The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
Surname Surprises Qing Wen
Qing Wen discusses more 多音字 (duōyīnzì), characters that have more than one pronunciation, in this episode. This time, all of these characters are pronounced differently when used as surnames.
culture, family name
Saving with Alipay Intermediate
China's online payment system, Alipay recently launched a new product called 余额宝 (Yú'ébǎo) that has become wildly popular in China. It's an interest earning money market account similar to the product that Paypal introduced several years back. We're calling it an “Alipay Surplus” account. Learn more about it in this lesson!
bank, investment, money
No Parking Here Elementary
Free parking is rare everywhere, and China is no exception. In this lesson, a husband and wife try to get way with parking where they know they shouldn't. What happens? Listen and find out!
car, police, parking
Ivory Tower Upper Intermediate
Recently Chinese authorities have been cracking down on the trade of ivory and ivory products in China. To send a message to ivory dealers and buyers across the country trafficking ivory, the authorities rounded up over 6 tons of ivory for destruction. Two friends talk about the issues involved in this action.
animals, environment, law
Time for an Update Intermediate
That shiny new phone keeps popping up with a message telling you that it's time to update. Will you give in? Should you? In this lesson, a husband and wife talk about updating the wife's phone.
Apple, software, mobile phones
How Many People Does It Take... Elementary
Oh no, a light bulb has gone out in the house! It's a problem sure to get the whole family involved. How will they resolve it? Find out in this lesson!
shopping, house
Her Mom Doesn't Like Me KTV Time
There are many talent shows on Chinese TV, but the most recent sensation has been a show called 《中国好歌曲》(Zhōngguó Hǎogēqǔ, The Song of China), where contestants play original songs for a panel of Chinese pop legends. In this edition of KTV time, Tom and David talk about a new hit coming out of this show 《她妈妈不喜欢我》 (Tā Māma Bù Xǐhuān Wǒ, Her Mom Doesn't Like Me). Click here to have a listen!
songs, music, singer, karaoke
Immediate Solutions Qing Wen
Let's not waste time and get right down to it, shall we? This Qing Wen is about words often translated as ”immediately“. Learn about words like 马上 (mǎshàng), 立刻 (lìkè), 赶快 (gǎnkuài) and more.
Betrothal Gifts and Dowries, Oh My! Upper Intermediate
In many places in China, there is an expectation that marriage comes with gifts for both the bride and the groom's families. Sometimes these obligations are so great that they can threaten what might be a happy marriage. Other times they end up being ceremonial. In this lesson, several young people discuss their upcoming nuptials.
marriage, wedding, culture
Hurry Up and Clean Your Room Intermediate
It's a sentence no child wants to hear in any language: Time to clean your room! In this lesson, a mother tells her child it's time to clean up. And while the job might seem to get done, things don't go quite as planned.
kids, housework, family, cleaning
How to Wash Clothes Elementary
In this lesson, a woman instructs her housekeeper or her 阿姨 (āyí) on how to wash her clothes. There appear to be some major differences over how things are done...
housework, washing, clothes
港媒：上海幼儿园鼓励方言被批鼓励歧视 Media
在上海这座“移民”城市，居民来自四面八方，所以讲普通话就显得特别重要。不过随着越来越多的孩子都不会说方言，也有一种声音呼吁保护方言、保护地方文化。方言到底是地方文化还是歧视？ 来源链接：“港媒：上海幼儿园鼓励方言被批鼓励歧视
local, dialect, culture
Participating in a Marathon Intermediate
Stretch out those legs. It's time to go for a run, and a long one at that! In this lesson, ChinesePod talks about the Shanghai Marathon!
sports, competition, health
Time to Get Married - Part 1 Beijing Standard Time
It's time to get hitched, Poddies! This episode of Beijing Standard Time kicks off a two-part series on modern marriage in China. Learn about dating, meeting the parents and all the things that lead up to the big day in this episode!
wedding, marriage, dating, love
The Many Ways of 长, 好 and 数 Qing Wen
This Qing Wen delves into three of the more common 多音词 (duōyīncí), polyphonic characters whose pronunciation changes depending on how they are used. Learn about the different pronunciations and uses of 长 (cháng, zhǎng), 好 (hǎo, hào) and 数 (shǔ, shù).
Calling in Sick for School Elementary
Little Zhang Tiantian isn't feeling well today. As a result, Tiantian's mom calls Teacher Li at the kindergarten to get Tiantian excused from school. Learn how to call in sick in this lesson!
sick, leaving, kindergarten
A Robotic Solution? Pre Intermediate
It's been a long day for a husband and wife. Still, the floors are dirty and there's cleaning to be done. Of course, neither of them want to do it. Just when all seems to be lost... it's robots to the rescue!
housework, husbands, wife
Making the Move from China Upper Intermediate
Traffic, smog, rising labor costs - they're all reasons why many companies have left China recently, looking to relocate to the United States or elsewhere. In this lesson, two coworkers talk about how the company next door has set its sights on the US.
moving, business, China, office
No School for Doudou Intermediate
It's cold season and all the kids at the kindergarten are getting sick. In this lesson, a mother and father argue about whether or not they should take their child, Doudou, to school. It turns out to be a bit of a conflict.
family, kids, kindergarten, mother
Time for Attendance Elementary
It's a slow day in class today, and a lot of students seem to be elsewhere. Unluckily for them, the teacher has decided to take attendance. One student tries to cover for them, but it doesn't go as planned...
school, teacher, students