ChinesePod - Beginner

“They’re hanging in there with the chopsticks, aren’t they?” –Jerry Seinfeld Should you be the one that finally caves and simply has to ask for a fork, this one’s for you… quitter. In this podcast, learn to request cutlery in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0397

You haven’t really experienced Chinese culture until you’ve spent all night playing Mahjong with your friends. So do you know how to play? If not, listen and learn; in this podcast you will learn how to ask someone in Mandarin Chinese if they know how to play Mahjong. You will also learn how to say that you don’t play very well; and who knows, just like our friend in the dialogue, you may just get...

We're not talking about the Grammy Award winning female hip-hop artists who sang Push It, and we're not talking about MSG and chilies. We're talking about the most basic of basics and something you'll definitely need if you want a taste of home. In this podcast, you'll learn how to ask for salt and pepper in Mandarin Chinese. Of course, if you get meiyou'ed, that other world of taste enhancing cry...

Managers are a big deal in these parts. And you don't want to go calling them any old 'Mister.' In this podcast, learn how to address and introduce your manager in Chinese in the most efficient, face-giving manner possible. Sure to result in promotions, raises, slaps on the back, and right back at ya face-giving maneuvers. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1009

No doubt, you’ve heard from people how wonderful it is to come visit us. So how could you tell your colleagues you’re going on holiday? I mean, you could do it in English…or be that really annoying person who answers in Mandarin! In this podcast, learn to talk all about it, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0393

A vain flap of the hand. A loud throat clear. A futile effort at eye contact. You want a waiter and you want one now. How you gonna find one? That's right. Start hollering. Hey, you're not tipping so you get what you pay for. Here's how to ask your waiter to clear your dishes away, in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1003

Scientific studies have proven that sleep improves memory. So jump into bed, and put your cold feet up against your significant other's warm leg. Start counting backwards from 500 in Chinese as you melt away into the happy happy land of dancing Chinese characters and Jenny and Ken's voices consolidating neurons in your head. This podcast will teach you the basics of good night! Episode link: https...

“So, big guy - what’s the matter?” “Oh…(sigh)…it’s…aw, you don’t want to hear about it.” But that’s where you’re wrong, buster--we do! So much that we even crafted a lesson on downplaying despair and despondency. In this podcast, learn how to whine and sigh a bit in Mandarin Chinese (Premium subscribers get to hug it out). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0399

Subway poles, dirty money, bajillions of people... perhaps the fact that hand shaking is not so popular yet has saved the Chinese race from germ decimation. China--not the place for those with hypochondriacal tendencies. In this podcast, learn how to make sure those you share hand space with have washed their dirty little hands. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1005

John promised to stop singing the Curtis Blow hit (”We’re playin’ baaaaaaasketbaaaaaaallllllll….”) if you promise to listen and use this lesson on verbs and cheers any basketball fan might need. In this podcast, learn how to cheer on your team in Mandarin Chinese. At least you’ll make Yao Ming feel at home. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0392

In New York it’s “how ya doin’,” but here your well-being can be measured by your belt notch. So what say you to the classic “have you eaten” greetin’? It’s all inside. Listen to this podcast and learn how to ask it, and how to answer, all in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0389

The days of our lives. Like sands through the hourglass. Today, on this most momentous of days, let us all listen to this podcast, rekindle, reminisce, kiss passionately, sing kumbaya, and vow eternal love to each other. If you don't know what day it is, do not admit it. Either way, join in the celebrations of this auspicious day for Chinese learners everywhere... and figure out what the heck is g...

You know you need to speak to “Li,” but don’t know how to ask if he’s there. So you simply say “Li?” to whomever answers. Her name isn’t “Li” and she keeps trying to tell you that; so you say “No…Li!” which ends up in anger--and we’re a peaceful podcast. So in this podcast learn how to ask if “(so-and-so) is there”, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0386

You’re not cold, but it doesn’t matter. Your Chinese friends know you’re here without your mother, so along with feeding you, there’s also the ongoing fear that you’ll catch cold. So what would a lesson on “dressing warmly” sound like? Erm… this. In this podcast, learn how to tell someone it’s cold outside and to put on some more clothes, using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepo...

You spot a familiar figure on the street. Well it's best you know how to describe that person if you're trying to point them out from a busy crowd. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2657

When going out in the evening in Chinese cities, one is likely to run into ragged looking beggars soliciting change from passersby. And while some of these beggars have experienced terrible misfortunes, for others it's just an act to make easy money. In his lesson, learn how to talk about beggars and if you think one is just faking it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2057

At ChinesePod, we not only care about helping you learn Mandarin, we also want to help your social standing…and, to be honest, herbs in the teeth a cool cat do not make. So, in this podcast, here’s what we can do: teach you how to order those tasty noodles, but without the either loathed or loved cilantro/coriander. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0383

So, you dug the previous “left/right” lesson (or enjoyed taking “orders” from Jenny) so much, we decided to make another. But in this podcast, instead of “left/right,” we’re taking you north/south/east/west. Watch, listen, learn Mandarin Chinese and love. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0379

We all have those tasks that no one wants to do, so you often end up getting into a war of attrition with your interlocutor. Today we hear lots of common sentence structures and phrases repeated and will teach you all about giving instructions, asking questions, and telling someone that you don't want to do it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2652

Yes, we know you’d love nothing more than a “map to Jenny,” but until our ratings drop (yeah, right), we’ll hang onto that. What we can do is offer up “Jenny and a map.” In this visionary-of-a-lesson, keep your eye on the map and your ear on “The Zhu.” In this podcast, learn how to get around, using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0371

Ordering tea from a tea shop can be a little daunting, but it's also a great chance to practice some of the Chinese you've been learning. We're here to guide you with the tools necessary to get some of that lovely bubble tea inside you. We also talk a little about some useful tone change rules which will help you with your pronunciation. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2644

Pens and notebooks are essential for any student, especially a student of Chinese. For many students of Chinese, mastering all of those characters requires writing and re-writing them over and over. In this lesson, learn how to go buy yourself some pens and notebooks and get started. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2054

They. Toast. Everything. …it’s a lesson you can learn from us, or learn the hard way. So, how about you turn the tables and offer up some Mandarin Chinese “drinking words” of your own? In this podcast, learn how to spread some “cheers”. (Premium subscribers will learn the whole swapping-the-baijiu-for-Sprite trick). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0381

Start cleaning the living room and getting busy in the kitchen, you're about to have a dinner party. In this lesson, learn how to discuss how many people will be eating and how many dishes to make to prepare for the dinner party. And as someone plans for a dinner party with their housekeeper, you'll also learn how to apologize for causing them extra trouble. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.co...

If ABBA can take a chance on you, then you can take a chance on the bus. But, unless it’s heading to a mountain, you won’t be able to read the characters. So, listen to this podcast, dig deep, pull out exact change, and ask the driver where that bus is going in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0376