ChinesePod - Beginner

Newbie | Playing Cards

July 30, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MB

It’s hard to keep that poker face when you face your Mandarin speaking opponents, tongue-tied. So, before you sit down to a card game, listen to this podcast on playing cards. Learn to invite some pals to put their money where their mouths are…in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0304

Elementary | Getting A Date

July 28, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 33.4 MB

We don’t allow ugly (on the inside) people to listen (work here, yes, but not listen), so of course, when you come here to visit us, you will end up being asked out (not the other way around, of course). So, despite us never having done this on the first date before, in this podcast we’ll forgo all usual standards and give you a Mandarin Chinese lesson on the romantic meet-up. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0197

Newbie | The Door

July 26, 2021 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.97 MB

If it’s not obvious already -- we’re nerds. Nerdy enough to spend far too much money on a sound effects CD. So simply bear with us in this podcast as we listen to a door and teach you the exciting actions relating to the comings and goings through a door, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0301

Elementary | Going To Church

July 24, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 30.4 MB

In a land of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam – and now Christianity – a quick sermon on how to identify your own religion might help. In this podcast you will learn how to ask about someone’s religion, and also to talk about going to church, using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0192

Newbie | Stopping The Taxi

July 23, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MB

You might find yourself chuckling so loud at the “No Drunkards or Psychos” rule in the back of Shanghai taxis that you forget to tell the driver where to stop. So how can you? It has something do with listening to (another) brilliant lesson by ChinesePod. That’s us. In this podcast take your taxi driver Mandarin Chinese banter to the next level. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0290

Elementary | Adding Credit To A Cellphone

July 22, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 27.6 MB

A few things you can’t live without upon arriving: 1. Toilet paper (oh – you laugh now, but trust us) 2. ChinesePod 3. A mobile phone …now, we hope the first two are self-explanatory, and about the 3rd – it’s all pay-as-you-go, so in this podcast we tender a lesson in Mandarin Chinese on “topping up” that phone. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0189

Newbie | I'm Cold!

July 16, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MB

When it’s snowing out and finally realize that the reason there is no thermostat in your apartment is because there is actually no central heating, you’re gonna want to be able to find the words to whine about it. In this podcast, learn how to talk about being cold, in Mandarin Chinese—a subject that will come up often (that is when you’re not whining about being too hot). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0286

Elementary | Musical Instruments

July 14, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 37.6 MB

Granted, even we can’t say “pipa” without giggling, and still feel the need to grab the “erhu” and do a scissor kick, but it won’t stop us from sitting Jenny down in this podcast and finding out why she doesn’t play the “gangqin”…all in the name of a Mandarin Chinese lesson on instruments. ChinesePod: the CBGB of podcasts. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0183

Newbie | Feminine Products

July 12, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

A man writes these intros. He doesn’t have a “special time” each month. He also realizes that being funny about needing feminine products isn’t funny. So he’ll simply say, “Here’s a Mandarin Chinese lesson on buying tampons.” He now feels uncomfortable. But hopes you find this podcast useful. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0281

Elementary | A Walk In The Park

July 09, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 22.6 MB

Yes, using ChinesePod makes learning Mandarin a walk in the park – thank you. But this lesson is actually about walking in the park--not the in the metaphorical sense… ugh. Let’s make this easy for both of us: Here is a lesson on “Walking in the Park.” In this podcast you’ll learn to talk in Mandarin Chinese about things that people like you like to do in parks. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0178

Newbie | Black Or Green Tea

July 07, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 12 MB

You know (from watching Tom Hanks save the world again) that lemon or milk depends on the brew, but would you be able to order a proper cup of PG Tips in Mandarin? Let’s hope so…no, wait, instead of hoping, in this podcast let’s give you a Mandarin Chinese lesson on black and green tea, for your drinking pleasure. Whhhhooooooooeeeeeeeeee!!! (That was supposed to be a kettle sound effect). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0277

Elementary | Here Is Your Change

July 05, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 33.9 MB

Surely you never thought that having change could be so important. However, when you pull out one of the “hundred dollar bills” (not as much as it sounds), you just may be leaving without anything. In this podcast, you’ll learn how make sure you’ll be able to use your Mandarin Chinese to get all of your coin back… plus, we finally find out *why* Jenny loves chocolate so! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0177

Newbie | Business Cards (original)

July 02, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MB

They’re handed out for any and every reason…but what do you say? “Thanks” might seem a little bland, but then again, “WOW! You’ve such fine taste in paper!” might be a bit over the top. So then what? Better find out--you’ll be doing it about 12 times a day. In this podcast, learn to do the ol’ card exchange, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0272

Elementary | Going To The Doctor

June 30, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 35.6 MB

A big house full of needles, beds with restraints and gloves that are lubed for a reason and you still think “winging it” at the hospital will get you by? For those less confident, it’s Dr. Ken and Nurse Jenny to the rescue, in a Mandarin Chinese lesson on visiting the man who didn’t attend eight years of medical school to be called “xiansheng”. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0170

Newbie | Ouch!

June 28, 2021 10:36 - 9 minutes - 8.67 MB

Fact: no matter how prepared you are for it; you will take that piece of chicken and bite down hard. Fact: most chicken here comes still on the bone, no matter the size Fact: the face you make upon losing a molar will look like you don’t enjoy the meal Fact: we want you to make friends, not offend them. Fact: learning how to say “ouch” will help. In this podcast, learn how to express pain in Mandarin Chinese, as well as deal with the toothache aftermath of the episode with the chicken bone. ...

Elementary | He's Boring

June 25, 2021 08:00 - 18 minutes - 42.2 MB

Hard as it is to believe, as we look out our window to people doing tai chi in pajamas and 6:00am ballroom dancing with perfect hair--there might be a few “dullards” in your life. In this far from boring podcast, we liven things up a bit and help you to talk about someone boring, using Mandarin Chinese. You’ll never be bored again. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0167

Newbie | I'm Hungry!

June 23, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

Although we don’t foresee you—after being force-fed fruit an hour after a 14-dish meal (on those cool tables that spin around)—suffering from “hunger pains,” there might be a chance that your Chinese pal will say this to you…all the time. So, in this podcast, learn to talk about being hungry (or not), in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0257

Elementary | Baby Talk: Your Baby Looks Like You!

June 21, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 32.2 MB

Explaining in another language that you “have your father’s eyes” is dangerous, seeing as a simple grammatical mistake could mean you actually took them from him…which won’t get you invited to stay in anyone’s home. We don’t want things to be hazardous for you--thus the lesson. Learn how to talk about which parent a baby looks like…however, any comments about us having our mother’s hips will result in a beating. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0164

Newbie | Baby Talk: Friends Song

June 18, 2021 08:00 - 10 minutes - 9.72 MB

No, it’s not the Proclaimer’s one hit – nor is it Tinky Winky’s (too controversial, even for our Saturday Show) tune – but we do have an ole melody from yesteryear that tikes learn. We’re working on another…a little ChinesePod tune: We love you You love us Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0253

Elementary | Haircuts

June 16, 2021 08:00 - 17 minutes - 40.7 MB

Few things in life are certain: 1. Life 2. Death 3. A non-English speaking barber might struggle in getting that “feathered” look you’re after So, it’s John and Jenny to the rescue, in the wind-blown form of a lesson on “getting a do”. In this podcast learn how to communicate some essentials to your friendly neighborhood barber cutting right there on the sidewalk in Mandarin Chinese. ChinesePod--not afraid to wear ours up, and away from the face. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0161

Newbie | The Olympics

June 14, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MB

We don’t know if you heard but, (if not—were you on Mars?) Beijing’s got the Olympics here in 2008. So we thought we’d make sure you can hold your own in a conversation with a Beijingerrrr (those “r’s” will make sense when you come)—or anyone, for that matter—about all the excitement. In this podcast we teach you Olympic terms in Mandarin Chinese…and if you’re lucky, Jenny will be honest about her “shot-put” background. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0247

Elementary | Character Mind Map: 蛋 Egg

June 11, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 38.5 MB

In Chinese, you often encounter single characters that have multiple related meanings. This has the potential to confuse learners because sometimes it is hard to make connections between component characters and their meanings within multiple-character words. That's why we created this Character Mind Map series, where we focus on characters and the words they make up.Today, we're talking about 蛋 and all the interesting words using this character. Let's check them out! Episode link: https://w...

Newbie | Hotel Essentials

June 09, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MB

Now you’ve used your Mandarin skills to find the hotel, check-in, order in some room service—but wait! There is something essential you forgot to learn how to say. In this podcast, we aid you in making a phone call to the front desk to ask for some essential items, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0242

Elementary | Continued Tone Change Series #5: Ordering Dumplings

June 07, 2021 08:00 - 17 minutes - 40.7 MB

In our previous newbie tone change series, we have introduced the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Just like many other aspects in the Chinese language, tone changes are more nuanced than the rules you see in textbooks. That's why for the elementary tone change series, we decided that we would reinforce the rules with the help of dialogues that you hear in everyday conversations. Practice and familiarize yourselves with the sounds, and you'll be a tone mast...

Newbie | What Character?

June 04, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MB

You just thought the “what’s that, what’s this” went out at 7 years old…wrong. From the moment you realize that 山 means (and looks like a) “mountain,” you’ll be hooked. You’ll want to learn more. We want to help. The world wants you to listen. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0239

Elementary | Chengyu Series: Seven Up And Eight Down

June 02, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 27.9 MB

Chengyu are Chinese idioms that consist of four characters. Although they originate from classical Chinese, Chengyu remain as an important aspect in both spoken and written language. They may seem erratic and confusing to you at first since they don’t follow the usual sentence order and their meanings depend heavily on context. But don’t worry, in this Chengyu series, we will introduce simple Chengyu made up with all the characters that you already knew, and you can infer the actual meaning ...

Newbie | Mailing A Letter

May 31, 2021 07:25 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MB

Let’s face it, all excuses aside, you learn Chinese to be cool – the same reason we buy gifts abroad for people, the same reason we send postcards. What’s that? You don’t know how to send a letter? By all means, let us help. In this podcast, come with us to the post office and learn how to mail a letter in China, using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0235

Elementary | Have You Been To Beijing?

May 28, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 35.9 MB

Know the difference between “Wang Fu Jing” and “Nan Jing Lu”? In one place you can find “The Bund”, in the other you’ll eat a “bun”…know the towns we’re talkin’ bout (Willis)? The two centers of the middle country, of course! In this podcast, Ken and Jenny referee the Beijing VS. Shanghai rumble. You will learn to talk about China’s two most famous cities using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0156

Newbie | Stomach Trouble

May 26, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

In Indonesia it’s “Bali Belly,” Mexico “Montezuma’s Revenge,” and in China… commonplace. There’s a good chance that despite how tasty those hairy crabs look (or not), your tummy might disagree. In this podcast learn how to express your stomach woes in Mandarin Chinese (You’ll notice we didn’t make this an intermediate lesson as *detail* isn’t needed). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0229

Elementary | This Room Is Too Small

May 24, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 33.4 MB

The fact that ChinesePod’s size 12 foot gets laughed out of every shop in town should clue you into something…you’re big, they are not. Realizing that, we couldn’t pass on doing a lesson on a domicile being diminutive. In this podcast, learn how to talk about housing and the size thereof in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0153

Newbie | Lost Luggage

May 21, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

Ask anyone who’s flown into Pudong Int’l Airport and we promise that the words “laid-back” and “relaxing” will never cross their lips. So should that suitcase full of Imodium AD and ChinesePod backup CDs go a-missing, this podcast will prepare you well. In this lesson you will learn how to say that you can’t find your luggage. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0226

Elementary | Do I Look Good In This?

May 19, 2021 08:00 - 18 minutes - 42 MB

We know all ChinesePod learners wanna look cool, so when we realized you might leave the house wearing something a little lacking that “je ne sais quoi”, we immediately put together a lesson to aid you with that conversation. You can’t have “ChinesePod” without “C-H-I-C”, so in this podcast learn all about what suits you, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0149

Newbie | I Love China!

May 17, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MB

Things that will get you the best seat in the “jia”: 1. Saying “I love Yao Ming!” 2. Saying “I love Chinese food!” 3. Saying “I love China” So, for those who don’t know of giant basketball players, or who haven’t yet ventured out into the “hairy crab” food section, in this podcast we’ll make sure you know how to confess your love for the P.R.C. in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0221

Elementary | Do You Have Vegetables?

May 14, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 35.3 MB

Any one of us here will tell you the golden rule of dining: Never, we mean never, ask what kind of meat it is. So, should you care to counter that “Mystery Meat” with something that came from the earth, of course it’s ChinesePod to the rescue. In this podcast, we help you to learn how to use Mandarin Chinese to ask for something green--before you turn that same color. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0146

Newbie | Little Friends

May 12, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MB

If your height, hair color, eyelashes, and big feet somehow don’t scare off the kiddo cowering behind his mother’s leg, you might find yourself with a new little friend. So either you confuse him even more by throwing in what you’ve learned up ‘til now (see: taxi lingo, mild insults) or ask him that age-old question that always gets you an answer in the form of fingers. In this podcast, you will learn how to use Mandarin Chinese to ask someone how old they are. Episode link: https://www.chin...

Elementary | Where's My Class?

May 10, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 31.3 MB

Forget wedgies, spit-balls and unsuccessfully trying to hold number one until after nap-time; if you can’t find your class, it’s going to be a bad year. In this podcast, Jenny (head of the class) and Ken (sat at the back of class) give you a Mandarin Chinese lesson in helping you find your classroom. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0143

Newbie | No, Thank You!

May 07, 2021 08:00 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MB

Any stroll down Wangfujing or Nanjing Lu will tell you the shops aren’t the only ones selling. Constant “hallo!’s” tailed with “bag?” “watch?” and “DVD?” will follow you no matter what you do to escape. So, either learn how to walk faster, master the “laowai lookaway,” or simply find a brilliant podcast that will teach you “no, thank you”, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0213

Elementary | Character Mind Map: 包 Bag

May 05, 2021 08:00 - 10 minutes - 24.2 MB

In Chinese, you often encounter single characters that have multiple related meanings. This has the potential to confuse learners because sometimes it is hard to make connections between component characters and their meanings within multiple-character words. That's why we created this Character Mind Map series, where we focus on characters and the words they make up.Today, we're talking about 包 and all the interesting words using this character. Let's check them out! Episode link: https://w...

Newbie | Too Expensive!

May 03, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MB

We know you would *never* lower yourself to buying a “Rolax” here and passing it off as an original for someone’s birthday, but we’re sure that “friend of yours” will. So how to politely suggest that the opening bid might be a bit out of your range? A lesson on acting incensed by the price could save you a few “jiao.” In this podcast, learn how to tell someone “it’s too expensive” in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0209

Elementary | What Do You Do?

April 30, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 35.6 MB

We’ve helped you get through that initial “hi”, “thanks” and “where is the toilet” (all you need, really), but you’d like to stop talking about “hi”, “thanks” and “where is the toilet” (your friends are bored). So why not ask them about their interests? In this podcast, Ken and Jenny take time from their hobbies (walking on the beach, talking about feelings) to help you learn how to ask others theirs, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0141

Newbie | I'm Here For An Interview

April 28, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

You walk in, use your previously learned ChinesePod lessons to give the secretary your name and a quick “ni hao.” She does the same. What comes next? Most would think a reason for being there, but unless you thrive on those uncomfortable international moments (see: lesson on “Where is the Toilet Paper”), pay attention to this podcast, wherein you will learn how to tell someone that you’ve arrived for an interview, using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0200

Elementary | A Ticket To Suzhou

April 26, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 30.6 MB

“In the sky there’s heaven, on the earth there’s Suzhou”. Coming in as the 335th city the Chinese call “Venice of the East”, it would be a shame not to spend a few days here. In this podcast, Jenny and Ken maneuver you through the canals of a Mandarin Chinese lesson on buying a train ticket to Suzhou. Ciao! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0139

Newbie | How Do You Say...?

April 23, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MB

Every once and a while, we like to give you options, and today is no exception. If you want to ask someone, “how can I say this in Chinese?” you can either: 1. Point to the object, at yourself, say the object and then point to the Chinese person with you and wait; 2. Hold object up, shrug shoulders and wait; or 3. Say, “How do you say this in Chinese? (in Chinese)” Again, no pressure – what we like about you is the person inside. But if you want to know, listen to this podcast, you won’t be ...

Elementary | You're Late Again!

April 21, 2021 08:00 - 17 minutes - 41.1 MB

You come here, you set up shop, even hire an assistant who’s nice enough to show up 45 minutes late everyday allowing you to ease in to your day. You think you’re scolding him by saying “You!”, “Here!”, “9:45!”, but he knows of your ChinesePod addiction and figures you’re simply practicing what you’ve learned. So either you continue this standard practice, or you listen to this lesson on being late and have a lil’ “face the music” meeting on Monday. In this podcast, learn how to say “you’re ...

Newbie | Using A Credit Card

April 19, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MB

For a million yuan, a ChinesePod pop quiz: Q. You could be asked 2 things at the cash register. One is “paper or plastic,” and the other is “_________ or _________” (answer rhymes with “cash or credit”). In this podcast, we’ll aid you in adding to that credit card debt you keep kidding yourself that you’ll pay off someday. You’ll learn how to say “charge it!” in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0191

Elementary | I Don't Have Time

April 16, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 36.3 MB

No doubt if you’re learning Mandarin, you’ve seen a picture of Nanjing Lu or Wangfujing. Now, very quickly, name three adjectives to describe the scene. Were “laid-back”, “relaxing” and “chilled out” any of your picks? That’s what we thought; so perhaps now a lesson on time in Mandarin Chinese would be very timely…In this podcast, learn how to talk about how long it takes you to do something, as well as how to tell someone you don’t have any time…now, STOP PUSHING! Episode link: https://www....

Newbie | Transportation

April 14, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MB

We know that deep down, there’s a person in ya that wants to combine “On the Road” with “Journey to the West”, and we think that’s just great. But the “lu” less traveled might be a road un-traveled should you be unable to get around. In this podcast, we’ll get you on your way, learning a lesson in Mandarin Chinese about the different modes of transportation in the big land. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0186

Elementary | Disliking Others

April 12, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 38.6 MB

We have recently come under attack for being too “puppy dogs and ice cream” (meaning you’ve not heard of the “no eye-contact” rule for our interns), so to prove to you that we are, in fact, bu-bu-bu-bu-bad, we give a lesson in Mandarin Chinese on not liking someone. In this podcast you will learn how to say that you don’t like someone, and get a chance to vent about whats driving you crazy about them. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0118

Newbie | Finding A Cheap Hostel

April 09, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 14 MB

There’s a good chance that you’ll come here with loads of cash and leave with none (see: Qipu Lu, the new “hot spot” to shop), meaning those final few nights might be spent in a “starless abode.” Because ChinesePod loves you, we want you to be able to find the best of the… erm, lesser, and offer up a lesson on finding a hostel. In this podcast you will learn how to ask how to find a hostel, using Mandarin Chinese. Plus, those iPod earplugs work great for drowning out that “dorm ambience” as ...

Elementary | Discussing Loan Repayment

April 07, 2021 08:00 - 18 minutes - 42.5 MB

Now we know we should “neither a borrower nor lender be”. However, we also know that “a friend in need is a friend indeed”. So what are you gonna do when that friend forgets to pay you back? In this podcast, Ken and Jenny talk all about borrowing and teach you how to use Mandarin Chinese to give a friend a friendly reminder to pay up. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0115

ChinesePod - Beginner

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