ChinesePod - Beginner
Episodes
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...
Newbie | Working Hours
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Shanghai bar scene starts with happy hour, but you won’t get the invite if you can’t tell the crew what time you get off work…and you won’...
Elementary | Don't push that button
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
These days, there's a button for everything. Buttons help you make your coffee, turn on your computer to get your ChinesePod lesson...there are ev...
Newbie | I'm Married
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dandy, aren’t we? With that custom-made suit you got made here, you’re bound to turn some heads. In this podcast, ward off a wandering eye and lea...
Elementary | Learning the Lei Feng Song
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the old days, Western kids wanted to "Be Like Mike." Chinese kids wanted to "Be Like Comrade Lei Feng." In today's podcast,...
Newbie | When will he return?
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Call me at the office when you land,” your friend says. So you do… He's not in. Now unless you actually envied Tom Hanks in “The Terminal...
Elementary | What's your (animal) sign?
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a lesson on Sign Language. In this podcast, you'll learn how to sneakily figure out people's age, based on the twelve-year Chinese ...
Newbie | Is it far?
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So, you’ve used our lessons to land the big contract (we’d like a cut), and all you have to do is meet at their office. Who knew your western GPS ...
Elementary | Table for Three
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever had reservations about eating out in China, this is the Chinese podcast for you! Grab a seat and learn how to book a table in Manda...
Newbie | Cell Phones
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The hottest plastic surgery technique to hit China is the surgical removal of mobile phones from the ear. Though it's convenient having it so atta...
Elementary | Get in line!
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For those amongst us who have taken it upon themselves to provide community service in the form of 'Line Management Consulting and Enforcement'...
Newbie | Sing and Dance
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The hills are alive with the sound of the pipa. Singing in China... rife in KTV bars, on street corners, in public parks, in low-budget questionably-d...
Elementary | Leaving Luggage with the Hotel
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps you could have traveled a little lighter, in retrospect. But the fake LV suitcases came in such a beautiful set and they match your outfit so ...
Newbie | Where Do You Live?
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your place is a mess? Didn't make your bed this morning? Get those dirty clothes off the floor and stack those dishes you were leaving for the Ayi...
Elementary | Asking for Leave
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everybody needs a little time away... and in this podcast you're going to learn how to ask for it in Chinese. With the plethora of guests you'...
Newbie | Cat in the Hat
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If only Dr. Seuss had learned Chinese, children China-over could have had a new chant to repeat after their teachers. "Haohao xuexi, tiantian xia...
Elementary | Stopped at the Gate
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are a few ways of dealing with getting stopped at an apartment complex gate. There is the 'tunnel vision' technique. To truly perfect th...
Newbie | Formal Introduction
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is the formal introduction to the formal introduction lesson: You've mastered your Chinese hello and don't know what to do with that awkw...
Elementary | ID Check at the Internet Cafe
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Last time this happened you were busted for having fake ID, and robbed of your chance at an illicit beer-enhanced evening. No, they don't think yo...
Newbie | Months
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thirty days has September... April, June, and November. All the rest... are so easy you won't even need a rhyme. In this podcast, learn the months...
Elementary | Checking Baggage
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You have an inkling from a post-packing teeter on the bathroom scale that your baggage may be overweight. Your only hope to avoid overweight fees is c...
Newbie | Days of the week
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are two methods for learning the days of the week in Chinese. One: this podcast. Two: personalized Chinese days of the week undies. Since the la...
Elementary | Keys, Wallet, Phone
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Good things come in threes. Case in point: watch, bag, DVD. In this case: keys, wallet, phone. All good things, and good things to remember to bring w...
Newbie | Fruit Salad
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could it be key to the Chinese ability to eat three oil saturated meals a day and maintain their girlish (or boyish) figures? No. Trust us. Even the f...
Elementary | Afraid of Dogs
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In China, there aren't really that many dogs around to be afraid of, but a good chunk of the population has a paralyzing fear of dogs. This lesson...
Newbie | Ordering Noodles
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Chinese claim to have discovered the key to a long life... eating noodles on your birthday. While they struggle for immortality, you the Newbie ca...
Elementary | Caught in the Act
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, we've all got our skeletons in the closet. It's just when someone opens the door that we get a little red in the face. In today's po...
Newbie | Do you have...?
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the hierarchy of language learning, there are the 'haves' and the 'havenots.' The 'haves' are those that know how to ask fo...
Elementary | The Panda's Secret Wish
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The first cuddly creature to be used in a diplomatic capacity. A country full of bamboo to eat its way through. In its stuffed animal capacity, the fi...
Newbie | He's Not In
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've arrived, and want to fit in, so start with the national Chinese pastime: cell phone talking (well, it's better than taking up smoking)....
Elementary | Moscow
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've always had a secret affinity for borscht, and a secret compulsion to buy nesting dolls at neighborhood garage sales. Enter this lesson, whe...
Newbie | Can you Speak Chinese?
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Answering the question "Can you speak Chinese?" in the affirmative is always a proud moment. Perhaps, yes, literally, one moment. Let's ...
Elementary | Seoul
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps best known for remarkable food items such as spicy smelly preserved vegetables and some 'alternative' meats, this capital of Korea is ...
Newbie | Are You Tired?
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discovering these 800-plus podcast lessons, likely you've been up for days, listening. You're not tired yet, due to the language-learning high...
Elementary | Paris
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've got the Summer Palace; they've got Versailles. We've got Shaolin Temple; they've got Notre Dame. They've got stinky cheese; ...
Newbie | Upset
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Reports churning out of celebrity Los Angeles have sparked concern over the latest anti-aging fad: drinking of the tears of young Asian girls. We, Chi...
Elementary | Olympic Excitement
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
08-08-2008. The day we've all been waiting for. The factories are closed, the cars are parked away. The buildings are ready, the skies are blue (h...
Newbie | Where are you going?
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Little did you know when you started learning Mandarin that you would be placed in the thick of an age-old war of 'where' words. Decide which ...
Elementary | Rock, Scissors, Cloth
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The debate over who invented this game is not as heated as the one about who invented the noodle, thankfully. Perhaps the noodle debate could be settl...
Newbie | Getting Nationalities Straight
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Contrary to popular notions, no, we're not all Americans. The nationality guessing game: favorite exchange of bored cabbies and their captive audi...
Elementary | War Zone
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We assume you will never be a foreign soldier in a Chinese army, and sincerely hope that world peace is attained and this lesson will soon be obsolete...
Newbie | How have you been?
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When faced with the 'Do Chinese people really say ni hao ma or are they just succumbing to Englese' quandary, here is a lesson you can use to ...
Elementary | Microsoft
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A little name-dropping serves one well in many environments. 'Brad Pitt' is just too long to say in Chinese, so let's start with a more bu...
Newbie | Buying a Newspaper
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At this juncture, we know some of you bespectacled types are going to show-off your 4,000 character-plus savvy and say you read the Chinese newspaper....
Elementary | Aussie Rules
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Olive-ball may not be big in China, but in Laowai land it is. English, American and Aussie styles may differ quite a bit, but they all hold the same p...