ChinesePod - Intermediate

Intermediate | Lesson Brainstorming

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ever desired a glimpse into how the finest and most brilliant minds at ChinesePod come up with award-winning lessons on a stunningly regular basis? We...

Pre-intermediate | Hamsters, Snakes, And Owls

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There's only so much that can be said about owning cats and dogs before you, the intermediate learner, feels that urge to move onto discussions about ...

Upper-intermediate | Romantic Movies And Real Life

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all love a romantic chick-flick every now and then, but for some women it becomes a problem: they expect every man to live up to their Ryan Gosling...

Intermediate | Stop Speeding!

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Grand Prix held here in Shanghai showcased breakneck speeds, hairline turns and drivers with death wishes…and that was all in the taxi ride to t...

Pre-intermediate | Grammar Lesson

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There aren't many things more fun than learning Chinese grammar. Today, you're in for a real treat-- this podcast is all about a class of students who...

Upper-intermediate | Chinese Commuters

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Any look at a bus, subway or highway on any given day will give you an idea of the constant struggle facing those who depend on the transportation sys...

Intermediate | Family Life

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Never has China been accused of not respecting family. In fact, concepts like moving out of your parents’ house before marriage are still in their i...

Pre-intermediate | Grab Some Veggies From The Store

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You can't cook dinner without a big pile of ingredients. In today's Chinese podcast, you'll learn how to tell someone to pick up a load of fresh veget...

Upper-intermediate | Shaolin Temple

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While many don’t know this (due to the fact that it’s not true), all ChinesePod employees are required to attend a 6-month intensive course at the...

Intermediate | A Promotion

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t a good, pro-active, self-motivating individual. So we’ll make you a deal. After listening to this lesson, yo...

Pre-intermediate | Language Exchange

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you're learning Chinese in China, there's a very good chance that someone will try to become your language partner. With any luck, you'll become fa...

Upper-intermediate | Marketing Proposal

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brace yourself. Jenny is going to talk about “proposals” but it’s not what you think (cancel that flight here). It’s all about the “next big...

Intermediate | Signing A Rental Agreement

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we are at the lease signing, and a conversation occurs between the landlord, tenant, and property agent, going over the finer details ...

Pre-intermediate | Buying Pants 买裤子

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we discuss our favorite pastime: shopping! We review various places one can go shopping. We learn about different kinds of pants and h...

Upper-intermediate | Prank Telephone Call

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's lesson is about prank telephone calling someone. You learn some useful ways to answer the telephone, ask who's calling, as well as fun ways to...

Intermediate | Ordering Pizza Over The Phone

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today you'll learn how to order a pizza over the telephone. This language is super useful when you're hungry and wanting some junk food. Episode link:...

Pre-intermediate | New Job Opportunity

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Having a second language can really boost your potential for job opportunities. In this lesson, we hear someone being offered a potential job opportun...

Upper-intermediate | 蛇夫座 Ophiuchus (Astrology)

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's dialogue is all about astrology and star signs. Ophiuchus (⛎) (/ɒfiˈjuːkəs/) is sometimes considered the thirteenth sign in addition to ...

Intermediate | Checking Out A New Flat

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this video lesson, we teach some useful words when you are looking to rent an apartment. Finding an apartment can be hard, but if you know some of ...

Pre-intermediate | Misunderstanding The Doctor

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, a patient sprains their ankle while playing soccer, but there is a misunderstanding which leads to an embarrassing situation. Episode ...

Upper-intermediate | Organic Food Shopping

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to a dialogue about shopping in an organic supermarket for vegetables. Are they more nutritious, or tastier? Episode link: https://www.chinesep...

Intermediate | Traditional Chinese Medicine

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At ChinesePod, we know that part of learning Chinese is getting an introduction to the wonderful world of Chinese medicine. Before we take your pulse ...

Pre-intermediate | Ordering Songs At Karaoke

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There's nothing like a night (or an afternoon) of karaoke to bring friends together. It's also a great way to learn Chinese. In today's Mandarin lesso...

Upper-intermediate | Shanghai Expo

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Granted, you’ve heard all about the impending Olympic arrival here, but what about the next big thing? The Shanghai Expo seems to be what everyone i...

Intermediate | Shanghai Fashion

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Granted, the same person that said Shanghai was the “Paris of the East” also said that baijiu was a tasty drink…so we’ll let you decide. Fashi...

Pre-intermediate | What Do Foreigners Like?

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No matter what you sell, you have to know your market. In today's podcast you'll learn how to talk in Chinese about dealing with picky customers who a...

Upper-intermediate | TV Commercials

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to an “open door” policy, you can hear the neighbors’ “telly” in your own house. So why not possess the ability to stroll in, squeeze...

Intermediate | Chinese Tea

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Here is a lesson impressing on you the “Importance of Tea”…you’ll notice we capitalized the “T” there, which should tell you something. Te...

Pre-intermediate | Simple Electrical Stuff

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you can't plug in your computer, how can you get your ChinesePod fix? In today's lesson, you'll learn the ins and outs of plugs and sockets, all in...

Upper-intermediate | The Cocktail Party

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we’ve mentioned before, people that listen to ChinesePod are cool. Cool people attend cool functions, like cocktail parties. Cool people also sch...

Intermediate | Let’s Break Up ASAP 趁早

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not uncommon for a relationship to go stagnant, with both parties pretending everything’s alright. 趁早 sung by 张惠妹 is an anthem for ...

Pre-intermediate | Antiperspirant In China

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Confidence, confidence, dry and secure... raise your hand..... raise your hand... if you're sure you want to drop a hundred kuai on your favorite stic...

Upper-intermediate | Choosing A Wine

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While no one can be a smooth as Steve Martin’s character in “The Jerk” (”No more 1966! Bring us some fresh, new stuff!”), you can still impr...

Intermediate | Misfortune From Our Mouths 祸从口入──管住嘴巴

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, you’ll learn useful vocabulary for nuts, seafood, milk etc that’ll come handy especially for persons with food allergies. 祸从口...

Pre-intermediate | Fortunate Cookies

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“The greatest danger could be your stupidity.” “Hell is paved with good intentions.” “Magic time is created when unconventional person comes...

Upper-intermediate | Movie Genres

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a land of, ahem, less-than-pricy DVD’s, it’s no shock that films are always of interest. So why not wow ‘em by discussing your favorite genre...

Intermediate | Coffee Break Series #4 - The Exhibition

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the intermediate coffee break series, we will follow the footsteps of Nick through his adventure in China. Along the way, you will learn important ...

Pre-intermediate | MSN and QQ

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Reports reveal a mysterious drop in the GDP of several countries in the last ten years. Analysts have been concerned and perplexed. But they have over...

Upper-intermediate | Chinese Antiques

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No visit to the PRC would be complete without a “Waving Mao” watch, but is it *really* an antique? In this podcast, one seasoned friend helps anot...

Intermediate | How Was Your Date?

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Not that we agree with the whole “those who can’t, teach”, but it does seem odd, us giving a lesson on talking about dates--seeing as how we can...

Pre-intermediate | Iron Your Clothes

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your mom's not here and neither is your ayi, and where is a Chinese laundry when you need one? Yes, we know it's true that shirt will get just as rump...

Upper-intermediate | Exam Overview

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With more and more people (see: our John Pasden) attending uni at a Mandarin school, we’d like to cover some basics. We’ve already taught you “k...

Intermediate | Future Goals

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What are your plans for the future? Think that this question ends after you walk out of your guidance counselor’s office? “Think two times” (Chi...

Pre-intermediate | Don't Litter

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dodging street debris may be good foot-dexterity training for the Chinese New Year lion dance you've been getting ready for, but a quick slip on a ban...

Upper-intermediate | Phobias

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For Ken, it’s those tiny little sock hangers. For Jenny it’s losing that great head of hair. We all have phobias…ours is that you won’t learn ...

Intermediate | Negotiating Price

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A foreigner in China soon gets over any initial shyness to talk price after finding out he paid fifteen times the going rate for that “waving Mao”...

Pre-intermediate | Winter Fun

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you're creative, indoor winter sports can be so much fun in China. Warm your hands over your gas stovetop flame with your significant other, or chu...

Upper-intermediate | Attitudes Toward Religion

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Between 1937-39, over 20,000 Jewish families migrated to Shanghai. Today, north of the city center, there is still a flourishing Jewish community. Chi...

Intermediate | A Disappointment

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So, you’re able to say “I’m fine”, but what about when you’re in that bad mood? Sure, the easy way out is to always be “fine”--even if y...

Pre-intermediate | Describing Athletes

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Oh the superlative human form. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, so please allow your eye to feast on the lesson image to the left of th...

Upper-intermediate | Translation Issues

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If Pepsi’s slogan “Come Alive” can mean “Brings Your Ancestors Back from the Dead” after translation into Chinese, then there’s a good cha...

Intermediate | Taiwanese Mandopop: Teresa Teng 邓丽君 and Singer-Songwriters (1970s-90s)

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Taiwanese songwriters such as 罗大佑 and 李宗盛, and of course the legendary singer Teresa Teng 邓丽君 gifted us classic songs that almost ev...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: Business Dinner, Part 3

28 Jul 2021

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. In ...

Upper-intermediate | Exotic Animals

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No trip to China would be complete without a look at the (sleeps for 23.7 hours a day) panda and the (will take your mobile phone) golden-haired monke...

Intermediate | Coffee Break Series #3 - First Meeting

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the intermediate coffee break series, we will follow the footsteps of Nick through his adventure in China. Along the way, you will learn important ...

Pre-intermediate | Man Or Woman?

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When he/she walks like a woman and talks like a man, and the response that comes to your query of “Who is that?” is “It’s Pat,” you may find...

Upper-intermediate | Negotiating Rent

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Well, to start, there’s the first 3 months plus deposit… and that’s the easy part. The “laowai” shuffle begins thereafter. If you think you ...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: A Dead Duck’s Mouth Is Hard

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, we're showing you three common proverbs related to ducks. They can be directly translated to "To herd the ducks onto a porch", "A cook...

Pre-intermediate | Introducing Oneself To The Family

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

"Meet the parents" takes on a whole other meaning in Chinese families. Now, if you can't keep track of which auntie is the elder, whose brother the ro...

Upper-intermediate | Anthropology

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You sure are clever, and we sure are too. So let’s do what clever people do and talk about clever things… I don’t know, say…anthropology? And ...

Intermediate | COVID-19, Rumors and Beer

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is not that easy to stay sane lately as the whole world has been gloomy (天昏地暗) due to COVID-19, to put it mildly. This lesson is about bein...

Pre-intermediate | Travel Itinerary

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Having a travel itinerary in place is no problem in China. You can take a tour and be ushered along to a string of jade factories, miracle pearl cream...

Upper-intermediate | Views On The News

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“CCTV” is all the news here – not the “When Russell Crowe Goes Bad” type of CCTV, but the actual conglomerate of news stations. If you live ...

Intermediate | Coffee Break Series - Airport Pick Up #1

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the intermediate coffee break series, we will follow the footsteps of Nick through his adventure in China. Along the way, you will learn important ...

Pre-intermediate | Chinese Money Denominations

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Don't make the short-sighted mistake of dismissing the many miniscule denominations of Chinese currency jingling around at the bottom of your pocket j...

Upper-intermediate | Discussing Photography

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While it might come as a shock to you that “bunny ears” are not considered “photographically sound,” we’re sure that your composition and li...

Intermediate | Pop Music And Pop Culture

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The artist-formerly-known-but-has-since-changed-it-back-so-we-assume-it’s-okay-to-call-him-Prince sang about “Pop Life.” Iggy loved it so much h...

Pre-intermediate | Dog Personalities

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been estimated that dogs have the ability to understand a vocabulary of around 200 words. So when you come to China, you’ll find out pretty q...

Upper-intermediate | Traditional Residences

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the north, you’ll find yourself in a maze of “hutongs.” In Shanghai it’s the “longtang.” In this podcast, we’ll open the regional doo...

Intermediate | Business Style

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Now, back home, an open liquor bottle on your desk might get you a one-way ticket to Palookaville, but in China, a little “báijiǔ” at the end of...

Pre-intermediate | China's Most Famous Tourist Destinations

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So you arrive in China, map in hand and hundreds of ChinesePod lessons echoing through your head. But you soon find that all the places you want to go...

Upper-intermediate | Getting Tough On Employees

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the mid-80’s, you responded with a resounding “YES, I AM” to NKOTB’s query of “Are you tuff enuf?” Now, we’re still sure it rings tru...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: A Blind Cat Meets A Dead Mouse

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverb...

Pre-intermediate | Morning And After-Work Habits

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What do you get up to before and after work or class? Learn how to ask and answer about morning routines and activities after work. Episode link: http...

Upper-intermediate | 强买强卖？3D 眼镜

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Should cinemas supply 3D glasses free of charge? 现在越来越多的电影院已经不再为消费者提供免费的3D眼镜了。可是消费者究...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: Can't Get Both Fish And A Bear's Paw

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverb...

Pre-intermediate | Consoling The Bereaved

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s always difficult to find the right words of comfort when a friend’s loved one has passed away. It’s many times more difficult when you have...

Upper-intermediate | First Aid

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the popularity of the previous lesson on visiting the doc (a lot more popular than actually visiting the doc), we decided that a health-laden wee...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: Become A Pig To Catch A Tiger

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverb...

Pre-intermediate | My Computer Froze!

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Situation: You’re working on a document at your office and your computer suddenly freezes up. What do you do? 1. Flail arms around until someone not...

Upper-intermediate | Bargaining

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You’ll get here and pay 15 yuan for a DVD and wonder why people laugh when you tell them. We don’t want people laughing at you--thus the lesson of...

Intermediate | Future Plans

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, surely college made something out of you, right? In this podcast, Jenny takes the reins (with Ken ther...

Pre-intermediate | Morning Hygiene

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A few cultural tips on “personal upkeep” here: 1. Most Chinese bathe at night. 2. Chairman Mao used tea to brush his teeth. 3. Toilet paper is thr...

Upper-intermediate | World Cup Football

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To be honest, we have had this lesson ready to go for a month, and would like to say we timed it for the first week of Germany’s World Cup Football ...

Intermediate | China’s Supergirl

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, Simon pierced many a hope with his sharp Cockney tongue, but no “Pop Idol”, nor its 1000 spin-off shows grabbed a country by its (silk) lape...

Pre-intermediate | Cooking

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How and where did “chow main” get its name? “Kung Pao” is a dish and not a (brilliant) film? Someone must have their mouth full of “kuaizi”...

Upper-intermediate | The Monkey King

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Wu Cheng’en’s novel “Journey to the West”, a hero was born…in the form of a monkey. In this podcast, Jenny and Aggie offer up Mandarin Ch...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: Hit The Snake 7 Inches Below Its Head

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverb...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: Business Dinner, Part 2

05 May 2021

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. In ...

Upper-intermediate | Backpacking To Tibet 风光在险峰—西藏之旅

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Backpacking, Airbnb, popular Tibet sights, Rhodiola rosea (medicine for altitude sickness) … learn them in this lesson! 西藏旅行的广告听起来...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: Perform Like A Workhorse

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverb...

Pre-intermediate | Coffee Break Series: Business Dinner, Part 1

28 Apr 2021

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. In ...

Upper-intermediate | 语法课程：“其它”，“其他”和“其余”

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

这节语法课程，我们一起来学习“其它”、“其他”和“其余”这三个词语。下面是本节课的重点知识！ -其它： ...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: The Weasel Wishes The Chicken A Good Year

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverb...

Pre-intermediate | Surfing Online

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Think you don’t need to talk about the internet? You’re positive? Okay, tell you what, think very, very carefully about your life sans web…no em...

Upper-intermediate | 语法课程：“别人”和“人家”

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

这节语法课程，我们一起来学习“别人”和“人家”这两个词语。下面是本节课的重点知识！ 共同点： “人家”和...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: No Ivory Will Come Out Of A Dog's Mouth

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverb...

Pre-intermediate | Your Turn To Pay!

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes we take a lesson from our own experience. While names have been changed to protect the innocent (until proven stingy), the account to follow...

Upper-intermediate | 语法课程：即

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

这节语法课程，我们一起来学习“即”的用法，还有和它非常相似的“既”。下面是本节课的重要知识！ -即：就是...

Intermediate | Animal Proverbs: Eat Like A Dragon, Work Like A Worm

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Animal metaphors are prevalent in almost every language, but people from different cultures may regard the same animal differently. In Chinese proverb...