ChinesePod - Beginner

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ChinesePod makes learning Mandarin fun and easy. It isn't your typical language learning resource - we think you'll be entertained as well! If you’re just trying to learn some survival Chinese or looking to start a lifelong relationship with the language, this ChinesePod - Beginner Level Podcast Channel is where to start. Expand your Mandarin Chinese learning experience by also SUBSCRIBING to ChinesePod - Intermediate and ChinesePod - Advanced Podcast channels. For more lessons, go to www.chinesepod.com and take us for a spin.

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    • May 20, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 14m AVG DURATION
    • 948 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from ChinesePod - Beginner

    Elementary | Ice Cream Run

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2026 17:14


    When a co-worker is making an ice cream run, it's time to speak up or forever dwell in ice cream-less regret. We'll talk about popsicles, cones, and a few other important details. If you're an ice cream fiend, this is an essential Chinese lesson for you. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1710

    Newbie | One Chinese Pancake

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2026 12:28


    In this Newbie lesson, Brian and Abby will take you for breakfast and show you how to order your desired meal. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4554

    Elementary | Swearing at a Driver

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 18:33


    "Aggressive" would be a kind way to describe the driving style you'll witness on the streets of mainland China. For the most part, the pedestrian population regards this driving behavior with amazing tolerance, but every now and then you'll witness a conflict. In this PG-13 Chinese lesson, listen in as a driver gets told off. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1702

    Newbie | Did you do it on purpose?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 9:27


    In this Newbie lesson, Josh and Julia will present unavoidable situations where accidents and mistakes may occur and how to deal with them. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4551

    Elementary | Broken Pipe

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 17:39


    If you're staying in a Chinese apartment, sooner or later something is going to go wrong, and you'll need to find the right person to fix the problem. In this Chinese lesson, our fearless tenant contacts the building management about a broken pipe. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1697

    Newbie | Fast Delivery! Looking for a Foreigner

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2026 14:32


    In this lesson, Charlie and Mary will teach you how to say some words when receiving a package. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4547

    Elementary | Baijiu or Beer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 15:07


    The mere mention of baijiu, the "white alcohol," strikes fear into the hearts of those foreigners who have tasted the fearsome liquid. Fortunately, it's usually not the only option. Knowing how to say "I prefer beer" may save you not only the gustatory punishment of the moment, but also the wicked hangover of the next morning. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1694

    Newbie | Don't You Need To Sleep?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2026 12:10


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn will talk about those little fights you might have with people that are close to you. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4544

    Elementary | Ballet

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 14:04


    So you're at a club, getting into the beat, and you kinda feel like dancing. You can dance, right? What style of dance? Wait, what? Ballet? Ummm, that's cool, but maybe not best suited for these endless Lady Gaga remixes. (Prepare for these good times with this Chinese lesson!) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1690

    Newbie | Bring your umbrella

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2026 12:29


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn will talk about the weather. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4539

    Elementary | Introducing Kids to Each Other

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 20:39


    Ah, kids. They love to play, but they also love to steal from each other and smack each other around for no reason. (Come to think of it, they're not that different from adults.) In this Chinese lesson, learn how to introduce children to each other so that they start off on the right foot. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1684

    Newbie | First Time Customer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2026 13:56


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are taking you to the restaurant to learn how to ask easy questions, make an introduction and some suggestions on how to make small talk. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4536

    Elementary | Rowing a Boat

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 16:28


    Renting a boat and going for a little row on the lake is quite common in China's parks. If you're here for a visit, you, too, may find yourself rowing a boat. So cover the essential Chinese vocabulary with us to ensure that language won't be what stops your little rowboat. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1681

    Newbie | You're Sitting in My Seat

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 13:14


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are taking you to the cinema and showing useful sentences you can use to find your seat. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4528

    Elementary | I don't smoke

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2026 14:08


    If you come to China, you're going to be offered a cigarette. While you can get by on context and gestures, it's nice to know how to politely decline. While you're at it, you smokers out there can also learn how to ask for a light in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1672

    Newbie | Can I See the Menu?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2026 12:18


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are teaching you one of the most important sentences that you should know as a Chinese beginner! This phrase comes in handy in when you go to a restaurant as a foreigner in China. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4520

    Elementary | Asking Height and Weight

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 17:31


    Just by being a foreigner in China, you're a fair target for all sorts of personal questions. So don't be surprised when you're asked how tall you are, or how much you weigh. In this lesson, learn to answer these questions. Remember: for personal questions like these, truth is optional. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1670

    Newbie | Taxi Small Talk: Are you here for the first time?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 13:31


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are teaching you how to make "small talk" when you meet somebody for the first time. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4519

    Elementary | 5000 Years of History

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2026 19:02


    Do you know how many years of history China is sporting? In case you have no Chinese friends around to remind you, we have created this lesson to fill you in on this critical detail of world history. This Chinese lesson will also help you Americans out there make a comparison. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1666

    Newbie | I Don't Understand

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2026 12:23


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are teaching you one of the most important sentences that you should know as a Chinese beginner! This phrase comes in handy in the "I have no idea what you're talking about" situations that you might encounter as a foreigner in China. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4511

    Elementary | Push and Pull

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 14:18


    So you think that "push" and "pull" are the only options for opening a door? Think again! With this Chinese lesson, you can learn about advanced door opening, even as an absolute beginner. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1654

    Newbie | Give Me All of Them

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2026 12:15


    In today's lesson, we are going bag shopping, and you're going to learn some useful phrases that will come in handy when you are in the store next time! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4507

    Elementary | Getting Picked up by a Driver

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 15:03


    If you've really made it in China, you may have a driver to get you where you need to go. But a driver that also speaks fluent English would just be no fun, so this lesson focuses on basic communications with the driver in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1651

    Newbie | Who are you waiting for?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2026 12:04


    In this lesson, we're looking at a conversation that you would definitely recognize if you have ever been hit on by a stranger (or maybe you are the stranger!). Let's learn how to get out of the awkward situation using one simple phrase, check out the video to find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4503

    Elementary | Which Hilton?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2026 14:45


    In this lesson, we're looking at a conversation that you would definitely recognize if you have ever been hit on by a stranger (or maybe you are the stranger!). Let's learn how to get out of the awkward situation using one simple phrase, check out the video to find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4503

    Newbie | Did You Get Everything?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2026 12:24


    Well, if you are a forgetful person, you must hear this dialogue pretty often. "Did you bring this? What about that?" So, today we are going to learn how to ask these questions and how to answer them in Chinese in this lesson. Let's get started! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4369

    Elementary | Checking out at a Hotel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 15:56


    It's checkout time, also known as "check the room for consumption of overpriced snacks and beverages or theft of towels time." In this lesson, learn how to tell the hotel you're checking out, and the Chinese you're going to hear when they bust you. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1637

    Newbie | Who's in the Bathroom?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2026 12:34


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn will show you how to fight for the right to use your bathroom by annoying the person that's using it. After watching this, I'm sure nobody will ever come between you and the toilet in the future! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4329

    Elementary | Handsome Foreign Student

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2026 14:55


    In this lesson, Joe and Lyn will show you how to fight for the right to use your bathroom by annoying the person that's using it. After watching this, I'm sure nobody will ever come between you and the toilet in the future! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4329

    Newbie | Very Cool, Very Ok

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2026 13:16


    If you're a foreign student in China, or planning to be one, you should probably learn the word for "foreign student." And since all our listeners are good-looking, the word for "handsome guy" might just come in handy as well. Learn all this and more in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1634

    Elementary | Sleepy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026 15:43


    You are getting sleepy, very sleepy. And you know it's lame, but you just want to go to bed early. Learn to express these sentiments and more in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1631

    Newbie | I plan to study abroad

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026 12:45


    In this newbie lesson, we will listen to a conversation between two friends talking about an opportunity to study abroad. We will show you how to say "I plan to..." in Chinese and how to express uncertainty with a particle 吧 [ba]. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4282

    Elementary | Rice First

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 19:17


    Some foreigners think there's a conspiracy to deprive them of enjoying rice with their meal in China. In fact, it's just a Chinese custom which might seem strange to you. Here's a helpful tip: if you want to eat your rice with your meal, you can always ask them to bring out the rice first. Learn to do that in Chinese, with this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1627

    Newbie | Is learning Chinese difficult?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 13:08


    In this newbie lesson, you will hear one of the most common questions that you are asked as a Chinese learner: “Is learning Chinese difficult?” Your immediate response might be, “Yes, learning Chinese is VERY difficult!” But there's actually a better response to that question! Find out what it is as you join Lyn and Joe for this lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4266

    Elementary | Stealing a Nose

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 19:21


    No, we're not talking about black market organ trafficking. We're talking about the "I got your nose!" trick you play on kids. While this game is not exactly "traditionally Chinese," it's still good fun, and involves some essential facial features and verbs. Learn the Chinese to commit your own acts of facial larceny in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1624

    Newbie | Chopsticks are difficult to use

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 15:12


    Who says you have to use chopsticks to eat Chinese food? If you have not yet mastered your kuàizi skills, then this lesson is for you. Learn how to ask for a fork in a restaurant in today's lesson, let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4261

    Elementary | Old China Hand

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 16:05


    Have you ever been called an "Old China Hand?" Don't worry, if you keep practicing your Chinese and spend some time in China, you will be! In this Chinese lesson, learn more about this common term while also going over the "foreigner in China FAQ" list. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1617

    Newbie | Lesson 12 - Literally I Love You

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 12:08


    In this lesson, we're going to learn a very important phrase when learning Chinese, and that is 'I love you'. When it comes to love, there's always a choice that has to be made. Out of a computer, a book, and a TV, which one do you think the girl love the most? Check out the video and find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4256

    Elementary | Chinese Holidays 中国的节日

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 15:28


    The Chinese love their holidays! Review the most popular ones with Grace and Jenny. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4113

    Newbie | Lesson 11 - Try Me Doc.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 14:23


    In today's dialogue, the doctor is disobeying her own orders by taking a bite of something she's not supposed to eat...Want to know what it is? Check out the lesson and learn the usage of 'verb 不 verb questions' along the way! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4255

    Elementary | No Hot Water

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 17:06


    You think a hotel is a hotel, but in China these quirky little culture differences have a way of sneaking up on you. Learn about one that westerners might find particularly surprising (and potentially shower-nullifying) in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1613

    Newbie | Lesson 10 - Don't Pee On Grandpa Tree

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 13:58


    In this dialogue, we will catch a glimpse of the feud of Grandpa tree and the dog. Why doesn't Grandpa tree like the dog? What happened between them? Along the way, you will learn how to say your age, your date of birth. Let's see how it unravels in today's lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4254

    Elementary | I love children!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 14:27


    The scene is a blind date. She reveals she's a kindergarten teacher. He passionately states that he hates children. Cue crickets chirping. It's going to be a long night. But you just want to learn how to talk about how you feel about children! So listen in to this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1610

    Newbie | Lesson 9 - Care For A Drink

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2026 8:59


    A fight for a girl's attention between a cup and a glass has taken place. The former is an advocate for hot tea, and the latter is a spokesperson for cold water. Which side are you on? Come find out who is the winner of the girl's heart in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4253

    Elementary | Movie Theater Seats

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2026 15:35


    There's a big difference between buying movie tickets in China and buying movie tickets in many other countries: China uses assigned seating. So make sure you know how to get the seats you want. Learn how to do it in Chinese in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1607

    Newbie | Lesson 8 - Sister Come Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026 11:38


    In today's dialogue, we are going to listen to a conversation between a girl and a prodigal 'horse', and you will learn a sentence pattern to express 'to do sth. together' using 和 and 一起. Let's see what happens! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4252

    Elementary | Tea Refill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2026 15:37


    Are you one of those people that doesn't like to waste money on beverages in restaurants and instead just asks for water? Yeah, so are we. So in China, we naturally ask for tea. In this lesson, learn how to make sure that drink you're getting is free. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1604

    Newbie | Lesson 7 - Weather Woes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2026 10:27


    Have you ever wondered what makes it rain? In this lesson, you're going to learn how to use 给 to express 'to give' and the real cause of rain. Spoiler alert, it might be a little different from what you learned in science class. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4251

    Elementary | Annoying Ringtone

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2026 13:57


    It happens in every modern office: someone leaves their cell phone on their desk, and then disappears for hours. Meanwhile, some impatient caller calls again and again, repeatedly subjecting everyone in the office to the loudest and most annoying ringtone on earth. Relive that moment as the annoying becomes the instructional in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1600

    Newbie | Lesson 6 - Buying Some Good Stuff

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2026 18:58


    Footsteps in the dark. Whispers in a call. Oh no, something shady is going down in today's dialogue. Fear not, you can still learn some Chinese during this dubious transaction. Now, grab your popcorn and enjoy this lesson before the police gets here! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4250

    Elementary | Switching Seats on a Plane

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2026 18:11


    Have you ever had that problem where you buy seats "together" (consecutive seat numbers), but it turns out they're actually not "together" (split across different rows rather than adjacent)? So have we! And we've decided to do something about this problem: create a Mandarin Chinese lesson about it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1597

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