Learning a new language can be a challenging and daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be boring. One way to make language learning more enjoyable and effective is by incorporating Chinese TV shows into your study routine. Watching TV shows in Chinese can help you improve your listening comprehension, expand your vocabulary, and gain a better understanding of Chinese culture.
There are various types of Chinese TV shows available, catering to different interests and language learning goals. From historical dramas to romantic comedies, crime and mystery shows to reality TV programs, there is something for everyone. By choosing the right type of show that aligns with your interests and language level, you can make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable.
Key Takeaways
- Chinese TV shows are a great resource for language learning.
- The top 10 Chinese TV shows for language learners include “Meteor Garden” and “The Untamed.”
- Historical dramas can teach both Chinese culture and language.
- Romantic comedies are helpful for improving listening and speaking skills.
- Crime and mystery shows can enhance vocabulary and grammar.
- Reality TV programs are great for practicing conversational Chinese.
- Action and adventure series can teach Chinese idioms and expressions.
- Fantasy and mythical shows can expand Chinese vocabulary.
- Children’s cartoons are helpful for learning basic Chinese phrases and grammar.
- Tips for maximizing language learning with Chinese TV shows include using subtitles and taking notes.
Top 10 Chinese TV Shows for Language Learners
1. “Nirvana in Fire” (琅琊榜)
“Nirvana in Fire” is a historical drama set in ancient China. It tells the story of a young strategist seeking revenge for his family’s downfall. This show is highly regarded for its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and beautiful cinematography. Watching “Nirvana in Fire” can help you learn about Chinese history, culture, and language.
2. “Love O2O” (微微一笑很倾城)
“Love O2O” is a romantic comedy that follows the love story between two college students who meet through an online game. This show is popular for its light-hearted storyline, relatable characters, and modern setting. Watching “Love O2O” can improve your listening and speaking skills, as well as expose you to contemporary Chinese slang.
3. “The Longest Day in Chang’an” (长安十二时辰)
“The Longest Day in Chang’an” is a crime and mystery drama set in ancient China. It revolves around a detective and a former soldier who must work together to prevent a terrorist attack on the capital city. This show is known for its suspenseful plot, intense action scenes, and attention to historical details. Watching “The Longest Day in Chang’an” can enhance your vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as provide insights into Chinese history and culture.
4. “Keep Running” (奔跑吧兄弟)
“Keep Running” is a reality TV program that features celebrities participating in various physical challenges and games. The show is known for its entertaining and humorous content, as well as its emphasis on teamwork and perseverance. Watching “Keep Running” can help you practice conversational Chinese, as the participants engage in spontaneous conversations and interactions.
5. “The Untamed” (陈情令)
“The Untamed” is a fantasy and mythical drama based on a popular web novel. It tells the story of two cultivators who form a deep bond while uncovering a conspiracy in the cultivation world. This show is praised for its compelling storyline, strong character development, and breathtaking visuals. Watching “The Untamed” can expand your Chinese vocabulary, as it introduces unique terms related to cultivation and fantasy elements.
6. “Peppa Pig” (小猪佩奇)
“Peppa Pig” is a children’s cartoon that follows the adventures of Peppa, a cheeky little piggy, and her family and friends. This show is beloved by children worldwide for its simple yet engaging storylines and colorful animation. Watching “Peppa Pig” can help you learn basic Chinese phrases and grammar structures in a fun and interactive way.
7. “Story of Yanxi Palace” (延禧攻略)
“Story of Yanxi Palace” is a historical drama set in the Qing Dynasty. It revolves around a young woman who enters the palace as a maid and rises through the ranks to become a powerful figure. This show is known for its intricate plot, elaborate costumes, and strong female characters. Watching “Story of Yanxi Palace” can deepen your understanding of Chinese history and culture, as well as improve your listening comprehension.
8. “Detective Chinatown” (唐人街探案)
“Detective Chinatown” is a crime and mystery series that follows the adventures of a detective duo solving complex cases. This show is praised for its clever storytelling, witty dialogue, and engaging mysteries. Watching “Detective Chinatown” can enhance your vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as expose you to different types of crime-related terminology.
9. “Go Go Squid!” (亲爱的，热爱的)
“Go Go Squid!” is a romantic comedy that centers around the love story between a talented e-sports player and a dedicated fan. This show is known for its sweet and heartwarming moments, as well as its portrayal of the online gaming community. Watching “Go Go Squid!” can improve your listening and speaking skills, as well as introduce you to contemporary Chinese slang.
10. “Journey to the West” (西游记)
“Journey to the West” is a classic fantasy and mythical series based on the famous Chinese novel of the same name. It follows the adventures of a Buddhist monk and his companions as they travel to India to obtain sacred scriptures. This show is beloved for its iconic characters, humorous storytelling, and moral lessons. Watching “Journey to the West” can expand your Chinese vocabulary, as it introduces various mythical creatures and cultural references.
Historical Dramas for Learning Chinese Culture and Language
Historical dramas are an excellent resource for learning about Chinese culture and language. These shows are set in different periods of Chinese history and often depict significant events, customs, and traditions. By watching historical dramas, you can gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history and culture, as well as improve your language skills.
One popular historical drama to watch is “Nirvana in Fire” (琅琊榜). Set in ancient China, this show tells the story of a young strategist seeking revenge for his family’s downfall. “Nirvana in Fire” is highly regarded for its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and beautiful cinematography. By watching this show, you can learn about the political intrigues of ancient China, as well as expand your vocabulary with historical terms and expressions.
Another historical drama worth watching is “Story of Yanxi Palace” (延禧攻略). Set in the Qing Dynasty, this show follows a young woman who enters the palace as a maid and rises through the ranks to become a powerful figure. “Story of Yanxi Palace” is known for its intricate plot, elaborate costumes, and strong female characters. By watching this show, you can gain insights into the lives of palace maids during the Qing Dynasty, as well as improve your listening comprehension with formal language usage.
Romantic Comedies for Improving Listening and Speaking Skills
Romantic comedies are not only entertaining but also beneficial for improving your listening and speaking skills in Chinese. These shows often feature everyday conversations between characters, allowing you to practice your listening comprehension and pick up colloquial expressions and slang.
One popular romantic comedy to watch is “Love O2O” (微微一笑很倾城). This show follows the love story between two college students who meet through an online game. “Love O2O” is known for its light-hearted storyline, relatable characters, and modern setting. By watching this show, you can improve your listening and speaking skills by familiarizing yourself with contemporary Chinese slang and expressions.
Another romantic comedy worth watching is “Go Go Squid!” (亲爱的，热爱的). This show centers around the love story between a talented e-sports player and a dedicated fan. “Go Go Squid!” is known for its sweet and heartwarming moments, as well as its portrayal of the online gaming community. By watching this show, you can practice your listening and speaking skills with casual conversations and romantic dialogues.
Crime and Mystery Shows for Enhancing Vocabulary and Grammar
Crime and mystery shows are excellent resources for enhancing your vocabulary and grammar skills in Chinese. These shows often involve complex plots, intricate investigations, and a wide range of crime-related terminology. By watching crime and mystery shows, you can expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and learn how to use specific terms in context.
One popular crime and mystery show to watch is “The Longest Day in Chang’an” (长安十二时辰). Set in ancient China, this show revolves around a detective and a former soldier who must work together to prevent a terrorist attack on the capital city. “The Longest Day in Chang’an” is known for its suspenseful plot, intense action scenes, and attention to historical details. By watching this show, you can enhance your vocabulary with crime-related terms and improve your grammar with formal language usage.
Another crime and mystery show worth watching is “Detective Chinatown” (唐人街探案). This series follows the adventures of a detective duo solving complex cases. “Detective Chinatown” is praised for its clever storytelling, witty dialogue, and engaging mysteries. By watching this show, you can enhance your vocabulary with crime-related terms, idiomatic expressions, and colloquial language usage.
Reality TV Programs for Practicing Conversational Chinese
Reality TV programs are a great way to practice conversational Chinese. These shows often feature spontaneous conversations and interactions between participants, allowing you to observe and learn how native speakers communicate in different situations.
One popular reality TV program to watch is “Keep Running” (奔跑吧兄弟). This show features celebrities participating in various physical challenges and games. “Keep Running” is known for its entertaining and humorous content, as well as its emphasis on teamwork and perseverance. By watching this show, you can practice your conversational Chinese by listening to the participants’ spontaneous conversations and interactions.
Another reality TV program worth watching is “The Voice of China” (中国好声音). This show is a singing competition that showcases the talents of aspiring singers from all over China. “The Voice of China” is known for its emotional performances, constructive feedback from judges, and inspiring stories of contestants. By watching this show, you can practice your conversational Chinese by listening to the contestants’ interviews and interactions with the judges.
Action and Adventure Series for Learning Chinese Idioms and Expressions
Action and adventure series are a great resource for learning Chinese idioms and expressions. These shows often feature dynamic fight scenes, thrilling adventures, and characters who use idiomatic expressions in their dialogues. By watching action and adventure series, you can expand your knowledge of Chinese idioms and expressions, as well as improve your listening comprehension.
One popular action and adventure series to watch is “Journey to the West” (西游记). Based on the famous Chinese novel of the same name, this show follows the adventures of a Buddhist monk and his companions as they travel to India to obtain sacred scriptures. “Journey to the West” is beloved for its iconic characters, humorous storytelling, and moral lessons. By watching this show, you can learn various idiomatic expressions used in everyday conversations.
Another action and adventure series worth watching is “The Legend of Condor Heroes” (射雕英雄传). This show is based on a popular martial arts novel and follows the journey of a young hero seeking justice and love. “The Legend of Condor Heroes” is known for its epic fight scenes, complex characters, and timeless themes. By watching this show, you can learn idiomatic expressions related to martial arts, honor, and loyalty.
Fantasy and Mythical Shows for Expanding Chinese Vocabulary
Fantasy and mythical shows are a great way to expand your Chinese vocabulary. These shows often introduce unique terms related to mythical creatures, magical powers, and fantasy elements. By watching fantasy and mythical shows, you can learn new vocabulary and improve your listening comprehension.
One popular fantasy and mythical show to watch is “The Untamed” (陈情令). Based on a popular web novel, this show tells the story of two cultivators who form a deep bond while uncovering a conspiracy in the cultivation world. “The Untamed” is praised for its compelling storyline, strong character development, and breathtaking visuals. By watching this show, you can expand your Chinese vocabulary with terms related to cultivation, fantasy elements, and magical powers.
Another fantasy and mythical show worth watching is “Legend of Fuyao” (扶摇). This show follows the journey of a young woman with extraordinary powers as she navigates through political intrigues and battles evil forces. “Legend of Fuyao” is known for its captivating plot, stunning visuals, and strong female protagonist. By watching this show, you can learn new vocabulary related to mythical creatures, supernatural abilities, and ancient legends.
Children’s Cartoons for Learning Basic Chinese Phrases and Grammar
Children’s cartoons are a fun and interactive way to learn basic Chinese phrases and grammar. These shows often feature simple storylines, repetitive dialogues, and colorful animation that can engage learners of all ages.
One popular children’s cartoon to watch is “Peppa Pig” (小猪佩奇). This show follows the adventures of Peppa, a cheeky little piggy, and her family and friends. “Peppa Pig” is beloved by children worldwide for its simple yet engaging storylines and colorful animation. By watching this show, you can learn basic Chinese phrases and grammar structures in a fun and interactive way.
Another children’s cartoon worth watching is “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf” (喜羊羊与灰太狼). This show revolves around the misadventures of a group of goats and their constant battles with a cunning wolf. “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf” is known for its humorous storylines, catchy theme songs, and lovable characters. By watching this show, you can learn basic Chinese phrases, vocabulary, and grammar structures in a playful and entertaining manner.
Tips for Maximizing Language Learning with Chinese TV Shows
To maximize your language learning with Chinese TV shows, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Choose the right show for your level: Start with shows that are appropriate for your language level. If you’re a beginner, opt for children’s cartoons or shows with simpler dialogues. As you progress, challenge yourself with more complex shows.
2. Use subtitles effectively: Watch shows with Chinese subtitles to improve your reading skills. Start by watching with both Chinese and English subtitles, then gradually transition to Chinese subtitles only. This will challenge your reading comprehension and force you to rely less on the English translation. As you become more comfortable, try watching shows without any subtitles at all to test your understanding. Using Chinese subtitles not only helps improve your reading skills, but also exposes you to new vocabulary and sentence structures. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the language and make significant progress in your Chinese learning journey.
