ChinesePod - Beginner
Episodes
Newbie | What Would You Like to Eat?
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's nothing worse than learning Chinese on an empty stomach. After you listen to this lesson, you'll never again have to learn Mandarin over the g...
Elementary | Christmas Plans
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jingle bells are in the air again, but one of our characters isn't feeling very merry. In this lesson we'll teach you some Christmas vocabulary, wheth...
Newbie | Explosion
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you're traveling in China, you may hear some pretty strange sounds. Today's podcast will teach you how ask "What's that sound?" in Mandarin. You ...
Elementary | A Thanksgiving Phone Call
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the time of the year when Americans (and even some Canadians, too) give thanks for the good things in their lives. Today we're listening to a con...
Newbie | Heading Home
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've had a wonderful time in China, but nothing lasts forever. You're at the end of your trip, and you're telling your new Chinese friends that this...
Elementary | Express Train or High-speed Train?
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years, a high-speed train lines have popped up between many important Chinese cities. Today's Chinese podcast will explain how to order a ti...
Newbie | Counting Coins
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Mandarin lesson, you'll learn to count your blessings. Actually, after today's podcast, you'll know how to count all kinds of things in Chi...
Elementary | Tone Change Rule: Yi '一'
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have the Chinese tones been giving you headaches? In today's handy Chinese lesson, you'll learn the ups and downs of the first tone. Learn how to tran...
Newbie | Do You Want a Map?
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Getting from one place to another is no mean feat in the land of curvy, inconsistently marked streets. Today's Chinese podcast will give you the Manda...
Elementary | The Pen and Paper Mystery
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have a Chinese lesson worthy of Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Stationery in the Satchel. In this Mandarin podcast, we'll be looking at way...
Newbie | Napkins
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Every smart traveler in China should have a thick stack of thin paper in their pocket. No, we're not talking about money, although that is handy. Toda...
Elementary | What Type of Man do You Like?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's lesson, you'll learn to use Chinese to talk about your taste in men. Do you like bad boys? Do you like high rollers? In today's podcast, yo...
Newbie | Rise and Shine!
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Getting out of bed is not much fun, unless you wake up to the sound of Ken and Jenny on ChinesePod! Today, learn how to talk about dragging yourself o...
Elementary | Excited About Traveling
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Oh boy, oh boy! You're going traveling soon, and you just can't wait! Tell all your friends in perfect Mandarin Chinese that you are going to be takin...
Newbie | Toilet Types
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The birds do it. The bees do it. Even educated fleas do it. Let's do it, let's go to the toilet. Today's podcast will teach you about one of life's ne...
Elementary | Do You Know That Girl?
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pretty woman, walkin' down the street. Pretty woman, kind I like to greet! In today's Mandarin lesson you'll learn how to talk about the beautiful peo...
Newbie | Does it Have Bones?
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Time to bone up on your Chinese. Today's podcast lesson is all about eating food that has bones in it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1127
Elementary | Why Are You at Home?
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Mom, you're home early! Me? Well, I was just...you know...school got out early-- yeah, that's right! In today's Chinese podcast, you'll learn how ...
Newbie | Can You Use Chopsticks?
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
No matter how long you have lived in China, and no matter how well you speak Chinese, people will be amazed to see that you have learned how to put fo...
Elementary | Are You Busy?
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can't just drop in on people whenever you feel like it. They have their own lives, too! In this Mandarin Chinese podcast, you'll learn how to ask ...
Newbie | How Long?
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How long is "just a moment?" In today's Chinese lesson, you'll learn how to talk about things that are about to happen. Wait for it-- the lesson is al...
Elementary | I'm Not Here
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You're a popular person. People are looking for you, but you don't always want to talk to them. Today's Chinese lesson will help you deal with those t...
Newbie | Stinky Feet
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We know, you've been so absorbed in learning Mandarin on ChinesePod that you haven't had time to wash your feet since before the Olympics...in Athens....
Elementary | No TV Before Your Test!
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the past month you've been studying for your Chinese test. Now you just want to relax in the warm glow of Mother Television. But what's this? Your...
Newbie | Too Heavy!
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We at ChinesePod are always ready to give you a hand as you learn Mandarin. In today's lesson, learn how to share your burdens with a friend, all in C...
Elementary | Are You Free?
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to do fun stuff with people, you need to make plans. And you can't make plans unless you know if people are free! In today's Mandarin podc...
Newbie | I Miss Daddy!
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's podcast will teach you how to call your loved ones and tell them how much you miss them, all in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.ch...
Elementary | Pin Number
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this modern age, plastic is as good as paper. We're not talking about shopping bags, though. We're talking about payment methods. In this lesson, l...
Newbie | Hold the Elevator
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The elevator doors are closing. What can you do? If you only knew how to ask the people inside to wait a bit. In today's podcast, you'll find out. Whe...
Elementary | Juiced!
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tea and baijiu aren't the only things you can drink in China. In today's Mandarin podcast, you'll learn how to order a juice -- and how to complain wh...
Newbie | You First
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Letting others go first is a great way to show respect and give face. In today's podcast, you'll learn how to say "You first" in Mandarin Chinese. Epi...
Elementary | Why are You Studying Chinese?
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why are you learning Chinese? Will it help you at work? Is Mandarin your ticket to a life of adventure? Are you just a mental masochist? Listen to tod...
Newbie | Sign Here, Please
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In China, getting things delivered is relatively cheap and easy. In today's podcast, you'll learn how to use Mandarin to accept delivery of a package ...
Elementary | Funny Rice
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're looking at a classic Chinese joke. The Chinese language is full of homonyms, which we can use to humorous effect. Special note: today's jo...
Newbie | The Broken Chair
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A low squat is a popular way to take a load off here. But there will be times when you need to sit down on something beside your ankles. In this lesso...
Elementary | Blow out Your Candles
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you could have one wish, what would it be? Do you want to speak Mandarin? Would you like to visit China? In today's podcast, make a wish and blow o...
Newbie | Seeing Somebody to the Door
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's podcast we'll cover an integral part of Chinese manners - 'Seeing Someone Off'. Being able to not only see someone to the door, but politel...
Elementary | Big Bed
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Travelers sometimes have to decide whether to take the plunge and share a bed. In today's podcast, you'll learn enough Mandarin Chinese to dea...
Newbie | The Powerless Phones
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cell phones are almost universal in China. In some places, they're more common than landlines. In today's podcast, learn to talk in Mandarin C...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Guangdong
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Hungry Traveler series arrives at its next stop - Guangdong, the home of Cantonese food! And what's first on the menu? Barbecue! Episode link:...
Newbie | Stuffy Room
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is it any wonder that Chinese uses the same character for "stuffy" and "depressed"? In this podcast, learn how to use Mandarin to ...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Xi'an
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ChinesePod's Hungry Traveler series makes a stop in Xi'an to try some delicious local dishes like 肉夹馍 (ròujiāmó) and 羊肉泡馍 (yá...
Newbie | I want coffee!
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
China has the soy bean, hairy bean, and the mung bean. What about the coffee bean? In today's podcast, you'll learn how to get your daily dose...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Yunnan
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today ChinesePod's Hungry Traveller is going to southwest China's Yunnan province. This region's diverse landscapes and ethnic groups are ...
Newbie | To bag or not to bag?
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Since last summer, getting a plastic bag when you shop in the People's Republic has gotten a little more expensive. Listen to this Chinese podcast...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Shanghai
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our Hungry Traveler series is taking us to the Pearl of the Orient today. Join us as we explore some of the delicacies that make Shanghai's food s...
Newbie | Do you have a cold?
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flu season is upon us. Don your surgical mask, get jacked up on Vitamin C, and embrace obsessive-compulsive disorder in any form that involves non-sto...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Dongbei
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Northeastern Chinese are known for their hearty appetites and hilarious accents. In today's Mandarin podcast, let's look at a few specialties ...
Newbie | Catch the Train
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One foot on the platform, the other foot on the train. Listen to today's Chinese podcast and learn how to talk all about those fateful few moments...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Taiwan
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taiwan deserves its reputation as Foodie Heaven. In today's podcast, we'll talk in Chinese about some Taiwanese specialties. Learning Mandarin...
Newbie | On the Way
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Life in China is go-go-go. Be it taxi, bicycle, moped or bus number 11, chances are you're going places. In this podcast, learn how to use your Ch...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Halal
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
China is a country of diverse eating and drinking habits. In today's podcast, you'll learn how to talk in Mandarin about avoiding foods for re...
Newbie | No Need to Take off Your Shoes
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You want to be polite. But after a day of sightseeing in vinyl shoes, you are slightly apprehensive of the Chinese tradition of taking off one's s...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Inner Mongolia
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's podcast, our Hungry Travelers are off to Inner Mongolia. Grab a leg of lamb, and slurp down some milk tea, and learn all about this hea...
Newbie | Introducing a Friend
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
First impressions. Intent stares. Is he sizing up the map of your face--determining your future wealth, lack of it, sexual prowess, eyebrow hair luck ...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Hangzhou
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The city on West Lake is beloved across China for its romantic atmosphere, glorious history, and tasty cuisine. In this podcast, let's take a culi...
Newbie | Farm Animals
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can't understand the cows 'mou', the chicken's 'gege,' the sheep's 'miemie,' the horse's 'huirhuir,...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Beijing
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Peking, Khanbaliq, Yanjing, Beijing. No matter what you call it, the city is a paradise for foodies. From snacks to banquets, you'll find it here....
Newbie | Come on up!
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While you may not relish your walk up five flights of stairs six times a day, think of it as a pre-Huangshan hike training ground. Or the third stage ...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Sichuan
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We call it Szechuan, they call it Sichuan. Does Ants on a Tree really come with ants? Was it just a novelty dish? All just a joke on the American publ...
Newbie | Street Argument
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You know the signs. A mass of people, ten deep, reminiscent of a football huddle. A flying chair. A lot of arguing and pointing and yelling, but nary ...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Hainan
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our hungry traveler ventures off to the "Hawaii of China" for some much needed R&R. An island resort in China you say? It's true tha...
Newbie | Pretty Clothes
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fabric markets, little shops, department stores, Taobao... cheap and cheerful clothes abound in China. You're feeling like a knock-out in your kno...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Macao
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you mix a Portuguese bun with a Chinese egg roll, what do you get? Is there any hope of a compatible union for these two unlikely partners in cal...
Newbie | What size?
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thought of as 'petite' in your homeland, as you browse the corner shoe store, you are alarmed to find that the only thing you can get your dai...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Hong Kong
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In another edition of the Hungry Traveler, we find ourselves in HK. The city full of millionaires, movie stars, fast cars, and... food! It's all a...
Newbie | Morning at the Office
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here is a Chinese lesson for all those morning people out there that we love to hate. A few chipper 'good mornings' to start off the day. You ...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Xinjiang
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One man's meat is another man's poison. In this edition of 'The Hungry Traveler' we journey to the cuisine oft adored by westerners an...
Newbie | I Want This
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A wee baby learning to talk. His first word, a loving 'mama.' The second, 'dada.' And then comes the 'gimme, gimme, gimme.' We...
Elementary | Hungry Traveler: Hunan
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some cuisines should come with a fire marshall's warning. Not to fear, a cup of hot tea will be standing by to quell the flames. In this new serie...
Newbie | Taking a Shower
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rub-a-dub-dub four tones in the tub. Bath time just got more fun and your old repertoire of songs to shower by just expanded. In this podcast, lather ...
Elementary | Renting a Bike
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can't bring your trusty bike with you everywhere you go. When you arrive in a new city in China, you can check out bike rentals. Pay your depo...
Newbie | Sales Call
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Of course, the old slam the receiver down always works. But for some, the ring of a telemarketer signals another captive-language-learning partner opp...
Elementary | GPS Fail
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are two kinds of people who never get lost-- those who don't know where they're going, and those who have GPS! In today's Chinese le...
Newbie | Getting a Phone Number
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Unless you are a rainman-like genius, you may find attempts at reciting the fifty billion digit long phone numbers of China a challenge. Get help. Lis...
Elementary | How Many Zeroes?
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Chinese number system is based on groups of four zeroes, not three. Learn how to talk about big numbers in Chinese, in today's podcast Episode...
Newbie | Taxi Small Talk
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be put off by that cage contraption. Think about it... a man trapped in a metal cage. What better language partner could there be than one t...
Elementary | Hong Kong Visa Run
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Newbie | Taxi Destination
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You feel like you've won the battle by actually getting one to stop--though you had to beat off your street corner contenders to do it. All is fai...
Elementary | In a Moment
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's Chinese lesson will have you on the edge of your seat, if you get excited easily. You'll learn how to tell others to hold their horses...
Newbie | Finding a Taxi
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We assume that, as a beginner, deciphering the schedule for the airport bus might be just a little stressful, so put off breaking into that duty-free ...
Elementary | Watch Out!
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can't go forward all the time (unless you study Mandarin with ChinesePod, of course!) Sometimes you need to put 'er in reverse. Today'...
Newbie | Weekend Plans
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everybody's workin' for the weekend... oh, no, wait a sec, that's just us... slaving away for your daily Chinese podcast dose. But we'...
Elementary | Bad Cell Reception
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, you'll learn how to complain about a poor cell phone signal. That must be why you didn't understand what your Chinese friend ...
Newbie | What will it be?
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meat-laden fourth of July barbecues may have caused you to consider a jump onto the pescetarian bandwagon. It's so much more than vegetarianism fo...
Elementary | Expired!
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some things get better with age: a violin, a painting, a big Bordeaux. Some things do not: computers, shoes, and dairy products. In today's Chines...
Newbie | The Mean Boss
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jenny demanded that we teach you how to say that you enjoy your work, but not your boss--due to his temper. While we’re busy looking further into th...
Elementary | Valentine's Special
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Love is in the air at ChinesePod. Or maybe that smell is from the river beside our office. Anyway, today's lesson on Valentine's Day will teac...
Newbie | What is your job?
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So a banker, a lawyer and a model walk into a bar… seriously. We won't make you the funniest guy in the room, but we will do our best to make yo...
Elementary | Illegal taxis
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've just gotten off your train in a strange city, and darkness is falling. You're tempted to follow the paunchy gent with the cigarette in ...
Newbie | Best Friends
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Life can look better through drunk colored glasses. Teetotalism of course has its merits, but many a Shanghai reveler would agree that Mandarin flows ...
Elementary | New Clothes
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You don't really need an excuse to buy new clothes. But Chinese New Year lets you rationalize buying that snazzy faux fur hat and "Guchi"...
Newbie | Wait!
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The familiar screech of tires on pavement. The last minute, albeit futile, 'wei, wei, wei!' In a place where safety rarely comes first, a litt...
Elementary | Hanging Up the Phone
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hanging up the telephone can be a drawn-out affair in China. Both sides seem reluctant to end the conversation, and may linger over best wishes, warni...
Newbie | When is the meeting?
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A time to laugh, a time to cry. A time to go to meetings, a time to die of boredom... If you're going to want someone to give you the time of day,...
Elementary | Plants Need Watering
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Chinese word for "gardener" can also mean "teacher." Extending the metaphor, we can see our poddies as beautiful flowers, read...
Newbie | Who is that?
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You may not be strutting on the catwalk, but your significant other is working it tonight! With this lesson, you can let everyone in the room know, he...
Elementary | Happiness Candy
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been on the receiving or giving end of 'Happiness Candy'? In today's lesson you'll learn how to congratulate newlyweds i...
Newbie | Sightseeing at Tiananmen
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A square, you say? Touring a rectangle seems a little more stimulating, perhaps? This is not just any four-sided box. This is the center of Beijing. A...
Elementary | Outrageous Power Bill
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's Chinese lesson is a power-play. If you get too fond of your air-conditioner, you'll end up with a sky-high electricity bill. As you fo...