Everyone loves birthdays, and chances are if you're new to Chinese they'll be some of the first things you broach in conversation. Learn about birthdays, dates, and days of the week in Mandarin Chinese in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1824
For whatever reason you're in the airport and the flight you've got just won't do. Now comes the tricky part! How do you ask to change your ticket? Find out today with this elementary level lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1438
So it's another long, boring morning meeting. What's an employee to do? In this Chinese lesson, the boss makes it clear that it's not OK to sleep during the meeting. Learn the key language here. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1772
This episode from ChinesePod Elementary focuses on the challenge of Chinese tones, where a single mispronunciation can completely change a word's meaning. It uses a humorous dialogue illustrating the confusion between "chemistry" (化学) and "skiing" (滑雪) to demonstrate this common problem. Listeners will learn crucial phrases like "是不是想说...?" to verify meaning, "再说一遍?" to ask for repetition, and "第几声?" to identify specific tones, alongside practical tips for mastering pinyin and tones.
Ah, tables and chairs. Even the most minimalist decorator agrees that "being able to sit down" and "having a raised surface to put stuff on" are good things. There are a few surprises in store for you in today's Chinese lesson, though, so tune in and learn. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1768
All eyes are focused on South Africa this summer as the nation prepares to host the World Cup. Check out today's lesson and learn how to describe one important South African export (here's a hint: we hear they're a girl's best friend). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1432
Fans of "are we there yet" will enjoy annoying their companions with the endlessly repeated question, "what time is it now?" Whether you're just curious, or you're shooting for the "super obnoxious" end of the spectrum, you've got to admit that this is a useful question to master. Cover the essentials in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1766
Security checks are a given at airports and most bus stations in China. But these days, you're likely to see them in some subway stations, as well (ahem, Shanghai)! Check out today's lesson to learn some important terms related to safety and security checks. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1426
Hopefully you've bought plane tickets before and you're aware that the price can vary a bit according to when you buy. With this lesson, you can also be prepared to deal with this reality in Mandarin Chinese! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1760
The office water cooler: this is such a common part of most offices that in English we even have a way of describing gossip that originates there! But what happens when the water runs out? Learn how to talk about this in today's super-practical lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1422
China is a nation of early risers, so don't be too surprised when housekeeping starts pounding on your hotel room door at 8am. In this Chinese lesson, learn to kindly and clearly tell housekeeping that you're more interested in sleeping than a tidy room. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1740
You're in China and you want some tea. Where do you go? A tea house, of course. But what happens if you can't find one? Perhaps you'll have to settle for another kind of caffeinated beverage... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1420
You ever lose your passport? Or your wallet? Or your wallet and your passport? We hope not, but just in case, it's probably a good idea to know how to say these things. (At the very least, the Chinese people around you will understand why you're totally freaking out.) This lesson will help. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1733
One of the great things about restaurants in China is that they often bring out your food faster than you can order it. On the downside, sometimes the food isn't quite what you had in mind... Learn about a common dish today, and about how to describe something you might not have ordered! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1406
OK, so you can express that you're going to China, in Chinese. That's great! But if you're telling any Chinese person this, their immediate next question is always going to be: where in China?. With this lesson, learn how to face that question and stay just one step ahead. (OK, so it's only two steps total, but you're getting somewhere!) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1727
Sometimes we take for granted the little things offered to us for free at many restaurants. In today's lesson, we'll be learning about a particularly useful item that many restaurants in China ask you to pay for. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1401
You'll have many fantastic experiences on your trip to China, but, unfortunately, "squeezing into an elevator" or "waiting in line" are not going to be on that list. For most travelers, there's going to be a bit of "jostling." Arm yourself with a few phrases to help you push back (linguistically, at least). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1720
The 2010 Shanghai World Expo's mascot has been a source of excitement, the butt of jokes and a topic of conversation since its unveiling a few years back. In today's lesson we're talking about Haibao and trying to figure out just what it is he is supposed to resemble. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1404
Shanghai might not have a "Great Wall" or an army of "Terracotta Warriors," but it does have a few famous landmarks of its own. In this lesson, learn the Chinese names for the Bund and Nanjing Road, two must-see spots for any tourist in Shanghai. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1723
Remember the excitement back in 2010? The Expo is coming, the Expo is coming! You've read the signs, you've seen the countdown. The time has arrived to get your tickets to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Check out today's lesson to learn how (and where) to buy tickets. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1384
As you start busting out your Chinese and making Chinese friends, one of the topics that's going to come up is hobbies. (Spoiler alert: you're going to hear a lot of "listening to music" and "watching movies.") If one of your hobbies is playing basketball, this lesson is perfect. If you just like watching basketball, this lesson is still perfect. If you like hitting people, it's also pretty good. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1687
Someone's got a date tonight, and he's getting some important advice from a friend. The main question: do women dig the facial hair, or is it better to go for the clean shave? Find out how to talk about facial hair in today's lesson. We hope you'll add your two cents to this very personal debate after listening to the show! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1387
So you're studying Chinese? Is it hard? As a student of Chinese, you better be prepared to answer these questions. And don't worry... Chinese people won't mind if you tell them you're finding it a tad bit difficult. They've wrestled with it their whole lives too. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1683
Once a year people across the world celebrate the women who brought them into the world. Join us today as we cover some of the essentials for wishing mom a wonderful Mother's Day! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1413
So what do you like to do in the evening? If your answer is something that does not involve going online, then you're weird, and we're not going to help you. If, however, you like going online for your entertainment, we've got just the Chinese lesson for you! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1678
KTV features prominently in the Chinese social scene. And everyone, everyone has their turn at the mic. Sometimes your friends surprise you with their ability to belt out pop standards. Other times, though, you find yourself suffering through butchered John Denver classics. If you're experiencing the latter of these two situations, check out today's lesson to find out how to get your friends off stage! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1381
If you're a newbie to China, then you've definitely got to make a trip to Beijing. This Chinese lesson for total beginners will help you to make sure you've got those train tickets... and maybe even help you be all bossy and make someone else go buy them. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1674
In this increasingly connected world, it's important to maintain contact with friends and colleagues, even when you're outside the house or the office. Cafés all over the world cater to this by offering free or paid wifi. But how do you ask for the password in Chinese? Find out in today's super-useful lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1378
Visas are a huge, unavoidable nuisance. If you live in China, there's a good chance you've made at least one trip to Hong Kong in search of this priceless little sticker. Learn useful Chinese vocabulary about visas in today's podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1668
Ever been in a restaurant when the food just doesn't seem to be coming out fast enough? In today's lesson we'll be bugging the server to speed things up a bit! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1369
