ChinesePod - Beginner

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...

Newbie | Business Cards (original)

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

They’re handed out for any and every reason…but what do you say? “Thanks” might seem a little bland, but then again, “WOW! You’ve such fin...

Elementary | Going To The Doctor

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A big house full of needles, beds with restraints and gloves that are lubed for a reason and you still think “winging it” at the hospital will get...

Newbie | Ouch!

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fact: no matter how prepared you are for it; you will take that piece of chicken and bite down hard. Fact: most chicken here comes still on the bone, ...

Elementary | He's Boring

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hard as it is to believe, as we look out our window to people doing tai chi in pajamas and 6:00am ballroom dancing with perfect hair--there might be a...

Newbie | I'm Hungry!

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Although we don’t foresee you—after being force-fed fruit an hour after a 14-dish meal (on those cool tables that spin around)—suffering from “...

Elementary | Baby Talk: Your Baby Looks Like You!

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Explaining in another language that you “have your father’s eyes” is dangerous, seeing as a simple grammatical mistake could mean you actually t...

Newbie | Baby Talk: Friends Song

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No, it’s not the Proclaimer’s one hit – nor is it Tinky Winky’s (too controversial, even for our Saturday Show) tune – but we do have an ole...

Elementary | Haircuts

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Few things in life are certain: 1. Life 2. Death 3. A non-English speaking barber might struggle in getting that “feathered” look you’re after S...

Newbie | The Olympics

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We don’t know if you heard but, (if not—were you on Mars?) Beijing’s got the Olympics here in 2008. So we thought we’d make sure you can hold ...

Elementary | Character Mind Map: 蛋 Egg

11 Jun 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 | Hotel Essentials

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Now you’ve used your Mandarin skills to find the hotel, check-in, order in some room service—but wait! There is something essential you forgot to ...

Elementary | Continued Tone Change Series #5: Ordering Dumplings

07 Jun 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 | What Character?

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You just thought the “what’s that, what’s this” went out at 7 years old…wrong. From the moment you realize that 山 means (and looks like a)...

Elementary | Chengyu Series: Seven Up And Eight Down

02 Jun 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 | Mailing A Letter

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s face it, all excuses aside, you learn Chinese to be cool – the same reason we buy gifts abroad for people, the same reason we send postcards...

Elementary | Have You Been To Beijing?

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Know the difference between “Wang Fu Jing” and “Nan Jing Lu”? In one place you can find “The Bund”, in the other you’ll eat a “bun”…...

Newbie | Stomach Trouble

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Indonesia it’s “Bali Belly,” Mexico “Montezuma’s Revenge,” and in China… commonplace. There’s a good chance that despite how tasty ...

Elementary | This Room Is Too Small

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The fact that ChinesePod’s size 12 foot gets laughed out of every shop in town should clue you into something…you’re big, they are not. Realizin...

Newbie | Lost Luggage

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ask anyone who’s flown into Pudong Int’l Airport and we promise that the words “laid-back” and “relaxing” will never cross their lips. So ...

Elementary | Do I Look Good In This?

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We know all ChinesePod learners wanna look cool, so when we realized you might leave the house wearing something a little lacking that “je ne sais q...

Newbie | I Love China!

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Things that will get you the best seat in the “jia”: 1. Saying “I love Yao Ming!” 2. Saying “I love Chinese food!” 3. Saying “I love Chi...

Elementary | Do You Have Vegetables?

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Any one of us here will tell you the golden rule of dining: Never, we mean never, ask what kind of meat it is. So, should you care to counter that “...

Newbie | Little Friends

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If your height, hair color, eyelashes, and big feet somehow don’t scare off the kiddo cowering behind his mother’s leg, you might find yourself wi...

Elementary | Where's My Class?

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Forget wedgies, spit-balls and unsuccessfully trying to hold number one until after nap-time; if you can’t find your class, it’s going to be a bad...

Newbie | No, Thank You!

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Any stroll down Wangfujing or Nanjing Lu will tell you the shops aren’t the only ones selling. Constant “hallo!’s” tailed with “bag?” “w...

Elementary | Character Mind Map: 包 Bag

05 May 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 | Too Expensive!

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We know you would *never* lower yourself to buying a “Rolax” here and passing it off as an original for someone’s birthday, but we’re sure tha...

Elementary | What Do You Do?

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve helped you get through that initial “hi”, “thanks” and “where is the toilet” (all you need, really), but you’d like to stop talk...

Newbie | I'm Here For An Interview

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You walk in, use your previously learned ChinesePod lessons to give the secretary your name and a quick “ni hao.” She does the same. What comes ne...

Elementary | A Ticket To Suzhou

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“In the sky there’s heaven, on the earth there’s Suzhou”. Coming in as the 335th city the Chinese call “Venice of the East”, it would be a...

Newbie | How Do You Say...?

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Every once and a while, we like to give you options, and today is no exception. If you want to ask someone, “how can I say this in Chinese?” you c...

Elementary | You're Late Again!

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You come here, you set up shop, even hire an assistant who’s nice enough to show up 45 minutes late everyday allowing you to ease in to your day. Yo...

Newbie | Using A Credit Card

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For a million yuan, a ChinesePod pop quiz: Q. You could be asked 2 things at the cash register. One is “paper or plastic,” and the other is “___...

Elementary | I Don't Have Time

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No doubt if you’re learning Mandarin, you’ve seen a picture of Nanjing Lu or Wangfujing. Now, very quickly, name three adjectives to describe the ...

Newbie | Transportation

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We know that deep down, there’s a person in ya that wants to combine “On the Road” with “Journey to the West”, and we think that’s just gr...

Elementary | Disliking Others

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have recently come under attack for being too “puppy dogs and ice cream” (meaning you’ve not heard of the “no eye-contact” rule for our i...