The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
节日的商业化 Advanced
新年，春节，情人节，元宵，清明，劳动节，……不论国外的还是国内的，一年中我们都要过很多的节日。很多时候，我们看重的不是节日本身，而是它带来的气氛，可以让我们在忙碌中放松一下自己，也可以让我们与久未见面的亲人朋友见见面。可是，不知不觉中，这样的节日气氛也被精明的商家利用，成为了他们推销商品的一种手段了。
commercialization, shopping
Black or Green Tea Newbie
You know (from watching Tom Hanks save the world again) that lemon or milk depends on the brew, but would you be able to order a proper cup of PG Tips in Mandarin? Let’s hope so…no, wait, instead of hoping, in this podcast let’s give you a Mandarin Chinese lesson on black and green tea, for your drinking pleasure. Whhhhooooooooeeeeeeeeee!!! (That was supposed to be a kettle sound effect).
preferences, food, questions
Going to the Dentist Pre Intermediate
We’re as confused as you are, with the whole, “why do dentists ask in-depth questions while working on your teeth?” concept. But we can tell you this: you might want to be able to get yourself to the dentist and learn how to say “cavity” in Chinese. In this podcast, learn to communicate with your dentist in Mandarin Chinese about what ails ya. Don’t think you need this info? Ask Aric about getting a wisdom tooth pulled with no (as in *none whatsoever*) painkiller/numbing agent.
medicine, health
Furniture Elementary
“Come on over,” they say, “We’ve a furnished apartment for you!” “Great,” you think – until you get there. The bed is a foot and a half too small, and the chair doesn’t recline at all, making it hard to watch football. So what do you do, lazy boy? Learn how to sleep in the fetal position, or listen up to a lesson on furniture? In this podcast, learn by taking a trip to a furniture shop and picking out what you like, in Mandarin Chinese.
preferences, measure words, home and office
Business Cards (original) Newbie
They’re handed out for any and every reason…but what do you say? “Thanks” might seem a little bland, but then again, “WOW! You’ve such fine taste in paper!” might be a bit over the top. So then what? Better find out--you’ll be doing it about 12 times a day. In this podcast, learn to do the ol’ card exchange, in Mandarin Chinese.
business, introductions, greetings
Phobias Upper Intermediate
For Ken, it’s those tiny little sock hangers. For Jenny it’s losing that great head of hair. We all have phobias…ours is that you won’t learn enough Mandarin (ahem - on your terms) to talk about them. Let’s fix that. In this podcast, learn about some common, and some not-so-common phobias, in Mandarin Chinese. Now, we want you to focus on that object directly in front of you. Allow your entire body to melt into the chair. Now, sleeeeeeeepppppppp…..
personality, emotions, health
Pregnancy Elementary
You know all the terms, from “bun in the oven” to “pregos,” so why not add another phrase to that wicked repertoire, and learn it in Mandarin? In this podcast, learn how to ask someone how far along they are, and to congratulate them. (For premium subscribers, we’ll also teach you how to apologize profusely for asking someone who isn’t, when she’s due.)
emotions
Where's the garbage? Newbie
Once again, we respect your individuality. Thus the choices: When you need to throw that “baozi” napkin away, you can either make a “throwing” gesture – which would lead to an in-depth discussion on the NBA – or simply ask where it belongs. It’s up to you. We’ll love you either way. If you choose to listen, this podcast will teach you how to ask the location of something, and to point someone in the right direction.
location, directions
Encouraging Words Elementary
Yes, we know you’re going to make your voice sound like the guy in the film when you say “you can do it!”--and that’s okay. What’s not okay is getting discouraged (and in a language of 4 tones & 50,000 characters, it can happen). So how ‘bout a podcast with a Mandarin Chinese lesson on helping that friend out with a few words of encouragement? Go for it!
jobs, feelings
Lili and Zhang Liang 2: Growing Affections Intermediate
No matter where/who you are, the “laying it on thick” stage of the (almost) relationship is the same in any language. So how does boyfriend-to-be Zhang Liang fare in the “Mr. Lover-lover” department? We’ll leave that analysis up to you… hotcakes. In this podcast, follow along and learn how to sweet-talk in Mandarin Chinese.
appearance, feelings
Ouch! Newbie
Fact: no matter how prepared you are for it; you will take that piece of chicken and bite down hard. Fact: most chicken here comes still on the bone, no matter the size Fact: the face you make upon losing a molar will look like you don’t enjoy the meal Fact: we want you to make friends, not offend them. Fact: learning how to say “ouch” will help. In this podcast, learn how to express pain in Mandarin Chinese, as well as deal with the toothache aftermath of the episode with the chicken bone.
health, feelings
Make-up Elementary
While you might underestimate a lesson on lipstick, eye shadow, etc, you’d be surprised how relaxing it is to put on after a long day at the office. In this podcast, Jenny (one of the lucky ones who doesn’t need it) teaches Ken (more of a “winter”) all about cosmetics, in Mandarin Chinese.
fashion, colors, appearance
Attitudes toward Religion Upper Intermediate
Between 1937-39, over 20,000 Jewish families migrated to Shanghai. Today, north of the city center, there is still a flourishing Jewish community. China is also seeing more and more Christian churches popping up. So how does the average Chinese feel about others who pray to a different higher being? We’ll learn all about it in Mandarin Chinese, in a podcast on the subject.
religion, culture
Borrowing and Returning Elementary
Despite many an inter-office email on “please don’t make the intros your own therapy” we simply cannot ignore today’s topic and the fact that Ken has yet to return our favorite Sharpie pen. Listen in to this podcast for a Mandarin Chinese lesson on borrowing and returning. We promise—no moralizing.
home and office, communications, etiquette