The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
Prices and Expenses Qing Wen
Today's Qing Wen is for all our financially-minded users out there. In this podcast, we'll be talking all about different Chinese terms for prices, expenses and costs, plus the useful distinctions between all of their respective usages. Graduate from the phrase "very expensive!" and learn how to discuss your expenses like a pro!
money, price
Words of Encouragement Elementary
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.
office, business, work
Wheelchair Access to the Great Wall Intermediate
It can be a bit daunting to travel to many parts of China in a wheelchair due to a dearth of wheelchair-accessible ramps and elevators. But is a physically challenged tourist destined to never see China's most famous and ancient of attractions, namely the Great Wall? Tune in to today's intermediate lesson and find out!
construction, travel
The Secret Cash Stash Upper Intermediate
It's not uncommon in China for the wife in a marriage to have sole access to the family credit cards and bank accounts (the reason being to avoid wasteful purchases, of course!). Naturally, the husbands have devised a way around their wives' vice-like grip on the family funds: stashing money in nooks and crannies all over their houses. But what happens when a wife discovers her husband's hidden hoards? Listen in and find out!
money, family, opinion, furniture
Spending Money in Hong Kong Elementary
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.
money, currency, travel, numbers, Hong Kong
Chinese Empresses Beijing Standard Time
China has an incredibly long history with hundreds of emperors, among which the vast majority are male. But, like a number of other countries in the world, China has also had a handful of empresses; very few in number, but powerful nonetheless. Today's BST sheds light on this interesting aspect of Chinese history. We hope that everyone enjoys the show; don't forget to leave your comments below! For more lessons on emperors and imperial intrigue, check out ChinesePod's advanced series 小太监进宫 and intermediate lesson on Kings, Emperors and Presidents!
emperor, people, history
International Currency Qing Wen
Could you imagine a world with only a single currency? Never mind the economic ramifications; at least you wouldn't have to worry about exchange rates and all the different words for national currencies! Unfortunately, different currencies DO exist, so with that in mind Qing Wen presents a lesson about some of the more commonly-used currencies in the world and how to say them in Mandarin Chinese.
money, country, currency, shopping
Asking for Sick Leave Pre Intermediate
Even the hardest-working employees need a break sometimes! Whether you're actually sick or not, knowing how to ask your Chinese boss for a bit of time off is a highly important skill. Learn how to do so in today's elementary lesson.
work, boss, drugs, feelings
Reading Fortunes Upper Intermediate
Do you believe in astrology? Palm reading? Physiognomy? Feng shui? The Chinese tradition of reading facial features and palms is long and storied; while the practice is not as widespread as it once was, the practice still exists. Listen in as two young travelers have their own fortunes revealed in today's ChinesePod lesson.
face, fate, emotions, enterprise
Photocopying and Printing Elementary
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.
office, boss, business
Fresh Air vs. Heat Intermediate
Westerners tend to be content to sit inside with air conditioners blazing, ignoring the egregiously cold or hot air outside. Chinese people, on the other hand, can't stand this; even if the natural climate is in negative numbers, they are of the persuasion that opening the window for fresh air is vital to staying healthy. Listen in as a Western coworker experiences this cultural difference firsthand.
office, daily life, air conditioning, air, clothes
The One-Child Policy Beijing Standard Time
One of China's most (in)famous recent governmental policies is the One-Child Policy. As the name suggests, the policy restricts families to a single child; there are, however, some exceptions to and ways around this overarching rule. Listen in as David and Greg explore this rather complicated issue in greater detail in today's BST. Don't forget to weigh in in the comments section below!
baby, child, one-child policy
Family Member Terms of Address Qing Wen
Even if you haven't studied Chinese for very long you've probably still come across the labyrinthine maze that is terms of address for family members. Age seniority, paternal and maternal sides, in-laws, surnames; these are just a few examples of the many factors determine how to address not just long-lost relatives but even just Uncle Jack and Aunt Nelly. Don't start banging your head against the wall just yet, though, because ChinesePod is here to help you untangle this web of familial terms with today's Qing Wen. Listen in and enjoy!
family, relationships
The Seven Year Itch 4: The End of the Itch Upper Intermediate
We've witnessed the trials and tribulations endured by couples afflicted with the seven-year-itch: fierce arguments, suspect extramarital interactions, even divorce. Luckily, at least one couple has managed to make it through relatively unscathed with their relationship intact. Listen in as she discusses with her close friend how she and her husband were able to cope. You can find the previous lesson in the series here.
family, relationships, women
Finding the Office Building Elementary
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!
office, directions, place
A Leggy Joke Intermediate
You know you've reached a certain level of language proficiency when you can crack jokes with ease in the target language. For those of you who may be nervous about attempting such a feat (or who just don't know any good jokes!), ChinesePod is here to help with a joke from our own personal archives. Be sure to let us know how the joke is received by all of your Chinese friends!
joke, school, animals, students, entertainment
宗教知识竞赛 Advanced
信仰是神圣的。在这个世界上，有人信仰佛教，有人信仰基督教，有人信仰伊斯兰教，还有人信仰别的宗教。你的宗教信仰是什么？今天我们这里在进行着一场激烈的比赛。是一个关于宗教信仰的知识竞赛。这个竞赛中提到的宗教知识问题你能回答上来吗？
religion, competition, asking questions
Asking About the New Job Pre Intermediate
While chatting with your friends in Chinese, job discussion will surely be a popular topic, especially if someone has just changed jobs. Learn how to give a (diplomatic) answer to some of the more common questions about your new occupation.
jobs, company, time, transportation