The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
A Ticket to Suzhou Elementary
“In the sky there’s heaven, on the earth there’s Suzhou”. Coming in as the 335th city the Chinese call “Venice of the East”, it would be a shame not to spend a few days here. In this podcast, Jenny and Ken maneuver you through the canals of a Mandarin Chinese lesson on buying a train ticket to Suzhou. Ciao!
travel, transportation,
Definitely! Newbie
While “nothing is absolute”, we shudder to imagine a world without tying someone down…erm, metaphorically speaking, of course. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny unquestionably and beyond doubt teach you an indisputably certain Mandarin Chinese lesson on verbal confirmation.
time, home and office
Stop Speeding! Intermediate
The Grand Prix held here in Shanghai showcased breakneck speeds, hairline turns and drivers with death wishes…and that was all in the taxi ride to the stadium. So either you’re really good at the unspoken-but-point-taken bracing yourself with one hand on the glove box and the other on the “Oh Crap” handle, you might love a lesson on telling someone they drive erratically. Listen to this podcast and learn how to express yourself in Mandarin Chinese.
actions, transportation, driving, speed, speeding, police, safety
It's broken Newbie
We were on our way to the studio when our “authentic” Tag Heuer stopping working making us stop abruptly in our “realistic” Nike’s to reach into our “genuine” Prada (man) bag to check the time on our phone…which turned out to be broken. In this podcast, Ken (all real, he claims) and Jenny (unreal, you declare) mend a Mandarin Chinese lesson on things breakin’.
accessories, questions,
Surfing Online Pre Intermediate
Think you don’t need to talk about the internet? You’re positive? Okay, tell you what, think very, very carefully about your life sans web…no email, no news, no CHINESEPOD, ye gods! In this podcast, Ken (An Irish Spicoli) and Jenny (Our Little Surfer Girl) teach you how to talk in Mandarin Chinese about surfing the internet. The Chinese love their electronics and you’ve got to fit in! Listen and this lesson will teach you how.
communications, internet, hobbies
You're late again! Elementary
You come here, you set up shop, even hire an assistant who’s nice enough to show up 45 minutes late everyday allowing you to ease in to your day. You think you’re scolding him by saying “You!”, “Here!”, “9:45!”, but he knows of your ChinesePod addiction and figures you’re simply practicing what you’ve learned. So either you continue this standard practice, or you listen to this lesson on being late and have a lil’ “face the music” meeting on Monday. In this podcast, learn how to say “you’re late” in Mandarin Chinese (with a little more angry tone of voice to get the message across).
time
Downloading Music Newbie
You can go to iTunes, subscribe to an RSS feed and arrange everything all by yourself? You’re all growed up, aren’t ya? Now, tell us that in Mandarin and move to the front of the class. In this podcast, Ken (on a time out) and Jenny (a gold star) forego nap time to teach you to talk about all things “downloadable” in Mandarin Chinese.
music, internet
Complaining to the Waiter Intermediate
Once again, we shed our “puppy dogs and ice cream” demeanor with a lesson on being peeved. In this lesson, Ken (gets furious when we call him Sharon) and Jenny (don’t let that great head of hair throw ya, she’ll scratch your eyes out) take a deep breath, count to ten and lead you in a podcast on getting upset. In this podcast, learn to talk in Mandarin Chinese about being upset, and what you’re going to do about it.
feelings
I don't have time Elementary
No doubt if you’re learning Mandarin, you’ve seen a picture of Nanjing Lu or Wangfujing. Now, very quickly, name three adjectives to describe the scene. Were “laid-back”, “relaxing” and “chilled out” any of your picks? That’s what we thought; so perhaps now a lesson on time in Mandarin Chinese would be very timely…In this podcast, learn how to talk about how long it takes you to do something, as well as how to tell someone you don’t have any time…now, STOP PUSHING!
time
I don't feel well Newbie
With a menu full of never before encountered items and a passion for all things oil/MSG, you might end up with the lesser-know “Beijing Belly”. So unless you care to “assume the position” in an off-color game of charades, you might benefit from a lesson on “not feeling well”. In this podcast, you will learn how to tell someone you aren’t feeling well, using Mandarin Chinese.
feelings
Your turn to pay! Pre Intermediate
Sometimes we take a lesson from our own experience. While names have been changed to protect the innocent (until proven stingy), the account to follow dealing with the guy who always forgets his wallet is real. While we’re busy snickering at the (hot) water cooler, Ken and Jenny will teach you through a Mandarin Chinese lesson on taking turns to pay. In this podcast you’ll learn how to have a little “discussion” with a cheap pal.
questions
Your Receipt Newbie
If you’ve spent any time in China, or plan to, you’ll notice a strange piece of paper being asked for at the end of meals/cab rides/etc. What is it? We’d better let Jenny explain; and if you’re lucky, she’ll include a lil’ cultural insight as well. In this podcast, learn how to ask for that precious receipt, in Mandarin Chinese. ChinesePod…the taste of fantastic.
shopping, culture
What's your type? Pre Intermediate
At ChinesePod, we’re all about putting Ken into compromising situations (see: beatings with the “Tone Stick” out back), so when a request came in for talking about the type of men one likes, we couldn’t say no. In this podcast, Jenny teaches and Ken takes on the student of Mandarin Chinese role in our production of “Brokeback 山”.
preferences
Baby Talk: Be good! Newbie
More “baby talk”… In this podcast, you will learn some more popular common phrases in Mandarin Chinese, such as: “Good boy/girl”, “Be careful!” and “Don’t be naughty”. Think these phrases are only for people adopting children? Listen closely and you’ll hear Jenny confess that her parents still use some of these on her!
children, communications, family
Family Life Intermediate
Never has China been accused of not respecting family. In fact, concepts like moving out of your parents’ house before marriage are still in their infancy. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny teach us about family in Mandarin Chinese, and the roles therein.
family, culture
Too Polite Newbie
The last thing you would want to do is insult your kind host…but where to learn about the do’s and don’ts of Chinese etiquette? In this podcast, Ken and Jenny nicely promenade you through a cultural Mandarin Chinese lesson on Chinese manners. Learn how to be polite—Chinese-style!
etiquette, culture, polite
A Promotion Intermediate
You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t a good, pro-active, self-motivating individual. So we’ll make you a deal. After listening to this lesson, you tell 10 friends about ChinesePod and we’ll tell your boss all of those aforementioned qualities. In this podcast, learn to talk about promotions and getting a raise in Mandarin Chinese. Who knows, maybe with your new found language skills, it'll really happen!
business, actions, jobs, promotion, attitude, performance
What time is it? Newbie
Every once and a while we veer away from our “normal programming” and offer up some lessons on high-frequency phrases in Chinese that you will use everyday. Today happens to be “once” and now is actually “in a while” so grab that “authentic” Rolex you bought near your hotel and join us for a podcast on telling time in Mandarin Chinese.
time, late
Drive faster! Newbie
In the labyrinth of an average Chinese city, it’s easy for the unexpected to happen, and cause you to run a little behind. So now that you’ve found that taxi, how to tell him to put the petal to the medal? Two options: a) Make a “wrrrrooooooommmmmm” sound and stab the air with your index finger b) Pay attention to this lesson on asking the driver to hurry In this podcast, learn how to say you are in a hurry, and how to ask the driver to drive faster (ChinesePod disclaimer: use this Mandarin at your own risk!).
transportation
Traditional Chinese Medicine Intermediate
At ChinesePod, we know that part of learning Chinese is getting an introduction to the wonderful world of Chinese medicine. Before we take your pulse and make you stick out your tongue, follow our prescription and listen to this podcast to better acquaint yourself with Chinese medical advice in Mandarin Chinese.
medicine, health, traditional Chinese medicine, TCM, science, throat