With a menu full of never before encountered items and a passion for all things oil/MSG, you might end up with the lesser-know “Beijing Belly”. So unless you care to “assume the position” in an off-color game of charades, you might benefit from a lesson on “not feeling well”. In this podcast, you will learn how to tell someone you aren’t feeling well, using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0130
With Bosnia erecting their own tribute to Hong Kong’s “Little Dragon”, we wanted to do the same. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny (mainland celebrities in their own minds) give you the scoop in Mandarin Chinese…good for you, but annoying for us, as this means Ken spends the rest of the day whacking interns with his nun chucks. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0059
The last thing you would want to do is insult your kind host…but where to learn about the do’s and don’ts of Chinese etiquette? In this podcast, Ken and Jenny nicely promenade you through a cultural Mandarin Chinese lesson on Chinese manners. Learn how to be polite—Chinese-style! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0124
We know you listen while you’re on the subway, but we’ll put our China commute up against yours any day. In this podcast, we’ll take advantage of your gridlock to teach you “gridlock”. You’ll also learn to talk about how you get to work every day, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0057
In the labyrinth of an average Chinese city, it’s easy for the unexpected to happen, and cause you to run a little behind. So now that you’ve found that taxi, how to tell him to put the petal to the medal? Two options: a) Make a “wrrrrooooooommmmmm” sound and stab the air with your index finger b) Pay attention to this lesson on asking the driver to hurry In this podcast, learn how to say you are in a hurry, and how to ask the driver to drive faster (ChinesePod disclaimer: use this Mandarin at y...
Zen might be of Asian design, but it takes a back-seat when someone cuts in line. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny lower their professional integrity by teaching some mild ways of insulting someone in Mandarin Chinese and the importance of never, ever wearing a green hat…ever. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0055
Remember back in the day (insert nostalgic music here) when a tank of gas cost ya a nickel, “George W” referred to “Washington” and “chatting” was something done face-to-face? In this lesson, we tackle just that (the last one, as none of us drive here and another one of us is from Texas), online chatting. In this podcast learn about getting online and chatting, amongst other hobbies, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0119
Boasting 1.4 billion people, needless to say China’s a big place…with many different types of weather. This podcast will not only teach you weather basics in Mandarin Chinese, but also how to plan accordingly. What else are you going to talk about with the driver while heading to work the same time as aforementioned numbers are? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0049
No doubt these questions will be among the top 3 you’ll need to memorize…here they are, in no particular order: 1. What’s your name? 2. Where are you from? 3. Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting that clever “laowai” that writes the wonderfully entertaining introductions to ChinesePod? …your name you know, and until we have the pleasure, the only thing left is your ole stompin’ ground. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny talk teach you how to talk about where you call “jiā.” Episode link: https:...
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 出 and all the interesting words using this character. Let's check them out! Episode link: https://www.c...
“Do a lesson on University major’s” you said. “Okay, here you go” Chinesepod replied. (3 weeks past). “Do another lesson on university majors” you demanded. “We already did one” we responded. “Do it NOW” you shouted. “You’re not the boss of me” we informed. “Yes I am” came the curt retort…so now we see who’s bossing who…with lesson #2 on uni majors…meanie. Listen in on this podcast to learn how to ask someone about their major in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0110...
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 by l...
Think the Von Trapp’s liked to sing? That’s nothing! Wait until you get the Chinese invite to listen…which is anytime. So, what do you do after someone gives you a tune, offer up the same “thanks” you give a taxi driver or a proper “you sing very well”? In this podcast Ken and Jenny compose a lesson for the ages. You’ll learn how to compliment someone on their singing using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0109
In today's lesson, we're talking about 面 and all the interesting words using this character. Let's check them out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4303
With so many people adopting from the mainland and Taiwan, it should come With so many people adopting babies from China, it should come as no surprise that we have received an abundance of requests for “baby lingo”. Here is a podcast on some sweet and cuddly talk to comfort the child who has just been introduced to your family. In this lesson, Ken and Jenny walk you through your first (comforting) words in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0108
The COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping across the globe right now. Although 病毒 - virus, 无情 - doesn’t discriminate, 人 - humanity, 有情 - has love for one another. Through sharing the love, we can help each other out and get over with the pandemic swiftly. Watch to learn more about general newbie vocabularies, as well as phrases to use amid such tough times! All in all, everyone 加油! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4295
You were *this* close to taking the Trans-Siberian Line from Beijing to Moscow (8 time zones!), *this* close from starting at Tiananmen Square and ending in Red Square…and what stopped you? You didn’t know how to ask for a ticket! Let’s remedy that today, shall we? All aboard, next stop: Chuga-chuga, chuga-chuga, Chinesepod! (Make a fist, put your arm at a 45 degree angle and pull down). In this podcast you will learn how to enquire about train tickets in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://...
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 master i...
So… ummmm, hi… I was…ahem, wondering (cough) if you… ahhhh, are doing…anything tonight? Think that’s hard in your own language? Try it in Mandarin Chinese! In this socially awkward podcast, Ken (never does this, honest) and Jenny (doesn’t like you in that way) teach you how to invite someone to a meal. Once you put all the effort into this lesson, how can they say no?! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0097
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 走 and all the interesting words using this character. Let's check them out! Episode link: https://www....
You could try and mime your way through it to ask for someone’s email address (piano fingers and tongue clicking). You could simply call them every time you needed to speak. Or, you could just listen to this lesson, where you will learn how to ask for someone’s email address in Mandarin Chinese. Good choice, now, you can use that money you save on long-distance phone bills to buy us presents (we’re a 33×34). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0094
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 by l...
Think you don’t need to talk about the internet? You’re positive? Okay, tell you what, think very, very carefully about your life sans web…no email, no news, no CHINESEPOD, ye gods! In this podcast, Ken (An Irish Spicoli) and Jenny (Our Little Surfer Girl) teach you how to talk in Mandarin Chinese about surfing the internet. The Chinese love their electronics and you’ve got to fit in! Listen and this lesson will teach you how. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0092
In today's lesson, we are teaching you how to ask questions using the A not A sentence structure. Practice this structure in daily conversations, but be careful not to ask too many questions in a roll though, you might upset people like the restaurant owner in today's dialogue! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4262
Well, now that you’re a Chinese student, chances are you’re gonna be hangin’ with other students, so how to get in on the lingo? In this podcast Ken and Jenny take time from rushing poor pledges to lecture you in a lesson in Mandarin Chinese, teaching you how to ask someone what they are studying. And you’ll also learn how to tell someone what you want to be when you grow up. “Thank you ChinesePod, may I have another?!” Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0090
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 还 and all the interesting words using this character. Let's check them out! Episode link: https://www....
Yes, we realize that the only two things you are ever pronounced in life are “dead” and “man and wife”, but if you think that the 51% split rate is going to sway us from a lesson on the betrothed, then we’d better site irreconcilable differences right now. In this podcast, we unify spoken Mandarin Chinese about marriage/divorce with the English explanation…a match made in the Temple of Heaven. Mazel tov. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0088
In this dialogue, a concerned flatmate checks in on their friend, asking if they have eaten a proper meal and how much coffee they've had. It seems the flatmate just wants to stay in and sleep. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4040
99.9% of us eat Chinese food before ever coming to China. So it should come as no surprise that 99.9% of everything in China revolves around a meal. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny bake up a tasty session on eating, or not, in Mandarin Chinese. In this lesson, you will hear how to invite someone to dinner, and also how to turn down politely, using the oldest excuse in the book. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0083
Learn how to list common items you might find in your bag, as well as how to say a sweet and savoury cookie. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4012
