ChinesePod - Beginner

Our hungry traveler ventures off to the "Hawaii of China" for some much needed R&R. An island resort in China you say? It's true that Hainan's resort destination, Sanya, has flown under the radar to most of the western world, but it has all the requirements of an island getaway. When you tire of the sun, sand, and coconut tree hammocks, a world of seafood and tropical fruit a...

Fabric markets, little shops, department stores, Taobao... cheap and cheerful clothes abound in China. You're feeling like a knock-out in your knock-offs, and now that you're going to be looking so pretty, better learn how to accept a compliment. In this podcast, learn how to comment on clothing, and how to respond, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0978

When you mix a Portuguese bun with a Chinese egg roll, what do you get? Is there any hope of a compatible union for these two unlikely partners in calories? This edition of the Hungry Traveler takes us to the shores of Macao. The Las Vegas of China, where one can only hope to find all-you-can-eat buffets filled with this kind of fare... Work up an appetite listening to this podcast on the cuisine...

Thought of as 'petite' in your homeland, as you browse the corner shoe store, you are alarmed to find that the only thing you can get your dainty foot into is a florescent orange counterfeit men's 'Croc' clog. Things aren't looking up anytime soon, so listen to this podcast to learn how to ask for your size in Chinese, and to accept the fact that your fruitless quest will e...

In another edition of the Hungry Traveler, we find ourselves in HK. The city full of millionaires, movie stars, fast cars, and... food! It's all about the dim sum baby. When you hear that squeaky cart roll by your table, you have to think fast. Decisions... decisions. What culinary delights will our traveler select? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0911

Here is a Chinese lesson for all those morning people out there that we love to hate. A few chipper 'good mornings' to start off the day. You can shout them out your window to those neighbors who love to rise at the screech of dawn for a powwow outside your window. In this lesson, learn all kinds of greetings a la Mandarin. You'll be hello-ing and beyond in no time! Episode link: https...

One man's meat is another man's poison. In this edition of 'The Hungry Traveler' we journey to the cuisine oft adored by westerners and somewhat spurned by those of a more Shanghai palate. Did you ever think of Chinese food as chewy flatbreads, cumin-crusted kebabs, and spicy curries? Welcome to Xinjiang... the marvelous cuisine that is the best kept culinary secret of China. Episo...

A wee baby learning to talk. His first word, a loving 'mama.' The second, 'dada.' And then comes the 'gimme, gimme, gimme.' Well, you have to start somewhere. In this podcast, learn the phrase that will help you get what you want, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0966

Some cuisines should come with a fire marshall's warning. Not to fear, a cup of hot tea will be standing by to quell the flames. In this new series, we visit the red hot pastures of Hunan province--the spicy province living in the shadow of better known big brother Sichuan. You'll love or loathe us for introducing you to the food of this region. Listen to this podcast then get yourself to...

Rub-a-dub-dub four tones in the tub. Bath time just got more fun and your old repertoire of songs to shower by just expanded. In this podcast, lather up and learn how to take a shower, Chinese-style. Also included, for those with long-showering, hot water user-upper roommates: learn how to stage phantom phone calls from love interests. Sure to get them out in a hurry. Episode link: https://www.chi...

You can't bring your trusty bike with you everywhere you go. When you arrive in a new city in China, you can check out bike rentals. Pay your deposit and rental fee, and you'll be zipping around in no time flat. Learn how to do this all in Chinese in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1148

Of course, the old slam the receiver down always works. But for some, the ring of a telemarketer signals another captive-language-learning partner opportunity. In this podcast, learn how to cut to the chase and use your newfound Chinese skills to hang up on that salesperson in a more delicate manner. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0958

There are two kinds of people who never get lost-- those who don't know where they're going, and those who have GPS! In today's Chinese lesson, learn how to talk about this handy gadget in Mandarin. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1138

Unless you are a rainman-like genius, you may find attempts at reciting the fifty billion digit long phone numbers of China a challenge. Get help. Listen to this podcast to learn how to give out your number in Mandarin Chinese. You'll be counting spilled boxes of toothpicks in no time. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0954

The Chinese number system is based on groups of four zeroes, not three. Learn how to talk about big numbers in Chinese, in today's podcast Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1129

Don't be put off by that cage contraption. Think about it... a man trapped in a metal cage. What better language partner could there be than one that can't escape? Listen to this podcast and learn how to chew the fat with that paunchy driver who is so bored he's even willing feign listening to your attempts at Chinese. Make friends with the eyes in the rear view mirror and remember tra...

Visas are a huge, unavoidable nuisance. If you live in China, there's a good chance you've made at least one trip to Hong Kong in search of this priceless little sticker. Learn useful Chinese vocabulary about visas in today's podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1123

You feel like you've won the battle by actually getting one to stop--though you had to beat off your street corner contenders to do it. All is fair in the battle for the cab... you claimed this curb first. But now, as you settle into the not-so-white white seat covers, don't lose the war. In this podcast, learn how to tell your taxi driver where you wanna go (and how to get there!), in Man...

Today's Chinese lesson will have you on the edge of your seat, if you get excited easily. You'll learn how to tell others to hold their horses in Mandarin. What's your hurry? Learning Chinese takes time. Lots and lots of time. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1118

We assume that, as a beginner, deciphering the schedule for the airport bus might be just a little stressful, so put off breaking into that duty-free you bought for 10 minutes or so and get yourself far, far away from the mayhem that is an Asian airport. In this podcast, you will learn how to find a taxi, in Mandarin Chinese. Then, sit back and enjoy the thrill sport that is taxi-taking in China....

You can't go forward all the time (unless you study Mandarin with ChinesePod, of course!) Sometimes you need to put 'er in reverse. Today's podcast tells you how to talk in Chinese about road safety. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1112

Everybody's workin' for the weekend... oh, no, wait a sec, that's just us... slaving away for your daily Chinese podcast dose. But we're not bitter, we love you. Pay us back by allowing us to live vicariously through you and your eventful full meaningful lives. Here, a lesson on living for the weekend. Listen in, then tell us your plans too in the comments section (that was a thinl...

In this podcast, you'll learn how to complain about a poor cell phone signal. That must be why you didn't understand what your Chinese friend was saying...right? Make sure you always come through loud and clear when you speak Mandarin. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1109

Meat-laden fourth of July barbecues may have caused you to consider a jump onto the pescetarian bandwagon. It's so much more than vegetarianism for underachievers. To make the move easier, let's not learn how to say pescetarian in Chinese, and learn instead how to spurn meat and switch to fish, in this podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0935

Some things get better with age: a violin, a painting, a big Bordeaux. Some things do not: computers, shoes, and dairy products. In today's Chinese lesson, you'll learn how to talk in Mandarin about that dodgy carton of semi-solids in your fridge. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1100