ChinesePod - Beginner

Newbie | Where's The Garbage?

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Once again, we respect your individuality. Thus the choices: When you need to throw that “baozi” napkin away, you can either make a “throwing”...

Elementary | Dinner Guest

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

That “Cocktail Party” lesson got you an invite to dinner, and you even went as far to buy the traditional gift of “duck neck” to hand over to ...

Newbie | Valentine's Day Gift

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is common workplace knowledge that the reason Rian the Intern took a long sabbatical a few months back was because he was so deeply touched by “L...

Elementary | Valentine's Day

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wo ai ni. I love you. I mean it. Look at these flowers i bought you, and these chocolates. And this card... it is a Hallmark day after all. Nothing sa...

Newbie | What Is This Called?

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Not that you’d ever find yourself in a position to identify what something is (this said we we’re still recovering from the “calf brain” we un...

Elementary | Where Are Your Classmates From?

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first day of college, and a younger sister is asking lots of questions about the older brother's classmates. The three de's Episode link: htt...

Newbie | First Day at School

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Getting lost is an inevitable problem even you have Google Maps on your phone. Sometimes we still have to ask someone for help. So today, we’re goin...

Elementary | Chinese New Year Fireworks

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The fact that they invented them means that they can set them off all night (and we do mean ALL night) – but what does a parental talk before the fi...

Newbie | What Do You Want To Eat?

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Take a deep breath. It's time to order your first meal in Chinese. Luckily, many restaurants in China have picture menus which makes ordering a matter...

Elementary | Leaving Early For CNY

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the day before Chinese New Year and everyone is antsy to get home to have dinner with their families. Some employees are able to get off work ear...

Newbie | Which Tone?

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The tones of Mandarin Chinese are a challenge for every learner. You don't just master tones in a week; it's a lengthy process. One thing you're going...

Elementary | What Do You Do When You Rest?

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the second video starring guest host Dan, we discuss a dialogue between two co-workers. One of them is very inquisitive, asking lots of questions a...

Newbie | What's That In Chinese?

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you're first learning Chinese, it's pretty tough to express your basic opinions, needs, and desires when you don't know the names of the various ...

Elementary | Do You Live Alone?

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone's got different preferences for living situations. Living with roommates can be vexing for those who desire personal space but a necessity fo...

Newbie | Thank You And Sorry

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No matter how linguistically well-prepared you may be when you visit China for the first time (all thanks to ChinesePod, of course!), you'll still ine...

Elementary | Fast Food

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In certain groups, McDonalds has been renamed the “McEmbassy” – and no matter how much you tell yourself you won’t, you will end up caving in ...

Newbie | Can I Drink Water Here?

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There're always people breaking rules, such as eating in a library or taking pictures in a museum. Do you want to stop them but don't know how? In thi...

Elementary | Homesick

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s hard enough explaining “biscuits and gravy” to other countries, not to mention missing mom and her kitchen. So, when that long face is chew...

Newbie | Definitely!

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While “nothing is absolute”, we shudder to imagine a world without tying someone down…erm, metaphorically speaking, of course. In this podcast, ...

Elementary | Hostel Curfew

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Staying at hostels in China are an excellent way to travel for the cash-strapped tourist and tend to be, in our experience, clean, tidy and full of fr...

Newbie | This Is My Wechat ID

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone who has lived in China knows that you can't make any new friends without Wechat! Today, in this newbie dialogue, we're showing you how to ask p...

Elementary | Commuting Options

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Subway, taxi, or bus? This is the common commuting conundrum faced by any number of working Chinese throughout the country. Listen in as two coworkers...

Newbie | New Year

01 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When the countdown to midnight begins, you never know who you’re going to be standing next to. In this lesson, learn how to talk about how you plan ...

Elementary | New Year's Eve Party

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for the countdown! The New Year is just hours away. In this lesson, two friends discuss their New Year's Eve plans. Learn the Chinese word f...

Newbie | New Year's Song

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's face it, "Auld Lang Syne" is getting just a little bit stale, so we've come up with a new New Year's song. It's gonna sweep the globe. In Mandar...

Elementary | Christmas Dinner

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's ChinesePod lesson we're at the dinner table on Christmas, digging into some delicious home-cooked food. Join us and discover how to describ...

Newbie | Christmas Surprise

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You just got that karaoke machine you've wanted for ages. How do you express your delight in Mandarin Chinese? Listen to today's podcast! P.S. For tho...

Elementary | Christmas Presents

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“Do they know it’s Christmastime at allllllll....” - while John and Ken fight over who gets to sing the Spandau Ballet part, in this podcast we’...

Newbie | A Present from Santa Claus

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A crazy man with a white fu manchu and white hair seems to have infiltrated your house. You get your nunchucks out from under your bed, poised to kara...

Elementary | Spending Christmas in China

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When living in China, going back to one's home country for Christmas can be difficult. Christmas isn't an official holiday in China and the place that...

Newbie | Your Receipt

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve spent any time in China, or plan to, you’ll notice a strange piece of paper being asked for at the end of meals/cab rides/etc. What is i...

Elementary | Christmas Carols

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone's heard the song Jingle Bells. But did you know that there's a Chinese version of this Christmas classic? We kid you not. Listen to this less...

Newbie | How Are You?

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nervous about how to get past that initial “good morning”? Well, nothing better than to ask a question, naturally, “how are you?” Here’s a g...

Elementary | Christmas In Chinese

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Time has flown by and once again it's time to deck the halls, hang the stockings, put up the Christmas tree and eagerly await Santa's arrival. Today's...

Newbie | Come Sit Some Time

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we are going to look at a common dialogue between a guest and a host. We will show you how to invite someone to visit next time, and h...

Elementary | Mysterious Visitor

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Picture this: it’s a dark night, and someone’s all tucked in. Alone in the house, each creak seems to come directly at her. So when the doorknob s...

Newbie | Hello And Goodbye

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Greetings and farewells: the indispensable tools for striking up and ending conversations. If you don't want to appear entirely socially inept, you sh...

Elementary | Repaying A Debt

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If a good friend asks to borrow a little bit of money from us, we'll probably oblige 99% of the time without setting up any repayment parameters. But ...

Newbie | Pandas In Chengdu

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So you've hiked the Great Wall, explored the wonders of the Forbidden City, marveled at the Bund; you've exhausted the top-tier tourist attractions of...

Elementary | Views On Contact Lenses

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ironic that the person sucking the marrow out of a bone at dinner would be somewhat timid about wearing contact lenses, but it happened (at least, in ...

Newbie | Can You Take A Photo For Me?

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This new lesson is about a major problem for people when traveling alone. And that is taking pictures of yourself! Yes you can always take selfies, bu...

Elementary | Introducing One's Children

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is a lesson for all those proud parents out there. What’s better than showing off your cute offspring to those you meet? So, listen in on this ...

Newbie | Explaining Your Occupation

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“So… what do you do?” While that might sound like a “Singles’ Night” introduction, we mean it… seriously (you should see our faces right...

Elementary | Elevator Emergency

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Despite most buildings here not having a 4th floor (whoooooooo), occasionally potential disaster still strikes (dum-Dum-DUM). So what would it sound l...

Newbie | Useful Phrases #1

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With these basic sentences you’ll be able to sound like a pro even if you only started studying Chinese five minutes ago. In this lesson, learn some...

Elementary | Weather And Seasons

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A place of extremities, our Shanghai: blistering in the summer and arctic in the winter. All worth it for the autumn though. Fancy a “talk about the...

Newbie | When And What Time?

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you're planning a trip, it's important to know the dates and arrival times for your plane, train, boat, or whatever mode of transportation you're...

Elementary | Just A Flesh Wound

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learning how to “be a man” and walk off that scrape that secretly makes you cry is important in impressing the other sex. So, follow along with ou...

Newbie | Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You proudly made it out of the airport, into a taxi and found your way to the hotel! While you’ve been busy taking an orange out of the basket, we’...

Elementary | Which Sports Do You Like?

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Which sports do YOU like? Do you like Soccer, or perhaps a spot of badminton. Do you dabble with ping pong or perhaps a bit of rugger on a Sunday morn...

Newbie | Miss, Is This Yours?

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever tried to talk to a stranger on the street? Maybe you’re trying to get someone’s attention because he dropped something on the floor ...

Elementary | Furniture

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“Come on over,” they say, “We’ve a furnished apartment for you!” “Great,” you think – until you get there. The bed is a foot and a hal...

Newbie | Weekend Appointments

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, you're going to learn how to ask people's weekend plans and how to say Häagen-Dazs in Chinese. See if you can spot it in the dialogue...

Elementary | Pregnancy

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You know all the terms, from “bun in the oven” to “pregos,” so why not add another phrase to that wicked repertoire, and learn it in Mandarin?...

Newbie | Taxi Conversations: Arriving at your Destination

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

More “Traveler’s Audio Phrase Book” phrases in Mandarin Chinese for you. In this podcast, we tackle arrivals. When your loyal taxi man gets you ...

Elementary | Past Experience With 过 guò

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

过/過/guò is a past experience marker in Chinese, but what does that mean, and how do we use it in conversation? Listen to this dialogue about a fr...

Newbie | Taxi Conversations: Suggesting A Route

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Another useful lesson for your “Traveler’s Audio Phrase Book”, in this podcast we assist you in using Mandarin Chinese to suggest a route to tak...

Elementary | Encouraging Words

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, we know you’re going to make your voice sound like the guy in the film when you say “you can do it!”--and that’s okay. What’s not okay ...

Newbie | One Egg Tart, Please

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that humans can't live without snacks...uhh...no, I mean food. So knowing how to order food and knowing what the server says are really es...

Elementary | Make-up

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While you might underestimate a lesson on lipstick, eye shadow, etc, you’d be surprised how relaxing it is to put on after a long day at the office....

Newbie | Taxi Conversations: Destination

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve used the last lesson on taxis to get into a cab (or put your headphones in the ears of an unsuspecting driver), but now what? Let him take yo...

Elementary | Character Mind Map: 老 old

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Chinese, you often encounter single characters that have multiple related meanings. This has the potential to confuse learners because sometimes it...

Newbie | Taxi Conversations: Finding A Taxi

29 Sep 2021

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 | Borrowing And Returning

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Despite many an inter-office email on “please don’t make the intros your own therapy” we simply cannot ignore today’s topic and the fact that ...

Newbie | The Pen Is Out Of Water

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this newbie lesson, we are looking for some common office supplies, and in doing so, you have to learn how to use the sentence structure 没...了....

Elementary | I Can't Find My Glasses!

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We know how much you hate losing things (mind, especially), and we do too. We also know that if you don’t have your glasses, you can’t read these ...

Newbie | Directions & Transportation

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this newbie lesson, we're going to show you how to ask for directions in Chinese, as well as how to say all the different directions, let's get sta...

Elementary | I Want To Play

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Not that we ever had friends calling our name from outside asking us to join the “cool kids” and play, but with our “cool listeners only” rule...

Newbie | Watch Out At The Light

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this Newbie lesson, Joe and Joy will show us a catchy slogan which would come in handy when you’re crossing the streets, and we’re also going t...

Elementary | Don't Do That!

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A few subway tips you might not be aware of: 1. The process of letting those on the subway off before boarding has not yet caught on; 2. Mobile ring t...

Newbie | I Am Not That Hungry

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn will show you a useful sentence to politely turn down someone’s invitation to a meal, and you'll also learn how to expre...

Elementary | Massage Therapy

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

"LaoWise” is a ChinesePod series aimed at aiding expats in China. She might be all of 5’2” and 50 – but those knuckles dig deep into the arch ...

Newbie | I'm Not Chinese

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You might look the part, you might sound the part, but you’re not actually Chinese. So how would you go about telling someone that although you migh...

Elementary | Continued Tone Change Series #6 - I Miss You

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our previous newbie tone change series, we have introduced the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Just like ma...

Newbie | Please Speak Slowly

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As mentioned previously, uttering “xiexie” and “nihao” seem to automatically put you in the bracket of “fluent”, meaning they’re going t...

Elementary | Having Food Delivered

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the, ahem, “affordability” of DVD’s here, you might find yourself three seasons into a show you’ve never even heard of (see: “The Prete...

Newbie | Master, I'll Be Late

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I know what you're thinking, "Is this a lesson about Chinese Kung Fu?" Well, not really, sorry for the misleading thumbnail. Instead in this lesson, w...

Elementary | Pronunciation Correction

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Oh, it will happen – right after the cab driver who you just told “I don’t speak Chinese” starts drawing Chinese characters on the window with...

Newbie | Happy Birthday

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Quick – name things that you love! 1. ChinesePod 2. Cake That’s right! So what’s the only thing we could include to make this a very special day...

Elementary | Chengyu Series: Nine Buffaloes And One Hair

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chengyu are Chinese idioms that consist of four characters. Although they originate from classical Chinese, Chengyu remain as an important aspect in b...

Newbie | This Is Mine!

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you were that kid in school who hated sharing, then we strongly suggest hypnotherapy before attending a meal here. Food, laughs and sometimes even ...

Elementary | The Doggy Bag

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Oh sure – you come over with a good 6 inches on the average Chinese person, thinking that half-a-foot will make you the leader in FAT (Food Acquisit...

Newbie | I Am Very Good At Cooking

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we're going to show you how to ask others about their ability, and how to express (or show off) that you're really good at somethin...

Elementary | How Embarrassing!

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yes – we’ve prepared you for the language side of things, but there are some situations that just can’t be prepared for (see: using an “Easter...

Newbie | Stand Up

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Even if you’re going to get by for the first while learning a new language using the universal language, charades, you’ll love to learn these init...

Elementary | Nationalities

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With your “I Climbered The Grate Well” t-shirt and dual-fisted approach to chopsticks, it should come as no shock that you’re not blending in as...

Newbie | Thirsty For Water

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So, you’re thirsty… for water. Now, believe it or not, some shopkeepers will give you tea when you ask for water. In fact, others will even offer ...

Elementary | Skincare: Sunscreen

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fact: Should you ever get away to the gorgeous town of Qingdao, you might be amazed at how many people aren’t on the beach during the day. Tan is mo...

Newbie | Playing Cards

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s hard to keep that poker face when you face your Mandarin speaking opponents, tongue-tied. So, before you sit down to a card game, listen to thi...

Elementary | Getting A Date

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We don’t allow ugly (on the inside) people to listen (work here, yes, but not listen), so of course, when you come here to visit us, you will end up...

Newbie | The Door

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If it’s not obvious already -- we’re nerds. Nerdy enough to spend far too much money on a sound effects CD. So simply bear with us in this podcast...

Elementary | Going To Church

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a land of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam – and now Christianity – a quick sermon on how to identify your own religion might help. In thi...

Newbie | Stopping The Taxi

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You might find yourself chuckling so loud at the “No Drunkards or Psychos” rule in the back of Shanghai taxis that you forget to tell the driver w...

Elementary | Adding Credit To A Cellphone

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A few things you can’t live without upon arriving: 1. Toilet paper (oh – you laugh now, but trust us) 2. ChinesePod 3. A mobile phone …now, we h...

Newbie | I'm Cold!

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it’s snowing out and finally realize that the reason there is no thermostat in your apartment is because there is actually no central heating, ...

Elementary | Musical Instruments

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Granted, even we can’t say “pipa” without giggling, and still feel the need to grab the “erhu” and do a scissor kick, but it won’t stop us...

Newbie | Feminine Products

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A man writes these intros. He doesn’t have a “special time” each month. He also realizes that being funny about needing feminine products isn’...

Elementary | A Walk In The Park

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, using ChinesePod makes learning Mandarin a walk in the park – thank you. But this lesson is actually about walking in the park--not the in the ...

Newbie | Black Or Green Tea

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You know (from watching Tom Hanks save the world again) that lemon or milk depends on the brew, but would you be able to order a proper cup of PG Tips...

Elementary | Here Is Your Change

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Surely you never thought that having change could be so important. However, when you pull out one of the “hundred dollar bills” (not as much as it...