ChinesePod

In August 7, 2010, there was a terrible mudslide in Gansu Province. In this lesson we hear not only a newscast related to the natural disaster, but also the reactions of some average Chinese people with relatives in Gansu.

Ah, taxes... one of the few certainties in life, and the bane of our existence. Unfortunately, learning all the little quirks of the Chinese tax system doesn't make the whole ordeal any more fun in China. Listen in to this lesson, and we can help you out with the Mandarin Chinese side of the equation, at least.

What goes on in a Chinese bath house? Maybe not all of it is fit for a family podcast, but in this lesson a husband insists that bath houses are rapidly becoming popular (and legitimate) places to make business deals. Listen in on the debate and learn some useful Mandarin Chinese.

The days of the "iron rice bowl" are long gone, a daughter reminds her mother in this lesson. Just as in many other parts of the world, modern Chinese young people aren't staying with any one employer for too long. Find out more about this viewpoint on the Chinese job market in this lesson.

Adults that still live with their parents long past the time when they were expected to be financially independent are said to be "gnawing on the old" in Mandarin Chinese. In this lesson, hear how a member of this clan interacts with his parents (who don't particularly enjoy the gnawing).

Crank your amps up to 11; it's time for band practice! In this lesson you'll learn the Chinese to talk about getting ready for the big show, busting out with that sweet guitar solo, and even the possibility of making it big.

How do you provide healthcare for a population of 1.4 billion? We don't know either, but this lesson takes a look at the more practical side of the issue: just getting a prescription filled. The Chinese process is a bit different from that of the west, so listen in to learn the Chinese way to get those meds.

"Second-hand" isn't just one option when buying a bicycle; for many consumers, it's a whole way of life. In this lesson, we cover a range of topics, from broken-down bikes to second-hand philosophy.

At least for the time being, a lot of things are cheaper in China than in the West. One that might not immediately come to mind is laser eye surgery. But is it safe? How is it viewed and discussed in Chinese society? Listen in to this lesson for a modern Chinese take.

The rising cost of food is a social issue that can't be ignored. You'll hear the average Zhou on the street talking about it, and you'll see it on the news. But what happens when you put the two together? What are the Chinese viewer reactions to this kind of news? Tune in to this lesson to find out.

Do you want to learn to talk about your family in Chinese? Well, you've come to the right podcast. In today's lesson, you'll learn the Chinese you need to talk about the size of your family and the people in it.

In today's Chinese podcast, we're getting out the candles, chopping up the cake, and getting ready to celebrate. Listen and learn how to talk in Mandarin about the anniversary of your birth. Another birthday, another cake, another year closer to the day when you'll shuffle off this mortal coil.

In China, when there's a mouse in your house, don't just sit around and grouse! You put on your favorite blouse and douse him with poison! In today's Chinese podcast, you'll learn how to talk about the vermin in your home, all in Mandarin Chinese.

Have you ever looked for someone, only to find someone else? In today's Mandarin podcast, you'll learn how deal with this common situation. Today, you'll learn how to use Chinese to tell someone: sorry, you're not the one I was looking for.

Squeeze your way to the front of the line for this useful Mandarin podcast. Today, we're explaining how to negotiate your way through a crowded Chinese subway car. Whether you take the metro to work, or even if you're just a fan of public transportation, this Chinese lesson will be a great blessing for you.

Didn't it rain, children? Today we're going to talk about rain in Chinese. This podcast will discuss things that start and stop, like rainstorms. Bring your umbrella and your MP3 player and you'll learn how to talk about rainy days in Mandarin.

So you're in China. You don't need no stinking "maps." You'd rather just walk up to the nearest person on the street and ask where the supermarket is, in Chinese (of course). Tune in to today's lesson and learn how to do just that.

"Yep, straight through the light, then pull over to the right - WHAT? No you've passed it!" So you know how to give basic directions in Chinese, but what happens in this situation? In today's lesson we learn how to say "make a u-turn" -- essential taxi survival Mandarin.

Halloween is coming, so we're getting making our lessons a bit scarier. Today we'll arm you with the right phrases in Mandarin for dealing with big scary creaky doors that are left ajar and asking if anyone is there. Just be prepared -- you may not like what you discover... *shiver*

Tossing and turning, lack of appetite, moodiness; these are all symptoms of one very common condition: jet lag! But the worst is when you forget to change the time on your phone and you show up somewhere at the wrong time! Find out how to describe this situation in today's ChinesePod lesson on time differences.

Never leave it till the last minute to catch a taxi to the airport. If you are left with no choice, make sure you've listened to today's lesson - you'll be able to tell the driver the time of your flight in Mandarin. This should inspire them to use their 'driving gongfu' get you to the departure terminal in time.

In bustling cities like Shanghai and Beijing, there's always something happening, and sometimes even according to schedule. Knowing what time it is will always be something you need to ask early on, as well as knowing how good your timing is. Learn the essential Chinese words and phrases in this lesson.

“So… what do you do?” While that might sound like a “Singles’ Night” introduction, we mean it… seriously (you should see our faces right now). In this lesson, you will learn how to ask someone what they do, using Mandarin Chinese. And this podcast will also help you to learn how to give a nice sounding response… and so much more.

Riding a bike is probably the most convenient mode of transport in China. So far on ChinesePod you've used Mandarin to rent a bike and even fix a flat tire. In today's podcast we buy a bike, and bell, and lock... but don't forget to buy a helmet!

How often have you traveled across multiple time-zones and gone straight into the office the next day? Some of our Poddies in the community may have also experienced jet lag of sorts whilst engaging in hot debates with their counterparts from the other side of the globe - and fallen asleep in the office the next day. Either way listen to today's Mandarin lesson to learn important language for disc...