The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
Chatting Online Newbie
Remember back in the day (insert nostalgic music here) when a tank of gas cost ya a nickel, “George W” referred to “Washington” and “chatting” was something done face-to-face? In this lesson, we tackle just that (the last one, as none of us drive here and another one of us is from Texas), online chatting. In this podcast learn about getting online and chatting, amongst other hobbies, in Mandarin Chinese.
online, internet, chat
Disliking Others Elementary
We have recently come under attack for being too “puppy dogs and ice cream” (meaning you’ve not heard of the “no eye-contact” rule for our interns), so to prove to you that we are, in fact, bu-bu-bu-bu-bad, we give a lesson in Mandarin Chinese on not liking someone. In this podcast you will learn how to say that you don’t like someone, and get a chance to vent about whats driving you crazy about them.
personality
You Look Nervous Newbie
Fact: There are 1.4 billion people in China. Fact: You don’t read enough to understand the bus schedule Fact: This leaves you with the option of riding a bicycle or hopping on the back of an illegal motorcycle taxi. Fact: You might need to know how to talk about being nervous. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny hold your trembling hand through a lesson on the “shakes”, in Mandarin Chinese.
feelings,
Shanghai Fashion Intermediate
Granted, the same person that said Shanghai was the “Paris of the East” also said that baijiu was a tasty drink…so we’ll let you decide. Fashion, however, is on the lips of everyone in the area. If you find yourself anywhere in China, Shanghai’s ascent into the ranks of a fashion capital will no doubt be a hot topic. In this podcast, learn to talk about fashion and appearance in Mandarin Chinese.
Dates, numbers
Discussing Loan Repayment Elementary
Now we know we should “neither a borrower nor lender be”. However, we also know that “a friend in need is a friend indeed”. So what are you gonna do when that friend forgets to pay you back? In this podcast, Ken and Jenny talk all about borrowing and teach you how to use Mandarin Chinese to give a friend a friendly reminder to pay up.
time, communications,
Chinese Tea Intermediate
Here is a lesson impressing on you the “Importance of Tea”…you’ll notice we capitalized the “T” there, which should tell you something. Tea is important. You are significant. You talking about tea is vital. You being able to talk about tea in Mandarin Chinese is essential. ChinesePod wants you to be all of those things, because ChinesePod loves you. Listen in to this podcast to learn some different types of Chinese tea.
culture, tea, gifts, girlfriend, parents
Talking about Your Hometown Newbie
No doubt these questions will be among the top 3 you’ll need to memorize…here they are, in no particular order: 1. What’s your name? 2. Where are you from? 3. Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting that clever “laowai” that writes the wonderfully entertaining introductions to ChinesePod? …your name you know, and until we have the pleasure, the only thing left is your ole stompin’ ground. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny talk teach you how to talk about where you call “jiā.”
town and city
What does she usually do? Elementary
You “always” listen to ChinesePod, you “usually” practice everything you learn every day, you “never” miss a podcast and you “sometimes” brag about us to your friends. In this podcast, learn about adverbs of frequency in Mandarin Chinese. You will use them very “often”!
actions, hobbies
Calling in Sick Elementary
So, we actually tried to buy you a keyboard (with the “sick” sound effects) from “Ferris Buller’s Day Off” and send it to you to make your phone call to the boss sound more believable, but instead got you the next best thing: a lesson on “Calling in Sick”. In this podcast you’ll learn how to use Mandarin Chinese to tell your boss you can’t come to work today because you have the flu. (Excuses for why the boss saw you at happy hour the same day to follow).
feelings
University Major: Part 2 Newbie
“Do a lesson on University major’s” you said. “Okay, here you go” Chinesepod replied. (3 weeks past). “Do another lesson on university majors” you demanded. “We already did one” we responded. “Do it NOW” you shouted. “You’re not the boss of me” we informed. “Yes I am” came the curt retort…so now we see who’s bossing who…with lesson #2 on uni majors…meanie. Listen in on this podcast to learn how to ask someone about their major in Mandarin Chinese.
education, major, finance
Singing Ability Newbie
Think the Von Trapp’s liked to sing? That’s nothing! Wait until you get the Chinese invite to listen…which is anytime. So, what do you do after someone gives you a tune, offer up the same “thanks” you give a taxi driver or a proper “you sing very well”? In this podcast Ken and Jenny compose a lesson for the ages. You’ll learn how to compliment someone on their singing using Mandarin Chinese.
ability, singing, songs
Baby Talk: Words of Comfort Newbie
With so many people adopting from the mainland and Taiwan, it should come With so many people adopting babies from China, it should come as no surprise that we have received an abundance of requests for “baby lingo”. Here is a podcast on some sweet and cuddly talk to comfort the child who has just been introduced to your family. In this lesson, Ken and Jenny walk you through your first (comforting) words in Mandarin Chinese.
children, family,
Requesting a Raise Pre Intermediate
So, the contract said “5000 a month” and you said “heck, yes” and at the end of that first glorious month you realized that 5000 RMB is slightly less than it sounded…not a problem, simply ask for a raise. In this podcast, you will learn how to ask for a raise from your boss in Mandarin Chinese. Tell ya what, with the month you’ve had, we’ll make this a lesson on the house.
business, jobs, work, salary
How was Your Date? Intermediate
Not that we agree with the whole “those who can’t, teach”, but it does seem odd, us giving a lesson on talking about dates--seeing as how we can’t get them (despite our “We work with Ken and Jenny” shirts). However, it’s a hot topic in conversation and we’d like to think you’re a “bit of all right” and will need to know this. If not…join us for video night, Friday and Saturday nights.
personality, relationships
What would you like to drink? Elementary
You go to the States, it’s a cup of Joe. The English will pour you a “cuppa” and here in Shanghai it’s green tea. But, what happens if you don’t drink any of them? A universal shaking of the head, or a polite way to ask for something else? In this podcast Ken (caffeineicus tomuchicus) and Jenny (more of a “Dragon Well” type) help you use Mandarin Chinese to order your “bevvie” with class.
questions
Future Goals Intermediate
What are your plans for the future? Think that this question ends after you walk out of your guidance counselor’s office? “Think two times” (Chinglish for “twice”). In this podcast, we offer up a monologue on business plans in Mandarin Chinese. Listen and learn…you might just get some good ideas!
business, jobs
Buying Train Tickets Newbie
You were *this* close to taking the Trans-Siberian Line from Beijing to Moscow (8 time zones!), *this* close from starting at Tiananmen Square and ending in Red Square…and what stopped you? You didn’t know how to ask for a ticket! Let’s remedy that today, shall we? All aboard, next stop: Chuga-chuga, chuga-chuga, Chinesepod! (Make a fist, put your arm at a 45 degree angle and pull down). In this podcast you will learn how to enquire about train tickets in Mandarin Chinese.
train, tickets
A Disappointment Intermediate
So, you’re able to say “I’m fine”, but what about when you’re in that bad mood? Sure, the easy way out is to always be “fine”--even if you’re not. But wait, this isn’t Stoic-pod, ya know! In this lesson Kind Ken and Jovial Jenny offer up a lesson on “disappointment”…you robot.
education, feelings
My boss isn't satisfied Pre Intermediate
People learn Chinese for a number of different reasons. Some for work, some for play, some to finally convey to the nice lady downstairs that the smell of fish cooking at 8:00am isn’t the greatest thing to wake up to. The one thing we all do agree on is that the word “boss” and “is unsatisfied” are biggies, so needless to say, an elementary lesson on just that is the “podcast du jour”.
business, computers
Negotiating Price Intermediate
A foreigner in China soon gets over any initial shyness to talk price after finding out he paid fifteen times the going rate for that “waving Mao” watch. Everything is to be bargained for…everything. So, take a break from talking price to brush up on your skills in this podcast. And remember, if you can do it in Mandarin Chinese, you’ll only pay ten times too much…!
shopping, buying