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What’s the Word

Learn Mandarin through uncovering the stories behind common Chinese characters.

05:40
What's the Word? - Moon Ep1
No matter where you live, it is almost certain that you have come across Chinese characters in your daily life. With thousands of years of history behind them, these ideograms poss
03:50
What's the Word? - Tea Ep2
Tea (茶) holds a very special place in Taiwan. When planning your next trip to the island, you must distinguish between the different types of aromatic beverages. In this episode of
03:40
What's the Word? - Money Ep3
Have you ever heard of "red envelopes"? These monetary gifts are usually given on special occasions, such as weddings or Lunar New Year celebrations, in many Asian countries, inclu
03:10
What's the Word? - Car Ep4
What do the words "bike," "train," and "metro" have in common? They are all centered around the character 車 (car) in Mandarin! Improve your Mandarin skills and go on a journey of d
04:40
What's the Word? - Good Ep5
In today's Mandarin lesson, we will study the origins and different pronunciations of the character 好 (good). To combine theory with practice, Elizabeth will hit the streets of Los
05:09
What's the Word? - Beauty Ep6
One of the unique aspects of the Mandarin language is that characters convey not only a sound but also an image. In today's episode, you'll learn more about the character 美 (beauty
03:40
What's the Word? - Rice Ep7
When it comes to food, Taiwan plays in the big league. In this episode of "What's the Word?" we'll explore the character 飯（rice) and its many combinations.
03:40
What's the Word? - Ice Ep8
The character 冰（ice）contains many more secrets than one might think at first glance. In practice, it proves as helpful in ordering a drink as it is for constructing many idioms. Pe