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0Mid-Autumn Festival may be over, but the moon and the feeling of missing someone never go out of style. 🌕
In this solo episode, Daisy takes you on a musical journey through four classic Chinese songs about the moon. Each song teaches you one practical Chinese expression, and each comes with an HSKK-style speaking prompt so you can practice along.
Whether you’re a Chinese language learner, an HSK candidate, or simply someone who loves Chinese music and culture, this episode will help you sound more natural and expressive in Chinese.
If you’re interested in any online courses, an intensive class in Hangzhou, a Chinese Cultural Experience in Hangzhou, or HSK preparation in Hangzhou, Chinese Surfing is right here in Hangzhou!
🎧 Timestamps & Key Takeaways
00:00 – Opening: Mid-Autumn, Moon, and Missing Home
Daisy reflects on the Mid-Autumn Festival and introduces the theme: Chinese songs about the moon. She explains why the moon is so important in Chinese culture — it symbolizes missing family, reunion, and love.
01:30 – Song 1: 《月亮代表我的心》— “A代表B”
The song: Teresa Teng’s classic “The Moon Represents My Heart.”
Language point: A代表B (A represents B).
Example: 月亮代表我的心 Yuèliang dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn (The moon represents my heart).
Practice: 鸽子代表和平；红色代表热情；熊猫代表中国。
HSKK prompt: In your culture, what represents love? Why?
Cultural note: Why the moon and not the sun? The moon is gentle, not dazzling, and it waxes and wanes — just like love.
05:00 – Song 2: 《城里的月光》— The “把” Construction
The song: Xu meijing’s “Moonlight in the City.”
Language point: “把”字句: A把B + verb + result.
Example: 城里的月光把梦照亮 Chénglǐ de yuèguāng bǎ mèng zhào liàng (The city moonlight lights up my dream).
Practice: 我把作业写完了；他把房间打扫干净了。
HSKK prompt: Many people leave home to work in big cities. How do they spend Mid-Autumn Festival? Share your thoughts.
Cultural note: Urban loneliness, video calls, and “cloud reunion.”
08:40 – Song 3: 《月亮惹的祸》— “都是……惹的祸”
The song: Phil Chang’s “The Moon’s Fault.”
Language point: 都是……惹的祸 (It’s all because of…). Used humorously to blame something for a small problem.
Example: 都是月亮惹的祸 Dōu shì yuèliang rě de huò (It’s all the moon’s fault).
Practice: 都是天气惹的祸，害我迟到了；都是手机惹的祸，害我昨天没睡好。
HSKK prompt: Use “都是……惹的祸” to describe a small trouble in your life.
Cultural note: Chinese people sometimes avoid saying “I love you” directly — they attribute love to the moon, the night, or the atmosphere.
12:30 – Song 4: 《但愿人长久》— beautiful Chinese idoms
The song: Faye Wong’s “Wishing Us a Long Life” (lyrics from Su Shi’s poem).
Chengyu 1: 悲欢离合 bēi huān lí hé — sorrow, joy, parting, reunion. Life is full of these.
Chengyu 2: 阴晴圆缺 yīn qíng yuán quē — cloudy, clear, full, crescent. Originally describes the moon, but also life’s imperfections.
Key line: 但愿人长久，千里共婵娟 (May we all be blessed with longevity, and share the same bright moon even though miles apart).
HSKK prompt: What’s your understanding of “人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺”? Does your culture have a similar saying?
18:00 – Review & Listener Interaction
Daisy reviews the four language points and invites listeners to write a short paragraph in Chinese: Which moon song do you like most, and why? Share in the comments or with your Chinese teacher.
📖 Useful Vocabulary from this episode (by HSK Level)
HSK 3
月亮 (yuèliang) – moon
爱情 (àiqíng) – love
家人 (jiārén) – family members
中秋 (zhōngqiū) – Mid-Autumn
HSK 4
代表 (dàibiǎo) – to represent
温柔 (wēnróu) – gentle
浪漫 (làngmàn) – romantic
幽默 (yōumò) – humorous
承认 (chéngrèn) – to admit
HSK 5
缺 (quē) – to be missing / wane
结构 (jiégòu) – structure
摇滚 (yáogǔn) – rock and roll
调侃 (tiáokǎn) – to tease / joke
气氛 (qìfēn) – atmosphere
分享 (fēnxiǎng) – to share
HSK 6
思念 (sīniàn) – to miss / longing
团圆 (tuányuán) – reunion
耀眼 (yàoyǎn) – dazzling
惹祸 (rěhuò) – to cause trouble
归结 (guījié) – to attribute to
HSK 7-9
悲欢离合 (bēihuān líhé) – sorrow, joy, parting, reunion
阴晴圆缺 (yīn qíng yuán quē) – cloudy, clear, full, crescent
相隔千里 (xiānggé qiānlǐ) – separated by a thousand miles
但愿 (dànyuàn) – if only / may it be that
婵娟 (chánjuān) – beautiful woman; here refers to the moon
云团圆 (yún tuányuán) – cloud reunion (reunion via video call)
💬 Join the Conversation
Which of the four moon songs do you like most? Why?
In your culture, what represents love?
What’s your understanding of “人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺”? Does your culture have a similar expression?
How do people in your country celebrate a harvest or moon festival?
Leave a comment on your podcast platform or share your thoughts in your Chinese learning group!
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📜 Want the full PDF script of this episode?
📧 Email: daisy@chinese-surfing.com
