ChinesePod - Beginner

Some may deem it 'nosy,' but we prefer the term 'inquisitive.' This week, we find another diary under the mattress, and this time it's young Yang Jie's rival in love... Li Yan. Read along with us as she pours out her soon to be not-so-private thoughts to her diary, and to millions of Mandarin Chinese learners everywhere. (Don't tell her we showed you.) Episode link: htt...

Though we all wish we sounded like Jenny when we repeat after her, the old adage is true, that practice makes (well, almost) perfect. So don't give up! Put Jenny on in your headphones day in and day out, and you'll be guaranteed to be sounding more sweet and adorable within the week. Of course, if you are a man, this may or may not be a good thing... Either way, in this lesson, learn how t...

Here is a Mandarin Chinese lesson to take you back to the simpler days of ugly boys, teenage angst and unrequited crushes. Yes, come with us as we sneak a peek at young Yang Jie's Diary (you know you want to). If the content doesn't sound juicy yet, listen as things unfold... if a Canadian businessman can get knocked off by ninjas, anything could be around the corner for naive Yang Jie. Ep...

There are dogs to love (big, drooly, friendly pups) and dogs to love (loyal, best friend mutts)... hey--who doesn't love pooches? (No offense to the cat lesson.) Now, we know you've probably got a wallet full of photos to pull out and show off, but first, learn from this podcast how to throw a few dog commands and compliments around, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepo...

New York City? What the heck does learning Chinese have to do with New York City? Don't be naive. In the gritty underworld of the fake Prada black market, you're going to need to hone your Mandarin skills to survive. Listen to this podcast and learn why New York City is a great place for Chinese learners too. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0679

In a place where an empty seat on public transportation is about as uncommon as toilet paper in the bathroom, it's understandable why there is a certain "scrimmage" of sorts when the bus doors fling open to the weary throngs. In this podcast, a pleasant turn of events. Listen and learn how to be the kind soul that offers up his seat, in Mandarin Chinese. And remember, what goes aroun...

If you feel like you've been doing back flips trying to learn Chinese, this lesson is for you! This next in our series of Olympics lessons is about gymnastics. In this podcast, you'll learn how to describe the elegant movements of the art of gymnastics in Mandarin. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0674

There are cats to love (white, fluffy kittens) and cats to hate (those gold ones waving their strange little arm at the till in the Chinese restaurant). However, love them or hate them, you probably wouldn't mind a little one to keep you company (they make patient language partners). If so, you're going to have to learn how to use your Mandarin to bond with the rice-eating cats of China. L...

Your wonder-twin powers won't activate and the kryptonite is sapping the Mandarin from your very brain. The frustration is making you feel like kicking some bad-guy booty? Or perhaps you feel like withdrawing to your lair... wrapped up in your cape, crying for mommy. You need the man of steel. Listen to this podcast and let Chinese Superman save the day. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.co...

Don't think of moving house as a pain. Think of it as an excuse for throwing a house-warming bash. Invite us! We'll bring a nice plant. In this podcast, learn how to tell someone that you are moving, using Mandarin Chinese. And, who knows... the more people you try out these phrases on, the more chance you have that someone might actually get the hint and offer to pitch in (bribing with be...

Some cyclists train for years before hitting the track in the Olympics. Other cyclists buy a $30 bicycle and are thrown onto the gritty pavement of a Chinese city to learn from their hard knocks. One such lesson learned being: never pass on the right for risk of being spat on by an old man (sorry, post-traumatic flashback). Listen to this podcast and learn all about the more refined side of cyclin...

With the onset of summer vacation, mothers everywhere are familiar with the refrain: "I'm bored!" Now, if you decide to join the kids in a two-month long loafing, better get your whining down pat. In this podcast, learn how to complain about being bored, in Mandarin Chinese. Alternatively... research shows that the cure to boredom is dusting off that enthralling 3,000 Chinese charact...

After months of painstakingly writing Chinese characters, we recommend you take a moment to vent your frustrations by grabbing a felt marker and angrily drawing squares, circles, and triangles all over that Chinese textbook. It's strangely liberating, actually. Then, listen to this podcast so you can explain in Mandarin to your teacher what exactly you were doing when she rebukes you for defac...

Now, we know that when names consist mainly of a medley of Xs, Qs and Zs, it can be easy to lose it under pressure. So, when that friend that you just ran into is looking into your eyes with an anticipative look, you might just, understandably, come up short. This situation affords two choices: calling them Li Xiansheng (you just could be right!), or listening in to this podcast, so you can learn...

It would be remiss to have a Mandarin lesson on training for the Olympic Games without a Chinese learning analogy to go with. So... Ken is your coach. Jenny, your cheerleader. The daily podcast is your pep talk. The expansion sentences are your cross-training and the exercises are, well, your exercises. Please don't eat too much while listening and whatever happens, don't injure yourself....

You've just stepped out from the office when a frenzied pack of language students senses your presence and rushes over with English greetings. We've all been there and know this is one of those things about China that can be both sweet as well as incredibly frustrating. How you deal with it is your call. But since pretending you're from Xinjiang isn't always an option, it's use...

Writing classy lessons about bodily functions may be considered a difficult task by some. One lesson better left to the naughty neighborhood kids, perhaps. But, we at ChinesePod know that there are certain times where acting out what you are trying to get across in polite company is just a big no-no. We are up to the task. A prequel to the clogged toilet lesson--this podcast, where we take the cla...

You know it's summertime when those trucks roll into the city, feeding streetside stalls thronging with business as the evening ambles home. Ask anyone who lives here: watermelon is a small joy of life in China. But no one will force it on you. And to get it, you've got to know how to ask for it in Mandarin Chinese. Which is where this podcast comes in. Enjoy! Episode link: https://www.chi...

How a sport which involves sweaty sun-kissed bodies prancing around on sandy beaches became an official Olympic sport, who can say. But the gods of Athens would likely approve. In this podcast, catch some exciting Olympic volleyball action in Mandarin Chinese. And keep your eye on Team China for 2008! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0618

The kids are eating it. The old people are eating it. The babies are smooshing it into their faces and hair. The lady that sells stinky tofu sells it. The meat market man even sells it. We can't make it through the hot summer without it. Summer in China is an ice cream eating bonanza. In this podcast, learn how to get yours, using Mandarin Chinese. P.S. for those of a more reckless palate, gre...

Fortunately, ChinesePod won't be sending report cards home to your moms (though we of course would give you all A's!) However, for the millions of Chinese kids in the world, getting good grades can make or break things on the homefront. Listen to this podcast and learn in Mandarin about one poor student's academic angst. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0614

You're dancing around gesticulating. They're dancing around gesticulating. Children are clapping and someone might even be singing, shaking an abacus in time to the music. Except that you're not teaching them a "foreign friend" dance, you're trying to get the correct change so you'll have the bus fare home. This podcast in Mandarin Chinese will help you stave off that...

A shake of the hand received with an approving grip. A bow of the head prompts a slightly confused bow in return. A bear hug... a stone stiff body. Two kisses on each cheek... well, you might want to think twice about that one. Unsure what to do? ChinesePod greeting methodology 101 to the rescue. Listen to this podcast and learn about first meetings in China, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: htt...

Remember the days of field trips? Now, field trips in podcast-land aren't to the zoo; nor are they to the waterslides park (though that can be arranged!) Instead, we want you to do something educational and character-building... like going to the museum! Since we can't physically take you to the museum for a field trip (was that a sigh of relief?), jump into this podcast and come along on...

You've heard about the agony of defeat. None of that here. In this podcast, learn about how the thrill of victory feels to an Olympic athlete. Listen in on an interview in Mandarin Chinese with an Olympic champion. (Rest assured: the phrase "I'm going to Hong Kong Disneyland" will not be found anywhere in this dialogue.) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0605