ChinesePod - Intermediate

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...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 9: Final Mission (Part 3)

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Detective Li and Xiao You pursue a terrorist threat known only as "Black Cat," Xiao You heads back to headquarters while Detective Li pur...

Intermediate | Adjusting the Temperature

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Air conditioning has quickly become an indispensable part of modern Chinese life, especially in cities like Shanghai. "Air conditioning with Chin...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 8: Final Mission (Part 2)

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While Detective Li pursues a fleeting shadow alone, Xiao You returns to headquarters where she rediscovers her mentor's mysterious locked drawer. ...

Intermediate | Going to the Toy Store

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're following a mother and her daughter to the toy store. Unfortunately for this mom, there's nothing her child doesn't want! Lear...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 7: Final Mission (Part 1)

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part one of this five-part story, an emergency meeting at the station reveals that the mysterious "Black Cat" is making some serious terr...

Intermediate | Fans at Andy Lau's Concert

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ChinesePod is heading to a concert - not just any concert, but one of megastar Andy Lau's. Join us today to learn the Chinese you'll need to k...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 6: The Bloody Love Triangle (Part 2)

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Three bodies, a trail of bloody footprints, and some serious violence. Last episode Detective Li and his partner Xiao You arrived on the grisly scene,...

Intermediate | A Magazine Subscription

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this age of web portals, blogs, and apps, you don't hear a lot of talk about the class printed-on-paper magazine. Not only are magazines popula...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 5: The Bloody Love Triangle (Part 1)

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Three bodies, a trail of bloody footprints, and some serious violence. This episode Detective Li and his partner Xiao You arrive on the grisly scene a...

Intermediate | Catching a Train

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever been late catching a train you'll know the anxiety that sets in when that very train starts boarding - and you're still stu...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 4: The Circus Troupe

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part 4 of the series, the indomitable Detective Li and his faithful partner Xiao You find themselves summoned to the scene of a burglary... in a ci...

Intermediate | Yellow Mountain

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Yellow Mountain, or 黄山 (huángshān) is one of China's most important tourist destinations. Situated in Anhui province, its landscapes call to...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 3: The Broken Glass

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The story continues, and we learn in this episode that Detective Li is an eccentric man who may be hiding a few secrets. We also take a break from the...

Intermediate | Organic Food

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Organic food has been available in most supermarkets in places like the US for a while now. Over the last five years China has experienced a boom in t...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 2: The Mysterious Text Message

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part 2 of this detective story, Detective Li and his assistant Xiao You obtain a coded message from an infamous drug dealer. As usual, Li's pro...

Intermediate | How was your flight?

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're here to pick someone up from the airport today. Learn not only how to discuss this important action, but also some essentials for small talk...

Upper-intermediate | Detective Li 1: The Bath House Murder

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part 1 of this detective story, we follow Detective Li and his assistant Xiao You on a trip to the bath house. Follow along and learn some Chinese ...

Intermediate | World Cup Talk

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So you've had some time to get into the World Cup. How do you describe your favorite players? What are the Chinese names of two of the world's...

Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 10: Postnatal Recuperation

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In China, the month after childbirth for the new mother is subject to a number of strict rules and careful precautions to make sure she recovers prope...

Intermediate | Fun at the Beach

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Summer is here and it's time to go to the beach. Join us today as we cover the essentials for having a good time in the sand and in the water. And...

Upper-intermediate | The Stepmother Role

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, a concerned mother learns that her daughter is dating a man with a child from a previous marriage. Do you think she's going to hap...

Intermediate | A Tour of Xi'an

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Take a trip with ChinesePod as we visit one of China's most famous cities: Xi'an! From the Qin Shi Huang's famous Terracotta Warriors to d...

Upper-intermediate | Interesting Architecture

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're familiar at all with Shanghai's modern Pudong skyline, you know that "interesting" is a good way to describe it. And with ...

Intermediate | Insecticide

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

No one wants bugs or vermin in their homes. These little pests seem to appear more often in the hot months. So tune in to today's lesson about ins...

Upper-intermediate | Hard Drive Storage

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Now that Moore's Law has gotten bored with desktop computers and moved on to smartphones, we don't often find ourselves replacing entire offic...

Intermediate | Sina's Microblogs

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First there was blogging, then there was microblogging. Your life in 140 characters or less! Tune in to today's lesson on social media to learn mo...

Intermediate | Blown Fuse

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You know the situation: you're rocking out to Guitar Hero in your PJ's and you're about to hit that whammy bar when - suddenly - the light...

Upper-intermediate | Management Localization

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Chinese lesson, ChinesePod marketing manager Kay rounds off her three-point localization list with point number three: localizing management. ...

Intermediate | A Tour of the Office

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ChinesePod has visitors today and they're getting the full tour of the office! Find out how to make small talk and give basic directions to people...

Upper-intermediate | Buying High Quality DVDs

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret that most of the DVDs sold in China are not what you might call "legit." But with this Chinese lesson we're just goin...

Intermediate | Fog or Smog?

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's ChinesePod lesson we're headed back to our hometown. Lots of things have changed, some of them good and some of them not. Learn all...

Upper-intermediate | Sales Localization

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You didn't think that localization stopped at the product, did you? The interview series with real-life marketing manager Kay continues in this le...

Intermediate | Daddy Changes a Diaper

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone loves babies, right? Well today's lesson will cover some essential language for talking about (and to) these little bundles of joy! You&#...

Upper-intermediate | Product Localization

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So many companies dream of selling their products to China's billion consumers. But selling to China means localizing for China, and not just any ...

Intermediate | Kinds of Nuts

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nuts come in all shapes and sizes - and some people say eating them will even make you smarter. Join us today as we browse many varieties of this deli...

Upper-intermediate | Houyi and The Ten Suns

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that in the mythic past, the earth had ten suns taking turns warming it? That is, until legendary archer Houyi came along. Learn this cla...

Intermediate | Discussing Contract Renewal

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many times conversations about money in Chinese involve some kind of bargaining. In today's show we're exploring bargaining in a more formal s...

Upper-intermediate | Noodles and Child Labor

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you order some noodles, and the person that delivers them to your office is a child, is it a case of child labor? Different cultures don't see ...

Intermediate | Las Vegas

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Elvis chapels and exotic animals. Magicians and pyramids. Sin city has it all. Learn how to talk about Las Vegas in Chinese with today's show. And...

Upper-intermediate | The Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

China is a bit list-crazy, and among its myriad lists is the "Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism" list. Listen to this Chinese lesson, learn ...

Intermediate | Monopoly, Uno, or Twister?

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today ChinesePod is exploring classic games. From the intense world of real estate to the physical challenges of contorting your body, we're explo...

Upper-intermediate | Phone Call from a Headhunter

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's upper-intermediate level lesson is essential for anyone trying to improve their ability to discuss marketing and advertising related issue...

Intermediate | Travel by Tour Group

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Traveling in China can be a bit different than what some tourists are used to. Many people opt to travel as a part of a tour group (you've all see...

Upper-intermediate | Celebrating a Baby's First Month

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In Chinese culture, there's a special celebration when a baby turns one month old. The gift-giving details can be a little confusing, even to the ...

Intermediate | Meeting the Girlfriend's Parents

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A nerve-wracking situation in any culture, today we're meeting the girlfriend's parents. Will they be impressed or disappointed in their daugh...

Upper-intermediate | Honeymoon Destinations

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new generation of Chinese honeymooners are looking abroad for exotic yet affordable destination options. In this lesson, hear about the benefits of ...

Intermediate | Special Green Hat

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gifts range from the practical to the extravagant, and in today's lesson we're learning about both the language and culture of gift-giving in ...

Upper-intermediate | Getting a License Plate

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The growing number of drivers in China is a big deal for the government; there's not enough room on the roads for 1.3 billion cars, especially in ...

Intermediate | Shanghai Expo Pavilions

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With Expo fever in full swing, we're getting into the nitty-gritty of the event itself. Having already covered how to buy tickets and Haibao, the ...

Upper-intermediate | Bringing Pets into China

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe you showed up in China with nothing more than the clothes on your back and a sense of adventure, but some people bring a lot more... including p...

Intermediate | Asking for a Raise

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's lesson focuses on a conversation between an employee and his boss. Learn the language appropriate for dealing with superiors, and find out...

Upper-intermediate | New Employee in the Office

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When there's a new employee in the office, someone has to show them around and show them the ropes. In this "Intermediate to Upper Intermedia...

Intermediate | Flying a Kite

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As spring arrives, the parks are beginning to liven up again. In today's show, we'll be exploring a popular park activity: kite flying. Join u...

Upper-intermediate | Dodging Hong Kong Sales Tax

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the growing numbers of affluent Chinese mainlanders, Hong Kong is a shopping paradise. That is, until this year, when some new tax policies kicked...

Intermediate | Let's Just Be Friends

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, ChinesePod is exploring the four words no one ever wants to hear from the person they care about. Learn how to ask a friend to take things to t...

Upper-intermediate | International vs. Local Schools

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Foreigners raising their young children in China face a very difficult choice regarding schooling. Is it better to send one's child to a local sch...

Intermediate | Buying a Shirt

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's a mad dash to make the best of today's killer discount! Find out how to describe clothing sizes and styles in today's shopping-focuse...

Upper-intermediate | Concern over a Love Letter

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"My mind is filled with your lovely smiling face. Your sweet smile warms up this frigid winter. Can I still see you tomorrow - in that secluded place?...

Intermediate | Chinese Zodiac Birth Year

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder why you see some people in China wearing a little bit of red every single day? Well we've got an interesting explanation for you in to...

Upper-intermediate | Discussing Divorce

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's lesson features a very serious topic that affects many families. Learn not only how to talk about divorce in Chinese, but also learn about the...

Intermediate | A Cell Phone Ad on TV

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The language of sales and advertising is very unique. It's meant to get you excited enough to run to the store and buy that brand new cell phone y...

Upper-intermediate | Facing Bankruptcy

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It takes a lot of hard work to build a business, but sometimes things go wrong. You may have taken various measures to get the company back on track, ...

Intermediate | Leaky Pipes and Faucets

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Drip. Drip. Drip... we've got a leaky faucet today - time to call the plumber! Learn some great plumbing terms that will help you get your bathroo...

Upper-intermediate | River Town Tourism

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For all those tourists who have showed up in China dismayed at the modern economies and booming metropolises, the tourism industry has an answer, and ...