️ Do Chinese students really start school at 7AM?
In this episode, you’ll learn how to use 除了…以外…都… and 除了…以外…也/还… to express exceptions and add information naturally in Mandarin.

Through a clear HSK3-level dialogue, we explore real school life in China and Taiwan — early mornings, long study hours, and after-school classes — while helping you master one of the most useful grammar patterns for everyday communication.

What you’ll learn
• Grammar: how to use 除了…以外…都… (except…) and 除了…以外…也/还… (in addition…).
• Practical usage: express exceptions and add extra information naturally.
• Real context: common situations from school life and daily routines.
• Cultural insight: why education plays such a central role in Chinese-speaking societies.

️ Key examples
• 除了上学以外，还要去补习。
Besides school, you also have to attend extra classes.

• 除了一个同学以外，大家都来了。
Everyone came except one classmate.

• 除了学习钢琴以外，我还学打羽毛球。
Besides learning piano, I also play badminton.

Challenge
Write a sentence using 除了…以外… in the comments. We’ll help you improve it.

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime.
• Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach.
• Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you.
• Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today

Why are so many young Chinese choosing not to have children?
In this episode, we explore one of the most talked-about social trends in modern China while you learn a highly practical grammar structure: 一边…一边…

This structure allows you to express doing two things at the same time — something you’ll use constantly in real conversations. We break it down step by step so you can understand it clearly and start using it naturally.

What you’ll learn
• Grammar: how to use 一边…一边… to describe simultaneous actions.
• Practical usage: everyday sentences you can use immediately.
• Comparisons: how this structure differs from similar patterns in Mandarin.
• Real context: examples at HSK3 level to help you sound more natural.

️ Key examples from the episode
1) 我一边跑步，一边听播客。
Wǒ yìbiān pǎobù, yìbiān tīng bōkè.
I run while listening to podcasts.

2) 我一边等公交车，一边刷手机。
Wǒ yìbiān děng gōngjiāochē, yìbiān shuā shǒujī.
I scroll on my phone while waiting for the bus.

Cultural insight
We also explore a major shift in Chinese society:
• Why many young people are choosing not to have children
• Economic pressure and changing lifestyles
• The long-term effects of the One-Child Policy
• Why policies have changed… but mindsets haven’t

Challenge
Write a sentence using 一边…一边… in the comments. We’ll help you correct it.

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime.
• Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach.
• Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you.
• Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today

Would you try century egg, duck blood, pig brain… or bird’s nest?
In this episode, we explore 5 surprising Chinese foods while you learn one of the most useful grammar points in Mandarin: directional complements (来 / 去 / 过来 / 过去).

But this episode isn’t just about “unusual food”.
It’s about understanding how culture shapes taste, daily habits… and even the way people speak.

Today you’ll learn how to describe movement naturally in Chinese: bringing things closer, moving away, or talking about direction in real-life situations. These structures are essential if you want to sound more natural and go beyond textbook Chinese.

What you’ll learn
• Grammar: how to use 来 / 去 and compound complements like 过来 / 过去.
• Practical usage: describe movement, direction, and actions in everyday conversations.
• Real context: a dialogue at HSK3 level with natural expressions.
• Culture: a closer look at Chinese food culture and why some dishes may seem surprising from a Western perspective.

Challenge
Would you try any of these foods? And can you write a sentence using 来 or 去? Leave it in the comments and we’ll help you improve it.

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime.
• Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach.
• Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you.
• Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today

• (00:00:15) - Beef and Eggs, Stinky tofu and Pork
• (00:02:25) - Directional Complementations in Chinese
• (00:09:00) - Manager Wang's illness
• (00:10:44) - Three types of Chinese food
• (00:15:29) - Chinese Basics
• (00:21:33) - Directional Completions