzwords! Email: crilearnchinese@gmail.com Facebook: @crilearnchinese TikTok: @takeaway.chinese
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    3 mins
  • China code: Trending phenomena decoded 解码中文：解锁最新热词

    China code: Trending phenomena decoded 解码中文：解锁最新热词
    May 4 2026
    Chinese is evolving fast – and so is the slang! From viral catchphrases to internet buzzwords, we're breaking down the trendiest expressions people are using right now. Sound more natural, more local, and way more in the know. Tune in to Takeaway Chinese and upgrade your Chinese today! (07:40) 开团秒跟 - Someone takes the lead, others immediately copy or join. (15:50) 活人感 - A sense of being a real, living person.
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    34 mins