Talk Chineasy - Learn Chinese Every Day With Shaolan

臨江仙/临江仙 (the Immortals by the River) is undoubtedly one of the most famous Chinese poems. It is also an epic poem to recall the Three Kingdom era during 200 AD.  Written by the poet Yang Shen, born in 1488, he explored the eternal value in the rush and precipitation of the long river of history. While the poem allows readers to feel the drama and tragedy over a significant historical event, it creates an indifferent and tranquil atmosphere.

This partly autobiographical poem by 余光中 (Yu Guangzhong), born in China in 1928, conveys the sentimental emotion beautifully yet powerfully.  This poem is considered one of Yu's masterpieces; it symbolises the aching separation Yu felt after fled to Taiwan in 1949. He longed that one day he could return to his motherland.

Poet 曹植 (cáo zhí) was a prince 1,800 years ago, and his father was the famous warlord, King of Wei Cao Cao, 曹操 (cáo cāo). One day, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi's oldest brother, made up an excuse, summoned Cao Zhi to the court. Cao Pi issued a request to Cao Zhi to compose a poem within seven strides or be executed. As talented as he was, Cao Zhi came out with this quatrain within seven steps. That's how the title of this poem came from.

Xu Zhimo, one of China’s foremost poets of the 20th century, is widely known for his poem, Second Farewell to Cambridge, composed in 1928. Xu Zhimo went to study at King's College at Cambridge in 1921. He then returned to Beijing for the next chapter of his roller-coaster life. He was hugely romantic and a prolific love letter producer. His various love affairs turned into numerous pop songs, novels, television programmes and movies. Tune in this poem to listen to how Xu Zhimo felt about Cambridge and its beauty.

"Climbing Stork Tower (登鸛雀樓/登鹳雀楼; dēng guàn què lóu) is part of the 300 Tang Poems. This poem was written by 王之渙 (Wang Zhihuan) of the Tang Dynasty. Only six of Wang's poems survive today, and two of them are introduced in the 300 Tang Poems. Although the poem has a simple literal meaning, its spirit is profound. Our universe is eternal. One could only have a higher vision by getting up there, above the cloud. The poem poetically represents our unlimited progress in life and soul searching."

Quiet Night Thoughts by Li Bai (李白) is one of the most beautiful and classic poems of all time in Chinese history. Poet Li Bai was born in 701 during the Tang Dynasty. His reputation is so profound that people gave him the title 詩仙/诗仙, immortal poet. Li Bai created a new era of poetry and literature. His influence was not only in China but also around the world. Many western poets and writers, including T.S Eliot, Ezra Pound, and John Ernst Steinbeck, all took inspiration from Li Bai. Wanna enjoy more Chinese poems? Download the Chineasy app in no time. iOS https://apple.co/3j0ldXh​ Android: http://bit.ly/chineasy_googleplay

Get paid to play all day! ShaoLan teaches Lego’s Ken Yanhs the Chinese word for one of the most famous toy brands in the world. Can you guess which company manufactures the most tyres in the world? Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/050-lego/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Cambridge politics graduate Eleanor Olcott calls in from Taipei to learn the Chinese word for “politics.” She also shares her hope for bridging the gap between the East and West in the future. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/362-politics/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Take your Chinese to the next level by learning the word for “because” in Chinese with ShaoLan and today's special guest Eleanor Olcott! Learn how to reason and give reasons for your statements. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/346-because/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Learn the word for “Europe” in Chinese along with today’s special guest Plamen Russev. In this episode, you can find out why Plamen thinks Bulgaria is such an important country in Europe’s history and future. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/260-europe/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Speaker, entrepreneur and bestselling author of “Eyes Wide Open,” Isaac Lidsky joins ShaoLan to learn how to say “true” and “false” in Chinese. Find out why when you add the character “order” to “true,” the meaning is perspective and vision in Chinese. In the episode, Isaac also shares his thoughts about how we achieve a true vision. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/241-true/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Philanthropist Nicholas Berggruen speaks with ShaoLan about the importance of “holistic” philanthropy and the best ways to empower people. He has already endowed the Berggruen Institute and joined the “Giving Pledge” to donate most of his wealth to charity. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/120-philanthropy/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Learn the word for “Europe” in Chinese along with today’s special guest Plamen Russev. In this episode, you can find out why Plamen thinks Bulgaria is such an important country in Europe’s history and future. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/260-europe/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Speaker, entrepreneur and bestselling author of “Eyes Wide Open,” Isaac Lidsky joins ShaoLan to learn how to say “true” and “false” in Chinese. Find out why when you add the character “order” to “true,” the meaning is perspective and vision in Chinese. In the episode, Isaac also shares his thoughts about how we achieve a true vision. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/241-true/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Musician Ida M. Paul has had many hit songs and her success is down to some great talent and an amazing work ethic. As a student at Harvard University, she knows about roommates and in this episode finds out how to say ”roommate” in Mandarin Chinese. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/211-roommate/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

What is the easiest way to remember all these new Chinese words you’re learning? Cue the four-time USA memory champion Nelson Dellis, who tells ShaoLan the secrets to remembering. Also, learn how to say "I forgot" as well as "I remember." Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/018-health/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Which characters does the Chinese language put together to make the word computer? It will definitely surprise you with its sci-fi nature. In this episode, ShaoLan and leading expert on digital technologies Erik Brynjolfsson share how to construct Chinese words such as computer, TV, movie and telephone. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/015-computer/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Learn the words for “Chinese medicine” in Mandarin Chinese and discover why its practice is becoming more popular in the West along with Talk Chineasy host ShaoLan and today's special guest Martine Niven. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/353-chinese-medicine/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

Find out how to say “Father Christmas” in Chinese with Transition singer Jesse Edbrooke and ShaoLan. Many Christmas traditions from the West have been accepted in China and it is fascinating to see how the language reflects that. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/347-father-christmas/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9

In this fascinating episode, Isaac Lidsky calls in to talk to ShaoLan about how to say “to see” in Chinese. His book “Eyes Wide Open” talks about how we need real “vision” to shape the world we live in and not just accept what we see to be the reality around us. Read extended show notes for this episode here: https://www.chineasy.com/talk/lessons/266-to-see/ Explore various topics, special guests, and expansive list of useful Chinese phrases on Talk Chineasy website! goo.gl/VJ8plT Want to practice the pronunciation of words taught in this episode? Have fun learning with activity sheets, recap video, coloring book, and more. Become a Golden Chineasian to enjoy exclusive premium content! goo.gl/vjbtL9