ChinesePod - Intermediate

Exploring the world of Chinese food is not for the faint of heart. Those of us not used to eating the organs of animals should be weary. Many traditional Chinese dishes revel in using all kinds of offal in their preparation. And names can be misleading. Even if you think you know what is in a dish, it's easy to get it wrong. In this lesson, two friends check out the food at a Taiwanese night m...

We know you've been ordering coffee in Chinese since your Newbie days, but have you been ordering fancy coffee? You know, the kind with cream and sugar and chocolate sprinkles? Because we sure are, and it's high time we invited you into our wonderful world... of fancy coffee. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1676

Ah, the problems of others. The landlord is raising the rent just a bit too high. Someone's lover has run off with someone else. A wayward son can't seem to find his way. For some, hearing about these problems is reason enough to end a conversation or leave the room, but for others, it's entertainment at its best. In this lesson, a mother and daughter argue about the worth of “The Aunt...

Ah, bed wetting. Whether it's your young child, or your "friend" who had that "totally realistic dream where I was using the toilet," bed wetting is a fact of life. Learn the key vocabulary to discuss it in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1667

You're out of college and it's time to do something with your life. You can't just hang out on your parent's couch all day, can you? In this lesson, someone discusses with their mother about pursuing their dream of starting a magazine. Also, be sure to check out the new task feature below, ChinesePod's newest way to enrich your learning experience along with fellow poddies! Epi...

What is there to do in Nanjing? Learn about this fascinating historical Chinese city, including some of its unique cuisine. At the very end of the lesson, find out about some of the Chinese and foreign perceptions of this unique place. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1664

In China, waiters don't get tips. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Of course, there's no way that can fly in the US where tipping is ubiquitous. In this lesson, two Chinese friends discuss American tipping culture and how it relates to Chinese customs. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2094

Cash is still king in China, but the occasional wire transfer is inevitable. Learn the Chinese vocabulary and patterns to transfer that money in this lesson. (Don't worry, we won't ask what the money is for.) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1660

Being a journalist is a difficult job not least because of the notoriously low pay and constant deadlines. Getting that scoop that makes the job worthwhile can often be the hardest part of all. In this lesson, a new reporter learns the ropes from a hardened veteran while investigating a mining accident. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2091

For all you TV addicts, you might be relieved to know that in China, too, satellite TV can offer you the hundreds of channels you desire. Sure, they're all pirated, and you'll need to get a new descrambler code every few months, but that's all part of the service and of the "Chinese satellite TV experience." Listen and learn. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1652

A few years ago, both Washington State and Colorado passed initiatives to decriminalize personal possession of marijuana. However, the debate in the US as to whether or not marijuana should be legalized is one that continues on the national level. In this lesson, two Chinese friends discuss the issues surrounding marijuana legalization. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2084

You don't live in modern China without a cell phone (or, as they say in the Old World, "mobile phone"). You can get by without a new-fangled smartphone, but you must be able to send text messages to people. In this Chinese lesson, learn all the essential verbs, and even a key measure word. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1648

Elections are a contentious issue anywhere... even in a classroom. In this lesson, students are asked to elect their leaders. What results is a demonstration in electioneering that would make even seasoned politicos blush! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2080

In modern China, city-dwellers have quite a few options for assistive childcare. Beyond just nannies, there's also a very Chinese, first-month expert. Listen in to this Chinese lesson and learn all about these childcare options. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1642

American favorites from Chinese take out include dishes like crab rangoon, General Tso's chicken and orange beef. However, these dishes are more American than Chinese. In fact, most Chinese people are unlikely to even have heard of these dishes. In this lesson, listen as two Chinese friends talk about American style Chinese food while looking for a bite to eat in the Big Apple. Episode link: h...

If you've ever had a roommate, you know how essential it is to be able to accuse someone of snoring. In this Chinese lesson, learn the key vocabulary surrounding snoring, sleeping, and being unable to sleep. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1639

China's recent prosperity has made many of its citizens richer, even the beggars! Realizing that they can make more money from the goodwill of others as opposed to working on their own, some beggars on China's streets aren't in desperate need; they're professionals looking to make a living. In this lesson, learn about the phenomenon of professional beggars and what you can do to te...

There's a common but delicious cucumber dish in China called 凉拌黄瓜. Learn exactly what this Chinese dish is, as well as how to make it in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1636

It's well-known that table manners can vary a bit from culture to culture, and that Chinese table manners can sometimes be interpreted as "interesting" abroad. But a new generation of well-educated Chinese travelers are ready to shed that old image. In this lesson, listen in on a discussion on this very topic. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1983

Where do traffic and theater collide? On the streets of China, of course! Sometimes a very minor accident can result in quite exaggerated claims of injury. Learn the key Chinese language involved in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1633

Have you ever heard of the "fan death" phenomenon, well-known in Korea? The theory is that sleeping in a room with closed doors and windows and a fan on will almost inevitably result in a tragic death. Don't believe it? Neither does the person in this dialogue. Listen in and learn... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1981

So you're boning up on your Chinese in preparation for that epic trip to China. You're trying to cover all the bases. But have you prepared for the "emergency game of hide and seek" contingency? Don't worry; this lesson is just what you need. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1629

Don't you hate it when you have millions of RMB (which you claim you won legally gambling in Macau), but don't have a way of discreetly "converting" that money into squeaky clean assets, seeing as how you're a high-level official in your home county, and your constituents kind of frown on that kind of thing? Yeah, so do we. And we wrote this podcast about it. Episode link: ht...

Chinese cuisine boasts some of the most varied and tasty dishes in the world. But if you're new to this land, there's a good chance you'll experience the darker side of Chinese food as well: food poisoning. And you know what happens when you get food poisoning, right? Then you know what we're learning in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1626

Usually being under someone's spell isn't such a good thing (just ask Brett Favre), but oddly enough, new methods of therapy that utilize hypnosis are becoming popular in China and elsewhere. If you're trying to kick a nasty habit, today's upper-intermediate lesson is just what the doctor ordered. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1971