Master 还是 vs. 或者 in Chinese + Live-Stream Shopping | HSK 3

In today’s episode, we break down one of the most confusing pairs in Mandarin: 还是 (háishi) and 或者 (huòzhě). Both translate as “or” in English, but they’re used in very different situations. You’ll learn when to use 还是 in questions where someone must choose, and when to use 或者 in statements where you’re simply listing options.

In the cultural segment, we explore the booming world of 直播带货 (zhíbò dàihuò), or live-stream shopping. From influencers who can sell thousands of products in minutes, to farmers selling fruit directly from their orchards, and even scandals involving fake goods, this phenomenon has become a key part of modern Chinese consumer culture.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The difference between 还是 (used in questions with choices) and 或者 (used in statements with options)
✅ How to avoid common mistakes when saying “or” in Chinese
✅ Practical, everyday examples you can start using immediately
✅ Cultural insights into live-stream shopping and the influencer economy in China

Fun Fact:
Li Jiaqi (李佳琦), known as the “Lipstick King,” once sold around 15,000 lipsticks in just five minutes during a live-stream. That’s the power of 网红经济, China’s influencer-driven economy.

Question for You:
How would you say in Chinese: “Do you want to drink coffee or tea?”
Write your answer in the comments and we’ll check it.

Mini Challenge:
Create your own sentence using 还是 or 或者. For example:
你想去北京还是上海？
(Do you want to go to Beijing or Shanghai?)

明天我可以坐地铁或者打车去上班。
(Tomorrow I can take the subway or a taxi to work.)

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

• (00:00:13) - Grammar Today: Both Means or
• (00:01:21) - Chinese Dialogue
• (00:04:42) - Hua Zh
• (00:07:40) - Live Stream Shopping or Online Shopping?
• (00:09:50) - China's Live-Stream Shopping
• (00:15:27) - How to Make a Chinese Sentence
• (00:16:34) - China's Live-Stream Shopping

In today’s episode, we explore a new and very useful meaning of 会 (huì). You may already know 会 as “to know how to” (ability) or “will” (future), but here you’ll learn how 会 is used to express possibility — what will probably happen in a given situation.

You’ll see clear, real-life examples such as:
“If you don’t eat breakfast, you’ll probably feel hungry.”
“It’s very cold, you’ll probably catch a cold.”

In the cultural segment, we dive into some of the most surprising and unusual jobs in China. From hiring a handsome guy to go hiking with you (帅哥陪你爬山), to paying someone to stand in line for you, to professional bridesmaids, these jobs reflect the speed, creativity, and pressures of modern Chinese society.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The three main uses of 会: ability, future, and possibility
✅ How to use 会 to mean “will probably…” in daily conversations
✅ Why adding 的 at the end makes sentences sound more natural
✅ Common mistakes learners make with 会 and how to avoid them
✅ Cultural insights into random jobs in China and what they reveal about society

Fun Fact:
In China, you can actually pay someone to wait in line for you. When a new iPhone is released, “professional line-standers” queue all night while their clients stay at home and sleep.

Question for You:
How would you say in Chinese:
“If you don’t study, you’ll probably fail the exam”?
Write your answer in the comments and we’ll check it.

Mini Challenge:
Create your own sentence using 会 to express possibility. For example:
别吃太多，你会不舒服的。
(Don’t eat too much, you’ll probably feel unwell.)

明天会下雨的。
(It will probably rain tomorrow.)

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

• (00:00:00) - Hanging Chinese School Podcast
• (00:03:34) - The Meaning of Hui (Probability) in Chinese Language
• (00:08:50) - Visit China in 2019
• (00:11:53) - The Most Random Jobs You Can Find in China
• (00:15:56) - Hiring a Partner
• (00:18:57) - How to Pass a Chinese Class in 2 Minutes!
• (00:20:11) - Coming soon: Choosing Your Life

Learn Rhetorical Questions in Chinese + Viral Food on Douyin | HSK3 Podcast

Do you know how to use rhetorical questions in Chinese?
In this episode, you’ll learn how the structure 能不…吗？ works and why it makes your Mandarin sound more natural, expressive, and emphatic. These aren’t real questions — they’re a way to say “Come on, it’s obvious!”
You’ll be able to say things like:
“You didn’t eat. How could you not be hungry?”
“It rained all night. How could the streets not be wet?”

We’ll also explore the world of viral food trends on Douyin (Chinese TikTok): from the beautiful-but-wobbly strawberry tower (草莓塔) to the dramatic ten skewers (十只烤串). These foods aren’t just snacks — they’re tied to dating culture, social media trends, and modern youth life in China.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How to use 能不…吗？ to form rhetorical questions in everyday conversations
✅ The difference between a real question and a rhetorical one
✅ Useful examples you can apply immediately
✅ Cultural insight: how Douyin’s viral food shapes dating, trends, and social pressure in China

Fun Fact:
Did you know many people buy the strawberry tower *just* to take photos?
Online jokes say it often collapses before you even reach home — the classic “looks amazing online, reality not so much.”

Question for You:
How would you say in Chinese: “It’s raining outside today, how could you play basketball?”
Write your answer in the comments!

Mini Challenge:
Create your own rhetorical question using 能…吗？
Examples:
你昨天没睡觉，今天能不困吗？
(“You didn’t sleep yesterday. How could you not be tired today?”)

天气这么冷，不穿外套能不感冒吗？
(“It’s so cold. How could you not catch a cold without a coat?”)

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

• (00:00:00) - Chinese Language, Grade 3, HSK3 Podcast
• (00:03:09) - Rhetorical Questions in Chinese
• (00:08:09) - Probability Grammar
• (00:11:31) - Viral Chinese Food Trends
• (00:17:10) - How to write your own sentence in Chinese
• (00:18:37) - Rhetorical Questions and Cultural Topics