ChinesePod - Beginner

Newbie | What meat is this?

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a place where anything with its back to the sun qualifies as dinner, you’ll need to be “alternative” meat savvy. This lesson will save you fr...

Elementary | Li Yan's Diary: Love and Italian Food

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some may deem it 'nosy,' but we prefer the term 'inquisitive.' This week, we find another diary under the mattress, and this time it&#...

Newbie | Repeat After Me

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Though we all wish we sounded like Jenny when we repeat after her, the old adage is true, that practice makes (well, almost) perfect. So don't giv...

Elementary | Yang Jie's Diary: Everyone Is Dating

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here is a Mandarin Chinese lesson to take you back to the simpler days of ugly boys, teenage angst and unrequited crushes. Yes, come with us as we sne...

Newbie | My Dog

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are dogs to love (big, drooly, friendly pups) and dogs to love (loyal, best friend mutts)... hey--who doesn't love pooches? (No offense to t...

Elementary | New York City

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New York City? What the heck does learning Chinese have to do with New York City? Don't be naive. In the gritty underworld of the fake Prada black...

Newbie | Giving up a Seat

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a place where an empty seat on public transportation is about as uncommon as toilet paper in the bathroom, it's understandable why there is a c...

Elementary | Gymnastics

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you feel like you've been doing back flips trying to learn Chinese, this lesson is for you! This next in our series of Olympics lessons is abou...

Newbie | My Cat

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are cats to love (white, fluffy kittens) and cats to hate (those gold ones waving their strange little arm at the till in the Chinese restaurant...

Elementary | Superman

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your wonder-twin powers won't activate and the kryptonite is sapping the Mandarin from your very brain. The frustration is making you feel like ki...

Newbie | Moving

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Don't think of moving house as a pain. Think of it as an excuse for throwing a house-warming bash. Invite us! We'll bring a nice plant. In thi...

Elementary | Cycling

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some cyclists train for years before hitting the track in the Olympics. Other cyclists buy a $30 bicycle and are thrown onto the gritty pavement of a ...

Newbie | I'm Bored

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the onset of summer vacation, mothers everywhere are familiar with the refrain: "I'm bored!" Now, if you decide to join the kids in...

Elementary | Basic Shapes

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After months of painstakingly writing Chinese characters, we recommend you take a moment to vent your frustrations by grabbing a felt marker and angri...

Newbie | I Forgot Your Name

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Now, we know that when names consist mainly of a medley of Xs, Qs and Zs, it can be easy to lose it under pressure. So, when that friend that you just...

Elementary | Olympic Training

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It would be remiss to have a Mandarin lesson on training for the Olympic Games without a Chinese learning analogy to go with. So... Ken is your coach....

Newbie | Please Speak Chinese

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You've just stepped out from the office when a frenzied pack of language students senses your presence and rushes over with English greetings. We&...

Elementary | Number Two

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Writing classy lessons about bodily functions may be considered a difficult task by some. One lesson better left to the naughty neighborhood kids, per...

Newbie | Sweet Watermelon

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know it's summertime when those trucks roll into the city, feeding streetside stalls thronging with business as the evening ambles home. Ask a...

Elementary | Volleyball

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How a sport which involves sweaty sun-kissed bodies prancing around on sandy beaches became an official Olympic sport, who can say. But the gods of At...

Newbie | Ice Cream

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The kids are eating it. The old people are eating it. The babies are smooshing it into their faces and hair. The lady that sells stinky tofu sells it....

Elementary | Trouble with Grades

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fortunately, ChinesePod won't be sending report cards home to your moms (though we of course would give you all A's!) However, for the million...

Newbie | Wrong Change

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You're dancing around gesticulating. They're dancing around gesticulating. Children are clapping and someone might even be singing, shaking an...

Elementary | To Bow or Not to Bow

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A shake of the hand received with an approving grip. A bow of the head prompts a slightly confused bow in return. A bear hug... a stone stiff body. Tw...

Newbie | Going to the Museum

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Remember the days of field trips? Now, field trips in podcast-land aren't to the zoo; nor are they to the waterslides park (though that can be arr...

Elementary | Interview with an Athlete

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard about the agony of defeat. None of that here. In this podcast, learn about how the thrill of victory feels to an Olympic athlete. Lis...

Newbie | Cold Beer

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not that we think you would like hot beer, but believe us that in China it may be essential that you specify "cold" when you order your beer...

Elementary | The Stingy Boss

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bosses amongst us, sit up and take note. Though you may not have had time to see it (due to being occupied with your "boss" things), you mus...

Newbie | Two Little Tigers Song

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"TIGER, tiger, burning bright, in the forests of the night, what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?" In the distant post...

Elementary | Jaywalking

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Though being the only one at the intersection NOT jaywalking may make you feel like you're not one of the 'cool' kids, we'd hate for y...

Newbie | Requesting a Napkin

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you've given up on using chopsticks and haven't studied our lesson on requesting a fork yet, you may just have to pretend that where you co...

Elementary | Track and Field

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Think of track and field as a profound metaphor for Chinese learning: Jumping over grammar hurdles, throwing out words like shotputs, the high-jump of...

Newbie | Giving an Example

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When learning a language there are a profusion of ways to acquire new language. One method many have found helpful has been dubbed "pictionary.&q...

Elementary | How spicy?

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When your mouth is on fire and the only thing within reach with which to douse the flames is a tiny cup of hot tea, you had better be wise enough to t...

Newbie | What stop is this?

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Though you may find having your face pressed up against someone else's cheek a little unpleasant, think of the intimacy it affords. Once you have list...

Elementary | Why, why, why??

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green? Why is Chinese still using hieroglyphics for its written language? While some questions are simply unansw...

Newbie | What's that smell?

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some things are not discussed in polite society. In today's groundbreaking lesson in Mandarin Chinese, we run through how to shatter that taboo and ac...

Elementary | Chinese Seasonings

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The little extras you'll have to crown your food masterpiece with on this side of the world may just turn out to be a little different than the humble...

Newbie | Where's the bus stop?

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

No one likes waiting for the bus. But if you can’t find the bus stop, it’s going to make things that much more difficult. So before you give up an...

Elementary | The Olympics on TV

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's not that we advocate being TV addicts, however, come 2008 we'll be glued to our screens (or fighting the crowds in Beijing) with the best of them...

Newbie | Mosquitoes

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mosquitoes are an age-old plague to mankind. Trinket salesmen are an age-old plague to tourists. You'll be assaulted by both climbing the Great Wall, ...

Elementary | Lovey-Dovey Terminology

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Honey bunny... Sweet pea... pumpkin. You've heard them before - you probably use them. They play a role in close relationships, but few people know ho...

Newbie | Colors Song

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know that Ken and Jenny like to show their appreciation to our CPoddies by giving you a little serenade for your listening pleasure from time to t...

Elementary | A Chinese-Style Contradiction

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

O, the profundity of language. Read literally, the word for contradiction in Chinese is nothing less intriguing than: "spear shield." Yes, it's just t...

Newbie | Confession of Love

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Men, at times, find comprehending the female nature a perplexing and bewildering endeavor. However, leave it to this podcast to teach you the three ma...

Elementary | Condoms

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Drug stores are full of potentially embarrassing items. Embarrassment is exponentially heightened when it involves the acting out of said item to drug...

Newbie | Internet Cafe Rates

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is going to be lots to write home about when you're in China, so because ChinesePod knows how much your mom wants to hear from you, we have crea...

Elementary | The Old Man Who Moved a Mountain

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast covers a famous Chinese story about an old man who moves a mountain. Like most famous Chinese stories, it is more open to interpretation ...

Newbie | Requesting a Glass of Water

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hot day—there’s nothing you imagine that could be better than a nice cold glass of ice water... aha, not so! There is a whole nation of Chinese pe...

Elementary | Olympic Swimming

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some love to watch Olympic swimming--the poignant fortitude of the human spirit, the split-second heart-breaking culmination to a lifetime of training...

Newbie | Quiet for the Baby

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Admittedly, you may have been getting a little bit raucous practicing the “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” song you learned in that other podcast...

Elementary | Returning an Item

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You lay out a few thousand kuai on what you think is a great deal on a mobile phone. But as you dial your soon to be jealous friend's number and get a...

Newbie | Calling Roll

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We love our ChinesePod students, and we want to make sure that you’re all in attendance today. Thus, our lesson on calling roll. Listen to this podc...

Elementary | I can't buy my size

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not that anyone's intimating that you've got big feet, a wide girth, or an ample posterior -- but those who have been in China for a while know that t...

Newbie | Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Now, don't be shy to act out all the motions that go along with this podcast, wherein you will learn a well-loved song about your body parts in Mandar...

Elementary | Directory Assistance

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You may be feeling stranded, lost, confused... but you are never alone. That's right--a friendly robotic lady voice and soothing Kenny G ballad are ju...

Newbie | St. Patrick's Day

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You may know about a famous Chinese "Day for the Ladies," but what about that face-down-in-green-beer-that-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time holiday...

Elementary | Visiting Taiwan

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Taiwan is not often the focus of our lessons at ChinesePod, but this time it's front and center. Learn such gems as "Taiwan is an island," as well as ...

Newbie | How Long Have You Been in Shanghai?

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you strike up a conversation with someone in Shanghai, people will inevitably want to know how long you've been there. Whether you're a grizzled ...

Elementary | The London Olympics

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 2012 Olympics are in London! If you're from London, going to London, or even fond of occasionally mentioning London, you'd better be able to say i...

Newbie | Class Is Over Now

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another Chinese class is over. You've answered the teacher's questions masterfully throughout and are ready to get home. Learn how classes are ended a...

Elementary | Can You Lend Me Money?

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What are friends for? Lending money, right? In this lesson, learn how to extract as much money as possible from your good, generous friend. (You'll pa...

Newbie | Wireless Internet

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Now, we know ChinesePod users like to sit in hip cafés and listen to hip Chinese podcasts, so before you commit to buying that 30RMB cappuccino, we’...

Elementary | Paying a Bill

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In China, convenience reigns supreme. So, not only can you buy a drink, herb-flavored gum, underwear, and/or a brown simmering egg in a convenience st...

Newbie | For You, And You, And You

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On your next trip back to your home country, don’t forget to pick up some nice “western” treats for all your little friends in the neighborhood ...

Elementary | Late Getting Back

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Now that your Mandarin is getting so good, chances are all you cool CPoddies will be out late partying every night, your Mandarin getting more fluent ...

Newbie | Your Baby is So Cute!

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Not every baby is cute, but here in China, almost all of them are, so you'll probably find yourself in many situations in which you'll feel the need t...

Elementary | Ordering Xiaolongbao

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learning Mandarin is like climbing a mountain made of dumplings. And as with other mountaineering expeditions, it's necessary to study the landscape b...

Newbie | Get up!

26 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Though the screech of an alarm clock sounds the same in any language, we know that all this studying makes you tired, so we’ve prepared a lesson on ...

Elementary | WeChat

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Writing" in China has come a long way from its oracle bone past all the way to its QQ IMing and smartphone texting present. But now there's a new for...

Newbie | Didn't Hear Clearly

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes you say one word of Mandarin and the other side assumes you’re fluent and lets loose with a torrent of Chinese. But then there are times w...

Elementary | Buying a SIM card

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We hope that those who come to China have a good memory, seeing as mobile phone numbers are about 20 digits long here. In this podcast, experience a M...

Newbie | Chinese Idioms - Lower than a pig or dog

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is a 成语 or Chéngyǔ? It's an idiom. Here we learn 2 Chinese Idioms! The first is "Lower than a pig or a dog!" The second one is "Fowls and d...

Elementary | Questioning a Child

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's a classic situation in any culture. A child breaks something, and when their parents ask them about it, they deny doing it. In this lesson, a fat...

Newbie | Making a Dinner Reservation - Part 2

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In part 1 of making a dinner reservation, you learned how to say you needed a dinner reservation for how many people. You're almost done, but you're s...

Elementary | Music Lovers

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether or not one can play a musical instrument, everyone appreciates a good tune. In this lesson, learn how to talk about music and playing musical ...

Newbie | The Tones of Ma

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Chinese language has 4 tones. Follow along with Grace as she brings the 4 tones of Ma alive! The newbie lesson pairs nicely with "The Characters o...

Elementary | Ordering a Steak

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here is a lesson for all our Chinese-speaking carnivores out there. Now, we know steak isn't really a Chinese food, but some of you just may get a yea...

Newbie | The Characters of Ma

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a breakdown of the characters or hanzi behind "Ma!" This lesson pairs nicely with the newbie lesson "Tones of Ma!" Episode link: https://www.c...

Elementary | Traveling around China

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So you've enjoyed some travels in China of late, but part of the fun is getting to go home and brag to everyone about what you've seen. Listen to this...

Newbie | Please let me through!

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No China experience would be complete without the “stuck in the middle of a giant mass of people” part. But you really need to get through. Not wi...

Elementary | Washing the Sheets

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to get those chores done! In this lesson, learn how to talk about doing house work, from washing dishes and doing laundry to tidying up your...

Newbie | Just Looking

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

OK, so you’re in a little Chinese shop, or checking out a vendor’s stand, and the clerk is super excited. She’s trotting out a seemingly endless...

Elementary | Shut up!

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t you hate it when you want to know how to tell someone off in Chinese, but you just can’t find the words? Which results in your usual strong ...

Newbie | Do you have wifi?

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ever been on the hunt for wifi? Here's how to ask! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4087

Elementary | Annual Meeting

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So much of life if consumed with planning for the things that we want to do. In this lesson, two coworkers talk about an upcoming annual meeting at wo...

Newbie | Wrong Number

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You know that guy that keeps calling your home number at 3am and asking for “Lao Li” in Chinese? You’ve tried screaming, you’ve tried threaten...

Elementary | Goodbye to a Co-worker

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Co-workers come and go in offices throughout the world. In this lesson, learn how to say goodbye to your Chinese co-workers and wish them the best. Ep...

Newbie | Emergency Call

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Emergencies happen. Buildings catch on fire. Here at ChinesePod, we prefer to think of these unfortunate incidents as “opportunities”--for you to ...

Elementary | The Clogged Toilet

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Though your instinct may be to scream and run, a clogged toilet just isn’t going to go away, as we all know. Since you insist on throwing your toile...

Newbie | The 5 "W" Questions

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Asking Questions you need to know these five pronouns: who, what, when, where, and why. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4079

Elementary | Leaving a Tip

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How much should you leave as a tip after a meal in China? The answer is nothing! In China, it is not customary to give tips. In this lesson, two frien...

Newbie | What Does This Word Mean?

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some say "1.3 billion people," but we say "1.3 billion human dictionaries." That's right, why should you thumb through one of those new-fangled "book"...

Elementary | Drawing Suns

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Little children do the strangest things, don't they? They bring us great delight, but also prove to be little monsters from time to time. In this less...

Newbie | Colored Balls

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You never know when you’ll end up in the colored ball room at Ikea and want to know how to have a conversation about colored balls, but, seriously, ...

Elementary | Flags and National Anthems

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Now that China is your "adopted country", you had better make sure you know what your flag looks like. The national anthem? Hmm, that we'll leave for ...

Newbie | Does He Have Children?

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mr. Li is the talk of the town. He's dashing, he's witty, and... he's a father! In this lesson, the gossip turns to the subject of Mr. Li's children. ...

Elementary | Easter and Chocolate Bunnies

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered what Easter has to do with chocolate bunnies? Well…you won’t find out in this podcast. You will, however, learn how to talk about th...

Newbie | Riding the Elevator

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Granted, you might get some stares for just being in an elevator, but your situation might improve if you could actually use your Mandarin Chinese to ...

Elementary | Bounced!

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Huge guys in black suits with icy stares, bouncers are the same everywhere. In this lesson, two friends try to check out a popular nightclub, only to ...