Learn 刚 vs 刚才 in Chinese + 内卷 & 摸鱼 Explained!

In today’s episode, we break down one of the most confusing time expressions for HSK3 learners: 刚 (gāng) vs 刚才 (gāngcái). You’ll learn how to talk naturally about things that just happened, with clear examples you can start using in real conversations immediately.

But that’s not all
We also dive into modern Chinese work culture, explaining two internet buzzwords that are everywhere in China today: 内卷 (nèijuǎn) and 摸鱼 (mōyú). Why do people complain about the never-ending competition at work? And why is “slacking off” suddenly not as bad as it seems? We explain it all with humour and real-life examples.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The difference between 刚 and 刚才 and how to use them in context
✅ How to describe recent events naturally in Mandarin
✅ The meanings of 内卷 and 摸鱼 in modern Chinese work culture
✅ Cultural insights: why slacking off (摸鱼) is becoming acceptable in some contexts

Fun Fact:
Did you know that in Chinese, 内卷 (nèijuǎn) refers to the phenomenon of excessive competition, especially at work, while 摸鱼 (mōyú) is used to describe “slacking off” during work hours? These terms are often used in discussions about the pressures of modern life in China.

Question for You:
How would you say: “I just finished my work” in Chinese?
Write your answer in the comments and we’ll help you with corrections!

Mini Challenge:
Create your own sentence using 刚 or 刚才. For example:
• 我刚吃完饭。 (“I just finished eating.”)
• 刚才我去买东西了。 (“I just went to buy something.”)

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime.
• Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach.
• Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you.
• Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today

• (00:00:09) - Why Chinese Workers Are Burned Out
• (00:02:36) - Gan Tai and Kansai
• (00:09:30) - China's Working Culture
• (00:14:50) - Moyu and Nature
• (00:19:57) - How to Make a Sentence in Chinese
• (00:21:09) - kan and kansai for daily conversation

Learn 越来越 in Chinese + North vs South China Lifestyle Differences | HSK3

In today’s HSK3 episode, we’ll teach you how to use 越来越 (yuè lái yuè) to talk about gradual changes in Mandarin. This very common structure is perfect for describing trends, emotions, habits, and changes in society or daily life.

You’ll learn how to form sentences like “Life is getting harder” or “More and more people care about health,” and understand how 越来越 focuses on the process of change over time rather than immediate results.

In our cultural segment, we explore the intriguing differences between Northern and Southern China. From food preferences such as 南米北面 (rice in the south, noodles in the north), to differences in portion sizes, flavors, and eating habits, you’ll see why life in China can feel very different depending on whether you’re in the north or the south.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How to use 越来越 to express gradual changes
✅ How to describe trends and ongoing shifts in Mandarin
✅ The key differences between Northern and Southern China’s food culture
✅ Real-life examples to help you use 越来越 in conversations

Fun Fact:
Did you know that food is one of the biggest lifestyle differences between North and South China? In the north, people typically prefer noodles, while in the south, rice is the staple food.

Question for You:
How would you say “The weather is getting colder” in Chinese?
Write your answer in the comments and we’ll help you check it!

Mini Challenge:
Create your own sentence using 越来越. For example:
• 我越来越喜欢学习中文。 (“I’m getting more and more into learning Chinese.”)
• 生活越来越困难了。 (“Life is getting harder.”)

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime.
• Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach.
• Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you.
• Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today

Learn 着 (zhe) as an Adverbial Complement + Pet-Friendly Cinemas in China | HSK3

In this HSK3 episode, we’ll teach you how to use 着 (zhe) to form adverbial complements in Mandarin. This structure helps you describe how an action happens by adding context or an ongoing state. For example, “working while listening to music” or “studying while drinking coffee.”

You’ll also learn how to build natural sentences with the pattern V + 着 + V, and understand the difference between this structure and 一边…一边… so you’ll know when to use each one correctly.

Plus, in our cultural segment, we explore a surprising trend in China: pet-friendly cinemas! Yes, in some Chinese cities, you can watch movies like Zootopia (疯狂动物城) while bringing your dog or cat with you. We’ll discuss why this trend exists, how it works, and what it reveals about modern urban life and pet culture in China.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How to use 着 (zhe) as an adverbial complement to describe actions in progress
✅ The key differences between V + 着 + V and 一边…一边…
✅ Real-life examples you can use in conversations
✅ Cultural insight: the pet-friendly cinema trend in China and what it says about pet culture

Fun Fact:
Did you know that pet-friendly cinemas in China are becoming more popular, where moviegoers can enjoy a film while spending time with their furry friends? This is a growing trend in many urban areas.

Question for You:
How would you say in Chinese: “He is eating while watching TV”?
Write your answer in the comments and we’ll check it!

Mini Challenge:
Create your own sentence using 着 (zhe). For example:
• 我一边听音乐一边工作。 (“I work while listening to music.”)
• 我坐着喝咖啡看书。 (“I sit and drink coffee while reading a book.”)

Learn Chinese the smarter way
At Hanyu Chinese School, you can learn Mandarin with top private tutors and access the best online Chinese learning platform in Spanish. Our platform offers hundreds of tools, weekly group webinars, flashcards, and interactive games to make learning personalized and effective.

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime.
• Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach.
• Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you.
• Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today

• (00:00:10) - How to Bring a Pet to the Movies
• (00:01:44) - Using Adverbial Complements
• (00:07:39) - Speech Regression
• (00:09:43) - Cinema for Pets in China
• (00:14:23) - Drinking Coffee While Studying
• (00:15:00) - How to make a Chinese sentence in 3 seconds
• (00:16:16) - Adverbial Complements