ChinesePod - Beginner

You're in China and you want some tea. Where do you go? A tea house, of course. But what happens if you can't find one? Perhaps you'll have to settle for another kind of caffeinated beverage... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1420

You ever lose your passport? Or your wallet? Or your wallet and your passport? We hope not, but just in case, it's probably a good idea to know how to say these things. (At the very least, the Chinese people around you will understand why you're totally freaking out.) This lesson will help. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1733

One of the great things about restaurants in China is that they often bring out your food faster than you can order it. On the downside, sometimes the food isn't quite what you had in mind... Learn about a common dish today, and about how to describe something you might not have ordered! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1406

OK, so you can express that you're going to China, in Chinese. That's great! But if you're telling any Chinese person this, their immediate next question is always going to be: where in China?. With this lesson, learn how to face that question and stay just one step ahead. (OK, so it's only two steps total, but you're getting somewhere!) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1727

Sometimes we take for granted the little things offered to us for free at many restaurants. In today's lesson, we'll be learning about a particularly useful item that many restaurants in China ask you to pay for. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1401

You'll have many fantastic experiences on your trip to China, but, unfortunately, "squeezing into an elevator" or "waiting in line" are not going to be on that list. For most travelers, there's going to be a bit of "jostling." Arm yourself with a few phrases to help you push back (linguistically, at least). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1720

The 2010 Shanghai World Expo's mascot has been a source of excitement, the butt of jokes and a topic of conversation since its unveiling a few years back. In today's lesson we're talking about Haibao and trying to figure out just what it is he is supposed to resemble. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1404

Shanghai might not have a "Great Wall" or an army of "Terracotta Warriors," but it does have a few famous landmarks of its own. In this lesson, learn the Chinese names for the Bund and Nanjing Road, two must-see spots for any tourist in Shanghai. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1723

Remember the excitement back in 2010? The Expo is coming, the Expo is coming! You've read the signs, you've seen the countdown. The time has arrived to get your tickets to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Check out today's lesson to learn how (and where) to buy tickets. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1384

As you start busting out your Chinese and making Chinese friends, one of the topics that's going to come up is hobbies. (Spoiler alert: you're going to hear a lot of "listening to music" and "watching movies.") If one of your hobbies is playing basketball, this lesson is perfect. If you just like watching basketball, this lesson is still perfect. If you like hitting people, it's also pretty good. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1687

Someone's got a date tonight, and he's getting some important advice from a friend. The main question: do women dig the facial hair, or is it better to go for the clean shave? Find out how to talk about facial hair in today's lesson. We hope you'll add your two cents to this very personal debate after listening to the show! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1387

So you're studying Chinese? Is it hard? As a student of Chinese, you better be prepared to answer these questions. And don't worry... Chinese people won't mind if you tell them you're finding it a tad bit difficult. They've wrestled with it their whole lives too. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1683

Once a year people across the world celebrate the women who brought them into the world. Join us today as we cover some of the essentials for wishing mom a wonderful Mother's Day! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1413

So what do you like to do in the evening? If your answer is something that does not involve going online, then you're weird, and we're not going to help you. If, however, you like going online for your entertainment, we've got just the Chinese lesson for you! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1678

KTV features prominently in the Chinese social scene. And everyone, everyone has their turn at the mic. Sometimes your friends surprise you with their ability to belt out pop standards. Other times, though, you find yourself suffering through butchered John Denver classics. If you're experiencing the latter of these two situations, check out today's lesson to find out how to get your friends off stage! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1381

If you're a newbie to China, then you've definitely got to make a trip to Beijing. This Chinese lesson for total beginners will help you to make sure you've got those train tickets... and maybe even help you be all bossy and make someone else go buy them. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1674

In this increasingly connected world, it's important to maintain contact with friends and colleagues, even when you're outside the house or the office. Cafés all over the world cater to this by offering free or paid wifi. But how do you ask for the password in Chinese? Find out in today's super-useful lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1378

Visas are a huge, unavoidable nuisance. If you live in China, there's a good chance you've made at least one trip to Hong Kong in search of this priceless little sticker. Learn useful Chinese vocabulary about visas in today's podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1668

Ever been in a restaurant when the food just doesn't seem to be coming out fast enough? In today's lesson we'll be bugging the server to speed things up a bit! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1369

If you're planning on spending a night in a Chinese hotel, as a foreigner, you better have your passport ready. In this lesson, learn those magic Chinese phrases that will land you in a hotel room. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1663

We're at the airport today, and it's time to say our heartfelt goodbyes! Learn how to send a person off in Chinese in this elementary level lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1367

Business cards. In China they're handed out for any and every reason… but what do you say when you get one? “Thanks” might seem a little bland, but then again, “WOW! You've such fine taste in paper!” might be a bit over the top. So then what? Better find out; you'll be doing it about 12 times a day. In this podcast, learn to do the ol' card exchange, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1661

It's April Fool's day and someone is about to get punk'd. Find out just what happens by tuning in to today's ChinesePod lesson all about practical jokes! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1390

Cliché as it may be, a good “long time no see” does wonders for reconnecting with old friends. In this podcast, we're going to make you sound more like a local by sharing these tidbits, as well as a cooler way of saying “how are you." And how are you? In this Chinese lesson, you'll learn that in Shanghai there's only one correct answer... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1656

Today's show covers important language for anyone planning on visiting a friend in a doorman building. Learn the basics for interacting with security, 保安(bǎo'ān), in today's helpful ChinesePod lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1364

“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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1649

Often times in China when you're running out the door you notice the street cleaners have just washed down the streets and sidewalks. This can be especially dangerous in the winter when water freezes into ice. In today's lesson, learn how to tell someone to watch out if the ground is slippery. You'll also be learning how to verbally rebound from a not-so-graceful spill! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1361

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1644

One thing is true about the weather these days: it's really unpredictable! People generally try to stay on top of the weather news in China, but despite an effort to stay informed, one of the characters in today's lesson will most definitely be feeling the chill tomorrow. Tune in to find out why! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1357

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1287

It's the new year and that means traveling home to see friends and family. In today's lesson learn how to make plans to see old friends. Hopefully you're able to fit it all into a week-long visit! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1355

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1284

Sending a package can be a bit intimidating in any language. The post office employee will ask you a number of questions about the contents of your package, the way you want to send it, and the options you have for its arrival. Check out today's ChinesePod lesson to prepare yourself for the next time you need to send a package and communicate these important details in Chinese! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1349

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* Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1277

Got plans with friends that you've got to rearrange? Looking for a way to explain why you can't attend an appointment? Check out this ChinesePod lesson to learn the language you'll need to cancel plans. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1347

"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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1275

Today's podcast explores a common situation, albeit one that's more likely to occur in dreams than real life. You've guessed it - it's the nightmare scenario in which everyone is staring at you, and for a very good reason! Check out today's lesson to find out why this person has everyone else's attention. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1342

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1263

You eat lunch at your office every day. Five meals a week, nearly fifty weeks a year. It might seem like there are a lot of options at first, but after a few months (or years) on the job, the options really start to bore. Discover a very familiar office conversation in today's lesson on lunch options. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1337

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1259

It's a nightmare situation: someone has an accident and needs immediate medical help, and you're the only person around to help. In today's ChinesePod lesson, learn how to call for help in Chinese. Who knows - with some of this vocabulary, you might just save a life one day. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1333

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1251

OK, you made it to the pharmacy and you managed to explain your symptoms to the pharmacist. You even have some funky-looking over-the-counter pills that promise to make you feel better. Now you have to figure out how often to take the pills... Learn the basic language to understand the dosage instructions. You wouldn't want to risk taking the wrong amount, would you? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1329

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1245

Winter has officially descended upon us. Now it's time to focus on how to be most comfortable in the cold (and how to avoid getting sick). Step one: find a warm blanket. Not one of those light throws - we're talking one that's so warm it'll make you sweat through those long winter nights. Join us today as we learn about different types of blankets! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1313

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1237

When Nintendo came out with this game console a few years ago, video games got a breath of fresh air. People of all walks of life started playing - swinging those little white sticks left and right, jumping up and down, turning the wheels of imaginary race cars... Join ChinesePod today as we break out our Wii!! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1297

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1230

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 discussing your jet-lagged predicament. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1290

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1221

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! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1273