Picture this: It’s Christmas morning. You hand your Taiwanese friend a beautifully wrapped gift that you spent weeks finding. You watch them expectantly, waiting for a gasp of joy. Instead, they smile politely, say thank …
7 Gifts You Should NEVER Give in Chinese Culture (Unless You Want to Break Up)
Merry Christmas! Or maybe not… Imagine this: You’ve found the perfect gift for your Chinese friend. It’s practical, it’s expensive, and you wrapped it beautifully. You hand it over with a smile, but instead of …
The Poet Sage: Why Du Fu is the Voice of History
When we talk about ancient Chinese poetry, two names almost always go hand in hand: Li Bai (李白) and Du Fu (杜甫). Together, they are known as 「李杜」(Lǐ Dù). While Li Bai was the romantic …
6 Ways to Say You Are EXHAUSTED in Chinese (From Slang to Idioms)
We’ve all been there. You’ve worked a twelve-hour day, studied for a massive exam, or just finished a marathon workout. You aren’t just “tired”—you are completely drained. While strictly saying wǒ hěn lèi (I am …
8 Ways to Say “I Told You So” in Chinese
There is perhaps nothing more satisfying—and simultaneously annoying—than telling a friend, “I told you so.” Whether they bought a bad coffee you warned them about or forgot their umbrella on a rainy day, sometimes you …
Don’t be a Captain Hindsight! (2 Must-Know Chinese Idioms)
We all know that one person. You make a mistake, break a mug, or fail a test, and they immediately chime in with: “You really should have been more careful” or “I knew that was …
Chinese Tongue Twister Tone Challenge
Have you ever felt like your Mandarin tones are pretty good, but then simple numbers completely trip you up? You’re not alone. The numbers four and ten are a classic stumbling block for learners (and …
An Introduction to the 5 Core Styles of Chinese Calligraphy
Have you ever looked at Chinese calligraphy and marveled at its beauty, even without knowing the language? It’s a dynamic and ancient art form, and with a little background, anyone can learn to appreciate its …
Why Did Ancient Chinese People Have So Many Names?
Picture this: you’re watching a Chinese historical drama. One character calls someone 孔明 (Kǒngmíng), another calls the same person 諸葛亮 (諸葛亮, Zhūgě Liàng), and a third refers to 臥龍先生 (卧龙先生, Wòlóng Xiānshēng). You soon realize …
Taiwan Summer Desserts: Your Guide to Ordering Like a Local
Summer in Taiwan is hot and humid—similar to Florida’s climate, with temperatures reaching 32°C (90°F) and humidity between 65-90%! This explains why there are drink shops on every corner and why dessert shops selling 豆花 …