This is a quick episode so you can get to know me, your host, a little bit more! To trust someone, you have to know them, so this episode is here to give you a little background about my experience, where I live, and what I like to do. Have any questions? Leave them for me in the comments! Also, please introduce yourself to me as well!

Stairway to English: Short easy to understand episodes to improve your English grammar and fluency

A short introduction of your Stairway to English host!

You know the word "actually" means "in reality" — but why does it sometimes sound polite and sometimes sound passive-aggressive? In this episode, we break down the four ways native speakers actually use "actually": softening corrections, expressing surprise, emphasizing clarity, and (if you're not careful) sounding defensive. The dictionary definition only tells part of the story. This episode teaches you how tone and context turn a simple word into a powerful tool for managing conversations — or accidentally starting arguments.

Context Clues

Why 'Actually' Doesn't Mean What You Think It Means

¿Te gustaría visitar Buenos Aires, la capital de Argentina? Hoy en "Español muy muy fácil" vamos a hablar sobre ocho lugares que no te podés perder.

Español muy muy fácil

Episodio 6: Lugares turísticos en Buenos Aires

有一天，他劝我用心地画一副漂亮的图画，好叫我家乡的孩子们对这件事有一个深刻的印象。
And one day he said to me: You ought to make a beautiful drawing, so that the children where you live can see exactly how all this is.
他还对我说：如果将来有一天他们出外旅行，这对他们是很有用的。
That would be very useful to them if they were to travel some day.
有时候，人们把自己的工作推到以后去做，并没有什么妨害，
Sometimes," he added, "there is no harm in putting off a piece of work until another day.
但要遇到拔猴面包树苗这种事，那就非造成大灾难不可。
But when it is a matter of baobabs, that always means a catastrophe.
我遇到过一个星球，上面住着一个懒家伙，他放过了三棵小树苗…
I knew a planet that was inhabited by a lazy man. He neglected three little bushes...
于是，根据小王子的说明，我把这个星球画了下来。
So, as the little prince described it to me, I have made a drawing of that planet.
我从来不大愿意以道学家的口吻来说话，
I do not much like to take the tone of a moralist.
可是猴面包树的危险，大家都不大了解，对迷失在小行星上的人来说，危险性非常之大，

But the danger of the baobabs is so little understood, and such considerable risks would be run by anyone who might get lost on an asteroid,
因此这一回，我贸然打破了我的这种不喜欢教训人的惯例。
that for once I am breaking through my reserve.
我说：“孩子们，要当心那些猴面包树呀！”
"Children," I say plainly, "watch out for the baobabs!"
为了叫我的朋友们警惕这种危险——他们同我一样长期以来和这种危险接触，却没有意识到它的危险性
My friends, like myself, have been skirting this danger for a long time, with-out ever knowing it;
我花了很大的功夫画了这副画。
and so it is for them that I have worked so hard over this drawing.
我提出的这个教训意义是很重大的，花点功夫是很值得的。
The lesson which I pass on by this means is worth all the trouble it has cost me.
你们也许要问，“为什么这本书中别的画都没有这副画那么壮观呢？”
Perhaps you will ask me, "Why is there no other drawing in this book as magnificent and impressive as this drawing of the baobabs?"
回答很简单。
The reply is simple.
别的画我也曾经试图画得好些，却没成功。
I have tried. But with the others I have not been successful.
而当我画猴面包树时，有一种急切的心情在激励着我。
When I made the drawing of the baobabs I was carried beyond myself by the inspiring force of urgent necessity.

小王子-The Little Prince-Read in Chinese

小王子第十三章：警惕危险


   a. Plug and play - Something that is easy to install or use without much effort.
      Example: "The new printer is plug and play; you can start using it right away."
   b. Crash course - An intensive and brief learning experience.
      Example: "I took a crash course in coding to prepare for the project."
   c. Hit the delete button - To eliminate or remove something completely.
      Example: "Let's hit the delete button on that idea; it's not feasible."
   d. On the same wavelength - To have a shared understanding or similar thinking.
      Example: "We work well together because we're on the same wavelength."
   e. Digital footprint - The trail of information left behind by someone's online activity.
      Example: "Be mindful of your digital footprint; it can impact your reputation."


IELTS Podcast 雅思博客

Technology-related idioms:

みんなの日本語　Lesson 10
あそこになにがありますか。What is over there?
あそこにトイレがあります。There is a toilet there.
あそこにエレベーターがあります。There is a lift there.
あそこにだれがいますか。Who is there over there?
あそこにスミスさんがいます。Mr Smith is over there.
うちにだれがいますか。Who is in our house?
うちにだれもいません。There is no one in my house.

ベットのうえにスミスさんがいます。Mr Smith is on the bed.
ベットのうえにサッカーボールやかさなどがあります。There are footballs and bulky items on the beds.
スミスさんのうちはどこにありますか。Where is Mr. Smith's house?
わたしのうちは大阪にあります。My house is in Osaka.

スーパーです。Here is a supermarket.
すみません、牛乳（ぎゅうにゅう）はどこにありますか。Excuse me, where is the milk?
あそこの冷蔵庫（れいぞうこ）の中にあります。It's in the fridge over there.
ヨーグルトのとなりにあります。It's next to the yoghurt.

道（みち）で銀行（ぎんこう）の場所（ばしょ）を聞（き）きます。Ask where the bank is on the road.
すみません、近（ちか）くに銀行はありますか。Excuse me, is there a bank near here?
はい、あの高（たか）いビルの中（なか）にあります。Yes, it's in that tall building.
ありがとうございます。Thank you very much.

学校です。 At school.
田中さんはどこにいますか。Where is Tanaka-san?
田中さんは、スミスさんと山田さんの間（あいだ）にいます。Mr Tanaka is between Mr Smith and Ms Yamada.

先生はどこにいますか。Where is the teacher?
教室（きょうしつ）にいます。He or she is in the classroom.

トイレはどこにありますか。  Where is the toilet?
音楽教室のとなりにあります。It’s next to the music classroom.




にほんごのれんしゅう

みんなの日本語 Lesson 10

In questo episodio, come già anticipato nell’episodio precedente parleremo di un uomo che ha fatto delle sue sfortune i suoi punti di forza e che oggi è un imprenditore della moda artigianale made in Italy e fondatore del marchio Benheart. 🗝️
if anyone wants the transcript of the podcast, write me privately. ✍️✉️

Impara l’italiano con Isa

La storia di Benheart 🗝️

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OK1cpnp-7GFRhArmeQGpCXLdRbCdVd-g/view?usp=drivesdk