If you're creative, indoor winter sports can be so much fun in China. Warm your hands over your gas stovetop flame with your significant other, or chug baijiu in a vain attempt to warm up from the inside out. Or, steam your pores over a lip-numbing Sichuan hotpot while trying not to look at the guy eating brains beside you. All this, and more, can be yours in a China winter. Listen to today's podcast lesson for more Mandarin fun. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0714
Aug 11, 2021•15 min
Between 1937-39, over 20,000 Jewish families migrated to Shanghai. Today, north of the city center, there is still a flourishing Jewish community. China is also seeing more and more Christian churches popping up. So how does the average Chinese feel about others who pray to a different higher being? We’ll learn all about it in Mandarin Chinese, in a podcast on the subject. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0260
Aug 09, 2021•17 min
So, you’re able to say “I’m fine”, but what about when you’re in that bad mood? Sure, the easy way out is to always be “fine”--even if you’re not. But wait, this isn’t Stoic-pod, ya know! In this lesson Kind Ken and Jovial Jenny offer up a lesson on “disappointment”…you robot. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0102
Aug 06, 2021•19 min
Oh the superlative human form. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, so please allow your eye to feast on the lesson image to the left of this very intro, and admire along with the writer that hunk of a man. Oh yes, and before you get too carried away... don't forget to push play and listen to this podcast on describing hot bods, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0665
Aug 04, 2021•14 min
If Pepsi’s slogan “Come Alive” can mean “Brings Your Ancestors Back from the Dead” after translation into Chinese, then there’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself lost in translation. We don’t want that to happen, so we want to help with this podcast in the form of a Mandarin Chinese lesson on translating. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0251
Aug 02, 2021•20 min
Taiwanese songwriters such as 罗大佑 and 李宗盛, and of course the legendary singer Teresa Teng 邓丽君 gifted us classic songs that almost every Chinese-speaking person could sing by heart. Chi explains the beautiful music and lyric-writing in these “经典中的经典” (lit. “the classics of classics”). Song in focus: 罗大佑 – 童年 (1983). Songs featured: 邓丽君 – 月亮代表我的心 (1977) 邓丽君 – 甜蜜蜜 (1979) 邓丽君 – 我只在乎你 (1979) 陈淑桦 – 这样爱你对不对 (1991) 张雨生 – 我期待 (1994) 优客李林 – 输了你赢了世界又如何 (1994) 张惠妹 – 听海 (1997) 黄品源 – 你怎么舍得我难过 (1991) Episode l...
Jul 30, 2021•20 min
In China, having a meal with clients is not just eating. Everything is related to the business. That's why learning table manners is so important. In this lesson, we’re going to learn what we can say after hosting a meal or being treated. Let's get started! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4366
Jul 28, 2021•9 min
No trip to China would be complete without a look at the (sleeps for 23.7 hours a day) panda and the (will take your mobile phone) golden-haired monkey. In this podcast, we take a trip to the erm, “exotic zoo” (Google that if you’re bored), where you will learn about some interesting animals in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0244
Jul 26, 2021•15 min
In the intermediate coffee break series, we will follow the footsteps of Nick through his adventure in China. Along the way, you will learn important terms and phrases used in business settings, as well as some tips and tricks on dealing with Chinese businessmen. In this episode, our main character Nick is having his first meeting in the company, and things are not going so well for him. If you want to know what happens in today’s episode, watch the video and get down to business! Episode link: ...
Jul 24, 2021•17 min
When he/she walks like a woman and talks like a man, and the response that comes to your query of “Who is that?” is “It’s Pat,” you may find yourself in a quandary of gender identification. Think you can fake your way through this kind of predicament in Chinese with an evasive ‘ta’? That, and this podcast will help. And who knows, you may just find out that the elusive Lola ended up in China. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0627
Jul 23, 2021•16 min
Well, to start, there’s the first 3 months plus deposit… and that’s the easy part. The “laowai” shuffle begins thereafter. If you think you can knock that price tag down all by your lonesome, then feel free – and come back to this lesson afterwards. In this podcast, take a tour of an apartment in Mandarin Chinese, then learn some effective bargaining tools to try out. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0233
Jul 22, 2021•21 min
In this lesson, we're showing you three common proverbs related to ducks. They can be directly translated to "To herd the ducks onto a porch", "A cooked duck flies away", and "A dead duck's month is still hard". Do you know what they actually mean? Check out these proverbs with Joy and Joshua and learn how to apply them to daily life! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4300
Jul 16, 2021•11 min
"Meet the parents" takes on a whole other meaning in Chinese families. Now, if you can't keep track of which auntie is the elder, whose brother the rotund uncle is and whose sister the tall auntie is... or for that matter--which side is this grandpa is on, and how that lady over in the corner fits in to the whole scenario... the safest bet is to give lots of compliments about how young they all look. In this podcast, learn a lesson in Chinese charm. You'll be sure to get a dinner invite! Episode...
Jul 14, 2021•16 min
You sure are clever, and we sure are too. So let’s do what clever people do and talk about clever things… I don’t know, say…anthropology? And to be extra clever, let’s learn all about it in Mandarin Chinese in this podcast. So when your friends ask you “what’s up?” you can say “Oh, you know – just talking about anthropology. In Mandarin.” Someone’s getting a dinner party invite! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0224
Jul 12, 2021•17 min
It is not that easy to stay sane lately as the whole world has been gloomy (天昏地暗) due to COVID-19, to put it mildly. This lesson is about being confused by fears and rumors surrounding the pandemic. As we all know, coronavirus and Corona beer share nothing but a similar name, but that didn't prevent the rumors from flying around. Gosh! (天啊!) How much do we hope the pandemic could end soon! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4294
Jul 09, 2021•27 min
Having a travel itinerary in place is no problem in China. You can take a tour and be ushered along to a string of jade factories, miracle pearl cream shops, dramatic burn-healing remedy demonstrations and, uh, another jade factory... oh, yeah, and to the Great Wall too, if you're lucky! In this podcast, take control of your itinerary! Learn how to plan your own travel itinerary, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0558
Jul 07, 2021•14 min
“CCTV” is all the news here – not the “When Russell Crowe Goes Bad” type of CCTV, but the actual conglomerate of news stations. If you live here, you’ll learn to love it… well, most of it (read: Dashan adverts). So how about a newsworthy lesson in Mandarin Chinese on viewing habits? In this podcast, you’ll learn to talk about the tube, as well as learn how to talk about some current events in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0215
Jul 05, 2021•18 min
In the intermediate coffee break series, we will follow the footsteps of Nick through his adventure in China. Along the way, you will learn important terms and phrases used in business settings, as well as some tips and tricks on dealing with Chinese businessmen. In this episode, our main character Nick just arrived at the airport. Through a phone conversation, we're going to show you useful terms that you see in every airport. Let's get down to business! P.S. The dialogue you heard in this less...
Jul 02, 2021•15 min
Don't make the short-sighted mistake of dismissing the many miniscule denominations of Chinese currency jingling around at the bottom of your pocket just because they are worth, say, one one-thousandth or so of a US cent. In no time, you'll be fighting tooth and nail over that self same mao, jiao or fen, finding yourself at a total impasse with that shopkeeper you think is stealing your shirt. In this podcast, learn about Chinese money denominations in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www...
Jun 30, 2021•15 min
While it might come as a shock to you that “bunny ears” are not considered “photographically sound,” we’re sure that your composition and lighting are spot on. So, let’s see you follow a Mandarin lesson on the basic rules of the lens. In this podcast, learn to talk about the techniques and art of photography, using Mandarin Chinese. (Any photoshopping of John’s head to make it seem bigger than his body will result in water torture) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0206
Jun 28, 2021•20 min
The artist-formerly-known-but-has-since-changed-it-back-so-we-assume-it’s-okay-to-call-him-Prince sang about “Pop Life.” Iggy loved it so much he took it on as his surname. It even inspired a form of candy that still (if mixed with Coca-Cola) will kill you. So why wouldn’t we jump on the “pop” bandwagon and talk about its influence in China? In this podcast, DJ Krazy Ken and Mixmaster Jenny do just that. This lesson will help you learn how to talk about bars, music and what young people in China...
Jun 25, 2021•17 min
It’s been estimated that dogs have the ability to understand a vocabulary of around 200 words. So when you come to China, you’ll find out pretty quickly that that Chinese Shar-Pei dog really doesn’t know what you mean when you say “down boy” in English. In this lesson, learn about some of man’s best friend’s very particular personality traits, and some tips on dog training, in Mandarin Chinese. And remember, even the dogs will expect you to speak Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com...
Jun 23, 2021•12 min
In the north, you’ll find yourself in a maze of “hutongs.” In Shanghai it’s the “longtang.” In this podcast, we’ll open the regional door and lead you through the ChinesePod courtyard in a tale of two city abodes. You will learn about the styles of housing and streets in old China, and how to talk about them using Mandarin Chinese Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0199
Jun 21, 2021•19 min
Now, back home, an open liquor bottle on your desk might get you a one-way ticket to Palookaville, but in China, a little “báijiǔ” at the end of the meeting is all part of the deal. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny give a lesson about how business gets done in China. You will learn to talk about doing business in Mandarin Chinese, and the dialogue will help you not only learn Chinese, but also learn all about how important a little “guānxi” really is. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0076...
Jun 18, 2021•16 min
So you arrive in China, map in hand and hundreds of ChinesePod lessons echoing through your head. But you soon find that all the places you want to go and see have a very different name in Chinese than they do in that guidebook. There’s always room for another lesson in your head, so listen in to this podcast and learn what some of China’s top tourist spots are, and how to say them in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0473
Jun 16, 2021•19 min
In the mid-80’s, you responded with a resounding “YES, I AM” to NKOTB’s query of “Are you tuff enuf?” Now, we’re still sure it rings true, but just in case you need to have a lil’ come-to-Jesus meeting with some less-than-productive employees, you’ll be able to do it using Mandarin Chinese as well (after this lesson, of course)! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0181
Jun 14, 2021•17 min
Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverbs, you will see a lot of animal metaphors to symbolize human actions. In this lesson, we're showing you three common proverbs related to mice. They can be directly translated to "A cat that can catch mice doesn't purr", "A blind cat meets a dead mouse", and "When a rat crosses the streets, everyone yell 'Hit it!" Do you know what they actually mean...
Jun 11, 2021•12 min
What do you get up to before and after work or class? Learn how to ask and answer about morning routines and activities after work. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3089
Jun 09, 2021•15 min
Should cinemas supply 3D glasses free of charge? 现在越来越多的电影院已经不再为消费者提供免费的3D眼镜了。可是消费者究竟应不应该自己为3D眼镜买单呢？这样的举措究竟是环保，还是强制消费？来听听今天的讨论吧。 Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4567
Jun 07, 2021•18 min
Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverbs, you will see a lot of animal metaphors to symbolize human actions. In this lesson, we're showing you three common proverbs related to fish. They can be directly translated to "You cannot get both the fish and a bear's paw", "Either the fish dies or the net breaks", and "Fish helps water, and water helps fish". Do you know what they actually mean...
Jun 04, 2021•12 min
