Welcome to Slow Chinese—a graded Chinese listening podcast designed for learners at all levels, as well as native speakers who enjoy thoughtful stories, culture, and literature.
为全球中文学习者、热爱中文故事的人服务。


慢中文·Slow Chinese

Почти́ 37% люде́й не лю́бят еду́, кото́рую они́ гото́вят для себя́ до́ма. Пробле́ма в том, что мно́гие лю́ди не зна́ют, как пра́вильно комбини́ровать проду́кты.
Almost 37% of people don't like the food that they cook at home. The problem is that a lot of people don't know how to combine ingredients correctly.

Russian Library

Cook like a Pro

The easiest way to learn and remember idioms is to learn about their history. When you understand where they came from, it's a lot easier to remember what they mean.  This episode covers idioms that are drawn from different types of transportation.

Difficult English Explained

Idioms from Transportation:  What do they mean and where do they come from?

Host: Welcome back to the podcast everyone. Now we’re moving on to the part of the show that we call ‘Explain yourself!’. This is where our guests talk about a topic and say what they think and why. Listeners, you can tell us who was the most convincing. So we’ve got Jake with us, Jake is from New York in the United States. Then we’ve got Andrew who’s from York in the UK.

Andrew: The original York before the Americans made a worse one.

Jake: No one knows where York is, or cares.

Host: Whoa! We’ve started already. Don’t worry, Jake, Andrew’s just trying to provoke you. This could be an interesting discussion! And today’s topic is Food and Drink. Which is better: American or British?

Jake: Well, this is going to be a short discussion. It’s American food and drink. It’s definitely the most well-known food around the world. What’s the next topic?

Andrew: Just because American food is the most well-known, which it is, it doesn’t mean it’s good. I think most of it is really unhealthy. Yes, he’s definitely an American male. Do all of you just sit watching games on TV that no other countries are interested in, drinking ice cold beer-flavored water and shouting (Mimics) ‘We’re the best at everything! USA!’

Jake: Oh you’re talking to me about beer? Good luck with tempting people to come to your barbecue on a hot day with a nice glass of warm beer. Not that you have barbecues because it’s always raining. You just sit inside with your warm beer and your fish and chips feeling sad.

Andrew: (laughs) I’m not going to apologize for enjoying beer that is slightly warmer than ice. There are things that are more important than how cold it is, you know? Like, oh I don't know - taste?

Host: Beer wars! Are we going to be able to resolve this difference at all, gentlemen?

Andrew: Obviously I’m a little more favorable toward British beer, but Jake has a point about the weather. It doesn’t actually rain all the time, but it’s not usually as hot as it gets in most places in the US. 

English Conversation/Dialogue

Discussion Opinions 

Have you ever heard the following phrase before: "I have a gut feeling".  How would you describe this feeling? When do we usually use this expression?
This expression is often used to describe an intuitive or instinctive sense or belief about something, even when there may not be concrete evidence or logical reasoning to support it. The feeling is often described as a sensation in the stomach or abdomen, hence the reference to the "gut."
People commonly use this expression when they have a strong sense or intuition about a situation, decision, or person, but they may not be able to articulate specific reasons for their feelings. It's a way of acknowledging and trusting one's instincts or intuition, which can sometimes be influenced by subtle cues or information that may not be consciously recognized.

Here are some useful words and expressions:

1. Curiosity killed the cat : This is an idiom that suggests being too inquisitive or nosy can lead to trouble or unpleasant consequences. It's often used to caution against excessive curiosity.

2.To grip on something: This phrase means to firmly hold onto or grasp something, either physically or metaphorically. It implies a strong and secure hold.

3.To trip: In a physical sense, to trip means to stumble or lose one's balance, often resulting in a brief fall. In a figurative sense, it can also mean to make a mistake or encounter an obstacle.

4. To be surrounded by: This expression indicates that something or someone is positioned all around a particular place or person. It implies being encircled or encompassed from all sides.

5.Hissing sound: A hissing sound is a noise characterized by a prolonged "s" or "h" sound. It is often produced by air or steam escaping through a small opening, or by certain animals as a warning or defensive signal.





All-Weather English

The story of my encounter with a cobra in the wild. "I have a gut feeling" 

Lerne in dieser kurzen Lektion, wie du wenn, wann und als korrekt benutzt. Gucke dir auch das dazugehörige Quiz an :)

German Gems - Mini-Lektionen und Meditationen auf Deutsch

Wenn, wann oder als? (English: when)

Tengo notas escritas en papel de ideas, recuerdos, inspiraciones... apuntes por todos lados. En la puerta de la nevera, en el teléfono, entre los libros, en mi mesa de trabajo, en diarios personales y no tan personales, en mi carpeta de poemas... ¡¡¡Por todos lados!!! 


AUDIO-ARTÍCULOS (Nivel B2-C1)

Raperos y Trovadores

Is English your second language? Do you work with native English speakers? Expanding your English vocabulary will allow you to communicate better with your native English speaking colleagues.

“Shy Away” is one of NINE phrases and idioms you’ll learn in the 30th episode of the Express to Impress podcast. 

This episode is part two of How to Answer Interview Questions Without Rambling. 

Stay tuned until the end of the episode when you will get homework to continue to improve your English communication skills. 

Episode originally published on December 30, 2020.

Original theme music by Lucas Knutter 

Read the transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/english-phrases/

Join the Express to Impress community on LinkedIn.

See infographics for this episode on Pinterest.

Express to Impress

Idioms and Phrases About Job Interviews

r al cine pagar por tu boleto, comprar tus palomitas, cabritas, crispetas o cotufas preferidas, entrar a una sala enorme y disfrutar un sonido envolvente o poner a rodar tu serie o pelí favorita en la comodidad de tu cama mientras comes algo que te guste…¿de qué grupo eres?

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