ChinesePod - Beginner

In this lesson, we hear a student compliment another student about their various accomplishments both academic and sporting. We also take a closer look at 得 (de) sentences where we turn adjectives into adverbs Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3031

Fact: There are 1.4 billion people in China. Fact: You don’t read enough to understand the bus schedule Fact: This leaves you with the option of riding a bicycle or hopping on the back of an illegal motorcycle taxi. Fact: You might need to know how to talk about being nervous. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny hold your trembling hand through a lesson on the “shakes”, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode lin...

In this lesson, we teach you some words to do with items commonly brought on flights that are not allowed through security. Learn some key Chinese vocabulary to do with airport security and arguing with security. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4059

More “baby talk”… In this podcast, you will learn some more popular common phrases in Mandarin Chinese, such as: “Good boy/girl”, “Be careful!” and “Don’t be naughty”. Think these phrases are only for people adopting children? Listen closely and you’ll hear Jenny confess that her parents still use some of these on her! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0126

Spanish can be difficult for many learners, especially because of the need to be able to roll your tongue to produce the trill sound seen in many words. Listen to a dialogue about someone saying they can't speak Spanish, and the friend offering to teach them. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3034

We always chuckle to think of the situations you found yourself in before ChinesePod came along…for instance: going to the zoo. While we don’t want to know how you indicated the red-bummed baboon, we would like to offer up a cognitive exercise lesson on identifying some animals in Mandarin Chinese by the sounds they make. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0346

In this lesson, we focus on the important ways to give directions verbs such as to come in, or to go out. We do this using the structure: Direction Verb 來／去. This structure is very high use, and important in situations such as greeting guests or going for a job interview. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3061

“Some day, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you”…if it’s good enough for Brando, its good enough for us. In this podcast Ken (an Irish Johnny Fontane) and Jenny (never sides against the family) teach you how to ask for a favor in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0099

Learn different ways to modify adjectives with this lesson all about the seasons. By the end of the lesson, you'll know how to describe the winter in different Chinese cities with varying levels of coldness.  Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3010

Now, we know when in Rome, you like to adapt to the locals. So, we expect that you’ll be treating everyone to 12 course dinners like the best of them. But, if, for some reason, you go western style and split the bill, you’re gonna need this podcast. Listen, and learn how to ask for change for that 100 yuan bill (again, sounds like more than it is) in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chi...

In this lesson, we focus on the structure, first....and then... (先...再...) This is useful when you are making plans, or telling a story and want to order your thoughts. For example, first, we'll eat, and then go to the cinema. Click the grammar tab as well as the grammar tags to find more examples and lessons. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4018

Sure, some might think this a niche lesson, but consider the alternative: (In Mandarin) “To tell you the truth, doc, I’m not sure if it was my inability to be around cats, or my violent reaction to shellfish--I just can’t breathe.” …or you can simply follow along in this podcast, where you will learn how to use Mandarin Chinese to explain that you have allergies. Up to you. Episode link: https://w...

In this lesson, we teach you some great ways to describe beauty, specifically when talking about a pretty woman. Learn how to say "your hair is like a waterfall", or "your eyes are just like the stars". Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4031

You’ve made contact via mobile phone with your friend and now you need to meet up, but can’t, for the life of you, figure out why he/she keeps saying “hao” after the numbers. Perhaps you should ask for landmarks…Listen in to this podcast and learn how to give addresses in Mandarin Chinese, as well as landmarks—a very useful technique in these cities the size of some countries! Episode link: https:...

In this elementary lesson, we learn the different words for fresh and saltwater fish, as well as how to buy fish in a traditional wet market. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4066

With 20 million people all hitting the roads after work at the same time, you just may find yourself in the position of being late. So perhaps being armed with an apology would smooth things over? In this podcast, learn how to apologize for being late, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0308

Hearing a new accent can sometimes take a little time to get used to. When native speakers talk, they often link and join syllables, which is perfectly acceptable, just like in English. But for the untrained ear, it can be a little confusing at times. In today's lesson, you'll see an example of this possible confusion. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3068

“BOO!” Bet you don’t know what to say to that, do ya? We do, and today we’ll teach you the correct response…In this podcast, you will learn how to both be the scare-er and the scare-ee, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0311

Listen as a nosy sister asks lots of questions to her younger brother over the telephone about what he's been up to lately and how his relationship is going with his girlfriend. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4043

Lots of lessons under your belt and you’re feeling a bit sure of yourself these days, so here’s an intro to a few of the 1500 regional dialects here in China to bring you back down to us. In this podcast you will learn a few key phrases in a couple of the major dialects of China. Be nice and we’ll only make you remember a few. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0037

In this lesson, we teach you possibly the most important phrase to know. "Which way to the bathroom!?" If it's your first time travelling, it could be a lifesaver when you get an upset tummy. We also teach some pronunciation tips to keep in mind when saying the word "toilet" since we often here it badly pronounced, and it's important to get these key words right. Episode link: https://www.chinesep...

You’ve had the Beijing Duck not to mention an ill-advised attempt at eating “chao mian” with chopsticks, and now it’s time to pay. Who gets the bill? The bigger man, that’s who. Save face by expensing it out. In this podcast you will learn how to request the bill in a Chinese restaurant, as well as how to fight over the bill in Mandarin Chinese. We’ll even throw in a bonus “Ai yo”!!! (most versati...

Mandarin tones got ya down? Perk up! We understand. In today’s podcast, our GM Steve comes in and offers up the wrong tones in Mandarin Chinese, so that you can start hearing the difference, which puts you on your way to correcting others mistakes, which is always an ego stroke. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0048

Chances are that while you’re pulling out your wallet to buy that “I Climbed The Great Wall” t-shirt, a few photos of the family will show themselves. So we’ll make sure you can tell them you have a sister… unless that traditional tiara is for you. In this podcast you’ll also get the chance to learn this and some more useful sentences for talking about family and people in Mandarin Chinese. Episod...

ChinesePod's Michelle kindly shares her experience through contracting and recovering from COVID-19 with Chi, introducing a number of related vocabularies along the way. She's currently waiting for her final test results to confirm her full recovery. Let's wish her all the best! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4326