ChinesePod - Beginner

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...

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...