Have you ever noticed that Taiwanese people often avoid being too direct in conversation? Instead of saying “no,” you’ll hear phrases like 「再看看」(I’ll take another look) or 「改天再約」(let’s meet another day). In this episode, Mindy and Joeru dive into the cultural reasons behind this communication style — from harmony and face to subtle ways of leaving room for flexibility.

In this episode, we cover:
– What “indirect speech” means in Taiwanese culture
– Everyday examples like 「再聯絡」「我再考慮看看」「應該可以喔」
– Why avoiding “no” and softening your tone is considered polite
– How concepts like harmony, face, and humility shape language choices

🗣 Listener Challenge:
Do you notice yourself using “indirect” language in Mandarin? Share your favorite example with us on Instagram @bitesize.chinese!

🎙️ The Bitesize Chinese Podcast helps you bridge the gap between classroom Mandarin and how people actuallyspeak — with all the quirks, slang, and culture that come with it. Each bi-weekly episode is a bite-sized challenge designed to stretch your skills and bring you from intermediate to almost advanced — one conversation at a time. Tune in, take a bite, and keep growing with us! 🎧💬

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