In this third part of our KTV Survival Guide, you’ll learn the step-by-step process of ordering songs using QR codes and standing kiosks. We also dive into fun Chinese KTV slang, comparing a “Mic Hog” (麦霸) to a “Mic King” (麦王). This lesson is perfect for HSK 3-4 learners, featuring highly practical instructional verbs alongside fun cultural stretch words.
Reader Level: RecallGrid Club
Sharing Umbrellas | 一起撑伞
In this video, we explore how major Chinese cities handle sudden rainy days using the convenience of “Shared Umbrellas” (共享雨伞). You’ll also learn the warm, everyday phrase “一起撑吧” (Let’s share the umbrella) to help out a stranger. This lesson is tailored for HSK 3-4 learners and introduces useful urban vocabulary.
Eat Like a Local: Noodle Shop Masterclass | 像本地人一样吃面
Learn the essential phrases for navigating a local Chinese noodle shop, from customizing your spicy level to the “no cilantro” rule. This HSK 2-3 lesson focuses on practical daily survival Chinese.
The Art of Hongbao: Lucky Numbers & WeChat Money | 红包的艺术：吉利数字与微信红包
In this lesson, Sun Laoshi explores the cultural traditions and modern tech behind the Chinese Red Envelope (hóngbāo). You will learn the unspoken rules of who gives them, the secret meanings behind lucky (and unlucky) amounts, and get a step-by-step guide to sending a digital red envelope on WeChat.
While grounded in accessible HSK 3 and 4 grammar, this lesson provides a perfect stretch into HSK 5 vocabulary by introducing the authentic cultural and tech terms you need for real-world fluency.
Click here and here to see the documents referenced in the video.
The Last Mile: A Guide to China’s Shared Bikes | 共享单车使用指南
Need to get from the subway to the office? Shared bicycles are the perfect, low-cost solution for the daily “last mile” commute. In this practical guide, you will learn the exact three-step process for finding, unlocking, and properly parking a shared bike in China, plus what to do if you encounter a broken bike along the way.
Board the High-Speed Train Like a Local | 像本地人一样轻松上车
Taking a bullet train in China is an incredible experience, but with trains stopping at the station for only two or three minutes, boarding can feel like a high-speed race! In this Chinese Survival Class, Sun Laoshi explains the secret to boarding like a local: cracking the color-coded ground marks on the platform. You’ll learn the essential vocabulary to check your ticket, read the digital displays, and stand exactly where your carriage doors will open. No more running down the platform in a panic – tap through the words, master the phrases, and board your next train with total confidence! 2
Getting Takeout | 拿外卖
Ordering food in China is incredibly fast and convenient, but answering the phone when the delivery driver calls can be a stressful experience for language learners! In this practical Chinese Survival Class, Sun Laoshi breaks down exactly what you need to say when your takeout arrives. From answering the phone and giving directions, to asking the driver to leave the food at your door, this story is packed with real-world, conversational vocabulary. You will even learn the cultural secret to properly thanking your driver. Dive in, tap the words you don’t know, and master the phrases you need to order with confidence!
“Scan Me” Etiquette | 扫码礼仪
If you have spent more than five minutes in modern China, you already know that cash is practically extinct. From massive supermarkets to tiny roadside fruit stands, everything runs on WeChat Pay and Alipay.
But there is a tiny, unwritten social script that happens every single time you step up to a cashier.
In this week’s Video Reader, Sun Laoshi breaks down the ubiquitous phrase: “我扫你，还是你扫我？” (Do I scan you, or do you scan me?)
Splitting the Bill | AA制
In the past, paying the bill at a Chinese restaurant often involved a loud, friendly argument over who got the honor of treating the group. Today, mobile payments have made “going Dutch” (AA制) incredibly smooth and socially acceptable. In this story, we’ll see exactly how a group of friends uses WeChat to instantly split the cost of a hot pot dinner.
*Note: The final paragraph pushes into HSK 5 territory to discuss the social impact of technology. Don’t worry if you need to tap the words to translate them!