So you’ve moved up into the Basic Level and you’re feeling pretty good about yourself…so good, you ask your non-English speaking Chinese friend how they’re doing. “Well”, they answer in Mandarin, “horse-horse, tiger-tiger”. Make sense to you? Fortunately, it does to Ken and Jenny. In this podcast, they’ll explain that aforementioned phrase, along with many other useful ones to keep in your pocket…just make sure to take them out before putting them in the washing machine. Episode link: https://ww...
Dec 09, 2020•14 min
Learn how to talk about Mongolian cuisine, travel in Mongolia, and discuss what you've done when travelling. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4008
Dec 07, 2020•18 min
No doubt you’ve been thinking about throwing that fab “Chinese Dinner Party” so as to impress friends and family with your Mandarin skills. You can keep that egg in the wok and off of your face by listening to this lesson about explaining your culinary ability. In this podcast you will learn how to talk about your specialties, and learn about a well-loved Chinese dish. And if you’re no Iron Chef, you will learn how to ask someone to cook for you next time! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.co...
Dec 04, 2020•14 min
In this lesson, you will learn how to ask someone how many people work in a company from different nations. You'll learn some useful terms for nationalities, as well as ways to describe numbers and amounts of things in more detail as well as estimates and approximations. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4002
Dec 02, 2020•18 min
With the northern tip touching Russia, and the southern hitting Thailand, it should come as no surprise that China, and her people, have much to talk about when it comes to climate…do you? In this podcast, you will learn to talk about the weather and temperatures in Mandarin Chinese. “Weather-Ken” and “Weather-Jen” predict a downpour of excellent Mandarin followed by light winds of Shanghai-sent self-confidence. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0061
Nov 30, 2020•13 min
Your bike is broken so you need to take public transport to school instead. Learn how to ask how long it takes to ride the subway from your home to school, as well as comparing it to riding the bus. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3095
Nov 27, 2020•17 min
Not that we’d ever take you for a impostor, but just in case you might need to talk your way out of something defend yourself or simply argue…all the time…like my ex…ahem. Anyway, it’s Ken and Jenny to the rescue in this lesson. In this podcast you will learn some important phrases like “you’re lying”, and “it wasn’t me!” Well, maybe you won’t need to use these phrases yourself, but they will help with understanding all those Chinese soap operas you’re likely to become addicted to. Episode link:...
Nov 25, 2020•17 min
This lesson is all about how to use the "if__then" conditional structure (如果__的话 rúguǒ__dehuà). For example, if it rains, what shall we do? In today's lesson, they are trying to make dinner plans, but don't want to eat seafood again so instead suggest a picnic. But what if it rains? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3076
Nov 23, 2020•16 min
We finally “bow to the Yao” and teach you how to talk about the sport or hobby you like. In this podcast you will learn how to talk about your hobbies with someone in Mandarin Chinese. And if you’d rather watch than play, this lesson will teach you how to say that as well. Give me a “C”! Give me a “hinesepod”! Hurrah! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0052
Nov 20, 2020•14 min
This elementary lesson is about asking for directions, and enquiring about how long a journey will take. Very useful for the travellers amongst you. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3065
Nov 18, 2020•15 min
So someone asks you what you've been up to. Be the life of the party and tell them "I've been studying Chinese"…in Mandarin!!! How many cool points awarded to your side? Uber…at least in our book. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny help out in explaining your studies. You will get the chance opine on whether you think studying Chinese is easy or difficult. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0047
Nov 16, 2020•14 min
Service charges (tipping) is becoming more and more common, but sometimes it can he hard to know if it's enforced. In this lesson, the service charge is "clearly" written on the blackboard on the wall of the restaurant, but the friend is complaining that the words are too small, and he cannot see them. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3057
Nov 13, 2020•17 min
Not a normal podcast, but one you’ll memorize word-for-word and print out as well. In this podcast, our producer, Aric, abuses his power (which we tell him he has) by stopping by to get his American Chinese menu translated into Mandarin Chinese…use this lesson to get some of these dishes down and impress the entire restaurant back home. Not to mention impress your growing belly. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0044
Nov 11, 2020•16 min
In this lesson we look at the important phrase, "I can't afford it" (买不起 mǎi bù qǐ). In today's dialogue, two friends are walking around an expensive department store, complaining that everything is so expensive, and that they cannot afford to buy anything, even the cake! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3053
Nov 09, 2020•20 min
We can only ignore so many requests for “chat-up lines” until we break…which we did today. In this soon-to-be most popular lesson for our loyal podcast listeners, you will learn some nice compliments in Chinese to endear you to someone you have your eye on; and we will also give you some saucy lines in Mandarin Chinese to use at the pub this weekend…and withdraw from any consequences thereof. (Also included will be “Go away, you arrogant jerk!” Ouch.) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/005...
Nov 06, 2020•15 min
When travelling in an unfamiliar city, the transport network can be quite confusing. Learn how to ask passengers if you're heading in the right direction so that you don't miss your stop. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3041
Nov 04, 2020•14 min
Cliché as it may be, a good “long time no see” does wonders for reconnecting with old “peng you”. In this podcast, we’re going to make you sound more like a local by sharing these tidbits, as well as a cooler way of saying “how are you” as well as “I’m fine” in Mandarin Chinese…we just keep on giving. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0045
Nov 03, 2020•12 min
When do you shower? In the morning or in the evening. In the East, it's common to shower once you get home for the day, and most people wouldn't dream of going to bed without first bathing. Learn useful ways to ask colloquial and relaxed questions about what someone has been doing with their weekend. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3001
Oct 30, 2020•18 min
Now we like mahjong and karaoke as much as the next person, but unless you pay attention to this lesson about what other things people like to do on the weekends, you might just become a compulsive gambler and boozer. In this podcast, learn how to expand your horizons and ask a friend in Mandarin Chinese what they are up to this weekend (aka fishing for an invite). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0046
Oct 28, 2020•15 min
Granted, most dogs here look like they chase parked cars, but that doesn’t stop them from being a part of the family. In this podcast, learn how to talk to fellow pet-lovers about your pet, in Mandarin Chinese. Explaining to them that dogs actually *don’t* make the sound “wang-wang” is up to you. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0208
Oct 26, 2020•15 min
Every once and a while we veer away from our “normal programming” and offer up some lessons on high-frequency phrases in Chinese that you will use everyday. Today happens to be “once” and now is actually “in a while” so grab that “authentic” Rolex you bought near your hotel and join us for a podcast on telling time in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0122
Oct 23, 2020•14 min
As parents, there is always the unavoidable coming of age when we must explain to our children about "the birds and the bees". For those of us learning Mandarin Chinese, however, there is a simpler solution. In this podcast, learn an alternative and skillfully evasive (albeit not particularly politically correct) response to this age-old question, as answered by many Chinese parents to their beloved child's query of "Mommy, where did I come from?" (note to self: breaking the news should be done ...
Oct 21, 2020•19 min
Don’t get me wrong, your ability to say “chicken” and “noodles” is gold-star worthy, but if variety is the spice of life, then Chinese food is the spice rack. In this “tantalizing” podcast lesson we’ll help you order some traditional dishes in China in Mandarin Chinese…without looking at that picture menu. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0042
Oct 19, 2020•17 min
The character 会／會／huì can either mean "can" (a learned ability to do something) or "will" ( a future action or event happening). Knowing which one to use is all about context and the position in a sentence, and with a little bit of listening practice, will become second nature. Check out today's lesson to master the 会 character. You can and will do it! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3006
Oct 16, 2020•12 min
With every 4th child born in the world being Chinese, there’s a good chance you’ll meet a few. In this podcast, we help you learn how to ask not only about names of new friends using Mandarin Chinese, but also about other information that might just get you an invite to that “famous restaurant” in town (word of warning: they all are famous). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0150
Oct 14, 2020•14 min
In this lesson, we teach some great ways to make small talk in the elevator with your neighbors. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4033
Oct 12, 2020•15 min
Despite our professional image (ahem) we confess to laughing like schoolgirls anytime someone attempts to act out this phrase. So, listen in to this podcast and get the education in the things you really need to know in Mandarin Chinese. If we didn’t teach you, who would? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0163
Oct 09, 2020•13 min
In today's elementary class we teach you lots of "time spent doing" sentences, for example, "I have been studying for X amount of time", or "Yesterday, I read my book until.... e.g: 昨天 我 看书 看到 9点 Time Phrase VO V 到 TIME Yesterday I read book, read until 9 o'clock Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4005
Oct 07, 2020•17 min
Despite the majority of our staff being passificus apatheticus when it comes to soccer football--we simply couldn’t ignore that World Cup thingy. In this podcast, Jenny, John and Aric teach “let’s go”, “great shot”, “REFEREE!!!”, and more, all in Mandarin Chinese. Now, if you’ll excuse us, there are some baseball reruns to catch. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0159
Oct 05, 2020•11 min
In this lesson, we hear a student compliment another student about their various accomplishments both academic and sporting. We also take a closer look at 得 (de) sentences where we turn adjectives into adverbs Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3031
Oct 02, 2020•17 min
