ChinesePod - Beginner

Let's face it. With the rising temperatures of summer, some of those around you may not realize that they are a little bit stinky. Today we are going to give a lesson on how to give a subtle (or not-so-subtle) hint in Chinese regarding that certain funk wafting in your direction. Learn in Mandarin how to tell someone to take a shower. You can thank us later. Episode link: https://www.chinesepo...

You know the old adage: if they don't find you handsome, they better find you brainy. It's revenge of the nerds in this episode of Diaries of our Lives. We hear from Wang Wei as he breaks out into Mr. Popularity with exam time looming. Listen to this podcast, and hope that some of his brains rub off on you, too, as you attempt this Mandarin lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/...

How to win over Chinese friends and wrangle more dinner invites? It's all about the compliments, people. Learning how to wax poetic about food bodes well for your future popularity with your new-found partners in calories. In this podcast, learn to rhapsodize in Mandarin over the cookery, and secure your future place at the dinner table. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0603

The romance seems to be escalating. Things are getting juicy. They've gone from studying to eating to... utterly scandalous... watching movies together. Where will our two lovers go from here... listen to this podcast and read along with us as Li Yan continues to bare her deep thoughts, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0689

You're in the place aptly dubbed "Book City," and the masses of Chinese characters overwhelm you like the masses of humanity you just jostled through to find the information counter. Not an ABC in sight. So, how to get the elusive English book you seek (or at least a procurable substitute)? Listen to this podcast, and learn how to ask for English books, using Mandarin Chinese. Episod...

It's about time the nerds of the world got some respect. Bookworm Wang Wei seems to be trying to win the heart of fair Yang Jie. What does Yang Jie really think of this scholarly specimen? Is the way to her heart through the library? Let's snoop, in this podcast, where we look into a girl's not-so-deep thoughts, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0670

At the risk of subjecting our poor receptionist to an onslaught of telephone calls from Jenny fans trying out this newly-acquired language tomorrow morning, we publish this lesson on requesting a phone number. In this podcast, learn to improve your Mandarin skills by practicing how to request information. Learn how to improve your mental math skills by actually trying to memorize the 50 digit long...

In today's diary entry, we get the male perspective on life in the world of Li Yan, Yang Jie and Wang Wei. Why does Wang Wei stare at Yang Jie every day? Is there blossoming romance? Will this be the start of an titillating love triangle? Listen in to this podcast as we tell all, invade privacy, and learn Mandarin Chinese in the process. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0659

In a place where anything with its back to the sun qualifies as dinner, you’ll need to be “alternative” meat savvy. This lesson will save you from unwittingly eating animals you consider cute. Listen to this podcast and learn in Mandarin Chinese how to avoid mistaken meat identity. Though, don't be too apprehensive--there is something life-changing about accidentally finding out that you like...

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...