ChinesePod - Intermediate
Episodes
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 ...
Pre-intermediate | How to use ba 吧
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today's lesson, we're showing you how to use a very common particle called 吧. By adding it to the end of the sentence, it can be used to offer su...
Upper-intermediate | Presentation on Trends
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Presentation on ChinesePod trends: our poddies' Mandarin skills have been marked by a sharp rising aspect. Statistics show that our Chinese learners a...
Intermediate | Lili and Zhang Liang 15: Uncomfortable Encounter in a Bar
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's an awkward part of life, and those in melodramatic serialized fiction are certainly not exempt from the agonizing drama of running into an old ex...
Pre-intermediate | How to use 都不 & 不全都
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're learning how to say "I don't like them all" using 都不, and "I only like some of them" using 不全都. Let's check it out! Episode link...
Upper-intermediate | Turbulence
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When hot air rises, and cold air falls and every voice inside of you questions the integrity of this russian-made aircraft, don't lose your lunch into...
Intermediate | Lili and Zhang Liang 14: Seeking Comfort
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What will our friend Lili do now that she has broken up with Zhang Liang? Run into the arms of a conniving friend? or show up on the doorstep of an in...
Pre-intermediate | 3 ways to use 都 dōu
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we are learning three ways to use 都 dōu, this word will come in handy when you want to say "I like them all", "I want to buy them a...
Upper-intermediate | Getting a Library Card
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Headin' down to the library... ready to while away the hours reading month-old issues of the New York Times. Not so fast. The clerk at the gate gives ...
Intermediate | Lili and Zhang Liang 13: A Dad Gives Advice to a Broken-Hearted Son
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last time we heard from our friend Zhang Liang he was in the heat of a messy breakup. But who’s there to help him pick up the pieces but good ‘ole...
Pre-intermediate | Are we both winners?
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The company announced it's working with the competitor, will this be a win-win situation? Which side are you on? Learn how to be a skeptic or an optim...
Upper-intermediate | To Love or Be Loved
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
That is zee question. At ChinesePod, relationships are simple: we love you, you love us. It's a match made in heaven. As for the real world, we give y...
Intermediate | International Women's Day
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been said that "behind every great podcast is a great woman," and we can testify to that. So, for Jenny, Colleen, Eileen, Amber, (Aric on Thursda...
Pre-intermediate | "Me too!" 4 ways to use 也
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes you just want to be like everyone else. In Chinese, you can use "ye" to tell people you have the same things, want the same things, like the...
Upper-intermediate | Buying a Custom-Built Computer
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The true computer geeks amongst us will come bounding out of the woodwork for this Mandarin lesson, gleefully igniting flurries of discussion over bit...
Intermediate | Watching a DVD
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Not to say that version of “Ben-Hur” picturing Jack Black isn’t of reputable quality, but the DVD talk is bound to happen. Real vs. fake, subtit...
Pre-intermediate | China's 1st and 2nd Tier Cities
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many of you have heard of China’s 1st and 2nd tier cities by now. Take this lesson to find out how the expansion of China’s high speed rail over t...
Upper-intermediate | Editing a Document
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you thought writer's block was the biggest challenge to meeting that deadline, think again. You've got to get past the dreaded editor. In this podc...
Intermediate | Olympic Medals
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s always exciting to see which world records will be broken by gold medalists, as well as to see which country gets the most medals in the Olympi...
Pre-intermediate | 太过分了（太...了）
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how to say "That boy is so handsome!" in Chinese? Watch this video and learn a useful sentence structure to express "very, too ...
Upper-intermediate | Motivational Speaker
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Awaken the giant within! Take immediate control of your Mandarin Chinese destiny! If you can't you must, if you must you can! If you think Anthony Rob...