Explore every episode of the podcast ChinesePod - Beginner

Once you get past the initial niceties and compliments that inevitably take place during a conversation, your newfound Chinese friend will most likely ask you where you've learned such exemplary Mandarin. Today's lesson will teach you how to respond to this question while still preserving the image of your impeccable language skills. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1916

Modern China has reinvented the convenience store. Or rather, it has borrowed Japan's reinvention of the convenience store. But in any case, it's new heights of convenience. These stores are now places you can pick up fresh (?) food and even have it heated on your way out. Learn this lesson and finally find out what they've been asking you every time you buy food! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1909

So are you looking for a tour guide, or are you just looking for a friend of a friend to show you around the city for free? No matter; those two are the same word in Chinese! Learn how to get help finding a tour guide in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1906

True, asking for a fork is pretty much "giving up" when you're living in China, but there are times when it's not so frowned upon. And a spoon is basically always OK; eating soup with chopsticks is not for everyone. Learn this key vocabulary in our Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1900

Noisy, crowded restaurants and cafeterias are especially common in China; it is the largest country in the world, after all. This alone may not be too jarring for a newly-arrived foreigner, but you may be a bit more surprised when a group of strangers asks to sit at your table with you! Learn how to politely ask to sit with people (and how to respond to such requests) in today's ChinesePod lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1897

A new workplace can be intimidating at first if you don't know anyone and especially if no one is speaking English! The first step to breaking the ice and becoming more familiar with your coworkers is obtaining a coveted lunch invitation. But what do you do when you can't get an invite? Learn how to ask to tag along in today's elementary lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1896

Today's podcast is all about massive numbers in Mandarin Chinese. We're talking the numbers used in high-occurrence discussions on the population of China, US debt to China, your expected salary, and the price of a Ferrari in Shanghai. Enhance your numerical knowledge with today's elementary lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1877

If you're a fan of traveling (and if you're in China or planning a visit, you almost undoubtedly are!) then chances are you're going to need to buy train tickets at some point. Train ticket offices in China can be very daunting: lines are more of a suggestion and dialects reign supreme. But have no fear, ChinesePod is here to help! Listen in and learn all the key vocabulary vital for purchasing high-speed train tickets to your next destination. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1875

One of the first things you're going to need to do in China is change some of your hard-earned cash into spendable RMB. Today's dialogue follows one such traveler as they venture into a local bank. Learn all the vital vocab for exchanging money using Mandarin Chinese in today's elementary lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1872

It's been a rough week. The work piled up over the holiday last week and all your dutiful employees have been working long overtime hours. What's the best way, other than an expensive bonus, to show your immense appreciation for your subordinates who pour their blood, sweat and tears into your company? Uplifting (and cheap!) words of encouragement, of course! Learn how to spur on your workers in today's ChinesePod elementary lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1866

As one of Asia's premier shopping cities, Hong Kong has more than a few places to spend your hard-earned cash. No matter what it is you buy, your coworkers will undoubtedly be curious as to how much money you've spent on your most recent buying binge. Learn how to discuss such a topic in today's ChinesePod lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1862

Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated every year on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, is a celebration in honour of the moon, and sharing mooncakes is one of the hallmark traditions of this festival. Listen in to today's lesson to see what someone gets for a present on this holiday. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2536

What do you do when you're thrust into an office environment with little English and a multitude of tasks to complete? ChinesePod offers a solution with today's lesson on the wild world of office duties like photocopying, printing and calling cabs for your superiors. Learn how to be a company superstar with this elementary lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1858

You've gotten directions to the office and gotten your friend to tell the taxi driver where to go. All you need to do now is find your way out of the taxi to the correct floor in the office building itself. Learn how to make this final push in Mandarin Chinese in today's elementary lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1855

So you've just had an hour-long argument with your landlord about the electricity bill or exchanged a few hundred texts with your significant other; either way your phone is out of credit. Don't panic! Learn how to recharge your cell phone minutes in today's highly useful Elementary lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1851

Each person has his own preferences, but the Chinese way to finding a good restaurant is -- no, not Yelp or Dianping -- asking friends, face to face, the good old-fashioned way! In this lesson, follow such a conversation about where to eat lunch and learn some Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1847

Why bother to even ask for directions at all, when you can just hop in a cab, call your Chinese friend, and have her tell the driver where you want to go? In this lesson, our lazy office visitor does just that. But you may just learn some Chinese from the exchange if you listen in and pay attention! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1845

You'd normally just check online for the fastest route via public transportation to get to your destination, but you're out of data on your smartphone and can't find wireless. What do you do? Good thing you listened to this ChinesePod lesson and learned how to ask for and understand directions in Mandarin Chinese! Crisis averted! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1843

Afternoon meetings are a fact of life in many offices, but in many companies they're on a dangerous collision course with the Chinese "afternoon nap" custom. In this lesson, learn the key Mandarin phrases for reminding others about meetings. As for actually staying awake in that meeting... you're on your own! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1841

No, Boxing Day has nothing to do with the big fight on Pay-Per-View. It's that semi-mystical holiday celebrated by the loyal subjects of the queen. Apparently it's all about shopping? If you have any idea what we're talking about, let's convert the idea into Chinese in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1832

If you intend to claim something as an expense in China, you need an "official receipt" (AKA "fapiao"). So don't just fight over the bill -- make sure you get this government-issued scrap of paper to make it official. Learn the magic words in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1831

You've had a long day and finally arrive at your hotel, ready for some much needed R&R. But alas, the room you desire isn't available! What is to be done? Today's unlucky traveler finds himself in such a predicament. Be sure to listen in and learn about different room types in today's lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1825

If you're going to treat men like objects, it's important to be able to compare them like objects. In this Chinese lesson, a group of ladies in the office compare two of their male co-workers. Listen in on the age-old debate of Xiao Wang vs. Xiao Li, and learn how to make comparisons in Mandarin! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1821

So you slept in until noon, and NOW it's convenient for you to have housekeeping clean your room? That's fine... you're the guest after all. Find out what both the request and the polite staff response are in this continuation of ChinesePod's hospitality series. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1889

We revisit Ms. Wu's saga in New York in today's elementary lesson as we follow on a handbag shopping excursion. Will she be able to find one that suits her? Learn how to shop for handbags (and other products) in today's ChinesePod lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1886

We're back with another useful lesson for the hotel-staffing Chinese learner. Hotel guests highly value their breakfast. Today's lesson will teach you how to direct guests to their morning vittles. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1791

Everyone forgets the essentials sometimes when they travel. What's a poor traveler to do without their toothbrush? Listen in as a forgetful hotel guest asks hotel staff for vital necessities in Mandarin Chinese and learn how to do the same yourself! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1785

Our hospitality saga continues with an encounter between a young woman and a hotel clerk. Learn how to talk about room reservations and China Union Pay bank cards in today's lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1765

Imagine that you work at the Hilton in New York City, and you're tasked with welcoming Chinese guests in Mandarin. You better know exactly what to say, and this Chinese lesson covers exactly that. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1755

In recent years, China's stunning economic progress has propelled it into the ranks of "nations that pretend to use dental floss to appease their dentists." Many Chinese people are also now aware that excessive use of toothpicks can be a bad thing. If you're ready for the big "dental floss or toothpick" question, this is the lesson for you. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1817

That Manager Li is a busy, powerful woman. You can't expect to just pull her aside next to the water cooler; you're going to need to schedule your precious face time with her. In this lesson, learn how to do just that in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1816

Learn Mandarin From Commercials Series helps you experience the culture from Chinese entertainment through commercials where you can learn everyday Chinese phrases and vocabulary. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4601

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4599

Learn Mandarin From Commercials Series helps you experience the culture from Chinese entertainment through commercials where you can learn everyday Chinese phrases and vocabulary. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4597

Learn Mandarin From Commercials Series helps you experience the culture from Chinese entertainment through commercials where you can learn everyday Chinese phrases and vocabulary. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4595

Learning how to hand-write characters can be a daunting task for those of us just starting to learn Chinese; how often have you forgotten how to write a character? The answer is probably exceedingly often. Don't feel too bad, though. In today's lesson, you'll learn that it's not just foreigners who are prone to forgetting how to write characters! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1812

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are teaching you an important topic that always comes up when you meet somebody for the first time - talking about your hometown. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4609

Thanksgiving means "turkey day" to most Americans. While the Chinese can get behind the whole idea of a day giving thanks, they also have a few less-than-enthusiastic opinions about turkey. Find out the Chinese view on turkey and learn how to use Chinese to defend the honor of this delicious bird. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1810

Most successful professionals are excellent planners, or at least have a responsible secretary to take care of all their scheduling needs! Learn how to delegate your scheduling duties to your underlings in Mandarin Chinese in today's ChinesePod lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1797

Join Carly as she explains 88 common & simple Chinese characters you will find all over China. In this 12th lesson Carly will give you a final recap of the last set of characters she talked about in previous lessons. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4582

Sports are a popular topic of discussion all over the world, and China is no exception. In this podcast, learn how to discuss which sports you like to play. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1788

Join Carly as she explains 88 common & simple Chinese characters you will find all over China. In this 11th lesson Carly will give you details for characters used for other countries & languages. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4581

Marriage and divorce. We hope you'll be talking much more about one over the other, but just in case, tune into this lesson to learn how to talk about getting married and divorced in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1783

Join Carly as she explains 88 common & simple Chinese characters you will find all over China. In this 10th lesson Carly will give you details for characters used for other Chinese cities such as Beijing & Shanghai. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4580

If you've ever had the fortune of being "taken care of" by a Chinese friend while in China, then you know how truly hospitable the Chinese can be. When it comes time to say farewell, though, you may have a little trouble expressing the depths of your gratitude. This Chinese lesson is just what you need. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1775

Join Carly as she explains 88 common & simple Chinese characters you will find all over China. In this 9th lesson Carly will give you details for characters used for common public areas. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4579

We hope you're ready for some slightly higher numbers, because these are plane tickets we're talking about; the numbers 1-100 aren't going to cut it. Learn how to ask about travel planes, and also how to discuss slightly vague price ranges in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1771

Join Carly as she explains 88 common & simple Chinese characters you will find all over China. In this 8th lesson Carly will give you details for characters used on public signs. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4578

We're sure many of our subscribers, tech-savvy or not, have experienced the joys of shopping online. In today's lesson, learn about one of China's biggest online shopping site, Taobao, in addition to learning how to discuss buying things online in Mandarin. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1761

Join Carly as she explains 88 common & simple Chinese characters you will find all over China. In this 7th lesson Carly will give you details for characters used for transportation such as cars & buses, Trains and so on. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4577