ChinesePod - Intermediate

Intermediate | Ordering Chinese Take-out

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s slightly reminiscent of your friendly neighborhood ‘Oriental Palace’, but where is the General Tsao’s Chicken and florescent pink sweet a...

Upper-intermediate | Battling Internet Addiction

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some addictions are better than others. Internet addiction, for example, is bad. Bad, unless of course, the addiction revolves around being on the int...

Intermediate | Dorm Life: Late For Class

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

They were the best of times, they were the worst of times. Let's go back to your student days. Oh, the days of the camaraderie of communal showers...

Upper-intermediate | Google vs. Baidu

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ali vs. Foreman... Skywalker vs. Vader... Donahue vs. Oprah... There was always a winner and a loser. This may not be any rumble in the jungle, but th...

Intermediate | Night Cat

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You survived the bike ride home on the handlebars of your friend's bike who was too drunk to walk. You made it to your apartment. You should drink...

Upper-intermediate | F1 in China

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Zooming cars, screeching tires. The only thing missing is a helmet and seatbelt to strap you in. You heard Formula One racing was coming to China. You...

Intermediate | Automated Phone Recordings

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Thank you for calling, for directions in English press 1 now: *1*... for directions in Mandarin press 2 now: *1*, *1*... for directions in Cantonese, ...

Upper-intermediate | Considering a Credit Card

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With traditional Chinese money values (hiding piles of cash in a sock in the closet) changing, so is the world of debt in China. While you still won&#...

Intermediate | Using ChinesePod

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does it seem a little conceited to do a lesson about 'ourselves?' Hey, we waited two years and 3 months to do it. It's about time for a li...

Upper-intermediate | Editing a Photo

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You've always secretly envied those lovers in the park. Laying across a mossy bank, in a blue tuxedo / pink taffeta rented wedding dress pinned up...

Intermediate | Teacher Salary and Perks

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Of course, we know you're doing it for the sheer love of imparting knowledge, and the personal rewards of being mauled day in and day out by 45 sn...

Upper-intermediate | The 80/20 Rule

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 80/20 rule, if applied to Chinese learning, could very possibly mean that 20 percent of what you study will be what you use 80 percent of the time...

Intermediate | Sydney, Australia

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know the clichés... kangaroos koalas beaches sun g'day mate shiny happy people... and though we roll our eyes it's just 'cause we&...

Upper-intermediate | We're going to miss the plane!

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Based on actual events, in this podcast we hear the story of four friends, a nearly doomed weekend sojourn, and perhaps the only safe driver in the la...

Intermediate | Weather Forecast

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learning a language also involves learning the art of conversation. Weather talk makes great small talk. Not like the boring 'it's hot', &...

Upper-intermediate | Business Interview: e-Commerce Guru

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are love gurus, spiritual gurus, self-help gurus. These are all good. But what the world has been missing, up until now, is an e-commerce guru. ...

Intermediate | Internet Slang

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It seems your Chinese book left out the the units on '886' and 'PMP.' That text message you just received mentioned something about vo...

Upper-intermediate | Getting Internet at your Apartment

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It may not quite be the internet as you knew it, but something is better than nothing, right? Learn here how to get yourself wired and online in China...

Intermediate | Pricey Beer

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you can get take out draft beer poured into a plastic bag for pennies, it's easy to get incensed over the price of pijiu. In this podcast, le...

Upper-intermediate | Badminton

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a bird... it's a plane... no. It's the biggest thing to hit China since ping pong. Meet another sport beloved by the Chinese. In this...

Intermediate | Opinions on Poetry

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Poems seem like they'd be a lot easier to write in Mandarin. Think of all the words that rhyme with 'shu': lu, chu, du, fu, bu, su, poo......

Upper-intermediate | A Visit by the Police

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by many a Shanghai late-night party, be it mahjong with hard of hearing participants getting riled up on baijiu, or a laowai house party, per...

Intermediate | Fighting over the Bill

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Due to the bill-snatching prowess of the Chinese, you may find yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to tactical check-paying maneuvers, post-dinne...

Upper-intermediate | Taking the HSK

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 'Fear Factor' of Chinese tests, the sit-down-break-out-in-a-sweat test, the kind of test those standing-naked-at-the-front-of-the-class ni...

Intermediate | Getting Reimbursed

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ChinesePod may be the only company in the world where employees can be legitimately reimbursed for buying knock-off DVDs (they were for Movie Madness,...

Upper-intermediate | Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, Cupping and Scraping

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You have an aversion to being poked? No problem! You can get suction cupped! The polka-dotted welts clash with your striped outfit? Get skin scraped! ...

Intermediate | Godzilla in Shanghai

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Incredible, unstoppable titan of terror! Mightiest monster! Mightiest melodrama of them all! Civilization crumbles as its death rays blast a city of t...

Upper-intermediate | SBTG: Health Class

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, this is the same health class that deals with the facts of life, however, you will have to patiently sit through a passionate lesson on the circu...

Intermediate | Flattery in the Office

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rules of boss flattery: if you start complimenting your beer-bellied boss on his figure, he might catch on that you're just looking for a raise. B...

Upper-intermediate | SBTG: Sun Yatsen

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So much more than just the name of your favorite Chinese garden in Vancouver. Sun Yatsen is often considered the founder of modern China. With such an...

Intermediate | City Stats

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One never knows when one will find oneself in a game of pin the tail on the Chinese city. Get a head start on your Chinese topography. In a place wher...

Upper-intermediate | SBTG: Confucius

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Confucius Says: Learning Mandarin is good for you. Confucius Says: You haven't lived till you've learned Chinese. Confucius Says: Stop being s...

Intermediate | Post-Graduation Plans

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ah, the eternal question of what you want to be when you grow up. Said question, posed by well-meaning family members when you are in your third year ...

Upper-intermediate | Saved by the Gong: Chemistry

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Name a famous chemist. Mm-hmm, you can't can you? Didn't think so. If you want to make a living cooking meth, mixing hair gel or testing taint...

Intermediate | The DVD Vendor

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As you know, we at ChinesePod do not advocate drug deals, illegal sale of firearms and/or parking lot rage... but when it comes to our friendly neighb...

Upper-intermediate | Saved by the Gong: Geology

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone who has lived through an earthquake, or twenty, in a 1970s-built back alley Taipei apartment knows a little about geology. China has its fair s...

Intermediate | Free Association

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ChinesePod is going a little 'new age' today and encouraging you to explore your inner child. Close your eyes, let your spirit roam... you are...

Upper-intermediate | Saved by the Gong: Math class

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You thought the abacus was some sort of Chinese percussion instrument and that the guy in the market sign-languaging you number signals was challengin...

Intermediate | Snacks

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cultural divide is at times nowhere more evident than in matters of appetite. When it comes to cravings--you're pining for potato chips, she's...

Upper-intermediate | Saved by the Gong: History

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You won't find Screech in this classroom, but you will find some interesting characters in our new junior high drama. Someone once said: “Those ...

Intermediate | The Drug Dealer

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Departed was a pretty good film, although we have an office-wide dispute over whether it's better than Infernal Affairs. Before you settle dow...

Upper-intermediate | Harry Potter

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So famous in China that he ranks his own statue in a housing development, the Harry Potter craze of course didn't leave China untouched. Though a ...

Intermediate | Baby Care

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The language of babies may be mysterious, but the customs of parenthood are universal. Granted, the open crotch pants of babies in China save on diape...

Pre-intermediate | Turndown Service

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this two-part hospitality series, we are going to talk about common dialogues in the hotel. Today in this episode, we are going to talk about the t...

Upper-intermediate | Preparing to give an Interview

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The job candidates are lined up outside the office, with their neckties, their crisply printed resumes, and their sweaty handshakes. You thought going...

Intermediate | She's Easy

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know her type: a different guy for every day of the week, the tantrum dramas, the high-maintenance demands for lavish tokens of your admiration, h...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: 4 Ways To Ask For Something

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we will learn about the 4 ways to ask for something. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4611

Upper-intermediate | Billiards

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is there a better way to mix with the locals than by shootin' some stick and throwing back some Tsingtao's? Those words that can often never g...

Intermediate | Transferring a Call

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some people worry about the internationalization of call centers. Not us though. What could be more pleasant than getting transferred to a customer se...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: How To Make Your Clients Feel Welcome

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we will learn how make your clients feel welcome and help you seal the deal. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4538

Upper-intermediate | Chinese Universities

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You don't pad your resume, of course, but then if you were to pad said resume, perhaps the best padding would be a first-class Chinese university ...

Intermediate | My New MP3 Player

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So you've decided to get with the cool kids and buy an MP3 player so you can rock the ChinesePod, shake your body. But how are you going to brag a...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: How to Politely Disagree, Part 2

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we will learn how politely disagree with someone in the workplace. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4533

Upper-intermediate | Yoga

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Reasons to do yoga: 1) leisure suits are so fashionable these days; 2) get to wear said leisure suit and lay around on mats listening to relaxing wate...

Intermediate | Chinese Wedding Customs

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do red dresses, red envelopes and endless toasting have in common? Find out here in this lesson all about the culture of Chinese wedding customs....

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: How to Politely Disagree, Part 1

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we will learn how politely disagree with someone in the workplace. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4532

Upper-intermediate | Overseas Chinese

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ABC, CBC, BBC... no they are not TV networks, they are the bridge in the cultural gap, the players on both teams, the understanders of both worlds, cl...

Intermediate | Parking Lot Rage

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re one of the brave ones amongst us that is bold enough to get behind the wheel in China, surely there may have been times when your usually ...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: How to Encourage & Compliment

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we will learn how should supervisors encourage employees, for better teamwork and workplace environment. Episode link: https://...

Upper-intermediate | Ping Pong Nation

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps known to you as a 1970's rec room relic, the ping pong table is a veritable altar of worship for the Chinese. The ball may look pansy-ish-...

Intermediate | Death by Ninja

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Though ninjas aren't generally considered one of the risks of doing business in China, one never knows when one is in danger of being knocked off....

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: How to be Deliberately Vague, Part 2

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we will learn some useful Chinese Language techniques. You will learn to understand "ways of gentility", which is oft...

Upper-intermediate | SBTG: Special Economic Zones

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You're traveling to another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound... but of a money-making free for all. A journey into a wondrous, t...

Intermediate | Negotiating Price and Payment Terms

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this installment of our series, Canadian businessman Peter decides to lose the 'nice guy' image and get down and dirty in his negotiations ...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: How to be Deliberately Vague, Part 1

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we will learn some useful Chinese Language techniques. You will learn to understand "ways of gentility", which is oft...

Upper-intermediate | Online Shopping

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Having enough stores to service 1.3 billion people is one thing, having same 1.3 billion people crammed in a frenzied mall on a Saturday afternoon lea...

Intermediate | Touring a Factory

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We now join our Canadian businessman, Peter, as he goes on a tour of a local factory in China. Will he be faced with startling revelations of sweatsho...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series - How to Make Small Talk

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In China, having a meal with clients is not just eating. Everything is related to the business. That's why learning table manners is so important....

Upper-intermediate | The Pickup Artist

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You'll find them working the bars in any country, trying their pathetic lines on girl after girl. In this podcast we listen in on a Chinese pickup...

Intermediate | Booking a Plane Ticket

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our businessman friend, Peter, has sobered up and accepted the exciting offer of touring the factory he is considering buying product from in China. B...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series - How to Address Your Co-Workers

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In China, having a meal with clients is not just eating. Everything is related to the business. That's why learning table manners is so important....

Upper-intermediate | Relativity

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your Chinese in relation to that two year old child beside you? Yeah, relativity can suck. But, we're glass-half-full people here at ChinesePod, r...

Intermediate | A Business Dinner with a Supplier

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sound formal? Well, maybe… until the booze comes out. What does drunk sound like in Mandarin Chinese? Listen in to this podcast as we revisit our Ca...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: Business Dinner, Part 4

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In China, having a meal with clients is not just eating. Everything is related to the business. That's why learning table manners is so important....

Upper-intermediate | Stargazing

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

By the time you figure out how well Capricorns and Aquarians get along and if year of the dog is compatible with year of the rat, you might wanna try ...

Intermediate | Requesting a Sample

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our Canadian friend Peter gets deeper into his Chinese business adventure as he decides on a product and requests a sample. For those of you dying to ...

Pre-intermediate | Five ways of seeing: 看、见、看见、看到、看出

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Qingwen, we answer a question on our forum from user lukeaz: There are so many ways to say "see", including 看、见、看见、看...

Upper-intermediate | My Scooter Won't Start

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You've got a malfunction at the junction. You've tried kicking, pleading, swearing, coaxing--all to no avail. Look for the big greasy black si...

Intermediate | Calling a Supplier for a Quote

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Catching up with our Canadian businessman, he's finally getting in his groove. Today, we listen in (actually eavesdrop) as he gets a quote. In thi...

Pre-intermediate | Why Didn't You Wear Your Mask?

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's lesson, we will tackle some pandemic safety tips. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4541

Upper-intermediate | Registering with the Police Station

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The bureaucratical love affair with forms and hassle. In this podcast, a pain in the butt cracked open for all you waiguorens living in China. Listen ...

Intermediate | Attending a Trade Show

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our businessman has embarked on his journey of discovery. The taxi ride to the trade show was a success, and now, in this podcast, the saga of the Can...

Pre-intermediate | How To Use Action Complete “le” 了

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we're learning the action complete 了 (le). Learn how to say "I had eight hours of sleep last night" or "I went sh...

Upper-intermediate | Hiring a Courier

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here in China, there is a courier for every purpose. True, none of them really look like Kevin Bacon in Quicksilver or Jessica Alba in Dark Angel, but...

Intermediate | Arriving in China on Business

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ride along with our Canadian businessman as he arrives in China on a business trip to source some products, and chats with the taxi driver about his p...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series- 6 Ways to Say Thank You

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the coffee break series, we focus on social etiquette in business settings. In a Chinese workplace, there are certain phrases and words that we use...

Upper-intermediate | All You Can Eat and Drink

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Awww yeah. Another Olympic lesson for you, Olympics for gluttons that is. For many of us, the only four words more satisfying than 'your Chinese i...

Intermediate | Joining the Chamber of Commerce

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ChinesePod wants you out in the community--spreading the good word about us, he he. Getting involved with your local Chamber of Commerce (while still ...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: How To Say No To Your Boss

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the coffee break series, we focus on social etiquette in business settings. In a Chinese workplace, there are certain phrases and words that we use...

Upper-intermediate | Group Photo

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

OK, everybody lean in, put your hands on your knees or around the person next to you. You in the back, two fingers behind someone’s head please. Now...

Intermediate | Subway Announcements

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If the sound of the robot subway announcer lady’s hypnotic voice is your signal to zone out into a trance, this lesson is for you. In this lesson, f...

Pre-intermediate | 3 Ways to Use mei 没

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we're going to show you three usages of a really common Chinese character 没. They are 没 Verb, 还没 Verb, and when 没 is use...

Upper-intermediate | Pedestrian Peril

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just out for a leisurely stroll or... death wish? Map in hand, foot off curb, head in clouds... in China, not understanding the difference between leg...

Intermediate | Finding Live Music

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The experts agree: China is an emerging power. But as a new superpower, what powers will it have on the world stage? Hopefully, one of them will be th...

Pre-intermediate | How to use 要...了

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we'll show you how to use sentence structures 要...了, 快要... 了 and 就要...了 and the differences between them! Episode ...

Upper-intermediate | Bad Service Restaurant

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cold tea, warm water, sticky menu, dirty chopsticks, and why in the world won't they bring the stinking rice--isn't this CHINA?! You're st...

Intermediate | Lili and Zhang Liang 17: It's Over (Again)

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the spirit of "Choose Your Own Adventure" 1980s pre-teen novels, we revisit Zhang Liang and Lili and rewrite history with a "Choose Your Own Breaku...

Pre-intermediate | How to use le 了

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we'll show you how to use the particle le 了 in its change of state function. Learn how to say "I don't love you anymore" or "There's...

Upper-intermediate | Complaining About The Boss

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are "The Office" type bosses, and Godfather-styled mafia type bosses, and, granted, though most workplaces bosses don't ridicule you or kill you...

Intermediate | Lili and Zhang Liang 16: It's Over

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

No self-respecting soap opera would be complete without a teary farewell. It's been a long and winding road, but the inevitable time has come for our ...