ChinesePod - 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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0555

For foreigners, the road of Chinese learning is paved with mistakes and misinterpretations. In this lesson, we hear the tragically funny story of a foreigner who finds himself inconvenienced by the many meanings of the word 'convenient' (方便). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2039

The lunar calendar is decidedly important in China as it determines the date of various holidays like Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival, but did you know that birthdays on the lunar calendar are also treated with great importance? How do you choose which one to celebrate? Learn about birthdays on the solar and lunar calendar in today's Intermediate lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1849

The experienced traveler knows that planning is everything. In this lesson, someone plans a trip to Yunnan and asks for advice on how to find information about traveling, while also revealing something about himself. Maybe too much... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2041

Not that your ayi is a bad ayi, but her opinion that towels can be thrown in with your suit is one that will not change. We highly suggest being able to make a trip to the dry cleaner’s yourself, lest you be strangely comfy in an Italian-cum-cotton look. In this podcast, learn to discuss the mundane yet oh-so-important aspects of a trip to the dry cleaner’s, using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0310

Do you know how to express that you can't get through to someone's cell phone? Or that someone's cell phone appears to be off? Learn the Chinese for these important phrases, and also learn about how much trouble you can get into for befalling these technical issues. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1781

Some contacts of ours (ex-girlfriends and cops) are writing with reports of unseasonably hot weather in Beijing. We like getting these emails, partly because it's nice to keep in touch with old flames, and partly out of schadenfreude. But warmer weather isn't just a Beijing phenomenon, and there's a lot of talk about global warming in urban Chinese society these days. Here's a podcast about how to join a discussion about it in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0548

John was emphatic when he claimed that “someone being naughty” was a listener suggestion. So we’ll (roll our eyes) trust him, just this once, and let it air. So, per (unnamed listener), here is a Mandarin Chinese lesson on a Parent-Teacher meeting about someone’s little Johnny or Sally acting up in class. Be sure and listen for John’s giggles when Jenny calls him the aforementioned. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0302

In this day and age, you won't be studying Chinese for long at all before you need to start talking about websites. In this basic lesson, learn the words for website, website address, and even "dot com" in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1748

It is a dark and stormy night. You see a woman kneeling on asphalt, her tears staining a rusted hulk of twisted metal. A man stands to one side, head averted, face flushed. Sirens wail in the distance. This is a scene of desolation and despair. They are two people, alone in a hostile world. Desperately, terribly alone. Surrounded only by night, the rain, a circle of fifty bystanders and two street vendors hustling nut cakes and sugared-water. ChinesePod brings you to the Scene of the Accident, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0542

In 2005, Americans adopted 7,906 children from China (highest of any country). So a conversation between a Chinese lady and a “laowai” who recently adopted might be of interest. And we’re all about being interesting. In this podcast, learn to speak in Mandarin Chinese about some of the formalities and procedures involved in adopting a Chinese baby. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0284

We've all been in this situation... two people agree to meet at a certain time, but one person calls to say she'll be late. And then calls again to say she'll be later. (And then you start to wonder if she's going to make it at all.) Learn the essential Chinese in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1714

It's been a bad day: a misfiled report at work, a burgeoning head cold, and a drawn out fight with the missus that ended only when the phone line went dead (thank heavens.) You arrive home, eager to forget your troubles with a luke-warm bottle of beer. And that's when you discover that your home no longer exists per se, although they might keep the outer wall as a support strut for the new Olympic-themed Shenzhen-Guilin railway overpass. Turns out you're being relocated. Too bad you didn't listen to this podcast in Mandarin Chinese months ago, so you could have made more sense of that relocation notice. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0531

Admit it – you feel bad walking by the park every morning and seeing them twist and turn with the grace of a Beijing acrobat. So how about we teach you how to talk about the age old exercise of Tai Chi so that you can join in (seeing how that’s really the reason you moved here). In this podcast, learn to talk about the different aspects of Tai Chi in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0256

There are many reasons to believe that someone may not have received your email. Whether you're a conspiracy theorist or simply need to remind a technology-challenged co-worker, this Chinese lesson will equip you to ask someone if he got your email. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1705

It has been said that gambling in China is a bit of a, shall we say, national pastime. Is the stock market is a form of gambling? The Chinese stock markets are now soaring to unprecedented and precarious heights. You do the math... and listen to this Mandarin Chinese lesson on playing the stock market in China. (insider tip: sell. sell. sell.) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0526

You can change it to RMB, but not back unless you have a form and oh, by the way… where’s your red book, visa, and passport? Wrong line – it’s that one, but take another number and wait here. No, there, sorry, we don’t do it at this branch… Exhausting to read? Try hearing it in Mandarin. Fortunately, we’ve been through it so you don’t have to. Listen to this podcast to learn all about banking in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0248

Now, we all know when we get the flu, there’s nothing we like more than to do a little whining about it. In this podcast you will learn how to tell someone who cares about your sore throat and headache, using Mandarin Chinese. And when you do, there will be no shortage of friends sure to want to bring you some nice Chinese medicine. Open up! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1688

Divorce and child custody is becoming a more common topic of conversation in China in recent years. In this podcast, listen in as one divorcé talks about the issues that inevitably come along with divorce when children are involved--child custody and support payments, and learn how to talk about these issues in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0520

Ken and co. can tell you all about their Shanghai (tarmac for 3 hours) to Beijing (except that they never actually touched down) back to Shanghai (tarmac for another 3 hours) experience when you come and see us, but to tide you over, this podcast gives you a Mandarin Chinese lesson on some things you might hear pre-transit. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0238

Dropping a utensil at dinner is normal, right? Knocking pretty much everything onto the floor, though, one by one, doesn't normally happen unless there is drinking involved. Requests for the server, measure words, drunkenness -- this lesson has it all. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1621

Though it’s hard to imagine ever completely getting your bearings in a massive Chinese city, you may from time to time get an inkling that something is wrong when you’ve passed Tiananmen Square for the third time on different sides of the taxi. In this podcast is a lesson in Mandarin Chinese to help you in the unforeseen event of the driver “taking the long route”. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0514

Will the drama never end (let’s hope not, as we like crafting these lessons)? Catching up with Lili, who recently ran into an old “friend” (doing quite well for himself), is making our old pal Zhang Liang a bit worried… but with good reason? You’ll only know if you listen… Listen to this podcast and hear about a chance meeting, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0369

Most of us need to use both Chinese and English input methods when we are working on our computer. Here is another extremely useful lesson to help you learn the related computer terms that you will no doubt need sooner or later! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2556

Somebody is up to some deceitful tricks in this eerie Jizhou episode. Listen in to this podcast, and learn in Mandarin about the strange goings-on of this place that no one can find on the map. Murder... intrigue... all this and much more. Chinese learning will never be the same. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0716

Catching back up with Zhang Liang and Chen Li, we find them in a much better position, romantic-wise… as someone wrote someone else a love letter. So good is this lesson, in fact, that we’re in talks of launching “Tian of Our Lives”. In this podcast, learn to use Mandarin Chinese to express your devotion to the one you love. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0336

Don't you hate it when your internal heat is too high, and you break out? In this Chinese lesson, our tragic heroine suffers that fate and is forced to make a decision: go out with a face covered in unsightly pimples, or just stay home? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1576

Previously on Jizhou series... missing persons, freaked out girlfriend and weird townspeople. This week on Jizhou... missing persons, freaked out girlfriend, weird townspeople... AND special bonus, learn how to spaz out in Mandarin. Listen to this podcast and learn to lose it in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0699

Granted, it’s difficult (even for us) to differentiate a “normal talk” from an “upset talk,” but we can tell you that an occasional spat takes place. What over? It rhymes with “shopping”. In this lesson, Zhang Liang and Chen Li get a bit heated in a classic boy-meets-girl at the shopping mall. Just what you always wanted, to learn how to argue in Mandarin Chinese! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0327

When was the last time you updated your profile picture? A few days ago or has it been awhile? For the father in this lesson, getting help changing his photo causes his daughter to discover something very interesting about her dad... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2495

If you find yourself perplexed, fear not that your Chinese comprehension is going down. Rather, this series is just messing with your mind. In this mysterious episode, enter a freaky little child... listen to the podcast and try and figure out where we are going with this. We're not saying we know, but hey, it's a fun ride. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0688

The “lucky color” red doesn’t go well with green--especially when the latter is brought on by a fit of jealousy. Catching up with girlfriend/boyfriend Chen Li and Zhang Liang, we find out that there’s a (tiny) possessive side to one of Chen Li’s friends. Better start writing that diary in code! In this podcast, follow along on a dinner party gone wrong, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0293

What are you interested in? Even if it's not traditional Chinese medicine, you're going to want to know how to ask that question and how to answer it. This lesson covers two very common patterns for expressing interest. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1547

In this episode of Lost meets Fantasy Island, missing person sighting. Follow along with Wentao and Zhao Lu as the mystery thickens in Jizhou. Yes, it's scary. Yes, its bizarre. Sleep with the light on if you have to. But don't miss the strange unraveling of this story, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0671

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0265

Do you keep track of your preferred websites by putting them in your Favorites? Listen in as a daughter teaches her father how to bookmark his favorite websites and get equipped to explain it all in Mandarin! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2471

Though they haven't found the 'hatch' yet, the secrets of Jizhou are starting to reveal themselves to our mystified loved-one seekers. In this podcast, follow along in Mandarin Chinese with this saga of missing people, bizarre events and crazy hostel-owners. And if you can hear the flute... beware. You may be next... muuuhuhuhaaaha. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0654

It’s the classic (21st century, Chinese) love tale: a couple meets online (QQ, most likely), start talking (BBS, no doubt) and then meet in person for the first time. If we could spell the word “serendipitous” we’d use it here. Witness it all in the form of a podcast depicting one of those (a little awkward) first meetings, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0230

So that friend that could never get a girlfriend finally got one. The immediate question is, "what does she look like?" Of course, it's a useful question for many contexts. This lesson covers the most common Chinese descriptors for a girl. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1545

You've heard of 'Lost', 'The Twilight Zone', and ChinesePod's famous 'Alien Abduction'... but, have you heard of Jizhou? The place where eerie flutes beckon and nagging feelings of disquietude cause cold sweats. Listen to this podcast, if you dare, and come on a Mandarin Chinese journey to a place that you may or may not return from. See you on the other side... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0639

When in China... learn about Rome! Today's podcast takes us on a tour of this famous Italian city. Come along on our trip as we hit the Coliseum... but more importantly, the espresso bars of the city. So sit back, listen to the Chinese lesson, and worry not who really invented the noodle... just tuck in and enjoy. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1010

This is a situation you girls living in China will be able to relate to: trying to find a place that sells tampons! Since tampons are generally not readily available in China, this lesson will equip you to ask about the options in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2468

Zagat? Fodors? Frommers? Michelin? No, no, and no. Trust the most food-centric culture there is. Every holiday, gathering, birthday, birth, death, and otherwise revolves around food, food, and food. Where could there be more expertise? Check out this lesson about the restaurant review site of China, Dianping. China's answer to prudent caloric value for the kuai. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1004

With 80,000 total characters (and the majority of words needing at least 2), you might enlist some help along the way. Yes, ChinesePod will be with you (always), but for those times that we’re enjoying the Shanghai life and can’t be reached, a dictionary might come in handy. So handy, in fact, that we made a lesson on it. In this podcast, you will learn about the different parts of the Chinese character, and how to talk about them in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0220

You don't have to know much Chinese to get started with your all-Chinese kung fu lessons; in fact, you don't have to know any. A little language prep will save you some trouble, however. For example, is it "kung fu" or "wushu?" Learn the answer to that in this lesson, as well as the words and phrases you'll need to start those basic kicking and punching drills. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1541

You've developed Enochiophobia from your last venture into a Saturday department store. However, your underwear has holes and your jean supply is non-existent since Ayi's last run in with the bleach bottle. What are you going to do? Head to Taobao... China's Ebay on steroids. Listen to this podcast and learn some of the techniques and potential dangers lurking on this website made just for closet shopaholics like you. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0993

A foreigner who speaks Chinese is sometimes a circus side show. Be prepared for the hoopla that may follow you when you become the second Dashan. Prep now for the performing monkey acts you may yet be invited to showcase your talents in. This podcast, a lesson on public speaking, where your training will be complete. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1006

What should you do with the plate when it is full? Have you ever been stuck not knowing how to ask for a new one in Mandarin? In this lesson, get equipped for the eventuality of the full plate. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2451

This lesson does not constitute in any way, shape or form any advocation, promotion, condoning of, nor in any way comprehension of the notion of foreigners getting driver's license in China. However, if you like living on the edge, this could be an outlet, due to the sad lack of bungee jumping facilities. In this podcast, find out how to take your life back into your own hands, and get your Chinese driver's license. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1001

Granted, it goes against everything we stand for (at least the Southern boy Granted, it goes against everything we stand for (at least the Southern boy who writes these), but in today’s oh-so-spicy podcast, we fire up the grammar grill and invite you to sit down, have a cold “pijiu” and join us as we give you a step-by-step lesson in Mandarin Chinese on how to cook wings – Chinese style. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0211