ChinesePod - Beginner

Newbie | Let Me Help You

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chinese people are often very gracious and helpful towards foreign guests, especially when traveling via train or plane. Having trouble stowing your h...

Elementary | Dumb Joke

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jokes are never as funny when they have to be explained, and it’s likely that a joke in Chinese is going to need an explanation. But what about a jo...

Newbie | Coffee Shop

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You want a coffee, and that nice Chinese employee in the cafe wants nothing more than to sell you one. So stop overthinking it and cut to the chase. I...

Elementary | Help with Housework

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For the record, we're a clean podcast. But every now and then we make a mess. But does a podcast listed in Time Magazine clean up after itself? Absolu...

Newbie | Lost Keys

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alicia has ‘em, so does Florida. But what happens when you lose yours? A lesson, that’s what! Learn how to express your panic, in Mandarin Chinese...

Elementary | No TP

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Practically, it's a very important piece of knowledge to have: bathrooms in China often don't have toilet paper. The assumption is that folks will bri...

Newbie | Wait for Me Here

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oh sure, you can get ‘em over with a broad gesturing sweep of the arm, but it’s getting them to stay that’s causing some problems. I mean, you t...

Elementary | Tone Rule: Changes for 'bu'

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While the writer attempts to interject occasional humor into these intros, he knows there's nothing funny about the word ‘bu’, especially when you...

Newbie | Nope, You Cannot!

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I'm sure we have all pestered our parents asking them "can I do this?" or "can I do that?".In today's Newbie Mandarin lesson you will learn a really u...

Elementary | A Day in the Life of a Student

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

School days are here. In this lesson, read the diary of a student about their day at school. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2081

Newbie | Buying Bread and Butter

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s only right that with us being the “bread and butter” of your day, we also offer up a Mandarin Chinese lesson on buying these two basics at ...

Elementary | Elevator Issues

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If there's one place you're apt to find yourself in a crowded elevator, it's China. With so many people around, chances someone will have to help you ...

Newbie | Would You Like Some Tea?

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're trying out a different style of lesson. We are following the traditional ChinesePod approach, but adding this visual element to hopefully ...

Elementary | Ping Pong

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

ChinesePod loves sports, which is why ChinesePod has such a fantastic figure. So, in keeping with that “little meet-up” in Beijing happenin' in 20...

Newbie | Your Mandarin Is Really Good!

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No matter where you are in China, Chinese people will be lavishing praise on you the moment you're able to utter even a simple "hello" or "thank you" ...

Elementary | Basketball Game

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to check out a basketball game. In this lesson, learn the word for 'basketball game', and more importantly, how to say you're free to go wat...

Newbie | Power Outage

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are a few things ChinesePod is scared of: 1. Having to be constrained to a classroom seat to learn language 2. Animals dressed as humans 3. The ...

Elementary | Hangover

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Your head aches, your mouth is dry and your stomach is churning, but you're not sick. You had a lot of fun last night, maybe too much fun... In this l...

Newbie | I Didn’t Bring My Umbrella

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“Ah,” you say (in Mandarin), “it’s raining and I don’t have my….” (stopping short here to describe curvy handle with fabric cover except...

Elementary | Tortoise and the Hare

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Granted, the names might have changed, but the story stays the same. The same story that got [Artist Previously Known as Rian the Intern] through some...

Newbie | Which Character Is That?

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you hear a Chinese person's name, you can be reasonably sure that each syllable is a character and that the first character is the surname. But w...

Elementary | The Monks in the Temple on the Mountain

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did you ever hear the one about the Monks in the Temple on the Mountain? We have--in fact, the Monks in the Temple on the Mountain is one of our favor...

Newbie | It's Snowing

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“White rain! Cold ice!” While these are admirable attempts at saying, “it’s snowing,” it still kind of makes you sound like a tool. So in th...

Elementary | What Do You Like to Do on Weekends?

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The weekend's here. What are you going to do? Curl up with a book? Play sports with your friends? Surf the web? In this lesson, two friends talk about...

Newbie | Haggle For A Good Deal

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shopping is a great opportunity to practice your Chinese. In today's lesson, you'll learn a new way to say "how much is this?" so that you can prompt ...

Elementary | The Man and the Dog

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As mentioned, we’re all quite aware that our Jenny is one of the most downloaded women on the net--but she’s also a hoot! How funny? Really funny…...

Newbie | You Only Got to Bed at 2am!

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This lesson clearly shows how using different characters in Chinese (才cái VS 就 jiù) can switch the meaning of otherwise identical sentences. We ...

Elementary | I See A Thief!

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You see him stealing, you yell at people to draw attention, but all you can say is “bu hao ren,” which could make you come across a bit judgmental...

Newbie | Can I Smoke Here?

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Not that we condone it (we learned that lesson before), but there’s a nice, and a not-so-nice way of lighting up. So, why not ask if it’s an appro...

Elementary | Recognizing a Blind Date

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Meeting someone for the first time on a blind date can be an awkward experience as it is, especially when you don't know what they look like. In this ...

Newbie | How Long in China

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Again, feel free to make your arms ttttttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiissssssss big, then point to yourself, and then to China, and then hold up finge...

Elementary | Due This Week

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The “big man” sets a deadline, but everyone decides that if they combine forces, they’ll be able to get it extended. But boss man didn’t get t...

Newbie | Say It Again, Please

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We can tell you from experience: the Chinese really have no clue about how crazy their mother tongue sounds to the rest of us. So while we're certainl...

Elementary | Do You Have Class This Afternoon?

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chinese class is over and it's time to have some fun. In this lesson, learn how to talk about getting out of class, telling time and playing sports. E...

Newbie | Don't Drink the Water

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To drink the tap water, or not to drink; that is the question. In this podcast you will learn how to use Mandarin Chinese to warn someone not to drink...

Elementary | They're Twins!

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Seeing double or just looking at a pair of twins? It's a common practice the world over for the parents of twins to dress up their double bundles of j...

Newbie | Do You Have Any Questions?

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have any questions? Of course you do! Because you're a good student, and good students always have questions. But just in case your question is...

Elementary | How Is This Sold?

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You want to buy it, but you’re not sure if it’s sold by unit, package or weight. We want you to buy it (we’re secretly getting 15%), thus, the l...

Newbie | How's The Weather?

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Though quite likely the response in these parts on a given day may be typhoon, blizzard or hurricane, we're not going to teach you how to say those ju...

Elementary | Sending A Fax

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They didn’t get your “Just the fax, ma’am” joke, nor did they understand when you mimed the document flying across the little map in their off...

Newbie | Turn On The Air Conditioning

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With certain cities in China being referred to as “the fiery furnaces” in summer due to their hot climate, when the temperature rises you just may...

Elementary | No Walking On The Grass

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Contrary to everything you thought you understood about the world up until now, no, grass is not made for walking on, rolling down, dog-frolicking, pa...

Newbie | Requesting A Fork

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“They’re hanging in there with the chopsticks, aren’t they?” –Jerry Seinfeld Should you be the one that finally caves and simply has to ask ...

Elementary | Mahjong

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You haven’t really experienced Chinese culture until you’ve spent all night playing Mahjong with your friends. So do you know how to play? If not,...

Newbie | Salt and Pepper

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're not talking about the Grammy Award winning female hip-hop artists who sang Push It, and we're not talking about MSG and chilies. We're talking a...

Elementary | Introducing the Managers

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Managers are a big deal in these parts. And you don't want to go calling them any old 'Mister.' In this podcast, learn how to address and introduce yo...

Newbie | Going on Vacation

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No doubt, you’ve heard from people how wonderful it is to come visit us. So how could you tell your colleagues you’re going on holiday? I mean, yo...

Elementary | Clearing the Table

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A vain flap of the hand. A loud throat clear. A futile effort at eye contact. You want a waiter and you want one now. How you gonna find one? That's r...

Newbie | Good Night

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scientific studies have proven that sleep improves memory. So jump into bed, and put your cold feet up against your significant other's warm leg. Star...

Elementary | It's Nothing

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“So, big guy - what’s the matter?” “Oh…(sigh)…it’s…aw, you don’t want to hear about it.” But that’s where you’re wrong, buster...

Newbie | Dirty Little Hands

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Subway poles, dirty money, bajillions of people... perhaps the fact that hand shaking is not so popular yet has saved the Chinese race from germ decim...

Elementary | Basketball

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John promised to stop singing the Curtis Blow hit (”We’re playin’ baaaaaaasketbaaaaaaallllllll….”) if you promise to listen and use this les...

Newbie | Have You Eaten?

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In New York it’s “how ya doin’,” but here your well-being can be measured by your belt notch. So what say you to the classic “have you eaten...

Elementary | A Very Special Day

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The days of our lives. Like sands through the hourglass. Today, on this most momentous of days, let us all listen to this podcast, rekindle, reminisce...

Newbie | Is so-and-so there?

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You know you need to speak to “Li,” but don’t know how to ask if he’s there. So you simply say “Li?” to whomever answers. Her name isn’t...

Elementary | Dress Warmly

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You’re not cold, but it doesn’t matter. Your Chinese friends know you’re here without your mother, so along with feeding you, there’s also the...

Newbie | Who's That Over There?

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You spot a familiar figure on the street. Well it's best you know how to describe that person if you're trying to point them out from a busy crowd. Ep...

Elementary | Fake Beggars?

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When going out in the evening in Chinese cities, one is likely to run into ragged looking beggars soliciting change from passersby. And while some of ...

Newbie | Noodles Without Cilantro

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At ChinesePod, we not only care about helping you learn Mandarin, we also want to help your social standing…and, to be honest, herbs in the teeth a ...

Elementary | Directions with a Map #2

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So, you dug the previous “left/right” lesson (or enjoyed taking “orders” from Jenny) so much, we decided to make another. But in this podcast,...

Newbie | If Not You, then Who?

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We all have those tasks that no one wants to do, so you often end up getting into a war of attrition with your interlocutor. Today we hear lots of com...

Elementary | Directions with a Map #1

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, we know you’d love nothing more than a “map to Jenny,” but until our ratings drop (yeah, right), we’ll hang onto that. What we can do is ...

Newbie | Boba Tea

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ordering tea from a tea shop can be a little daunting, but it's also a great chance to practice some of the Chinese you've been learning. We're here t...

Elementary | Pens And Notebooks

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pens and notebooks are essential for any student, especially a student of Chinese. For many students of Chinese, mastering all of those characters req...

Newbie | Simple Toasts

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They. Toast. Everything. …it’s a lesson you can learn from us, or learn the hard way. So, how about you turn the tables and offer up some Mandarin...

Elementary | Getting Ready for a Dinner Party

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Start cleaning the living room and getting busy in the kitchen, you're about to have a dinner party. In this lesson, learn how to discuss how many peo...

Newbie | Asking the Bus Destination

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If ABBA can take a chance on you, then you can take a chance on the bus. But, unless it’s heading to a mountain, you won’t be able to read the cha...

Elementary | American Breakfast

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While the writer cannot believe “grits” and “biscuits and gravy” were not included on the list of an “American Breakfast,” his contract st...

Newbie | Movie Preference

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What kind of movies do you like watching. Do you prefer romantic comedies, or perhaps sci-fi movies. Listen in to these two friends discuss their favo...

Elementary | Time For A Holiday

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone's always looking forward to their next holiday, but when is it again? Next month? Next week? To help figure it out, in this lesson, we discus...

Newbie | What Are You Doing?

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re all about the classics here – Chuck Taylors, Pong, New Coke, the lot. So why not help you out with the classic question: “what are you doi...

Elementary | Rice With Soy Sauce

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Does steamed white rice have taste? Well, some of us seem to think so. However, there are those who just can't resist drizzling a bit of soy sauce ove...

Newbie | This Haircut Please

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To some, a trip to the hair salon is a delight. To others, it's a nerve-racking experience with a good chance of coming out with some awful haircut. A...

Elementary | Making Copies

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Again, you don’t have to use ChinesePod for everyday tasks, but it helps. Take, for instance, making copies. The putting down of said document next ...

Newbie | House Hunting

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you first venture to a foreign country, the first thing you'll need to do is find somewhere to live. This lesson will arm you with all the vocabu...

Elementary | Tone Rule: Two Third Tones

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“It’s not what you said; it’s the tone in which you said it!” By now, you’ll know the importance (and occasional frustration) of the tones i...

Newbie | I Can't Sing

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oh sure, we say “karaoke” and you laugh and think about making a fool out of yourself in front of 200 others at the bar who all chimed in on the c...

Elementary | Where's My Takeout?

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you haven't been in this situation, you haven't been in China long. There are just some times when you wait and you wait, but the food you order ne...

Newbie | I Got Married

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“Soooo… who’s the eye-candy on your arm?” See, ChinesePod is used to these questions, as we only hire “hot-cakes.” So, what do you say to ...

Elementary | Dealing With Praise

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“Thanks,” you say (in Chinese). “Goodness me! Your ability to master the language is amazing!” comes the response. So now what do you say? “...

Newbie | New Breadmaker!

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Invented in Japan in the 80's, these marvels of human ingenuity have become more and more popular in recent years, especially with the food scandals o...

Elementary | Lessons Per Week

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, you're studying Chinese. We all know that. But are you a casual learner, or are you hardcore? And by that, I mean, "how many lessons do you have...

Newbie | Asking For Help

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, you’re a go-getter, self-starter, and outside-the-box thinker. But even you might need the occasional hand… especially at the office. So, not...

Elementary | Which Train Station?

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When catching a train in a Chinese city, you need to know which train station you're leaving from. Cities will often have several train stations, and ...

Newbie | Want To Lose Weight?

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time of the year when you step on the scales and realise you have piled on the pounds. But don't worry. You have a whole year to drop that e...

Elementary | Terracotta Warriors

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know how to say "terracotta warriors" in China? Any studious student has to know this word, and be warned, the Chinese is quite different from ...

Newbie | Hot Dogs And Fried Rice

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

China's known for its fried rice; it's not known for its hot dogs. Still, there are plenty of spots in the Middle Kingdom to grab one these days. Of c...

Elementary | Washing Clothes On The Road

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nobody likes taking too much with them when traveling. However, some of us just don't like washing their clothes when on the road. This lesson concern...

Newbie | I'm Really Full!

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While on your side of the world a “waving one hand while the other rests on the belly” gesture indicates “no more,” here it’s taken more as ...

Elementary | Rich And Poor

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ah the income gap - a prevalent issue in China and many other parts of the world. Most of us are struggling forward to rise to the next income bracket...

Newbie | Feeling Nauseous

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So, you got a little sick being flung around the backseat of that cab on the way over? Now, some poor cab driver is freezing his long-nailed fingers o...

Elementary | Which Friend?

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“So… you’ll never guess who I bumped into! You know, about 5′8″, dark hair….” Yeah, good luck with that. We’re thinking that a lesson ...

Newbie | Do You Want To Go Together?

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a coffee break. In this lesson, learn how to ask your friend if they want to go with you on a trip to the convenience store for some cof...

Elementary | Common Measure Words

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While “how much” is usually reserved for all the bargaining you do here, it can also be used for “quantifying things,” meaning that you need t...

Newbie | Being Seated In A Restaurant

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The maître d’ asks (in Chinese) “how many “--but you don’t understand, and resort back to your old days of “greasing the palm.” So she se...

Elementary | Good Cops And Bad Thieves

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Children are well-known for their boundless curiosity. It can be heartwarming and wonderful to behold on occasion, but if you're a parent, you're well...

Newbie | How Old Is Your Brother?

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Younger brothers can sometimes be a nuisance, breaking your things or asking you an endless amount of questions (kids are curious, after all). But mor...

Elementary | The Olympic Marathon

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oh, you’ll find yourself in that uncomfortable situation, the one where you come here to visit us, and the guy next to you starts talking (in Chines...

Newbie | A Self-Introduction

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's newbie lesson will teach all of you who've just started learning Chinese how to give a basic self-introduction. We admit, this framework may n...

Elementary | Beijing Olympics: Opening Ceremony

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve been waiting for this moment for years. Finally, the Olympics are here and you won’t have to hear about them anymore. No, but really, the O...