ChinesePod - Intermediate
Episodes
Intermediate | Karaoke
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to sing "Blue Moon" while sipping Baileys on a comfy couch, you have two options: hang out with Pete from CPod...or go to Karaok...
Upper-intermediate | Starting a Company in China
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in China. Whether it's expats opening a company, or local Chinese doing the same, the waiting periods...
Intermediate | Not So Silent Night
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The age-old dilemma: On Christmas Eve, should we go to church, or to a bar? In today's podcast you'll learn how to talk it over in Mandarin Ch...
Upper-intermediate | Applying for a Loan
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Being able to talk people into giving you money is a special skill. Especially when you're talking to professionals who say "no" for a l...
Intermediate | Borrowing Money
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's podcast, learn how to ask for a temporary capital injection, in Mandarin Chinese. If you need somebody to let you hold a few g's un...
Upper-intermediate | The Sun Salutation in Yoga
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Start your day off right with ChinesePod as we greet the sun and slip into the lotus position! If you haven't already guessed, we're at yoga c...
Intermediate | The Surname Code
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What's in a name? If you're speaking Chinese, a lot. In the land of homophones, seeing characters as bits and pieces is an essential skill. In...
Upper-intermediate | Pirates under attack!
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Errrrrr! We're off to Beijing - no, scratch that - we're off to the high seas for today's lesson. Hop on board, mateys, and enjoy a wild r...
Intermediate | Birth by Chinese Zodiac
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you bullish about learning Chinese? Stop dragon your feet, and listen to our podcast about the Chinese zodiac. It won't boar you, we promise. ...
Upper-intermediate | A Chinese Bachelor Party
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The bachelor party is, in many ways, a rite of passage. Celebrated in movies and books for its wild and crazy traditions, this is an event that helps ...
Intermediate | Buying a Plasma TV
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How much of the Chinese language could you learn if you spent half as much time with ChinesePod as you do with "Neighbors," "COPS,"...
Upper-intermediate | Using a Character Dictionary
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever find yourself only using the English-Chinese side of your dictionary? Do you sometimes feel intimidated by the seemingly arcane system of ...
Intermediate | Counterfeit Money
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You thought that picture of Mao was a little too handsome... the bill a little too clean... the shiny bits just a little too shiny. Oh if only there w...
Upper-intermediate | Costume Ball
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time of year again - costumes and dress-ups. Explore the social dynamics at play when Chinese adults do dress-up. Will the ugly Pigsy ge...
Intermediate | Language Power Struggle
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A battle of wills. Language domination. Do not relinquish your position. The only way to survive the language power struggle is to arm yourself with g...
Upper-intermediate | Adventures of an Andy Lau Fan on Taobao
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone in China is doing it, so it's time we informed our users more about buying stuff on Taobao, the Chinese conqueror of eBay. Today's le...
Intermediate | Here she comes
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When someone you've never even met suddenly gives you flowers, that's ChinesePod.' In this podcast, we hear what really goes on inside the...
Upper-intermediate | Drunk Driving
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Drunk driving is a big problem in Chinese society as well as in other parts of the world. Tune in to learn about Chinese attitudes toward drunk drivin...
Intermediate | Tool Delivery
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're making tables or making babies, you've come to the right place. Not for the faint of heart, this lesson teaches you all the Chi...
Upper-intermediate | Assembling IKEA Furniture
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the last four hours, you've been wandering around the furniture store, looking at the latest in Swedish design. Now that you've settled on...
Intermediate | Fat Camp
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A few months of everything fried combined with Chinese hospitality (read: feed) is enough to start anyone on a one-way trip to fat camp. Listen to thi...
Upper-intermediate | Star Trek
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese...the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship, ChinesePod. Our never-ending mission: to provide you with the Mandarin you need t...
Intermediate | Ticket Scalper
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A little shady, perhaps? Yet, it is David Beckham and the Galaxy, and this kind of a chance doesn't come around often in these parts... Hmm, there...
Upper-intermediate | Dinosaurs
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's terrifying Chinese lesson, you'll learn about a timely topic: dinosaurs! These fearsome lizards make a great topic of conversation ...
Intermediate | Internet is Down
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You like your little Roadrunner and T-1 ethernet connections that load pages in 1/100th of a nanosecond? Nice huh? Remember back in the Clinton admini...
Upper-intermediate | Is China Scary?
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A dragon is rising in the East. All around, curious faces wait to see whether it will roar or sing. In today's Chinese lesson, we'll look at s...
Intermediate | Sneezing
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The humble sneeze. It transcends all cultural, language, immune system barriers. It inspires blessings in some circles, superstitions in others. The w...
Upper-intermediate | Fast Cars and Dangerous Driving
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is a Chinese lesson about having fun in your brand-new car. The tires squeal as you tear around the bend, laughing and singing along with the rad...
Intermediate | Airplane Arrival
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You're nine hours in, two family-oriented movies later. You have had waaaay too much time to ponder whether the chicken on rice would have sat bet...
Upper-intermediate | Budget Meeting
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This Mandarin podcast is about every company's most beloved ritual. Casual Fridays? Water-cooler gossip? Nope. It's the budget meeting! Listen...
Intermediate | One-on-One Basketball
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you wouldn't let your 10 year old sit court side of an actual pickup basketball game, then you may want to have them sit this one out as well. ...
Upper-intermediate | Pre-Marital Health Testing
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your hearts belong to each other, but you should still test your blood. In today's Chinese podcast, we'll talk about pre-marital blood tests. ...
Intermediate | Mobile Repairman
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What used to be an annoying clanging shouting racket at 6:00am is now the most welcoming sound in the world. Your naive western misconceptions of refu...
Upper-intermediate | Buying a House
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Buying a house in China is a big deal. You'll be better prepared after you listen to today's Mandarin podcast, which is all about real estate....
Intermediate | Signing up for Art Class
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've always admired those Guilin paintings. You know the ones... winding river, limestone mountains... with the pagoda up on the right and that ...
Upper-intermediate | Dealing With Depression
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes you need to get your head examined. You might as well learn some Mandarin as you get in touch with your feelings. ChinesePod is the place to...
Intermediate | What is a Chengyu?
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Take 5,000 years of linguistic history and ancient literature... throw in a few snakes, frogs, and fanciful tales. Mix in the odd digit for good measu...
Upper-intermediate | Funny Business 5
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's Chinese lesson is a real nail-biter. The action begins with Xiao Zhao speeding off to his doom. Only Lao Wang can stop the evil schemes of...
Intermediate | Mexico City
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Question: What bustling metropolis draws people in with its fabulous food, unique architecture, and exciting atmosphere? (Besides Shanghai, of course....
Upper-intermediate | Funny Business 4 - Farewell, Xiao Zhao
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Remember Xiao Zhao? He's the diligent accountant at the shadiest company in the galaxy. In today's lesson, we'll say good-bye to this trus...
Intermediate | Los Angeles
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many a little ditty has been written about the land of beach bunnies, surfer dudes, movie stars, Kobe Bryant and The Lakers. After a day of treating y...
Upper-intermediate | Funny Business 3
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Chinese podcast, the plot thickens at the dodgiest company in the universe. Lao Wang faces a difficult decision as his accountant turns...
Intermediate | Hanoi
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've heard tales of such a place. A place where not only beef noodle soup exists, but the aromas of French baguettes and heady coffee fill the a...
Upper-intermediate | Funny Business, Part Two
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trusty accountant Xiao Zhao is here again. He's beset on all sides by the forces of corruption. Will he insist on clean book-keeping, or will he d...
Intermediate | Bangkok
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One lesson about Bangkok makes a hard man humble, not much between despair and ecstasy... One lesson about Bangkok and the tough guys tumble... Can...
Upper-intermediate | Funny Business
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you've got a lot of dirty money on your hands, how do you get it clean? That's easy-- launder it! Today's Chinese lesson will teach you...
Intermediate | Taipei
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Oysters, rumored to have aphrodisiac qualities, have certainly inspired passion in many a Taipei night market nosher. The famed 'oyster omelet'...
Upper-intermediate | Getting Old Isn't Easy
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learning Chinese is a great way to fight off the ravages of age. Toughen your mind, broaden your horizons, and make new friends at home and abroad. Wh...
Intermediate | Chicago
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"This is my kind of town, Chicago is." The home of Oprah, the Cubs, and deep dish pizza (the dawgs are better though). The third largest cit...
Upper-intermediate | Opening a Factory
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Companies live and die by their middle management. Today, let's follow the adventures of a company deciding where in China to set up its newest fa...
Intermediate | Detroit
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Take a ride with ChinesePod on the Freeway of Love to Detroit, Michigan. We get to Motown, the Motor City, the 3-1-3. Though we're slightly appreh...
Upper-intermediate | Welfare Lottery
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let's learn about the Chinese welfare lottery. The odds are stacked against winning anything, but you can help the poor. Episode link: https://www...
Intermediate | London
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stand out historical moments in the history of Londontown: The Great Fire of 1665, The Great Plague of 1666, but greatest of them all, surely, The Gre...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 9: Here Comes the Baby!
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keep pushing...keep pushing...don't give up...your Mandarin is getting better! You've carried the baby to term and now you finally get to see ...
Intermediate | Regional Accents Part II
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you are drowning in the language pool where fours become tens... or was that a ten becoming a four?? And was 'laji' trash, or garbage, or...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 8: About to Give Birth
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your little bundle of joy is almost ready to face the world. In today's Chinese lesson, learn to talk in Mandarin about the last few moments befor...
Intermediate | Regional Accents Part I
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So they say you've got a laowai accent? Who cares! So does everyone else. It would be nice to take comfort in this fact... if it weren't that ...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 7: Choosing a Name for the Baby
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many Chinese believe that a baby's name affects its destiny. Today's Mandarin podcast will teach you how to agonize over the subtleties and hi...
Intermediate | Train to Beijing
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is no greater social environment than a crowded Chinese train. You may think you're the shy sort, but after the first 24 hours with 36 to go...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 6: Shopping for the Newborn
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Babies are a big investment of time, money, energy, and money. Did we mention that babies cost a lot of money? Today's Chinese lesson will teach y...
Intermediate | Sweet Roasted Chestnuts
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Walking through a street food miasma where you smell the food before you see it, and seeing it is not necessarily believing it, this lesson is about o...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 5: Super Babies and Ultrasounds
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a baby! In today's podcast, you'll learn to talk in Chinese about ultrasounds and tests for you...
Intermediate | Knitting a Scarf
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You used to tie yourself in knots over learning Mandarin before ChinesePod came along, and you've been looking for a new outlet for your knot-tyin...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 4: Fetal Attraction
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
People get competitive about the silliest things. In today's podcast, let's learn about how far mothers will go to make sure they give birth t...
Intermediate | Buying Batteries
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Since you are old enough now to buy a hard drink, you don't have much need to tap your tongue on a 9 volt battery to get a buzz anymore. However, ...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 3: Prenatal Checkup
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Getting poked, prodded and scanned is all part of the birthin' process. Is your uterus in the right place? Are you eating enough? Learn all this a...
Intermediate | Flowers and Bugs
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If the title of this lesson conjures up gory images of the tacky floral bedroom curtains so lovingly lent to you by your packrat landlord... or that c...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 2: Pregnancy House Ar-rest
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you're pregnant, the baby isn't the only one who can't go anywhere or do anything. Many Chinese families put all kinds of restriction...
Intermediate | Interviewing an Ayi
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This isn't just any job interview. You're not selecting a maid, or an assistant. You're interviewing your mother substitute. Will you cook...
Upper-intermediate | Pregnancy Series 1: Officially Pregnant
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You're pregnant! In today's podcast, learn how to talk about maternity in Mandarin. If there's a steamed bun in your oven, this is the les...
Intermediate | Pageant Final Episode
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the corrupt judges, scandalous rumor mills, trashy tabloids, and catty girls that made this lesson...
Upper-intermediate | Dog Meat and Animal Rights
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's lesson we'll explore the controversial issue of eating dog meat in China. In today's podcast, learn how to hold your ground usi...
Intermediate | Beauty Pageant: It's a Mess
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When is a beauty pageant not a mess? All those bikinis, blow-dries, manicures, bleached teeth, body part enhancements. Ew. Our blogger finds out that ...
Upper-intermediate | Zombies!
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Who's that with the blank stare, shuffling feet, and unholy moan of frustration? Is it someone trying to learn Chinese without ChinesePod? Or is i...
Intermediate | Scandal in the Pageant
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Back on the beat of the Blogger's Beauty Pageant and the Edison Chen story is looking more and more banal by the day. This time, ironically, it ma...
Upper-intermediate | Finance Segment on TV
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In these troubled times, purchasing a Guided membership at ChinesePod is the best thing you can do with your money. Next best is stuffing a big wad of...
Intermediate | Behind the Scenes at the Beauty Pageant
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After a loooong sabbatical during which some of the contestants were convalescing from some much-needed plastic surgical procedures, we welcome back o...
Upper-intermediate | Health Check
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What's up, doc? Today's Chinese lesson brings you to everyone's favorite hang-out: the doctor's office! You'll learn to use Chines...
Intermediate | Romance in the Beauty Pageant
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A room full of beautiful, brainy bloggers. It was only a matter of time. Romance hits the runways in this edition of our beauty pageant serial. Is it ...
Upper-intermediate | A Day at the Races
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If horse racing is the Sport of Kings, gambling on horses must be the Sport of Emperors! Whether you come for the geldings, or just for the gin and ci...
Intermediate | Getting to Know the Beauty Pageant Judges
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we revisit the intrigue of the Chinese beauty pageant world... Do we detect a whiff of corruption, bribery, and scandal brewing? Of course! What...
Upper-intermediate | Buying Jade
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You figured your Chinese stocks were your ticket to riches, until they sank like stones. Speaking of stones, have you ever considered investing in jad...
Intermediate | Of Beauty Pageants and Plastic Surgery
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So you signed up for that beauty pageant and naively thought that swimsuit competitions had been outlawed due to sexist issues? Not so... Listen to th...
Upper-intermediate | Lost in the Desert
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wandered through a desert of suffering, with your tongue so dry that you could barely speak? Have you ever wished that some kind soul wo...
Intermediate | Beauty Pageant Registration
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Since gracing China with your presence you may be starting to suspect you’re getting better looking by the day: those double-eyelids, that great ski...
Upper-intermediate | Insurance Insanity
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nothing is certain but death and taxes. And also, the power of learning Mandarin with ChinesePod. For all the other uncertainties, take out some insur...
Intermediate | Beauty Pageant for Bloggers
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Beauty' and 'bloggers' may not seem a likely recipe for an eye-pleasing swimsuit competition. But in the new internet age, worlds meld. In...
Upper-intermediate | Personal Trainer
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You look like a Tang beauty, but your ideal is more like Bruce Lee. Time to hit the gym with a personal trainer. Today's podcast will teach you th...
Intermediate | Study Abroad
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Studying abroad: glamorous, exciting, and culturally stimulating, all wrapped up in one ball. That is, till you found yourself living in the backwater...
Upper-intermediate | The Good Husband
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's not easy to be the rice-winner. The boss is always after you. Even when you get home, the pressure never lets up. In today's podcast, lea...
Intermediate | The DVD Ploy
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the realm of dating, men's ruses to get women into their arms are universal. Oh yes... don't fall for the 'arms around you to shield yo...
Upper-intermediate | Argument over Garbage (2)
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Almost as fun as the argument itself is the post-mortem. Can those maniacs be serious? What were they thinking? What will we do if we bump into them a...
Intermediate | Evading Nosy Questions
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's a little busybody in all of us. Now is your chance... all those questions you always wanted to ask but didn't have the guts to. In thi...
Upper-intermediate | Argument over Garbage (1)
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You haven't lived until you've had a shouting match with your neighbors at 8:00 in the morning. Listen to this practical Chinese lesson and le...
Intermediate | Getting Your Hair Done
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by actual events: a young woman's twenty-seven traumatic breakdowns after China hair salon debacles. This Chinese lesson is your hair int...
Upper-intermediate | Job Market for Laowai
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Plenty of foreigners come East in pursuit of the finer things in life: tailored clothes, chauffeurs, and pretentious villas. But if you don't have...
Intermediate | Lost Cell Phone
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's nothing more traumatic than losing your cell phone. That is, until some good Samaritan dials the 'home' number and calls your wife...
Upper-intermediate | The Big Deal about Shenzhou 7
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Going to the moon is soooo passe. Not so! Listen to this podcast and learn more about China's grand plans for outer space. Want to study Mandarin ...
Intermediate | Singapore
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Manicured landscape, clean streets, not a piece of trash in sight, humidity... no, you're not at Disneyworld, but you might as well be... it's...
Upper-intermediate | Agreement on Exclusive Representation
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You've gotten drunk on the baijiu, put in your time at KTV, and now is your chance to finally close the deal. Do you have the Chinese to do it? In...