ChinesePod

If you're familiar at all with Shanghai's modern Pudong skyline, you know that "interesting" is a good way to describe it. And with so much interesting architecture going up, you know there are going to be some nicknames given. In this Chinese lesson, we cover not only Shanghai's tallest buildings, but also some of Beijing's iconic structures.

In this lesson, a concerned mother learns that her daughter is dating a man with a child from a previous marriage. Do you think she's going to happily accept the idea of her daughter becoming a young stepmother? (Hint: no, she's not. Not at all.)

"My mind is filled with your lovely smiling face. Your sweet smile warms up this frigid winter. Can I still see you tomorrow - in that secluded place?" ...If you found a love letter like this written by your teenage son, how would you react? Listen in as a Chinese parent flips out in this lesson.

Today's lesson features a very serious topic that affects many families. Learn not only how to talk about divorce in Chinese, but also learn about the divorce process in China.

In Chinese culture, there's a special celebration when a baby turns one month old. The gift-giving details can be a little confusing, even to the Chinese, so listen to this lesson for an explanation. While you're at it, learn what gift is given to celebrate a newborn's birth.

A new generation of Chinese honeymooners are looking abroad for exotic yet affordable destination options. In this lesson, hear about the benefits of three special places within easy travel distance from China.

The growing number of drivers in China is a big deal for the government; there's not enough room on the roads for 1.3 billion cars, especially in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Learn about the different ways the local government in Beijing and Shanghai are dealing with the issue, and what exactly you'll have to go through to get a license plate for your car.

Maybe you showed up in China with nothing more than the clothes on your back and a sense of adventure, but some people bring a lot more... including pets. If you need to bring your furry friend to the Middle Kingdom, there are just a few procedures you need to be aware of. Learn about them in this lesson!

When there's a new employee in the office, someone has to show them around and show them the ropes. In this "Intermediate to Upper Intermediate" transitional Chinese lesson, learn some of the basic words and expressions used in such a situation.

For the growing numbers of affluent Chinese mainlanders, Hong Kong is a shopping paradise. That is, until this year, when some new tax policies kicked in. In this lesson, learn about the difficulties of buying an iPad cheap in Hong Kong, as well as a rather sneaky (if legally questionable) little plot to avoid those taxes.

Foreigners raising their young children in China face a very difficult choice regarding schooling. Is it better to send one's child to a local school to learn along with all the Chinese kids and grow up culturally Chinese, or to attend an international school where English is used much more often and Chinese language is not emphasized? Learn to discuss these issues with this lesson.

It takes a lot of hard work to build a business, but sometimes things go wrong. You may have taken various measures to get the company back on track, but in some cases you just have to consider bankruptcy. In this lesson, learn to discuss this unhappy situation in Chinese.

For all those tourists who have showed up in China dismayed at the modern economies and booming metropolises, the tourism industry has an answer, and that answer is the Chinese river towns. The old-style housing, traditional eats, and arts and crafts will charm Chinese and foreigners alike.

In this lesson, two radio announcers discuss the Jewish "Festival of Lights" in Chinese. Get the abridged history of the holiday along with your essential candle vocabulary. You'll be ready for your first Chinese Hanukkah in no time.

With Expo fever in full swing, we're getting into the nitty-gritty of the event itself. Having already covered how to buy tickets and Haibao, the ubiquitous Expo mascot, we're spending today's lesson focusing on the much-anticipated China Pavilion and how to talk about it in Chinese. Join us!

A nerve-wracking situation in any culture, today we're meeting the girlfriend's parents. Will they be impressed or disappointed in their daughter's choice of boyfriend? Check out today's lesson to find out!

Gifts range from the practical to the extravagant, and in today's lesson we're learning about both the language and culture of gift-giving in China. It might be news to you, but green hats are a big no-no. Find out why by tuning in!

Today's lesson focuses on a conversation between an employee and his boss. Learn the language appropriate for dealing with superiors, and find out how to ask for that raise you've been wanting - in Chinese!

As spring arrives, the parks are beginning to liven up again. In today's show, we'll be exploring a popular park activity: kite flying. Join us to learn all about this fun hobby in this lesson!

Today, ChinesePod is exploring the four words no one ever wants to hear from the person they care about. Learn how to ask a friend to take things to the next level - and how to gently let someone down - in this heart-breaker of a lesson!

It's a mad dash to make the best of today's killer discount! Find out how to describe clothing sizes and styles in today's shopping-focused ChinesePod lesson!

Ever wonder why you see some people in China wearing a little bit of red every single day? Well we've got an interesting explanation for you in today's astrology themed lesson. Oh - and happy year of the tiger!

The language of sales and advertising is very unique. It's meant to get you excited enough to run to the store and buy that brand new cell phone you never wanted (again). In today's lesson, find out just what those guys in the TV advertisements are saying to get people to buy, buy buy!

Drip. Drip. Drip... we've got a leaky faucet today - time to call the plumber! Learn some great plumbing terms that will help you get your bathroom and kitchen in working order again.

It's the end of the Chinese year, and you know what that means! No, we're not talking about long waits in the ticket line at the train station. And we're not talking about fireworks, either. We're talking about the very exciting end of the year bonus. Let's just hope it was a good year... if not, you might have to scratch that new flat screen off of your shopping wishlist!