Mandarin From the Ground Up
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Daily Practice (Normal Speed) - S3 - Lesson 08
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 08, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking six minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the mate...
S3 ~ 08 ~ The front desk is responsible 櫃台負責配合客人！
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes:Here is a link to my conversation with Mischa Wilmers on his I'm Learning Mandarin podcast. Taipei Shorts, an annual theater event that sh...
Daily Practice (Normal Speed) - S3 - Lesson 07
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 07, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking six minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the mate...
S3 ~ 07 ~ Handsome brother goes to work 帥哥上班
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lesson Outline:[00:21] Review of tone pairs from lessons one through six. [02:30] Magic Phrase: 帥哥上班，外公退休[08:20] Dialogue[11:40] Tr...
Daily Practice (Slow Speed) - S3 - Lesson 06
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SLOW SPEED VERSIONAfter listening to Season 3, Lesson 06, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking ten minutes a day to practice listening and ...
Daily Practice (Normal Speed) - S3 - Lesson 06
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 06, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking ten minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the mate...
S3 ~ 06 ~ The subway is leaking! 地鐵漏水！
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The long-awaited episode 06 is finally here! This lesson's dialogue is longer than usual, so let's get right to it. Lesson Outline:[00:21] Introduct...
Daily Practice (Slow Speed) - S3 - Lesson 05
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SLOW VERSION After listening to Season 3, Lesson 05, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking eight minutes a day to practice listening and imi...
Daily Practice (Normal Speed) - S3 - Lesson 05
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 05, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the mat...
S3 ~ 05 ~ Forget the past 忘記過去
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We can't understand a language outside the context of the people who live it and speak it. A human language cannot be contained in an artifact like a ...
Daily Practice (Slow Speed) - S3 - Lesson 04
17 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 04, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking a few minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the ma...
Daily Practice (Normal Speed) - S3 - Lesson 04
17 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 04, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the mat...
S3 ~ 04 ~ The park is extremely safe 公園非常安全
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Be mindful of how you're feeling when you practice these lessons. Are you feeling excited and energized? Tired and doubtful? Distracted? Focused? With...
Daily Practice Session - S3 - Lesson 03
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 03, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the mat...
S3 ~ 03 ~ Dangerous horse riding 拿起啤酒騎馬危險！
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's tone pair, 2-3, is easily confused with the one we learned in episode one, 3-2. Today we'll spend some time practicing differentiating between...
Daily Practice Session - S3 - Lesson 02
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 02, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the mat...
S3 ~ 02 ~ Supermarkets need music 超市需要音樂！
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Let's learn another tone pair! Can you hear which one it is? Learning the pronunciation of a foreign language can sometimes feel strange, even scary. ...
Daily Practice Session - S3 - Lesson 01
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 3, Lesson 01, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the mat...
S3 ~ 01 ~ American strawberries on sale 美國草莓打折！
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back for Season 3! In this series, we are going to do a deep dive on the tones in Mandarin. We covered tones briefly in Season 1, Episode 07, ...
S2 ~ 17 ~ 你人真好！Part 2 + Season Finale!
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Let's hear a line-by-line translation of the dialogue from lesson 16.This is the final lesson of Season 2 -- a milestone for both of us. Congratulatio...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 16
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 2, Lesson 16, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening to and imitating the ...
S2 ~ 16 ~ 你人真好！You're so kind.
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we get to hear the last dialogue in Season 2! Mrs. Kang (康太太) goes to get dinner ready, leaving Xiao Li, A-Ming, and Lili to tal...
S2 ~ 15 ~ 你這樣太辛苦了！Part 2 + Questions
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Let's hear a line-by-line translation of the dialogue from lesson 14, and then practice with a Q&A. At the end of the lesson, I suggest that you c...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 14
22 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to Season 2, Lesson 14, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening to and imitating the ...
S2 ~ 14 ~ 你這樣太辛苦了！You're working too hard!
21 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
新年快樂！Happy Lunar New Year! In honor of the new year, this dialogue involves lots and lots and lots of food, prepared by Mrs. Kang (康太太...
S2 ~ 13 ~ 不要被嚇到！Part 2
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back! After a long, unplanned break, we're back to finish out Season 2 once and for all. Let's finally find out what happens to Xiao Li (L) an...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 12
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to S02 Lesson 12, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the dialogue....
S2 ~ 12 ~ 不要被嚇到！Don't be scared!
06 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this new dialogue, Mrs. Kang (康太太) arrives with the water and something else that Xiao-Li (小李) hasn't seen before. And she receives a sur...
S2 ~ 11 ~ 你要提醒我啦！Part 2 + Curiosity
13 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk about the importance of curiosity as fuel, and then we'll hear the line-by-line translation of the dialogue from Lesson 10.Lesson Outline:[00:2...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 10
22 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to S02 Lesson 10, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking five minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the dialogue....
S2 ~ 10 ~ 你要提醒我啦！You've got to remind me!
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Xiao-Li (小李) goes to get some water at Mrs. Kang's (康太太) house, but it seems that something else is on her mind...Lesson Outline:[00:21] Int...
S2 ~ 09 ~ 趕快進來坐！Part 2 + Questions
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We'll hear the line-by-line translation of the dialogue from S02 Episode 8, and then we'll further reinforce the vocabulary and practice answering som...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 08
20 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to S02 Lesson 08, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking four minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the dialogue....
S2 ~ 08 ~ 趕快進來坐！Come on in!
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Xiao-Li (小李) and A-Ming (阿明) are on the way to the convenience store when they run into an unexpected obstacle. Lesson Outline:[00:21] Introd...
S2 ~ 07 ~ 冰箱是空的！Part 2 + Questions
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We'll hear the line-by-line translation of the dialogue from S02 Episode 06, and then we'll further reinforce the vocabulary and practice answering so...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 06
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to S02 Lesson 6, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking three minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the dialogue....
S2 ~ 06 ~ 冰箱是空的！+ Letting Yourself Explore
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Learning a new language can become a gateway to exploring an undiscovered side of yourself. Find out how in this lesson. In the dialogue, Xiao-Li (小...
S2 ~ 05 ~ 怎麼辦？Part 2 + Interviewing in Mandarin
25 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
One fun, engaging way you can give your Mandarin learning a boost is by conducting interviews with your Mandarin-speaking language parents, friends, o...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 04
12 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
README: How to use this recordingYou'll hear the dialogue from Episode 4 twice. The first time, there will be a short pause after each line. During th...
S2 ~ 04 ~ 怎麼辦？+ Finding Your Language Parents
11 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a good language parent, and how do you find one? In this episode I share some tips based on my own language learning experience. In the dia...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 03
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to S02 Episode 03, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking two minutes a day to practice listening and imitating the dialogue....
S2 ~ 03 ~ 買禮物很不簡單 Buying gifts isn't easy
22 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Xiao-Li (小李) runs into trouble buying presents for the family back home, and A-Ming (阿明) tries to give some advice. Lesson Outline:I'll mentio...
S2 ~ 02 ~ 你回來了！Part 2
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We all acquire language in the same way, and it has nothing to do with talent or aptitude. In this lesson, we get the line-by-line translation of the ...
Daily Practice Session - S2 - Lesson 01
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After listening to S02 Episode 1, start reinforcing what you've learned by taking four minutes a day to practice listening and speaking the dialogue. ...
S2 ~ 01 ~ 你回來了！You're back!
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We're back for another season! In this episode, Xiao-Li (小李) comes back to Taiwan. Learning how to digest (and even to be entertained by) materi...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 16
15 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you've listened to Lesson 16, use this track to reinforce what you've learned with short listening and speaking practice sessions every day over...
16 ~ Do you have any siblings? 你有兄弟姊妹嗎？
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) ask about each other's families. This is the last episode of Season 1. Dialogue transcript (Chin...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 15
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dialogue transcript (Chinese characters only)Ah-Ming (M)：你吃飽了嗎？Xiao Li (L)：吃好飽！M：不好意思，我們要買單！Waiter (F)...
15 ~ Excuse me! 不好意思！
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 15, I talk about how you might be misunderstanding your own forgetfulness. Meanwhile, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) fight over who'...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 14
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you've listened to Lesson 14, use this track to reinforce what you've learned with short listening and speaking practice sessions every day over...
14 ~ Hurry up and try it! 你快試試看！
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) are enjoying the food they ordered, and we learn how to talk about trying things, whether or not you can handle ...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 13
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you've listened to Lesson 13, use this track to reinforce what you've learned with short listening and speaking practice sessions every day over...
13 ~ That's it! 這樣就好！
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Which dialect of Mandarin should you learn? In the dialogue, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) order some food! How do you call the waiter in Mand...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 12
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you've listened to Lesson 12, use this track to reinforce what you've learned with short listening and speaking practice sessions every day over...
12 ~ Let's hurry up and order! 我們快一點點菜吧！
15 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, I talk about how I went from not knowing a single word of Mandarin to starting a Mandarin learning podcast! Meanwhile, Ah-Ming (阿明...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 11
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you've listened to Lesson 11, use this track to reinforce what you've learned with short listening and speaking practice sessions every day over...
11 ~ You don't know the way? 你不知道怎麼去？
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we talk about the similarities between learning a language and learning to play music. In the dialogue, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 10
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dialogue transcript (Chinese characters only)M：怎麼辦？我好餓。我想去吃飯！L：喔！我知道了！我們可以開我媽的車M：真...
10 ~ I got it! 我知道了！
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, I talk a little about discovering the unique logic of a new language. In the dialogue, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) decide to...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 09
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you've listened to Lesson 9, use this track to reinforce what you've learned with short listening and speaking practice sessions every day over ...
09 ~ Aren't you going to drive? 不是你要開的嗎？
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This dialogue reinforces a lot of words and phrases you already know, which just a few new ones. In this dialogue, 小李 and 阿明 are talking about...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 08
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you've listened to Lesson 8, use this track to reinforce what you've learned with short listening and speaking practice sessions every day over ...
08 ~ What's your favorite food? 你最喜歡吃什麼？
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we'll talk about the single most important thing you should be doing for your spoken Mandarin. We'll also learn how to talk about food...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 07
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dialogue transcriptL: 你今天也在咖啡店？M: 對啊L: 但是，今天的咖啡店跟昨天的不一樣M: 對，你看： 今天的咖啡店有貓...
07 ~ You ask me why... 你問我為什麼...
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, you'll learn how to identify and produce the four main tones in spoken Mandarin, and some essential COVID-19 vocabulary to help you ta...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 06
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dialogue transcript: M: 嘿，你今天好嗎？L: 我今天還OK啊，你呢？你在哪裡啊？M: 我在咖啡店，你看L: 喔！很漂亮！M: ...
06 ~ I'm still waiting
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, you'll learn how to talk about things that haven't happened yet. Learning how to say familiar words in another language, it's easy to ...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 05
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dialogue transcriptM: 喂？你聽得到嗎？L: 我聽得到！你呢？你聽得到嗎？M: 有，我聽得到L: 那，我們開始說中文吧！M:...
05 ~ Can you hear me?
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, you'll learn how to have a successful video call, and how to talk about what you're drinking, and what you like. It's tempting to focu...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 04
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
About learning Chinese charactersTeaching Chinese characters is outside the scope of this podcast, but if you are learning Chinese characters with ano...
04 ~ Who are you again?
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The contents of this episode are pretty standard fare for a language learner, or anyone else for that matter: What's your name? Nice to meet you. Do y...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 03
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
About learning Chinese charactersTeaching Chinese characters is outside the scope of this podcast, but if you are learning Chinese characters through ...
03 ~ Where are you again?
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A big part of being able to speak naturally and fluently is being able to convince yourself on some level that you're actually from the same place as ...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 02
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
About learning Chinese charactersTeaching Chinese characters is outside the scope of this podcast, but if you are learning Chinese characters through ...
02 ~ It's OK to feel tired.
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's OK to feel tired sometimes, and acknowledging it is part of staying motivated. In this episode, you'll learn how to ask and talk about feelings, ...
Daily Practice Session - Lesson 01
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Learning to recognize and speak the sounds of another language is a form of exercise, and it requires repetition. By listening to -- and repeating -- ...
01 ~ Listen, can you speak Chinese?
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In our very first lesson, we'll get you started speaking useful Mandarin right away. You'll learn how to say whether or not you can speak Chinese, and...
Trailer: Learning Mandarin like a native speaker
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nothing stands in the way of you getting fluent in Mandarin. Billions have managed it. So why does it seem so hard? In less than three minutes, I'll e...