ChinesePod - Beginner
Episodes
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...
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...