![ChinesePod - Beginner artwork](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts113/v4/4d/dc/e8/4ddce8d3-2de5-d44c-a7a5-7a196e03494c/mza_15848002210187028154.jpg/100x100bb.jpg)
ChinesePod - Beginner
697 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★ - 11 ratingsChinesePod makes learning Mandarin fun and easy. It isn't your typical language learning resource - we think you'll be entertained as well!
If you’re just trying to learn some survival Chinese or looking to start a lifelong relationship with the language, this ChinesePod - Beginner Level Podcast Channel is where to start.
Expand your Mandarin Chinese learning experience by also SUBSCRIBING to ChinesePod - Intermediate and ChinesePod - Advanced Podcast channels.
For more lessons, go to www.chinesepod.com and take us for a spin.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Elementary | Pronunciation Correction
August 25, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 27.8 MBOh, it will happen – right after the cab driver who you just told “I don’t speak Chinese” starts drawing Chinese characters on the window with his hand. It’s the “tone correction” sit-down. Get used to it now, with this podcast giving you a Mandarin Chinese lesson in a tone correction. Forget those “ma/ma/ma/ma” classes. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0232
Newbie | Happy Birthday
August 23, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBQuick – name things that you love! 1. ChinesePod 2. Cake That’s right! So what’s the only thing we could include to make this a very special day? How about taking advantage of the coincidence of one of your hosts being born on this day? In this podcast, learn how to wish someone a Happy Birthday! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0333
Elementary | Chengyu Series: Nine Buffaloes And One Hair
August 20, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 32.3 MBChengyu 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 | This Is Mine!
August 18, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBIf you were that kid in school who hated sharing, then we strongly suggest hypnotherapy before attending a meal here. Food, laughs and sometimes even a bottle of the ole’ baijiu are passed out among the present…which is fine, until Mr. Food-in-his-teeth mistakes your glass for his. Perhaps this podcast with a Mandarin Chinese lesson on getting straight whose glass is whose would be appreciated. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0329
Elementary | The Doggy Bag
August 16, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 29.8 MBOh sure – you come over with a good 6 inches on the average Chinese person, thinking that half-a-foot will make you the leader in FAT (Food Acquisition Tolerance), but that egg you’re eyeing is about to be on your face. They can put it away; you can’t. So either concede culinary conquest, or hide behind that doggy bag. You don’t know how to ask for one in Mandarin? We do. Listen to this podcast to learn how. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0217
Newbie | I Am Very Good At Cooking
August 13, 2021 08:00 - 17 minutes - 39.3 MBIn today's lesson, we're going to show you how to ask others about their ability, and how to express (or show off) that you're really good at something, let's check out the lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4227
Elementary | How Embarrassing!
August 11, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 31.3 MBYes – we’ve prepared you for the language side of things, but there are some situations that just can’t be prepared for (see: using an “Eastern toilet” in a cocktail dress). So perhaps being able to react appropriately would at least slow down that rush of red to your cheeks? In this podcast, we’ll aid you in admitting embarrassment in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0214
Newbie | Stand Up
August 09, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBEven if you’re going to get by for the first while learning a new language using the universal language, charades, you’ll love to learn these initial basic actions in Mandarin Chinese, just in case they can’t guess. In this podcast, follow along with some basic action words in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0323
Elementary | Nationalities
August 06, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 31.4 MBWith your “I Climbered The Grate Well” t-shirt and dual-fisted approach to chopsticks, it should come as no shock that you’re not blending in as much as you’d like…so perhaps you could tell them which faraway land you come from that uses forks. In this podcast, learn how to tell someone in Mandarin Chinese which country you come from. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0223
Newbie | Thirsty For Water
August 04, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBSo, you’re thirsty… for water. Now, believe it or not, some shopkeepers will give you tea when you ask for water. In fact, others will even offer up OJ! But you need some H20 and you need it now! Parch no more – it’s a ChinesePod podcast to quench that burning throat…and desire to…(ahem)…learn Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0316
Elementary | Skincare: Sunscreen
August 02, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 33.3 MBFact: Should you ever get away to the gorgeous town of Qingdao, you might be amazed at how many people aren’t on the beach during the day. Tan is most certainly *not* the new black here (read: umbrellas held while cycling). So, in this podcast, learn how to ask for sunscreen, using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0203
Newbie | Playing Cards
July 30, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBIt’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 MBWe 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 MBIf 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 MBIn 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 MBYou 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 MBA 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 MBWhen 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 MBGranted, 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 MBA 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 MBYes, 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 MBYou 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 MBSurely 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 MBThey’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 MBA 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 MBFact: 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 MBHard 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 MBAlthough 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 MBExplaining 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 MBNo, 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 MBFew 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 MBWe 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 MBIn 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 MBNow 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 MBIn 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 MBYou 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 MBChengyu 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 MBLet’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 MBKnow 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 MBIn 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 MBThe 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 MBAsk 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 MBWe 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 MBThings 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 MBAny 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 MBIf 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 MBForget 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 MBAny 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 MBIn 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 MBWe 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