Weddings in China have a long and glorious tradition. So much planning, so many guests, and a ton of protocol. But what if you could skip the whole ceremony and just do the honeymoon, and call it a "travel wedding?" The young lovebirds in this lesson would like to do just that, but their traditional Chinese parents will have none of it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1739
Oct 31, 2025•18 min
Sometimes you find an apartment you think you can be happy with, but it all comes down to the dealings with the landlord. What is the landlord's attitude like? Willing to replace things? Willing to make other changes? In this lesson, there's just a bit of friction. Learn the Chinese to deal with this apartment hunting situation in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1506
Oct 29, 2025•17 min
What does a formal job posting in Chinese sound like? You're about to find out! In this lesson, we cover the cliche phrases you're bound to run into, as well as some very useful vocabulary related to job searches in general. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1732
Oct 27, 2025•21 min
So you've found your agent, and the agent knows what type of place you're looking for. Now it's time for your potential future landlord to show you around an apartment. In today's lesson, you'll learn the Chinese vocabulary for all the key rooms and furniture, as well as signs that the landlord is kind of stingy. So do you think you'll need some time to think the apartment over? Yeah, we thought so. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1477
Oct 24, 2025•17 min
What is a Chinese barbecue like? What do people eat? What is a "barbecue district"? What exactly is a "little trumpet"? Find out answers to all these questions and more, in this summertime Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1709
Oct 22, 2025•18 min
Many people own their own apartments. However for those that rent, it's quite common to do so through a real estate agency. Learn some great language for describing your ideal apartment to an agent in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1454
Oct 21, 2025•18 min
What does retirement mean to the Chinese elderly? Just pensions and a bunch of sitting around? Fortunately, some old folks have more interesting aspirations. In this Chinese lesson, we take a positive and a negative look at life after work. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1704
Oct 17, 2025•16 min
Where do you go to weigh yourself? Your own bathroom? The doctor's office, perhaps? This Chinese lesson highlights one of those particular Chinese sights: the practice of weighing oneself on a public, busy street. If you're a health nut you'll want to pay close attention to the vocabulary; it's a bit tricky! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1487
Oct 15, 2025•17 min
Google's Android system for smartphones is quite popular in China, but the more expensive alternative, the iPhone, is also doing very well in the market. In this Chinese lesson, learn some of the key terms for buying and maintaining one's modern smartphone in the Middle Kingdom. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1693
Oct 13, 2025•15 min
Ordering food in China is no simple matter. It's time to leave behind your Western "order my own portion" ways and embrace Chinese family-style eating. But with everyone sharing the dishes, ordering the food can be a little complicated. In this lesson, learn the language you need to make everyone happy (and full). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1484
Oct 10, 2025•23 min
With Wang Qiang in custody and Detective Li out of harm's way, it seems the threat of the "Black Cat" has at long last been resolved. What new developments lie in store for our hero and his faithful sidekick, Xiao You? Tune into the grand finale of our Detective Li series to find out! [上集答案: 李探长通过用手指盖住手机话筒的方法告诉小尤 - "我在体育馆,你快去广播室抓捕王强。" ] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1792
Oct 08, 2025•18 min
What China adventure is complete without a trip to majestic Lhasa? Learn all the Chinese you'll need to get yourself to Tibet and into the most famous attractions. Just remember to be wary of the altitude sickness! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1481
Oct 06, 2025•21 min
In the clutches of "Black Cat", Detective Li makes a desperate phone call and recalls a pivotal event in his sleuthing past. What will become of the talented detective? Tune in and find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1782
Oct 03, 2025•16 min
In big cities in China, ATMs are everywhere, and many of them can even take foreign cards now. Of course, it's very useful to actually know how to use these things, and learning the appropriate Chinese terms is a huge step in the right direction. Today's lesson covers the ATM basics, including checking balances and making a withdrawal. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1474
Oct 01, 2025•17 min
As Detective Li and Xiao You pursue a terrorist threat known only as "Black Cat," Xiao You heads back to headquarters while Detective Li pursues a fleeing "shadow" on his own. In this lesson, Detective Li finally confronts the shadow and learns its true intent. [上集答案:5239] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1773
Sep 29, 2025•17 min
Air conditioning has quickly become an indispensable part of modern Chinese life, especially in cities like Shanghai. "Air conditioning with Chinese characteristics," however, means you adjust the temperature with a remote control. It turns out those things may not always be the easiest to figure out. Today's lesson prepares you for the Chinese you'll need to stay cool. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1471
Sep 26, 2025•15 min
While Detective Li pursues a fleeting shadow alone, Xiao You returns to headquarters where she rediscovers her mentor's mysterious locked drawer. What lies in wait for the young detective? Find out in today's lesson! [上集答案:九校(第九学校)] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1762
Sep 24, 2025•20 min
Today we're following a mother and her daughter to the toy store. Unfortunately for this mom, there's nothing her child doesn't want! Learn how to discuss kids' playthings, as well as how modern parents deal with their demanding little emperors in this intermediate level Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1467
Sep 22, 2025•22 min
In part one of this five-part story, an emergency meeting at the station reveals that the mysterious "Black Cat" is making some serious terrorist threats, and the police need to react fast. At the same time, this lesson provides a few hints about Detective Li's past. 上集“三条人命案”答案: 经查证,中年男性死者是吴国庆,中年女性死者名叫陈桂芝,青年男性死者叫吴奇。 吴奇的生日是闰年2月29日,所以5次生日之后,孩子应该是20岁出头。但在20多年里,吴奇基本没出过家门,所以长得很白净。因为赌博及其他各种原因,吴国庆经常对陈桂芝实施家庭暴力,吴奇也自然是看在眼中记在心里。案发前的两个礼拜,吴国庆与陈桂芝发生激烈争吵,并再一次发生家庭暴力,而吴奇乘吴国庆不注意的时候逃了出来。那天,吴国庆在实施暴力的过程中将陈桂芝杀死。两个礼拜...
Sep 19, 2025•26 min
ChinesePod is heading to a concert - not just any concert, but one of megastar Andy Lau's. Join us today to learn the Chinese you'll need to know when going to your next live show, and an answer to perhaps an even bigger question: is this guy still relevant? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1464
Sep 17, 2025•18 min
Three bodies, a trail of bloody footprints, and some serious violence. Last episode Detective Li and his partner Xiao You arrived on the grisly scene, and this episode they learn a few more crucial details. This case ends here; can you solve it? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1728
Sep 15, 2025•21 min
In this age of web portals, blogs, and apps, you don't hear a lot of talk about the class printed-on-paper magazine. Not only are magazines popular in China, but there are also not-so-obvious ways to subscribe to them. In this lesson, learn how to subscribe to a magazine in Mandarin Chinese (and maybe even give a gift subscription). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1461
Sep 12, 2025•16 min
Three bodies, a trail of bloody footprints, and some serious violence. This episode Detective Li and his partner Xiao You arrive on the grisly scene and begin their investigation into three violent deaths. This episode is divided into two parts. It begins here. [上集答案:驯兽师训练猴子拿走了钻石,除了人类之外只有猴子有指纹。] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1724
Sep 10, 2025•20 min
If you've ever been late catching a train you'll know the anxiety that sets in when that very train starts boarding - and you're still stuck in the security line! In today's lesson we'll be discussing one approach for making sure you get on that train. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1457
Sep 08, 2025•17 min
In part 4 of the series, the indomitable Detective Li and his faithful partner Xiao You find themselves summoned to the scene of a burglary... in a circus. Listen in to the details of the case, and see if you can match wits with Detective Li and determine who committed the crime. [上集答案:根据条件,没有说谎的孩子是毛毛。打破玻璃的孩子是星星。] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1713
Sep 05, 2025•20 min
Yellow Mountain, or 黄山 (huángshān) is one of China's most important tourist destinations. Situated in Anhui province, its landscapes call to mind classical Chinese paintings of cloud-ringed peaks. Learn about how to talk about this important place in Chinese with this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1451
Sep 03, 2025•19 min
The story continues, and we learn in this episode that Detective Li is an eccentric man who may be hiding a few secrets. We also take a break from the murder cases as our favorite Chinese Sherlock turns his powers of deduction to the antics of some naughty neighborhood kids. [上集答案:暗号是“五木:朝阳区”。其中,“五木”就是森林公园;冒号是2点钟;“朝”是十月十日;“朝阳”指早晨、凌晨;“区”从字形上看,就是指东边出口。所以暗号隐藏的内容就是 —— 十月十日凌晨2点,森林公园东边出口。] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1700
Sep 01, 2025•20 min
Organic food has been available in most supermarkets in places like the US for a while now. Over the last five years China has experienced a boom in this industry. Despite the growing popularity and availability of organic produce in local supermarkets, a lot of people are still unclear on just what makes food organic. Find out by tuning in to today's lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1448
Aug 29, 2025•18 min
In part 2 of this detective story, Detective Li and his assistant Xiao You obtain a coded message from an infamous drug dealer. As usual, Li's problem-solving skills are up to the task. Can you keep up? 上集答案:凶手就是那位撒谎的助手,他将冰刀藏在热水瓶中带进了浴室,并在作案后将冰刀丢进浴池的热水中将凶器融化掉。因为冰刀是低温的,所以也造成了伤口周围呈紫红色。 Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1689
Aug 27, 2025•16 min
We're here to pick someone up from the airport today. Learn not only how to discuss this important action, but also some essentials for small talk with your newly-arrived guest. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1444
Aug 25, 2025•19 min