ChinesePod - Intermediate
Episodes
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...
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...