The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
Name-Calling, Chinese-Style Qing Wen
In this edition of Qing Wen, we take a break from all our language talk for some light-hearted jabs. Yes, that's right, where else could you find out how to spice up your Chinese with some good old-fashioned name-calling! Listen in, and learn how to be the king of the playground, in Mandarin!
Condoms Elementary
Drug stores are full of potentially embarrassing items. Embarrassment is exponentially heightened when it involves the acting out of said item to drug store clerk, gesturing to specific body parts and drawing pictures. Thankfully, we at ChinesePod do not shy away from these topics (to wit: lesson on buying tampons), and wouldn't want to see you acting out the word for "condom." Thus, this podcast, where you will learn how to discreetly ask for your contraceptive of choice, in Mandarin Chinese.
show, shopping
Touring a Factory Intermediate
We now join our Canadian businessman, Peter, as he goes on a tour of a local factory in China. Will he be faced with startling revelations of sweatshop conditions, child-labor violations and 20 hour workdays--leading to troublesome moral dilemmas? In this podcast, learn as Peter goes to the source and discovers what "Made in China" really means, in Mandarin Chinese.
business, government, jobs
#6 Movie Madness
John has chosen another audio clip, and this time the ChinesePod team is presenting a contest. Listen to the podcast to find out how to participate. As always, the question is… can you recognize the Hollywood movie based on the audio clip?? Dave, Jenny, and Amber offer their insight in order to help listeners to try to name that movie based on the Mandarin Chinese audio and three clues.
Confession of Love Newbie
Men, at times, find comprehending the female nature a perplexing and bewildering endeavor. However, leave it to this podcast to teach you the three magic words that women the world over, no matter what race, religion or language group, love to hear. (If only life were really that simple.) In this lesson, learn how to profess your love in Mandarin Chinese... and remember (profound statement of the day): you don't have to understand something to love it!
emotions, feelings
Baby Care Intermediate
The language of babies may be mysterious, but the customs of parenthood are universal. Granted, the open crotch pants of babies in China save on diaper changes, but all parents run the gauntlet of feedings, sleepless nights and the task of coming up with creative inducements to slumber. This podcast walks you through another time-honored parental tradition... that of sharing your woes with a friend--this time, in Mandarin Chinese.
children, family
A Chinese-Style Contradiction Elementary
O, the profundity of language. Read literally, the word for contradiction in Chinese is nothing less intriguing than: "spear shield." Yes, it's just this kind of mental gymnastic that keeps us coming back for more. In this podcast, join us as we penetrate the fathomless depths of Chinese word origin and learn the interesting (poetic license notwithstanding) story of "contradiction," in Mandarin Chinese.
culture, questions
ChinesePod on the iPhone News and Features
Listen in to Ken and Hank discuss how to use the new mobile site, how it will allow you to study in new ways, and a little about the promise of m-learning in the future. Why not check out the mobile site whilst listening to the show (at m.chinesepod.com).
Saying Sorry Qing Wen
In this edition of Qing Wen, we unapologetically address the issue of apologizing in Chinese. Listen in, as 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) takes on 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)... the results will be sure to placate those around you... and give you the upper hand on apologizing in Chinese.
Experiencing Agricultural Life Upper Intermediate
A special podcast today. We listen in on an interview about a very interesting aspect of coming of age in China--going on the school field trip to the countryside to study agricultural life. Listen in to this Mandarin Chinese interview with our very own Ziheng, (you may recognize him from his previous acting roles here at ChinesePod) as he shares his very unique, and often humorous, thoughts on this interesting and rare glimpse into real life in China.
culture, studies
I forgot your name Newbie
Now, we know that when names consist mainly of a medley of Xs, Qs and Zs, it can be easy to lose it under pressure. So, when that friend that you just ran into is looking into your eyes with an anticipative look, you might just, understandably, come up short. This situation affords two choices: calling them Li Xiansheng (you just could be right!), or listening in to this podcast, so you can learn how to 'fess up that you've forgotten someone's name, in Mandarin Chinese.
greetings, people, introductions
#5 Movie Madness
John takes a crack at choosing the audio clip this time, and he claims it's easier than Dave's choices. But is it really? As always, the question is… can you recognize the Hollywood movie based on the audio clip?? In this episode, Dave, Jenny, and Amber try to name that movie based on the Mandarin Chinese audio and three clues.
Travel Itinerary Pre Intermediate
Having a travel itinerary in place is no problem in China. You can take a tour and be ushered along to a string of jade factories, miracle pearl cream shops, dramatic burn-healing remedy demonstrations and, uh, another jade factory... oh, yeah, and to the Great Wall too, if you're lucky! In this podcast, take control of your itinerary! Learn how to plan your own travel itinerary, in Mandarin Chinese.
directions, location
She's Easy Intermediate
You know her type: a different guy for every day of the week, the tantrum dramas, the high-maintenance demands for lavish tokens of your admiration, her every surface gaudily bedecked with her spoils. In this podcast, ChinesePod does a public service announcement and teaches you how to beware of the dreaded "easy" girl. Let the learner beware of her artifice... in Mandarin Chinese.
shopping, money, people
Please Speak Chinese Newbie
You've just stepped out from the office when a frenzied pack of language students senses your presence and rushes over with English greetings. We've all been there and know this is one of those things about China that can be both sweet as well as incredibly frustrating. How you deal with it is your call. But since pretending you're from Xinjiang isn't always an option, it's useful to have a few tricks up your sleeve for steering conversations back to Mandarin. This podcast covers the easiest way: asking them to speak Chinese.
language
Studying Japanese Upper Intermediate
Are you pouring over your accumulated mountain of Chinese-learning books, now wearing a set of prescription glasses due to Chinese character eye-strain, and dreaming of latin-based languages and the sun-drenched beaches that oft go along with them? This is no time for regrets! This is a lesson to validate Mandarin Chinese-learners everywhere, reaffirming that we made the right decision in taking on this charming language! In this podcast, learn about the agonies of learning Japanese.
communications, education, language
Using 又 (yòu) and 再 (zài) Qing Wen
In this exciting edition of Qing Wen, we clear up once and for all any confusion as to when to use the two different words for "again" in Chinese. Yes, that's right, they are the illustrious 又 (yòu) and 再 (zài). You'll never be confused... again!