ChinesePod - Intermediate

Upper-intermediate | Table Manners in the West

22 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's well-known that table manners can vary a bit from culture to culture, and that Chinese table manners can sometimes be interpreted as "in...

Intermediate | Car Crash

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Where do traffic and theater collide? On the streets of China, of course! Sometimes a very minor accident can result in quite exaggerated claims of in...

Upper-intermediate | Fan Death

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever heard of the "fan death" phenomenon, well-known in Korea? The theory is that sleeping in a room with closed doors and windows ...

Intermediate | Hide and Seek

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

So you're boning up on your Chinese in preparation for that epic trip to China. You're trying to cover all the bases. But have you prepared fo...

Upper-intermediate | Money Laundering Operation

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Don't you hate it when you have millions of RMB (which you claim you won legally gambling in Macau), but don't have a way of discreetly "...

Intermediate | Food Poisoning

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chinese cuisine boasts some of the most varied and tasty dishes in the world. But if you're new to this land, there's a good chance you'll...

Upper-intermediate | Hypnosis Therapy

09 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Usually being under someone's spell isn't such a good thing (just ask Brett Favre), but oddly enough, new methods of therapy that utilize hypn...

Intermediate | Introducing Oneself to the Neighbors

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a world where next-door neighbors are frequently strangers. But it doesn't have to be that way! As a learner of Chinese, you need to ge...

Upper-intermediate | Hiring an Intern

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It seems like an internship is the new "senior thesis." And it's a good thing for business because hey, those interns are cheap! Learn t...

Intermediate | License Plate Characters

29 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chinese license plates are, of course, "license plates with Chinese characteristics," so they each have a Chinese character on them. These c...

Upper-intermediate | Bel Canto

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Finally, a ChinesePod lesson for all our opera-loving listeners. Well, not so much operas themselves but bel canto, a world-renowned singing style tha...

Intermediate | Plans for Children?

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There are certain personal questions you can expect to be asked in China. Some of them are financial in nature, but others are even more personal. Men...

Upper-intermediate | Chinese Gamer Culture

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

ChinesePod's back with another lesson for all you gamers out there, with a Chinese tilt. We'll cover computer games and console games, plus ho...

Intermediate | Duty-free Products

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we talk about the glorious modern Chinese tradition of "substitute buying." Making a trip from China to the States or Europe...

Upper-intermediate | Employee Exercises

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There exists a somewhat uncommon and eccentric business practice utilized by certain companies in China: "military-style management." Predic...

Intermediate | Substitute Teacher

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Teaching is hard work, so every now and then you might need to come up with an excuse to take a week off, like "surgery" or something. But b...

Upper-intermediate | Calculating Salaries

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Salaries at home are confusing enough to calculate after taxes, but they're even more confusing when you're abroad and have no knowledge of lo...

Intermediate | Online Personality Test

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What could be more fun than filling out a simple form so that a website can tell you what kind of person you are? Listen in to this Chinese lesson, in...

Upper-intermediate | Applying for a Work Visa

08 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

"Z Visa," "Alien Employment License," "Foreigner Entry Visa Invitation Letter," "Temporary Residence Permit." ...

Intermediate | Chinese Baijiu and the Best of the Worst

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When the guys get together for dinner, you know there's going to be some drinking. And if they're at all traditional, it's not beer they&#...

Upper-intermediate | The Popular Decline of Calligraphy

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Calligraphy as an art form is one thing, but what about just having decent handwriting? Sadly, even that sign of "culture" is going by the w...

Intermediate | Discussing Basketball Teams

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a basketball fan, you should have no trouble making friends in China. If you want to do more than non-verbal cheering, though, you might...

Upper-intermediate | Signing a Lease

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Even if you're able to find an agent from a reliable real estate company to help you find the apartment of your dreams in China, you're still ...

Intermediate | Registering for a Dating Website

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ah, meeting people online... there was a time when such matters were routinely lied about, or only uttered in shameful whispers. We're way past th...

Upper-intermediate | Saved by the Gong: Physics

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Back to school! In this edition of ChinesePod's "Saved by the Gong" series, physics students learn the principles of buoyancy. What caus...

Intermediate | I Changed My Mind

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The scene is a young couple's bedroom. He's dressed and ready to go, while she's only just begun the long process of outfit deliberation. ...

Upper-intermediate | Saved by the Gong: Preparing for an Exam

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You haven't been paying attention in class all semester and the exam's next week; it's going to take more than some serious cramming to ma...

Intermediate | Funerals and Consolation

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When a friend or co-worker tells you a relative has passed away, what do you say? You could probably use some help in this delicate situation. For one...

Upper-intermediate | Organizing a Marketing Event

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Your company's brand-new kimchee-flavored chocolate has been painstakingly perfected and is ready to hit store shelves. There's just one probl...

Intermediate | Flu Vaccination

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time of year, and a flu vaccination is probably a good idea. In this lesson, we follow a fearless child and her mother into the doctor&#...

Upper-intermediate | Preparing for the Ironman Race

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This lesson is for our boldest, hardiest, and most probably craziest users out there. We're listening in today as one such athlete discusses ironm...

Intermediate | Dialing a Nonlocal Phone Number

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you're like us, you know a lot of people, and you make a fair amount of calls with your cell phone. But every once in a while, you'll get t...

Upper-intermediate | Motivating a Team

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It can be difficult motivating a team. So what do you do when enthusiasm among your employees reaches an all-time low? Just fire the whole lot of them...

Intermediate | A Visit to the In-laws

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In case you haven't been inducted into any Chinese families, you should know up front that there are a few titles to learn. OK, maybe more than a ...

Upper-intermediate | Filling a Managerial Position

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When a high-level manager departs for greener pastures it's often difficult to find an able replacement. Today's dialogue features a debate be...

Intermediate | Dad behind the Video Camera

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

So dad's got the new digital video camera out, and he claims to know how to use it, but he's having a little trouble. Shaky hands, erratic zoo...

Upper-intermediate | Registering for 3G Service

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Remember when 3G was the must-have feature on every smartphone? Before lightning-fast 5G and unlimited data plans became the norm, getting a reliable ...

Upper-intermediate | An Urgent Call to the Embassy

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In these modern times, life is getting easier and easier. Cell phones and the internet make connecting with loved ones half a world away a simple matt...

Upper-intermediate | Mental Health Counseling

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today's ChinesePod lesson presents a dire situation: a young woman has dialed into a mental health hotline reporting domestic violence and threate...

Intermediate | End of CNY Party

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The end of year party just got a lot more exciting. First prize in the raffle is a car! Listen to the lesson to find out who wins! Episode link: https...

Intermediate | CNY Calligraphy Special (video)

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today's lesson is a bit different and quite special. We have a 20 minute Chinese New Year calligraphy lesson for you all to join in with. Join new...

Intermediate | A Rarely Washed Car

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With more and more Chinese citizens buying cars, the car wash business in big cities is booming. But that's not to say that every automobile owner...

Upper-intermediate | Discussing Old Jobs

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We hope all of our employed users have perfect jobs that are extremely fun and have great benefits and high salaries. Unfortunately, we have yet to me...

Intermediate | How to Protect the Environment

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone has a duty to protect the environment, and it starts with you! Far from just spewing grandiose platitudes, in this Chinese lesson we're p...

Upper-intermediate | The Secret Cash Stash

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's not uncommon in China for the wife in a marriage to have sole access to the family credit cards and bank accounts (the reason being to avoid ...

Intermediate | Sign Language in China

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You may not be surprised to learn that China has its own version of sign language, but do you know the role regional variation plays in Chinese sign l...

Upper-intermediate | Reading Fortunes

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Do you believe in astrology? Palm reading? Physiognomy? Feng shui? The Chinese tradition of reading facial features and palms is long and storied; whi...

Intermediate | Of Kings, Emperors, and Presidents

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The difference between kings, emperors, and presidents can be confusing to a child. Explaining the difference in Chinese, however, becomes crystal cle...

Upper-intermediate | The Seven Year Itch 5: Beyond the Itch

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The "Seven Year Itch" has ravaged and nearly destroyed the relationships of our saga, but it seems the epidemic has finally subsided. In the...

Intermediate | A Member of the 'Moonlight Clan'

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How does the word for "moonlight" refer to the modern Chinese worker's spending habits? Learn all about the secret life of the Chinese &...

Upper-intermediate | The Seven Year Itch 4: The End of the Itch

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We've witnessed the trials and tribulations endured by couples afflicted with the seven-year-itch: fierce arguments, suspect extramarital interact...

Intermediate | Blind Massage

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There are many massage options in China, and one of the popular ones is blind massage. What's special about blind massage? Tune in to this lesson ...

Upper-intermediate | The Seven Year Itch 3: Extramarital Involvement

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

ChinesePod brings you the next installment in our series on marital strife. One couple's marriage is in severe jeopardy after a husband's rath...

Intermediate | Farewell Dinner

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Parting is such sweet sorrow... except when it tastes like beer. In this lesson, a few 'bei's are 'gan'ned as an office throws a farew...

Upper-intermediate | The Seven Year Itch 2: Facing Divorce

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We return to the topic of the "seven year itch" to find another couple's marriage struggling. Additionally, a close friend's seeming...

Intermediate | Considering an iPad

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Now both Beijing and Shanghai have official Apple Stores, just in time for the release of the iPad. What do you think of the iPad? Revolution in compu...

Upper-intermediate | The Seven Year Itch

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Popularized by the 1955 Marilyn Monroe film, the "seven year itch" is a phrase which has found its way into Chinese culture, and, unfortunat...

Intermediate | One-Way Street Scuffle

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There's never a dull moment on the streets of China. This means you better be looking both ways even on one-way streets, and you must always be on...

Upper-intermediate | Extreme Weather and Pollution

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The weather has been a ghastly roller coaster of weirdness in recent years, and in China, many are taking a closer look at pollution. Specifically, we...

Intermediate | Utensils in the New Kitchen

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A move into a new home involves lots of excitement and lots of work. Inevitably, the first time you try to cook a meal in that new home, you'll di...

Upper-intermediate | Focus and Specialization

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you hear a big round of applause for your making it to Upper-Intermediate? You might find yourself in a learning plateau though. Take heart! This l...

Intermediate | Department Store Anniversary Sales

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When business is slow, it's a good time to have an department store "anniversary sale". Listen to a shop assistant subtly trick a custom...

Upper-intermediate | Self-Taught Degrees in China

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Few countries are as education-crazy as China, but what recourse is left for those that couldn't afford a higher level education right out of high...

Intermediate | Do You Buy Xmas Gifts?

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we hear a Chinese and British colleague chat about Christmas and how they will celebrate this holiday period. Seems like the Chinese colleague m...

Upper-intermediate | Preparing for Pain

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, an intrepid shopper is going through a rather long list of medical supplies as he receives assistance from the pharmacist. As for why ...

Intermediate | Reserving a Taxi Cab by Telephone

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Major cities in China have automated taxi cab reservation services. You make a phone call, listen to a recording, and then are put in touch with an op...

Upper-intermediate | Driving in China

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Driving in China has been likened to action films, video games, and even demolition derby. Make no mistake -- there are good reasons not to get behind...

Intermediate | A Short Haircut

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you prefer a high-end salon or that guy cutting hair under the bridge, this lesson will cover all the Mandarin Chinese a guy needs to simply m...

Upper-intermediate | Adopting a Chinese Child

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Chinese are well aware that many foreigners are adopting Chinese babies. Many of these foreigners even return to China with their children, introd...

Intermediate | Music Corner in the Park

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe you know about the weekly English corner in your local park, but did you know that there are also "music corners?" In China, these inf...

Upper-intermediate | Market Research 3: Assessing the Competition

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part three of this series, some serious research has been done on the motor home market in China. We're talking market share, we're talking...

Intermediate | Too Many Food Allergies

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've all met one of those people that seems to be allergic to everything. Sure, it's not their fault, but that doesn't stop others from b...

Upper-intermediate | Market Research 2: Management Report

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So the consumer survey on the potential motorhome market in China has been conducted, and now it's time to present the results to the boss. This l...

Intermediate | Construction

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Construction is everywhere in China's major cities. You can't avoid it, so you better learn how to talk about it. In this Chinese lesson, lear...

Upper-intermediate | Market Research 1: Consumer Survey

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There's a vast market of billions of consumers in China, so companies are clamoring to get their products in the door. But are all products right ...

Intermediate | Giving Instructions to the Ayi

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The middle-class Chinese custom of having an "ayi" (housekeeper) is one that most foreigners can get on board with right away. With the dome...

Upper-intermediate | Teaching Japanese Go

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Known in the West as "bizarro Othello" and "the thinking man's checkers," the game known as "go" in Japan and "...

Intermediate | It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the eternal "north vs. south" debate, one of the key issues is always climate. The north gets colder, it's true, but at least the air...

Upper-intermediate | The Night Club Experience

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you a hardcore clubber? Or are you more of a wannabe, hoping for just a little peek into that dark, loud world of music, alcohol, and one-night st...

Intermediate | Getting a Tattoo

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tattoos are commonplace among young women of many western countries, but what about in China? You might be surprised how many tattoos you'll see o...

Upper-intermediate | How to Weigh an Elephant

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chinese children grow up with a story about Cao Cao's son, Cao Chong, and his clever solution to the question of how to weigh an animal as enormou...

Intermediate | Getting the Correct Change

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In China there's a whole special language reserved for counting out change (and no, Shanghai poddies, we're not talking about Shanghainese!). ...

Upper-intermediate | Resume Revisions

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Remember the first time you wrote up your resume, and its 10 pages of vainglory? Recent university grads in China make the same mistake, and benefit f...

Intermediate | Reinstalling Windows

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How long have you been using that installation of Windows? Two years? Consider yourself lucky. Reinstalling the operating system is a necessary nuisan...

Upper-intermediate | The Working Hours Policy

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Formal Chinese can be a bit tricky at first. In this lesson, your trusty ChinesePod hosts dissect a typical announcement from HR, explaining in everyd...

Intermediate | Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After being shown multiple apartments by an agent and dealing with all kinds of grumpy potential landlords, the time has finally come to sign that lea...

Upper-intermediate | Travel Wedding

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Weddings in China have a long and glorious tradition. So much planning, so many guests, and a ton of protocol. But what if you could skip the whole ce...

Intermediate | Renting an Apartment through an Agent 3

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes you find an apartment you think you can be happy with, but it all comes down to the dealings with the landlord. What is the landlord's a...

Upper-intermediate | A Job Posting for Sales Representatives

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does a formal job posting in Chinese sound like? You're about to find out! In this lesson, we cover the cliche phrases you're bound to ru...

Intermediate | Renting an Apartment through an Agent, 2

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So you've found your agent, and the agent knows what type of place you're looking for. Now it's time for your potential future landlord to...

Upper-intermediate | BBQ and the Little Trumpet

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is a Chinese barbecue like? What do people eat? What is a "barbecue district"? What exactly is a "little trumpet"? Find out a...

Intermediate | Renting an Apartment through an Agent

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many people own their own apartments. However for those that rent, it's quite common to do so through a real estate agency. Learn some great langu...

Upper-intermediate | Retired Life

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does retirement mean to the Chinese elderly? Just pensions and a bunch of sitting around? Fortunately, some old folks have more interesting aspir...

Intermediate | Weighing Yourself on the Street

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Where do you go to weigh yourself? Your own bathroom? The doctor's office, perhaps? This Chinese lesson highlights one of those particular Chinese...

Upper-intermediate | iPhone vs Android

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Google's Android system for smartphones is quite popular in China, but the more expensive alternative, the iPhone, is also doing very well in the ...

Intermediate | Ordering Food for the Group

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ordering food in China is no simple matter. It's time to leave behind your Western "order my own portion" ways and embrace Chinese famil...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 11: Final Mission (Part 5)

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With Wang Qiang in custody and Detective Li out of harm's way, it seems the threat of the "Black Cat" has at long last been resolved. Wh...

Intermediate | Lhasa

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What China adventure is complete without a trip to majestic Lhasa? Learn all the Chinese you'll need to get yourself to Tibet and into the most fa...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 10: Final Mission (Part 4)

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the clutches of "Black Cat", Detective Li makes a desperate phone call and recalls a pivotal event in his sleuthing past. What will becom...

Intermediate | Help at the ATM

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In big cities in China, ATMs are everywhere, and many of them can even take foreign cards now. Of course, it's very useful to actually know how to...