Newbie | When to get a new car
Some kids are never too young to ask dad about buying a new car. But what could push him into actually doing it? Find out in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4177
Sep 24, 2025•13 min
ChinesePod - Beginner
ChinesePod 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.
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For more lessons, go to www.chinesepod.com and take us for a spin.
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Episodes
Elementary | An Email Introduction
It's fairly common in China for the newcomer in the office to send out a friendly introductory email to new co-workers. In this lesson we'll be taking a look at that simple email, and all its essential Chinese words and phrases. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1496
Sep 22, 2025•22 min
Newbie | Popular Brand Names
What common Chinese word do some foreigners learn before "Hello"? McDonald's (麦当劳) of course! Come learn some other important brand names to either impress your friends - or find a Subway sandwich. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4173
Sep 19, 2025•15 min
Elementary | Transportation Card
If you're planning to spend much time in a big city like Shanghai or Beijing, you're going to want to use the subway or bus system. A commuter pass, or "transportation card," as we say in Chinese, can save you a lot of time and hassle scrambling for change. This lesson will prepare you to buy the card and put money on it. Soon you'll be commuting as effortlessly as a local. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1493
Sep 17, 2025•16 min
Newbie | 4 Tones of Zhu
What has a pig got to do with bamboo? Learn the meaning of the word Zhu and practice your tones! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4111
Sep 15, 2025•6 min
Elementary | The Lazy Child
In this practical Chinese lesson a mother is shocked to discover that her child had a rather unproductive day. Learn the specific patterns for asking and answering what you've done and haven't done (and then you can go back to being lazy for a little while). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1486
Sep 12, 2025•16 min
Newbie | Chinese Idioms - Spiderwebs and Horse Tracks
Did you know a Chinese Idiom is always just 4 characters? Regardless of your level of Chinese study, it is always fun and interesting to learn new idioms. Do you know what it means when "The horses Arrive?" Find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4102
Sep 10, 2025•4 min
Elementary | Politely Declining an Invitation
Naturally you're going to accept every invitation to hang out with your Chinese friends and co-workers, but what do you say when you really just can't make it? In this lesson, find out how to politely decline an invitation, thereby increasing your chances of getting invited again (rather than getting blacklisted from their homes and shunned for life). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1483
Sep 08, 2025•17 min
Newbie | Counting to 10
Join Grace on the farm as she counts all the animals! Learn your numbers from 1 to 10 and the names of farm animals and dragonflies. In this lesson, Grace uses measure words for the different animals. Chinese has many measure words. As we build our lessons, we will identify the various measure words and when they are used. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4094
Sep 05, 2025•10 min
Elementary | Going to the Gas Station
While "the great Chinese road trip" might not be the most popular activity for your typical trip to China, knowing how to say "fill 'er up" is definitely going to come in handy if you find yourself in private cars often. In this lesson, learn all the key Chinese words and phrases you need to get back on the road with a full tank. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1479
Sep 03, 2025•15 min
Newbie | I Work in Shanghai
What are you doing here in Shanghai? It's what everyone wants to know. So tell them that you're here in Shanghai working, and learning Chinese in your spare time. (Convincing them that you're not all about partying and living the high life is a topic for another lesson...) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1912
Sep 01, 2025•14 min
Elementary | Asking about What to Wear
So you've gotten the invitation to the big event, and you're eager to make a good impression, but one key question lingers: what should you wear?? In today's Chinese lesson, learn how to ask this key question, as well as some of the most likely (culturally appropriate) answers. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1476
Aug 29, 2025•19 min
Newbie | Introducing One's Spouse
No, it's not cool to ignore your spouse at those social functions. (That's what those repeated pokes in the ribs are trying to tell you.) So learn how to introduce him or her with this practical Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1910
Aug 27, 2025•12 min
Elementary | Wrong Way on the Subway
Subways are one of the great conveniences of first-tier Chinese cities. If you're in Beijing or Shanghai, the subway is often your best transportation option. Of course, if you're not yet familiar with the subway system, you could find yourself on a train heading in the wrong direction. Learn the Chinese for how to ask if you're going the right way, and get back on the right track. (Don't worry; your pride will recover.) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1473
Aug 25, 2025•15 min
Newbie | Making Introductions
If you know "ni hao," you're ready to start networking in the Middle Kingdom. This lesson will equip you with a few more phrases to assist in Chinese introductions. But remember: you're no one if you don't have a "name card," so have yours ready! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1902
Aug 22, 2025•14 min
Elementary | Going on a Picnic
It's summertime - the perfect season for a nice picnic in the park. Check out today's lesson to learn how to describe planning a picnic in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1469
Aug 20, 2025•20 min
Newbie | Serving Tea
If you come to China you're going to be getting served tea everywhere: in restaurants, homes, even offices. In today's newbie lesson, we'll be joining a young woman as she enters an office. Listen in and learn the language for basic manners and politeness in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1892
Aug 18, 2025•12 min
Elementary | Which Subway Exit
Meeting up with friends in the city can sometimes be confusing. In today's lesson you'll learn the Chinese you need to know to describe which exit of the metro station you'll be meeting your friends at. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1466
Aug 15, 2025•15 min
Newbie | Come In, Please
It's easy to make friends in China, and before you know it you'll be getting invited over to new friends' houses and inviting your friends over to yours. Today's ChinesePod lesson will teach you the basics of at-the-door pleasantries that you'll exchange when you arrive. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1882
Aug 13, 2025•14 min
Elementary | Smelly Cheese
The French often say the stinkier a cheese, the better its taste. Well not so, according to the characters in today's lesson. Learn how to describe this popular Gallic export and its most important characteristic in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1463
Aug 11, 2025•16 min
Newbie | How Much is Your Car?
You may know that the Chinese (especially the Shanghainese) are rather open about discussing prices. Housing prices are a conversation staple. But you may be surprised how much a car can set you back in modern China. Learn how to ask how much a car costs, and embrace the harsh financial realities of modern life in the PRC. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1880
Aug 08, 2025•13 min
Elementary | Ordering Pizza
From Papa John's to Pizza Hut, American pizza franchises have become a common sight in China's big cities. Learn how to order the pizza you want with today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1456
Aug 06, 2025•16 min
Newbie | Cola and Milk Prices
Cola or milk? Sugar or calcium? Cavities or strong bones? While the more healthy choice may be quite obvious, it's still important to know the price of either product as well. Learn how to use Mandarin Chinese to ask for prices in today's newbie lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1870
Aug 04, 2025•13 min
Elementary | Chinese Fruits
In China you'll have no problem finding many of the fruits you like to eat back home: bananas, apples, watermelons. But China also has a lot of unusual fruits you might have never heard of (or even seen before)! Learn about some of these in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1452
Aug 01, 2025•18 min
Newbie | When are you Coming to Hong Kong?
OK, so we know you're coming to Hong Kong. The question is when. And please speak more clearly, because that old cell phone you use gets terrible reception. We've boiled these sentiments down into one Newbie-sized bite of useful Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1837
Jul 30, 2025•14 min
Elementary | Buying Sandals
We're off to the shoe store today to pick out a pair appropriate for the summer months. Learn how to describe shoes and shoe sizes in this ChinesePod lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1449
Jul 28, 2025•20 min
Newbie | What to Expect
We know the challenge of getting into Mandarin Chinese is daunting to say the least, but don't worry, ChinesePod is here to help! Today's lesson is a practical guide for the complete newbie, hopefully assuaging some of the fears associated with learning Mandarin and giving you pointers of what you should do. Be sure to check out ChinesePod's Pinyin Pronunciation Chart; a handy reference for learning the basics of Mandarin Chinese pronunciation. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1833...
Jul 25, 2025•17 min
Elementary | Check Your Spam
Most of us have spam filters on our email inboxes. They certainly make life easier a lot of the time, saving us the hassle of deleting loads of advertisements for unnecessary (and often less-than-wholesome) products. Yet sometimes spam filters also cause problems. Check out today's lesson for some useful technology terminology. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1446
Jul 23, 2025•19 min
Newbie | Do You Like Shanghai?
Do you like Shanghai? There may only be one right answer to this question (depending on who's asking), but there are also plenty of viable non-answers. Learn how to navigate this verbal minefield in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1828
Jul 21, 2025•10 min
Elementary | An Unplanned Tan
Today's lesson is all about getting a tan on accident! Tune in to find out all the key tools you'll need to bring to the beach this summer in order to avoid tanning! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1442
Jul 18, 2025•16 min
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