Vocabulary

This is the pen name of a mysterious author in the story.

The name of the main character.

A name, likely a nickname as 'Xiao' often precedes surnames or parts of names to show familiarity.

Commonly used for publishing articles, novels, or official statements.

Used for printing digital documents onto paper.

Refers to the exchange of ideas, information, or feelings.

Can refer to tidying a room or organizing thoughts/data.

A common polite expression used when interrupting someone.

'弄' is a versatile verb meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.

'美式' means American-style.

A descriptive phrase showing a strong emotional physical reaction.

The title of a book; book titles are enclosed in double angle brackets in Chinese.

Can also be used as an adjective meaning 'difficult'.

Used to state a fact and then draw a conclusion from it.

Used to indicate that the degree of one thing increases with another.

Indicates that the condition following '只有' is the only one that will lead to the result.

'却' is an adverb and must be placed after the subject, unlike '但是'.

Often used with '都' or '也' in the following clause.

A proper noun referring to a specific (likely fictional) city.

A name literally meaning 'Spring Grass,' used here for a character.

A nickname-style proper name, common in informal contexts.

Combines '侦探' (detective) and '小说' (novel/fiction).

Literally translates to 'heavenly flower board.'

'火' is used colloquially to mean popular or trending, like 'on fire.'

Commonly used for following someone on social media or paying attention to news.

Can refer to formal criticism or everyday scolding.

Used for publishing articles, opinions, or formal statements.

Can function as both a noun (a report) and a verb (to report news).

Commonly used in the negative to mean one is not bothered by something.

'机' indicates a machine.

Standard term for printing documents from a computer.

A specific street name; '友好' means friendly.

Formed by '寄' (to mail), '信' (letter), and '人' (person).

The '封' refers to the seal or covering of the letter.

The formal Chinese term for the World Wide Web.

Often implies a systematic search, such as in a database or online.

In this context, it refers to covering oneself with bedding.

General term for any type of quilt or heavy blanket used for sleeping.

Describes physical exhaustion or lack of physical energy.

Literally "tea rest," it refers to a short break during work or meetings for snacks and drinks.

The host's English name used in the podcast.

A slightly more formal or literary way to say "well" or "safe."

A modern term combining "broadcast" and "guest/visitor."

Commonly used to describe something that is self-evident or expected.

The name of the former South African president.

Literally "mother language."

Refers to the internal, spiritual, or emotional world of a person.

Used to provide an additional, often stronger, reason for a situation.

Can be used as a verb (to migrate) or a noun (immigrant/migration).

A common phrase used to describe the entirety of Chinese history.

Usually used with abstract concepts like history (历史) or tradition (传统).

Literally "the law/method of writing."

Can be a noun (proposal) or a verb (to propose/suggest).

Refers to the pitch variations used to distinguish word meanings in Chinese.

A formal way to say there are too many of something to count.

Often used with "也" to express a concession.

A formal synonym for 马上 (mǎshàng).

Used specifically in grammar to describe verb changes (unlike Chinese verbs which stay the same).

Usually refers to a short break during a meeting or conference with tea and snacks.

A common English male name used here as the host's name.

The official name of the podcast, used alongside its Chinese translation.

A phonetic translation of the English word 'podcast'.

Literally means to measure the body to make clothes; figuratively means something is specially designed for a specific person or purpose.

Refers to people who are in the early stages of learning a skill or language.

Composed of '法' (short for France) and '语' (language).

Composed of '日' (short for Japan) and '语' (language).

Composed of '俄' (short for Russia) and '语' (language).

Commonly used to describe level of proficiency (e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced).

A major global financial hub and the most populous city in China.

The scientific study of language and its structure.

The language spoken in Hungary.

An ancient Indo-Aryan language.

The suffix '家' indicates an expert or specialist in a certain field.

A famous American linguist known for theories of second language acquisition.

The international video-sharing platform.

Refers to a system of ideas intended to explain something.

A technical term in language acquisition referring to messages that learners can understand.

A modern term combining 'broadcast' (播) and 'owner/host' (主).

A common time expression used to describe a state continuing until the present moment.

The AABB reduplication of '舒服' (shūfu) intensifies the adjective and makes it more descriptive.

The AABB reduplication of '安静' (ānjìng) emphasizes the state of being very quiet.

A very common idiomatic phrase used to emphasize variety.

Used for topics, people, or atmospheres that are grave or earnest.

In this context, it refers specifically to the written script or transcript of an audio recording.

Refers to the social, professional, or relative standing of someone or something.

A formal way to say 'listen,' specifically used for radio, podcasts, or music broadcasts.

The name of the main character in the story.

Refers to the period near the end of autumn, often associated with cold and falling leaves.

Used for light objects like rain, snow, or leaves moving gently in the air.

A reduplicated form of 匆忙, emphasizing a sense of urgency or haste.

Metaphorically compares a moving crowd to a flowing river.

Specific to train, subway, or bus boarding areas.

A reduplicated form of 吵闹, used to describe a chaotic or noisy atmosphere.

Can be descriptive or used as a derogatory insult depending on context.

Often used for military or job transfers, here it means to activate a psychological response.

Can refer to physical nerves or metaphorical sensitivity and mental focus.

Commonly refers to formal business attire.

A bag used specifically for carrying documents and office supplies.

A verb-object construction describing the cleaning and polishing of shoes.

Usually implies simple, humble, or lower-income origins.

Refers to clothes without a lining, suitable for mild weather rather than cold.

A specific tool used for cleaning or polishing footwear.

Refers to the main structural part of a writing instrument.

The lid that covers the tip of a pen.

Often used to describe luxury or decorative items.

Refers to alphabetical characters like A, B, or C.

Refers to thick, dirty oil typically from machinery or cooking.

Standard professional card for sharing contact information.

The specific name of the fictional agency in the text.

Describes the common social action of a crowd gathering to watch something happen.

Describes a sudden, intense emotional or psychological shock.

A standard term for being untruthful.

This is the title of the podcast, implying a casual and relaxed environment for learning Chinese during a 'tea break'.

A formal idiom used to describe the collective things one has witnessed and heard firsthand.

A modern term derived from the phonetic translation of 'podcast'.

Commonly used for official news, software, movies, or media content releases.

In modern Mandarin, '闻' usually means to smell, but in classical Chinese and idioms like '所见所闻', it means to hear.

Refers to the breadth of experience or knowledge gained from observing the world.

Frequently used in the construction '跟...相比' (compared with...).

Can refer to a physical geometric angle or a metaphorical point of view.

Often used when something unexpected happens that causes a startle or shock.

Can be used as a noun (feelings) or a verb (to feel/perceive).

Reduplication of '普通' (pǔtōng) used to emphasize that something is completely average or unremarkable.

The official currency of most countries in the European Union.

The official currency of the People's Republic of China.

A general term for buses, subways, and trains available for public use.

Refers to signs, symbols, or logos used for guidance or identification.

Can refer to radio broadcasting or announcements made over a PA system.

Used for electronic screens on phones, computers, TVs, or public displays.

The final destination of a public transport line.

Refers to the activities and affairs related to government and policy.

A specialist who studies or writes about philosophy.

Used for expressing high regard for someone, usually an elder, teacher, or person in authority.

Describes a serious attitude, tone, or atmosphere.

Describes a person who is down-to-earth or a thing that is substantial and practical.

In the context of technology, it refers specifically to scanning codes with a smartphone camera.

A general term for containers used for carrying things, such as shopping baskets.

Used for suggesting someone or something as being worthy or desirable.

Remember that Chinese discounts are expressed as 'X折' (e.g., 八折 means 80% of the original price, or 20% off).

The specific type of ticket required to enter a venue like a park, theater, or museum.

Can refer to the physical structures or the field of architecture itself.

Usually refers to large, fortified historic residences.

The central, usually most commercial area of a city.

Often used to describe modern urban landscapes.

Specifically refers to children without siblings, often discussed in the context of China's population policy.

A collective noun for all brothers and sisters in a family.

Describes the emotional state of feeling alone or neglected.

A popular designer toy character created by Kasing Lung, very trendy in Asia.

Refers to the current group of people belonging to a specific age range or era.

Can be a verb meaning 'to hate' or an adjective meaning 'annoying/disagreeable'.

Usually refers to negative or false things said about a person when they are not present.

A general term for any video clip or digital video content.

Refers to the seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia.

Literally 'not forgiving people,' used here to describe the harshness of the sun.

A literary term often describing a face flushed from drinking.

Describes the uncomfortable, greasy feeling of sweat in high humidity.

Refers to the three ten-day periods that are traditionally the hottest of the year in China.

A literary expression suggesting that natural phenomena portend military conflict.

The Republic of China calendar began in 1912; Year 26 is 1937.

The Chinese transliteration of the French ship name.

Annam was a common term for Vietnam during the colonial period.

A vivid description of how intense heat makes one feel sluggish.

Often used for children or women seeking attention or affection.

Refers to Otto von Bismarck, the German statesman.

Often used in a romantic context but can refer to any emotional communication.

A literary phrase meaning to observe something and find joy in it.

Commonly used to express benefiting from someone else's luck, status, or success.

A formal or literary term for noisy confusion.

Often used regarding jobs, housing, or money reaching a final, settled state.

An older or shorthand abbreviation for 比利时 (Bǐlìshí).

Describes two people who become fast friends immediately upon meeting.

Describes a country suffering from both international invasion and domestic unrest.

Usually used to describe a person's appearance or behavior.

Often used in a literary sense to describe colors or textures that lack vitality.

Literally 'clear brows and elegant eyes,' used for attractive, refined faces.

More formal and descriptive than simply saying '瘦'.

Refers to the 'Eight Characters' (Bazi) used for traditional matchmaking.

A scholarly term for verifying historical facts or texts.

Usually implies a look of sadness or bitterness.

Literally 'a lone flower admiring its own fragrance.' Can be used critically.

Describes someone who stands apart from the crowd and doesn't fit in easily.

Doing the bare minimum just to get through a social interaction.

A strong feeling of dislike, more intense than simple '不喜欢'.

Informal. Can mean physically ugly or socially embarrassing/shabby.

Very common idiom for being extremely careful to avoid mistakes or damage.

Can describe physical darkness or, metaphorically, doing something to an extreme, senseless degree.