ChinesePod - Intermediate | Podcast Transcripts & Episodes

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 ...

Intermediate | End of the Year Bonus Surprise

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's the end of the Chinese year, and you know what that means! No, we're not talking about long waits in the ticket line at the train station...

Upper-intermediate | Hanukkah

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, two radio announcers discuss the Jewish "Festival of Lights" in Chinese. Get the abridged history of the holiday along with ...

Intermediate | Choosing a New Pair of Glasses

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Choosing glasses is always a challenge, but throw in a system of glasses prescriptions completely different from any you're used to, and it's ...

Upper-intermediate | The Rising Cost of Food

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The rising cost of food is a social issue that can't be ignored. You'll hear the average Zhou on the street talking about it, and you'll s...

Intermediate | The Left-handed Child

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Being a parent means making tough decisions all the time. In today's podcast, we'll be learning about a very important parenting moment in an ...

Upper-intermediate | Considering LASIK Eye Surgery

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At least for the time being, a lot of things are cheaper in China than in the West. One that might not immediately come to mind is laser eye surgery. ...

Intermediate | Western Zodiac

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're leaving behind the rats, monkeys and tigers of the Chinese zodiac for Leo, Taurus and Sagittarius. Find out how to discuss your own si...

Upper-intermediate | Second-hand Bicycle

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Second-hand" isn't just one option when buying a bicycle; for many consumers, it's a whole way of life. In this lesson, we cover a ...

Intermediate | Computer Problems and Tech Support

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've all been there: you're in the middle of a big project, you're about to save, and... nothing. Your computer is frozen. Nothing to do ...

Upper-intermediate | Hospital Visits and Prescription Medication

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do you provide healthcare for a population of 1.4 billion? We don't know either, but this lesson takes a look at the more practical side of th...

Intermediate | Fire in the Hallway!

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you've been to China, you will have noticed the lack of fire detectors in homes and office buildings. We won't be solving this problem with...

Upper-intermediate | Band Practice

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Crank your amps up to 11; it's time for band practice! In this lesson you'll learn the Chinese to talk about getting ready for the big show, b...

Intermediate | Foot Therapy

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're in for a treat today - foot massages! But not just any foot massages... these will be medicinal foot soaks. Learn all about how the foot rel...

Upper-intermediate | Leeching off the Parents

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Adults that still live with their parents long past the time when they were expected to be financially independent are said to be "gnawing on the...

Intermediate | Addressing Family Members

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's intimidating enough meeting your spouse's family... today we're meeting the whole extended family, titles, relationships and all. Aft...

Upper-intermediate | Job Shopping in Modern China

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The days of the "iron rice bowl" are long gone, a daughter reminds her mother in this lesson. Just as in many other parts of the world, mode...

Intermediate | Having One's Nails Done

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What better way to spend an hour on Saturday than soaking your fingers, getting your hands massaged, and coming home with beautifully manicured nails?...

Upper-intermediate | Doing Business in the Bath House

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What goes on in a Chinese bath house? Maybe not all of it is fit for a family podcast, but in this lesson a husband insists that bath houses are rapid...

Intermediate | Voucher Promotion at the Mall

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone likes free money, right? But is there really such a thing as free money? Join us at ChinesePod today as we go shopping - and receive some vou...

Upper-intermediate | Taxable Salary

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ah, taxes... one of the few certainties in life, and the bane of our existence. Unfortunately, learning all the little quirks of the Chinese tax syste...

Intermediate | Wrapping a Gift

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As children we're told not to judge a book by its cover. That being said, if you spend hours, days, perhaps even weeks finding just the right Chri...

Upper-intermediate | Mudslide

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In August 7, 2010, there was a terrible mudslide in Gansu Province. In this lesson we hear not only a newscast related to the natural disaster, but al...

Intermediate | Hot Pot Chitchat

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Now that it's cold out, sitting around a boiling pot of broth for hours on end doesn't seem like such a bad idea. On the contrary! It is a ver...

Upper-intermediate | The Frog Prince in the Well

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know the story of the Frog Prince? Do you know the Chinese chengyu about frogs and wells? In this lesson, hear a children's fairytale infus...

Intermediate | Finding a Street Number

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever found yourself running late, navigating an unknown place, trying to find the address you had scribbled down in front of you? Well today we're...

Upper-intermediate | Working in the Countryside

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know all the work that goes into maintaining a rice paddy? And can you talk about it in Mandarin Chinese? In this lesson, a visitor to the coun...

Intermediate | A Phone Call to the Moving Company

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some people are minimalists, others are pack-rats. When it comes to moving house, you'd better hope your the former and not the latter! Join us to...

Upper-intermediate | How do you fix a boring Chinese course?

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Foreigners everywhere are working hard at learning Chinese. Unfortunately, many of those sincere students find themselves learning from boring, poorly...

Intermediate | Kaixin Wang Farm Thieves

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you take random peeks at your Chinese co-workers' computer screens throughout the day, you'll be sure to find quite a few of them raising f...