Glorified paperweights or delicious traditional Chinese treats? Every autumn, Chinese offices are inundated with mooncakes - sweet, impossibly dense confections made to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival. In this lesson, a boss decides what kind of mooncakes to give his employees. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2277
ChinesePod can attest that late night text messages are not the recommended route to complimenting employees. So, how can you do it (without legal repercussions)? Just listen to this podcast, and learn how to do it using your Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0438
While most “laowai” that live here might have trouble explaining the directions to the sidewalk vendors, you can bet they know the entire selection by heart. From morning buns to early morning kebabs (and other parts of a lamb should you ever brave Longfusi Lu in Beijing), a knowledge of a portable kitchen menu is a must. In this podcast, learn some of the names of these tasty treats in Mandarin Chinese, as well as get an introduction to the art of street-side dining. Episode link: https://www.c...
Having trouble falling asleep? Anxious before bed? Well unfortunately we can't solve these problems for you - but what we can do is teach you how to describe them in Chinese. And that's exactly what we're doing in today's podcast, so join us to learn more about sleep troubles! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1339
Despite our cheerful demeanor, even we have a dark side. This lesson features one (soon-to-be-unlucky) man attempting to buy a firearm (illegally). Why unlucky? Let’s just say things are not always what they seem (insert spooky organs here). In this podcast you will learn about police busts, guns and intrigues, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0428
'Bun in the oven' lost something when you tried to translate it to 'baozi in a steamer basket.' In this podcast, learn how to break the news to your significant other that you're with child. And learn how to prepare yourself for the weird and wonderful cravings of a Chinese mother-to-be. We're not talking pickles and peanut butter, either... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0997
This lesson introduces dialog that expresses how to communicate when someone doesn't look well and when someone one has an upset stomach. The vocabulary includes the descriptions of how one feels as well as examples of popular Chinese midnight snack. This is pre-intermediate, so we are using more Chinese to explain the lesson. The Expansion and Grammar sections have a lot of material to work on, as well. Enjoy! And let's hope you don't ever have to use this material! Episode link: https://www.ch...
Being a true fan of any sport requires you to have a slightly deeper knowledge of participating athletes than "he runs really fast" or "she jumps really high." Learn how to participate in such discussions about endurance, strength, and slightly more complex strategy in today's upper-intermediate lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1999
With only a single letter difference between “hotel” and “hostel,” a lesson in Mandarin Chinese on where you lay that head of yours whilst on the road might come in handy, lest you find yourself trying to decide on where to use that spare change (snack machine or vibrating bed). In this podcast you will learn useful terms in Mandarin Chinese to aid you in finding a desirable (or less than, depending on your price range) place to stay. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0174
Children grow so quickly - it's amazing. Especially for relatives who don't get to see their young nieces, nephews, or grandchildren on a regular basis. In today's ChinesePod lesson, we've got an uncle and his nephew who are getting reacquainted after a year of not seeing one another. Learn all about drawing comparisons and making predictions for the future. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1327
It's been a year since the breakup at Valentines, but today's character receives a call from their sister wishing them a happy Valentine's, only to stir up some unwanted emotions. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4000
In this lesson, we teach you how to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year. First we teach you the most common ones like "xin nian kuai le", or "gong xi fa cai." We also teach you some Year of the Monkey specific ones that make you look super smart, as well as some really advanced phrases that will have people wowed by your linguistic genius. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2837
Toothaches hurt. If you have a toothache, this is a fact you'll be wanting to communicate. In this lesson, we talk about toothaches, swollen faces, and scary visits to the dentist. Listen in to learn this basic dental Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1550
Grand Slam tournaments have been the stage for classic battles between fierce rivals throughout tennis history: Becker and Edberg, Lendl and McEnroe, Borg and Connors, Sampras and Agassi...the list goes on and on. Today's upper-intermediate lesson focuses on perhaps the greatest rivalry in the last 10 years: Federer and Nadal. Join in as two rabid Chinese tennis fans discuss the pros and cons of each competitor and the strategies each one employs! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2021...
Certain ancient Chinese traditions are more easily assimilated to the Western mind. Five days straight of blowing off firecrackers tends to sit better than 12-course dinners. If you don't join 'em, you aren't gonna beat 'em, so put on your protective glasses and light up your xiaoqu with China's gift to the world. In this podcast, plan your Chinese New Year in Mandarin. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0783
Contrary to what you'd think, winter often feels colder in south China than in north China. Why is this? Two words: central heating. So cuddle up with a warm blanket and join us as we explore this chilly winter topic! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1307
Chinese New Year is all about going home to one's family and enjoying precious time with family stuffing one's face. But what happens when a husband and wife are from different cities and they both want to go home to their own families for CNY? This dialog ensues, that's what! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1848
At ChinesePod, we expect a lot from our listeners: well kept, an invite over for cake every now and then, and personal growth--so, even though you just now figured out the brush strokes for “yi”, we’re quite certain a lesson in calligraphy will be just what you need? In this podcast, learn to discuss the art of Chinese calligraphy in Mandarin Chinese. How apropos. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0158
Christmas has just passed and it's that time of year again - the time when you look back on everything you've done and think about what you'd like to do in the year to come. Join ChinesePod today as we reminisce on 2009, and look to an exciting new decade! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1323
Although they may sound similar, the difference between the “yen” and the “yuan” is big. So how does the world’s next big economy communicate? In terms of exchange rates. And how does the next big Mandarin learner join in? By listening to this podcast, wherein you will learn about currency exchange and money matters, in Mandarin Chinese Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0410
With more and more “laowai” coming to the People’s Republic, more and more find themselves in conversations about the occasional frustration one finds at that point in Mandarin where you’re good enough to get by, but are far from fluent. In this podcast, Ken, Jenny and Aggie discuss the aforementioned, and teach you to cry the language blues using Mandarin Chinese. Please be assured that we at ChinesePod are devoted to helping you get through this difficult period. Episode link: https://www.chin...
You're in that awkward situation where you don't have any money and you have to ask a friend for help. Fear not. Hopefully you have as good a friend as Daisy has, and they can lend you some cash. But don't be one of those people that never returns the money... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2585
In a society renowned for its rigid examination system, homeschooling might seem like a very attractive option to conscientious parents that are looking to do more for their children's futures then turn them into obedient little worker drones, fresh terracotta bricks for the (not so great) wall. But did you know that homeschooling is actually illegal in China? Get the Chinese perspective in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2014
Yes, you want to come to China to see the beautiful sites and meet the gorgeous ChinesePod crew, but there’s a good chance that work will bring you here, so why don’t we start you off with a lesson on business? In this podcast, we’ll walk you through a Mandarin Chinese conversation about a prospering “biz”. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0144
Even the hardest-working employees need a break sometimes! Whether you're actually sick or not, knowing how to ask your Chinese boss for a bit of time off is a highly important skill. Learn how to do so in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1860
You know it’s a heavy lesson when the writer of these intros has to look up the definition. So, to guard himself from any more ridicule: Here’s a podcast with a Mandarin Chinese lesson on intellectual property lawsuits in China, and some of the steps China has taken towards real IP law (blatantly copy and pasted from colleague’s explanation). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0396
Are you a dream reader, a modern-day Zhougong? Do you like to share your dreams with your friends? Then today's lesson is for you! While telling someone that you dreamt about them might be a little creepy, the story (or omens of wealth within!) might make it worth divulging. Listen in to today's intermediate lesson in which a girl tells her friend about her particularly strange dream. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2009
Too busy to talk? Then I'll call you back! In this lesson, ChinesePod takes you through how to return a call in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2251
For corrupt officials, cash-filled envelopes involve a wink, a nod, and an expedited liquor license. For little kids, envelopes stuffed with cash mean: Happy New Year! Today's Mandarin lesson will teach you all about how to give and receive these little bundles of joy. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1086
Happy New Year, ChinesePoddies! That's right - we're saying goodbye to 2009 and hello to a new decade. But who needs resolutions when you've got the "god of good luck" taking down your wishes over the phone? Join for this lesson as we make some wishes in Mandarin Chinese for the year to come. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1326
