China Myth Podcast
China Myth Podcast
Latest Episodes
What Is Guānxì (关系)? The Guanxi Engine Explained
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5L3IsVVspL8 (YouTube long-form replay)What is Guānxì (关系) and why does it matter? In this kickoff of Mandarin Savvy LIVE, I explain the Gua...
Preserving Face (台阶下): The Chinese Art of the Face-Saving Off-Ramp
Someone just made a mistake, said something wrong, or got caught in an awkward moment — and the entire tone of the room now depends on what happens next. Most of us were never taught the answer.In this episode, I introduce 台阶下 (táijiē xi...
How to Disagree in Chinese | Learn 6 Mandarin Phrases That Replace "No"
In China, people almost never say "No" directly — and if you're waiting for one, you'll wait forever. In this episode of The Art of Maybe, I break down six real Mandarin Chinese phrases that Chinese people use instead of a flat refusal, the exa...
The Most Misunderstood Phrase in Chinese | The Art of Maybe Ep. 6: 再说吧
If a Chinese colleague ever tells you 再说吧 ("let's discuss it later"), don't put it back on the agenda. This is the series finale of The Art of Maybe, a 6-part breakdown of the real Mandarin phrases Chinese people use instead of a flat refusal. ...
How to Deflect a Sensitive Question in Chinese | The Art of Maybe Ep. 5: 这个嘛
When someone drops a loaded question into a group conversation in China — pricing, exclusivity, a competitor's name — the room doesn't go silent by accident. This is Episode 5 of The Art of Maybe, a 6-part series decoding the real Mandarin phra...