Struggling with Spanish verbs? This podcast is your friendly guide! We demystify conjugations, tenses, & the subjunctive, explaining how they differ from English & Italian. 

Taming the Spanish Verb: The  Macondo Man

Dive into the magical world of Macondo with our podcast. Experience extraordinary, true stories that embody the phrase ‘Solo pasa en Macondo’. Join us on this vibrant journey.

The Macondo man stories

Today we’re gonna talk about ordering food online,点外卖, after this lesson, you’ll be able to talk about some details of food delivery. 
New vocabulary ：
购物车（gòuwùchē）：shopping cart
下单（xiàdān）： place an order
外卖小哥（wàimàixiǎogē）/骑手（qíshǒu）：delivery man 
代金券（dàijīnquàn）：voucher
收藏（shōucáng）：collect
评价（píngjià）：feedback, comment
赠送（zèngsòng）：throw in 
联系客服（liánxìkèfú）：contact customer service
配送费（pèisòngfèi）： delivery fee 
网红餐厅（wǎnghóngcāntīng）：instagrammable restaurant
家常便饭（jiāchángbiànfàn）：Daily ordinary meals at home, metaphor common things

chinesewithserana

点外卖（ordering food online）

眉- Méi

 "目" - mù - eye, the upper part of 眉- Méi could refer to "毛" - máo", meaning "hair" or "fur." 
The combination represents the hairs above the eyes, hence "eyebrows." 
This formation suggests the character's meaning directly and visually connects it to the facial feature it represents.

用法 (Usage)

 As a noun, "眉" directly refers to the eyebrows. 
 眉毛 - méi mao - eyebrows

例如 (For example): 
他的眉毛很浓。- Tā de méi mao hěn nóng  
(His eyebrows are very thick.)

However, it is often used metaphorically in Chinese to denote expressions or emotions conveyed by the movement of the eyebrows, such as surprise, concern, or anger.

For instance, 眉头- méi tóu - the inner brow, refers to the area where the eyebrows begin, typically located above the inner corners of the eyes.

For example, "皱眉头" - zhòu méi tóu, means "to furrow one's brow," indicating worry or deep thought..

Idiomatic Expressions: "眉- Méi" appears in various idioms that use eyebrows metaphorically to talk about emotions or aesthetic qualities.

例如 (For example): 
眉开眼笑 - méi kāi yǎn xiào - lit. "eyebrows rise and eyes smile," meaning to smile joyfully or beam with happiness

眉飞色舞 - méi fēi sè wǔ - lit. "eyebrows fly and colors dance," used to describe vivid, expressive facial gestures of excitement or happiness

Metaphorical Usage: In poetic or artistic contexts, "眉" can metaphorically relate to things that resemble the shape or curve of eyebrows.

例如：(For example): 
山的轮廓好像一道眉形。-Shān de lún kuò hǎo xiàng yí dào méi xíng 。
(The outline of the mountain resembles the shape of an eyebrow.)


每日一字

Μέσα Μαζικής Μεταφοράς 

it's all Greek to me!

Public Transport 

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of hobbies. Hobbies are activities that bring joy, relaxation, and opportunities to connect with others. Whether you're just starting to learn English or have some experience, this episode is designed to help you expand your vocabulary and confidently discuss your hobbies in English.

Hosted by Louis, this engaging episode begins by introducing various hobbies, such as reading, playing a musical instrument, hiking, painting, cooking, and photography. You'll have a moment to reflect on which hobbies interest you personally.

Next, Louis guides you through essential phrases to express your favorite hobbies. You'll learn how to answer the question, "What's your favorite hobby?" by using the phrase "My favorite hobby is..." For example, "My favorite hobby is reading." Additionally, you'll practice saying, "I enjoy..." followed by your preferred hobby, such as "I enjoy hiking" or "I enjoy cooking."

Building on these phrases, Louis teaches you how to use "I like to..." followed by a verb to describe your hobbies. For instance, "I like to play the guitar." These simple structures enable you to share your hobbies and interests with others more confidently.

To foster engaging conversations, Louis demonstrates how to ask questions about someone's hobbies. You'll practice asking, "What hobbies do you have?" and "Do you play any sports?" Furthermore, you'll learn to inquire about frequency with the question, "How often do you [hobby]?" For example, "How often do you go hiking?"

By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the necessary vocabulary and phrases to discuss hobbies with ease. Remember, practice makes perfect, so be sure to utilize these phrases with friends or language exchange partners. Tune in to the podcast and embark on an exciting journey of learning and sharing your hobbies in English. Happy learning!

English on the Road 

Talking about Hobbies

Nesse episódio, vamos aprender maneiras formais e informais de agradecer.

Dicas sobre Português Brasileiro

Maneiras de agradecer em Português do Brasil

Transcript to read and study: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kq7s05kkc18PdvT-37_ZYkFu7gWKEaFr/view?usp=sharing

Book a class with me here: Book a class with me here: Book a class with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/12103910

Lisa's Podcast

Neuralink: Connecting Brains and Computers

This episode is a short version of my podcast that's included in my book. It covers the Syrian family's home, traditions, and daily life. While you are learning Arabic dialect, it's very important to reflect on the people, their mindset, traditions, and lives.
I hope you enjoy it! and you can always get the full episode with the book by clicking on these links:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3DBW2JH
*The book's audio:*
https://speakrealarabic.com/course/The-Syrian-Encounters

Beyond Borders: Immersing in Syrian Culture

Our Syrian Home

In this Chillchat you will become a “water connoisseur” (not really) and learn how to talk about different kinds of water in Chinese. E.g. ice water, room temperature water, sparkling water, etc.