The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
NGOs in China and an Anniversary News and Features
Happy 5th Anniversary, ChinesePod! News and Features is back this week with a brief preview of upcoming lessons in addition to an interview with Jon from Wokai. Wokai is a microfinance organization that uses its web platform to provide loans to rural entrepreneurs in China. Learn more about it and NGO work in China by tuning in to today's show! To learn more about Wokai and the work they do, check out their website here. To see the ChinesePod Anniversary page, click here.
lessons, news, NGO, wokai
What is up with 由 Qing Wen
If you're getting into the more formal language of the Upper Intermediate realms, you've likely encountered the preposition 由 (yóu). And you likely wondered what is up with this word? It seems to be forming passive verb constructions (but not really), and then it shows up in other formal patterns as well. In this lesson we examine the various uses of this word.
responsibility, directions
Reinstalling Windows Intermediate
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!
technology, Windows, system
You've been everywhere! Pre Intermediate
So you're planning a trip with your travel buddy, and you're talking about the places you've been and haven't been. The problem is, this guy's been everywhere! Learn these very practical Chinese sentence patterns about past experiences in this lesson. You'll have to figure out the trip destination on your own, though.
city, place
Firing Someone Upper Intermediate
It's never easy to fire someone, even if you have ample reason to do so. This lesson demonstrates the Chinese way of laying out the facts leading to that unpleasant decision, in a firm but humane way.
firing, work, attitude, performance, policy, contract
Weighing Yourself on the Street Intermediate
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!
scale, measurement, weight, body parts
All About the Lesson Content How to Use ChinesePod
In today's show Jenny and John are here to break down ChinesePod's lesson content to its individual parts. Learn about dialogs, podcasts, audio reviews and more. Jenny and John also discuss some tips for how to use these features in your studies. If you have questions or would like to describe how you study ChinesePod lessons, please use the conversations section below to share your thoughts!
lessons, ChinesePod, show
Making people do things with 让，令，and 使 Qing Wen
In today's lesson we're comparing the different uses of 让 (ràng)，令 (lìng)，and 使 (shǐ) and we're throwing in a fourth word for you: 叫 (jiào). We'll be talking about which of these words to use in formal and informal contexts. Useful isn't it? We'll also be touching on how to tell someone to do something and how to make them do something. Expect some emotionally-charged examples!
feelings
The Lazy Child Elementary
In this practical Chinese lesson a mother is shocked to discover that her child had a rather unproductive day. Learn the specific patterns for asking and answering what you've done and haven't done (and then you can go back to being lazy for a little while).
child, parents, family, practicing, homework
Ordering Food for the Group Intermediate
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).
restaurant, dinner, dishes, menu, food, ordering, culture
Politely Declining an Invitation Elementary
Naturally you're going to accept every invitation to hang out with your Chinese friends and co-workers, but what do you say when you really just can't make it? In this lesson, find out how to politely decline an invitation, thereby increasing your chances of getting invited again (rather than getting blacklisted from their homes and shunned for life).
time
A Special Fondness for Jewelry Upper Intermediate
The couple in this Chinese lesson are shopping for jewelry, with an unusual disregard for price. Learn how to discuss some of the specific Chinese vocabulary relating to these expensive accessories, and even find out where China's "bargain jewelry" is.
jewelry, materials, gold
Learning about Levels How to Use ChinesePod
This show introduces you to ChinesePod's different levels. All lessons are divided among levels and sometimes it can be hard to know when to move from one level to another. Jenny and John are here today to take some of the mystery out of ChinesePod level classification, and help make sure you're getting the very most out of your studies. Click here to see a full list of our levels and to browse lessons by level.
ChinesePod, levels, difficulty
Revisiting Before and After Qing Wen
The basic Chinese words for "before" and "after" are 以前 (yǐqián) and 以后 (yǐhòu). If you're anything like the typical learner of Chinese, though, you could use a little bit more help on how to use these words. After covering those basics, we help you out with a few other more advanced "before" and "after" issues.
time, future
Lhasa Intermediate
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!
city, Tibet, Lhasa, transportation, Buddhism, travel, sick
Going to the Gas Station Elementary
While "the great Chinese road trip" might not be the most popular activity for your typical trip to China, knowing how to say "fill 'er up" is definitely going to come in handy if you find yourself in private cars often. In this lesson, learn all the key Chinese words and phrases you need to get back on the road with a full tank.
car, gas, paying, transportation
Negotiating a Deadline Upper Intermediate
So you're working in a Chinese company, and your boss is really piling on the work, with unrealistic deadlines. What are you going to do? In today's lesson, we see how a conscientious translator is able to skillfully talk her manager into extending the deadline. (Yeah, acquiring this skill is going to take some practice!)
work, deadline, translation, time, attitude, efficiency