ChinesePod - Intermediate

Few countries are as education-crazy as China, but what recourse is left for those that couldn't afford a higher level education right out of high school but still have a desire to further their higher learning? China actually does have a system in place to help these people, but the reality is not exactly perfect. Learn about it in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1827

Today we hear a Chinese and British colleague chat about Christmas and how they will celebrate this holiday period. Seems like the Chinese colleague might be going on a date with someone! Have a Merry Xmas everybody. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2816

In this lesson, an intrepid shopper is going through a rather long list of medical supplies as he receives assistance from the pharmacist. As for why an apparently healthy young man would need such an assortment of bandages and painkillers, listen in to this Chinese lesson to find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1823

Major cities in China have automated taxi cab reservation services. You make a phone call, listen to a recording, and then are put in touch with an operator. This lesson will cover all the basics for what to expect from such a call, empowering you to start reserving your own taxis! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1529

Driving in China has been likened to action films, video games, and even demolition derby. Make no mistake -- there are good reasons not to get behind the wheel in China! On the other hand, there are also compelling reasons not to make that daily commute. Learn more in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1818

Whether you prefer a high-end salon or that guy cutting hair under the bridge, this lesson will cover all the Mandarin Chinese a guy needs to simply make his hair shorter (and then a bit shorter). Beware, though: learning this material could result in massive hair loss. Use with caution. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1519

The Chinese are well aware that many foreigners are adopting Chinese babies. Many of these foreigners even return to China with their children, introducing the land of their heritage to them. But what does the average Chinese person think about this phenomenon? Listen in on one such conversation in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1806

Maybe you know about the weekly English corner in your local park, but did you know that there are also "music corners?" In China, these informal bands aren't too hard to find (they're the ones with the musical instruments in their hands), and they sometimes even draw quite a crowd. In this lesson, learn the vocabulary for various traditional Chinese musical instruments. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1516

In part three of this series, some serious research has been done on the motor home market in China. We're talking market share, we're talking core competitive advantages, we're talking high-end markets and low-end markets. Learn some of this very important marketing speak in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1846

We've all met one of those people that seems to be allergic to everything. Sure, it's not their fault, but that doesn't stop others from being annoyed at the dinner table. In this lesson, learn many sentences patterns related to expressing "allergies," "allergic," and "allergic reaction" in Mandarin Chinese, while also experiencing some fun social tension. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1512

So the consumer survey on the potential motorhome market in China has been conducted, and now it's time to present the results to the boss. This lesson, part 2 in an ongoing series, covers the key language for discussing marketing segments in a business setting. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1808

Construction is everywhere in China's major cities. You can't avoid it, so you better learn how to talk about it. In this Chinese lesson, learn not only how to say that a road is under construction, but also learn to describe some of the major machinery on the construction site. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1507

There's a vast market of billions of consumers in China, so companies are clamoring to get their products in the door. But are all products right for China? It may be wise to conduct a little market research before going all in on the Middle Kingdom. This lesson deals with a consumer survey regarding motor homes in China. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1778

The middle-class Chinese custom of having an "ayi" (housekeeper) is one that most foreigners can get on board with right away. With the domestic assistance, however, can come language difficulties. In this lesson, learn some of the most importance Mandarin words relating to cleaning the home. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1503

Known in the West as "bizarro Othello" and "the thinking man's checkers," the game known as "go" in Japan and "weiqi" in China is actually quite the intellectual exercise with a long, rich tradition. In this Chinese lesson, the basics are taught to a child (who might actually be a bit too young to absorb it all). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1803

In the eternal "north vs. south" debate, one of the key issues is always climate. The north gets colder, it's true, but at least the air is dry. Meanwhile, down south everyone suffers through damp cold and sticky, drippy summers. This lesson will equip you with all the Chinese vocabulary to discuss these most pressing of climate issues. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1501

Are you a hardcore clubber? Or are you more of a wannabe, hoping for just a little peek into that dark, loud world of music, alcohol, and one-night stands? This lesson provides the outsider perspective into a Chinese club without getting too deep into the scene. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1769

Tattoos are commonplace among young women of many western countries, but what about in China? You might be surprised how many tattoos you'll see on girls in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. In this lesson, we'll hear two Chinese girls discuss whether or not to ink their bodies. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1497

Chinese children grow up with a story about Cao Cao's son, Cao Chong, and his clever solution to the question of how to weigh an animal as enormous as an elephant. What's that? You've never heard the story? Tune in for a pleasant introduction to Chinese children's stories that have been passed down through the ages. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1758

In China there's a whole special language reserved for counting out change (and no, Shanghai poddies, we're not talking about Shanghainese!). This is the language where the Chinese word for "to search for" suddenly becomes "to give back money." Learn all the essential Mandarin in this lesson to make sure you get the right change back. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1494

Remember the first time you wrote up your resume, and its 10 pages of vainglory? Recent university grads in China make the same mistake, and benefit from some sage advice on how to distill a CV to its essence. Learn the Chinese for this key job search language in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1747

How long have you been using that installation of Windows? Two years? Consider yourself lucky. Reinstalling the operating system is a necessary nuisance in our modern lives. Add China's computer virus-rich environment into the equation, and you can bet you'll be reinstalling Windows fairly often. Learn the critical Chinese vocabulary in this lesson... before it's too late! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1491

Formal Chinese can be a bit tricky at first. In this lesson, your trusty ChinesePod hosts dissect a typical announcement from HR, explaining in everyday terms what that formal language about "flexible work hours" is trying to say. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1742

After being shown multiple apartments by an agent and dealing with all kinds of grumpy potential landlords, the time has finally come to sign that lease. In this lesson, learn about the payment methods and contracts you'll be dealing with when renting a mainland Chinese apartment. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1526

Weddings in China have a long and glorious tradition. So much planning, so many guests, and a ton of protocol. But what if you could skip the whole ceremony and just do the honeymoon, and call it a "travel wedding?" The young lovebirds in this lesson would like to do just that, but their traditional Chinese parents will have none of it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1739

Sometimes you find an apartment you think you can be happy with, but it all comes down to the dealings with the landlord. What is the landlord's attitude like? Willing to replace things? Willing to make other changes? In this lesson, there's just a bit of friction. Learn the Chinese to deal with this apartment hunting situation in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1506

What does a formal job posting in Chinese sound like? You're about to find out! In this lesson, we cover the cliche phrases you're bound to run into, as well as some very useful vocabulary related to job searches in general. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1732

So you've found your agent, and the agent knows what type of place you're looking for. Now it's time for your potential future landlord to show you around an apartment. In today's lesson, you'll learn the Chinese vocabulary for all the key rooms and furniture, as well as signs that the landlord is kind of stingy. So do you think you'll need some time to think the apartment over? Yeah, we thought so. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1477

What is a Chinese barbecue like? What do people eat? What is a "barbecue district"? What exactly is a "little trumpet"? Find out answers to all these questions and more, in this summertime Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1709

Many people own their own apartments. However for those that rent, it's quite common to do so through a real estate agency. Learn some great language for describing your ideal apartment to an agent in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1454

What does retirement mean to the Chinese elderly? Just pensions and a bunch of sitting around? Fortunately, some old folks have more interesting aspirations. In this Chinese lesson, we take a positive and a negative look at life after work. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1704

Where do you go to weigh yourself? Your own bathroom? The doctor's office, perhaps? This Chinese lesson highlights one of those particular Chinese sights: the practice of weighing oneself on a public, busy street. If you're a health nut you'll want to pay close attention to the vocabulary; it's a bit tricky! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1487

Google's Android system for smartphones is quite popular in China, but the more expensive alternative, the iPhone, is also doing very well in the market. In this Chinese lesson, learn some of the key terms for buying and maintaining one's modern smartphone in the Middle Kingdom. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1693

Ordering food in China is no simple matter. It's time to leave behind your Western "order my own portion" ways and embrace Chinese family-style eating. But with everyone sharing the dishes, ordering the food can be a little complicated. In this lesson, learn the language you need to make everyone happy (and full). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1484

With Wang Qiang in custody and Detective Li out of harm's way, it seems the threat of the "Black Cat" has at long last been resolved. What new developments lie in store for our hero and his faithful sidekick, Xiao You? Tune into the grand finale of our Detective Li series to find out! [上集答案： 李探长通过用手指盖住手机话筒的方法告诉小尤 - "我在体育馆，你快去广播室抓捕王强。" ] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1792

What China adventure is complete without a trip to majestic Lhasa? Learn all the Chinese you'll need to get yourself to Tibet and into the most famous attractions. Just remember to be wary of the altitude sickness! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1481

In the clutches of "Black Cat", Detective Li makes a desperate phone call and recalls a pivotal event in his sleuthing past. What will become of the talented detective? Tune in and find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1782

In big cities in China, ATMs are everywhere, and many of them can even take foreign cards now. Of course, it's very useful to actually know how to use these things, and learning the appropriate Chinese terms is a huge step in the right direction. Today's lesson covers the ATM basics, including checking balances and making a withdrawal. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1474

As Detective Li and Xiao You pursue a terrorist threat known only as "Black Cat," Xiao You heads back to headquarters while Detective Li pursues a fleeing "shadow" on his own. In this lesson, Detective Li finally confronts the shadow and learns its true intent. [上集答案：5239] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1773

Air conditioning has quickly become an indispensable part of modern Chinese life, especially in cities like Shanghai. "Air conditioning with Chinese characteristics," however, means you adjust the temperature with a remote control. It turns out those things may not always be the easiest to figure out. Today's lesson prepares you for the Chinese you'll need to stay cool. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1471

While Detective Li pursues a fleeting shadow alone, Xiao You returns to headquarters where she rediscovers her mentor's mysterious locked drawer. What lies in wait for the young detective? Find out in today's lesson! [上集答案：九校（第九学校）] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1762

Today we're following a mother and her daughter to the toy store. Unfortunately for this mom, there's nothing her child doesn't want! Learn how to discuss kids' playthings, as well as how modern parents deal with their demanding little emperors in this intermediate level Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1467

In part one of this five-part story, an emergency meeting at the station reveals that the mysterious "Black Cat" is making some serious terrorist threats, and the police need to react fast. At the same time, this lesson provides a few hints about Detective Li's past. 上集“三条人命案”答案： 经查证，中年男性死者是吴国庆，中年女性死者名叫陈桂芝，青年男性死者叫吴奇。 吴奇的生日是闰年2月29日，所以5次生日之后，孩子应该是20岁出头。但在20多年里，吴奇基本没出过家门，所以长得很白净。因为赌博及其他各种原因，吴国庆经常对陈桂芝实施家庭暴力，吴奇也自然是看在眼中记在心里。案发前的两个礼拜，吴国庆与陈桂芝发生激烈争吵，并再一次发生家庭暴力，而吴奇乘吴国庆不注意的时候逃了出来。那天，吴国庆在实施暴力的过程中将陈桂芝杀死。两个礼拜后，案发的前一天晚上，吴奇半夜回到家中，向吴国庆询问母亲的下落，吴奇怀疑吴国庆将陈桂芝杀死并把尸体藏于地下室，之后发生了父子之间的打斗。因为唯一的钥匙在吴国庆手上，所以吴奇逼吴国庆将钥匙交出。吴国庆不肯，并把钥匙吞到肚子里。之后吴奇便把吴国庆杀死，并刨腹找出钥匙。进入地下室，找到母亲尸体后，吴奇便打开液化气瓶开关，在地下室自杀。 Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1753

ChinesePod is heading to a concert - not just any concert, but one of megastar Andy Lau's. Join us today to learn the Chinese you'll need to know when going to your next live show, and an answer to perhaps an even bigger question: is this guy still relevant? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1464

Three bodies, a trail of bloody footprints, and some serious violence. Last episode Detective Li and his partner Xiao You arrived on the grisly scene, and this episode they learn a few more crucial details. This case ends here; can you solve it? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1728

In this age of web portals, blogs, and apps, you don't hear a lot of talk about the class printed-on-paper magazine. Not only are magazines popular in China, but there are also not-so-obvious ways to subscribe to them. In this lesson, learn how to subscribe to a magazine in Mandarin Chinese (and maybe even give a gift subscription). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1461

Three bodies, a trail of bloody footprints, and some serious violence. This episode Detective Li and his partner Xiao You arrive on the grisly scene and begin their investigation into three violent deaths. This episode is divided into two parts. It begins here. [上集答案：驯兽师训练猴子拿走了钻石，除了人类之外只有猴子有指纹。] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1724

If you've ever been late catching a train you'll know the anxiety that sets in when that very train starts boarding - and you're still stuck in the security line! In today's lesson we'll be discussing one approach for making sure you get on that train. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1457

In part 4 of the series, the indomitable Detective Li and his faithful partner Xiao You find themselves summoned to the scene of a burglary... in a circus. Listen in to the details of the case, and see if you can match wits with Detective Li and determine who committed the crime. [上集答案：根据条件，没有说谎的孩子是毛毛。打破玻璃的孩子是星星。] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1713

Yellow Mountain, or 黄山 (huángshān) is one of China's most important tourist destinations. Situated in Anhui province, its landscapes call to mind classical Chinese paintings of cloud-ringed peaks. Learn about how to talk about this important place in Chinese with this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1451

The story continues, and we learn in this episode that Detective Li is an eccentric man who may be hiding a few secrets. We also take a break from the murder cases as our favorite Chinese Sherlock turns his powers of deduction to the antics of some naughty neighborhood kids. [上集答案：暗号是“五木：朝阳区”。其中，“五木”就是森林公园；冒号是2点钟；“朝”是十月十日；“朝阳”指早晨、凌晨；“区”从字形上看，就是指东边出口。所以暗号隐藏的内容就是 —— 十月十日凌晨2点，森林公园东边出口。] Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1700