The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
On Location at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Dear Amber
Now, what self-respecting podcast about China wouldn't have an episode devoted to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing? Dear Amber goes on location. The games, the city itself, the visitors on the street... right down to an interview with a real live Beijing taxi driver. Live vicariously through us and enjoy the Beijing Olympics experience firsthand. And for those of you who had the privilege to come too, share your experience with us in the comments section!
We're going to miss the plane! Upper Intermediate
Based on actual events, in this podcast we hear the story of four friends, a nearly doomed weekend sojourn, and perhaps the only safe driver in the land. Now, normally the story would be that you had a safe driver... however, today not so. Today the story is one of circuitous routes, backseat drivers, and red lights not run. Learn how to get the pedal to the metal, in Mandarin Chinese.
town and city, travel, transportation
Morning at the Office Newbie
Here is a Chinese lesson for all those morning people out there that we love to hate. A few chipper 'good mornings' to start off the day. You can shout them out your window to those neighbors who love to rise at the screech of dawn for a powwow outside your window. In this lesson, learn all kinds of greetings a la Mandarin. You'll be hello-ing and beyond in no time!
greetings, home and office
Here she comes Intermediate
'When someone you've never even met suddenly gives you flowers, that's ChinesePod.' In this podcast, we hear what really goes on inside the mind of the average smitten male. A Chinese lesson in mustering up the courage to talk to that guy/girl you're fancying. So put on some deodorant, grab some daisies, and let's make a return to the glory days of 1980's TV commercials. Ask him/her out, in Mandarin.
people, feelings
Hungry Traveler: Sichuan Elementary
We call it Szechuan, they call it Sichuan. Does Ants on a Tree really come with ants? Was it just a novelty dish? All just a joke on the American public? Well, now is your chance to find out. Learn about the Chinese cuisine embraced the world over: the hot and spicy Sichuan. And while you're at it, add a few more dishes to your ordering repertoire.
Hungry Traveler Series, food, spicy
日本人的起源 Advanced
一直以来，对日本人起源的研究都很火热，那日本人的起源之谜揭开了吗？亚洲的许多国家都是多民族共处，而日本官方却宣称日本没有少数民族，只有大和民族。那日本人到底起源于哪里呢？有哪些有力的说法？欢迎你收听今天的高级中文，并来中文播客交流你的所知所想。
history, nationalities
Measure Words for Counting People Qing Wen
John plays substitute teacher this week as Amber shares with us a burning secret: four different measure words for counting people in Chinese! Join Connie, Amber, and John as they discuss the various social dimensions to using the words 个 (gè), 位 (wèi), 口 (kǒu), and 名 (míng).
Chinglish in Reverse and University Culture Dear Amber
What happens when you take an English speaking Chinese learner and plop him or her into China? We like to call it 'Engnese;' some prefer 'Zhonglish.' Today on Dear Amber, JP and I decipher for you the newest dialect creeping into China. Plus, we hear from a couple uni students about what it's like attending university in China as a foreigner--from the culture of the classroom to dorm life. Find it all out here, and visit us in the comments section to share your experiences as well! Related Links: How English Is Evolving Into a Language We May Not Even Understand Zhonglish — Revenge of the Non-Native English Speaker Zhonglish: ups and downs of tones in combination
I Want This Newbie
A wee baby learning to talk. His first word, a loving 'mama.' The second, 'dada.' And then comes the 'gimme, gimme, gimme.' Well, you have to start somewhere. In this podcast, learn the phrase that will help you get what you want, in Mandarin Chinese.
shopping
Business Interview: e-Commerce Guru Upper Intermediate
There are love gurus, spiritual gurus, self-help gurus. These are all good. But what the world has been missing, up until now, is an e-commerce guru. No longer. The e-commerce guru has arrived, and he is going to teach you to live, love and self-actualize through online buying and selling. Listen to his wisdom, in Mandarin Chinese, in this podcast.
business, computers, internet
The Panda's Secret Wish Elementary
The first cuddly creature to be used in a diplomatic capacity. A country full of bamboo to eat its way through. In its stuffed animal capacity, the first bear to give teddy a run for its money. The bear that seemingly has it all still wants more. Find out the panda's secret wish in this Mandarin Chinese lesson.
animals, questions
Lao Wang's Office 2: Welcome to the Team Intermediate
We revisit the office of Wang in this episode. Today, a new player arrives on the office scene. In this podcast, come along on an office tour and learn what all the departments are in Chinese. Along the way, get some office introductions and insights into the culture of a Chinese office, in Mandarin. Related Links: Good morning from the front row!
business, introductions, jobs
Taking a Shower Newbie
Rub-a-dub-dub four tones in the tub. Bath time just got more fun and your old repertoire of songs to shower by just expanded. In this podcast, lather up and learn how to take a shower, Chinese-style. Also included, for those with long-showering, hot water user-upper roommates: learn how to stage phantom phone calls from love interests. Sure to get them out in a hurry. Related Links: The rare pleasure of a hotel shower The Filthy Foreigner Flaw
communications
The 是...的 (Shì...de) Pattern Qing Wen
Finally, we tackle one of the top ten requested sentence patterns here on Qing Wen: the 是...的 (shì...de) pattern. No, we weren't afraid... well, maybe a little... but for some reason it took a year to get around to it. Good thing we have a linguist on hand (JP) to help us break this one down. A linguist, a smuggler, and a shopaholic. Are you sure you trust us with this pattern? Listen in and see!
The More Than One Child Policy and Taking Trains Dear Amber
Everyone knows about the one child policy of China, but not many people know about the more than one child policies... today on Dear Amber we talk about why there are so many siblings walking around. Also, we answer a question on what it's like training it through China, and give a few tips to make for a smoother journey. Visit the comments section and share your experiences with us too!
Olympic Excitement Elementary
08-08-2008. The day we've all been waiting for. The factories are closed, the cars are parked away. The buildings are ready, the skies are blue (hopefully). The world has arrived in Beijing and we at ChinesePod are here to cheer everyone on. Jiayou Olympics. Jiayou China. Listen to this podcast and celebrate the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing with us.
celebrations, Olympics
Rock, Scissors, Cloth Elementary
The debate over who invented this game is not as heated as the one about who invented the noodle, thankfully. Perhaps the noodle debate could be settled for all time by a nice round of rock, scissors, paper... or was it cloth? Either way, next time you're in a quandary, learn how to settle it in this Mandarin Chinese lesson. Related Links: Rock, Paper, Scissors (Bo-Sham)
materials
Sales Call Newbie
Of course, the old slam the receiver down always works. But for some, the ring of a telemarketer signals another captive-language-learning partner opportunity. In this podcast, learn how to cut to the chase and use your newfound Chinese skills to hang up on that salesperson in a more delicate manner. Related Links: The marketing practices in China
greetings, home and office
Getting Internet at your Apartment Upper Intermediate
It may not quite be the internet as you knew it, but something is better than nothing, right? Learn here how to get yourself wired and online in China. Learn in this podcast how to get internet installed, and how to get which connection speed you want, in Mandarin Chinese.
computers, internet, home and office