ChinesePod - Intermediate

Listen to a dialogue about shopping in an organic supermarket for vegetables. Are they more nutritious, or tastier? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/3004

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0120

There's nothing like a night (or an afternoon) of karaoke to bring friends together. It's also a great way to learn Chinese. In today's Mandarin lesson, let's order up some classic tunes and grab the microphone. No matter how tone-deaf you are, today's Chinese podcast will have you singing out loud. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1199

Granted, you’ve heard all about the impending Olympic arrival here, but what about the next big thing? The Shanghai Expo seems to be what everyone is talking about – including you, if you listen. In this podcast, learn some information about the upcoming Shanghai Expo in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0332

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0116

No matter what you sell, you have to know your market. In today's podcast you'll learn how to talk in Chinese about dealing with picky customers who always want a good deal. Learn Mandarin while shopping! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1142

Thanks to an “open door” policy, you can hear the neighbors’ “telly” in your own house. So why not possess the ability to stroll in, squeeze those feet into a tiny pair of their slippers and have a discussion about the new (somewhat annoying) commercials on TV these days? In this podcast, learn to discuss all you love and hate about TV commercials in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0324

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0114

If you can't plug in your computer, how can you get your ChinesePod fix? In today's lesson, you'll learn the ins and outs of plugs and sockets, all in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1094

As we’ve mentioned before, people that listen to ChinesePod are cool. Cool people attend cool functions, like cocktail parties. Cool people also schmooze--and who wouldn’t be flattered by flattery done in Mandarin Chinese? No one, that’s who. In this podcast, learn how to be the perfect guest we know you can be, and woo them all with your charms. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0314

It’s not uncommon for a relationship to go stagnant, with both parties pretending everything’s alright. 趁早 sung by 张惠妹 is an anthem for such a situation. “如果你不想要, 想退出要趁早”: If you don’t want to be in love anymore, let’s break up before it’s too late. In this episode of Journey into Mandopop, Chi guides you through this Mandopop classic line by line, explaining language teaching points along the way, and why many (and hopefully you!) resonate with it so much. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4359

Confidence, confidence, dry and secure... raise your hand..... raise your hand... if you're sure you want to drop a hundred kuai on your favorite stick, spray, or roll-on at the fancy supermarket. The laowai demand has caused the supply to shift in our favor. Or maybe the locals finally realized the western world actually invented something awesome before they did. Either way, it's here! Albeit in a limited supply.... Learn the Chinese to get it in this podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0929

While no one can be a smooth as Steve Martin’s character in “The Jerk” (”No more 1966! Bring us some fresh, new stuff!”), you can still impress (or offend) some with a fine choice of vino. In this podcast, learn how to talk about different wines in Mandarin Chinese, as well as learn some Chinese foods you just may never have thought of pairing with wine. Just tell us you’re not a rosé drinker. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0307

In this lesson, you’ll learn useful vocabulary for nuts, seafood, milk etc that’ll come handy especially for persons with food allergies. 祸从口入 means to encounter misfortune (or in this case) to fall ill when an allergic person eats the wrong food. As the saying goes be careful of what we put in our mouths! HSK 4 - 出发 仔细 紧张 样子 HSK 5 - 海鲜 过敏 消化 毕竟 耽误 Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4164

“The greatest danger could be your stupidity.” “Hell is paved with good intentions.” “Magic time is created when unconventional person comes.” Where can such sage wisdom be found? Confucius? The Analects? Nope. Fortunate you are amongst eaters if you even get a fortune cookie at the end of your ‘Chinese’ meal. Learn about how un-Chinese these Chinese cookies really are, in this podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0910

In a land of, ahem, less-than-pricy DVD’s, it’s no shock that films are always of interest. So why not wow ‘em by discussing your favorite genres of movies in Mandarin Chinese? From Hollywood to Bollywood, learn all about them in this podcast. Premium subscribers will also be taught how to say “I think Dolph Lundgren is underrated”. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0298

In the intermediate coffee break series, we will follow the footsteps of Nick through his adventure in China. Along the way, you will learn important terms and phrases used in business settings, as well as some tips and tricks on dealing with Chinese businessmen. In this episode, our main character Nick meets a customer in the exhibition and introduces his company's products. Will the customer pay? If you want to know what happens in today’s episode, watch the video and get down to business! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4347

Reports reveal a mysterious drop in the GDP of several countries in the last ten years. Analysts have been concerned and perplexed. But they have overlooked the telltale signs. The blinking orange task bar, the familiar 'ping', the too-fast typing smirk and dexterous click of the mouse when the boss nears. A decade of workdays have passed that much happier for office toilers since the miracle of MSN. Hear about it, and its Chinese counterpart, in this podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0810

No visit to the PRC would be complete without a “Waving Mao” watch, but is it *really* an antique? In this podcast, one seasoned friend helps another with determining whether that artifact really is 3,000 years old or not. Learn some characteristics of different dynasty’s antique items, and how to talk about them in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0289

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0106

Your mom's not here and neither is your ayi, and where is a Chinese laundry when you need one? Yes, we know it's true that shirt will get just as rumpled after your sardine subway ride to work, but hey... you never know when you'll be sandwiched up against Mrs. Right. Make a good impression--learn how to iron, and how to say it in Mandarin in this podcast. Women love a man that can pull off a great pant crease. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0787

With more and more people (see: our John Pasden) attending uni at a Mandarin school, we’d like to cover some basics. We’ve already taught you “keg stand” and “dodging student loans”, so the only thing left is making sure you know when an exam is coming up. In this podcast, learn to discuss exams and expectations in Mandarin Chinese. (Premium subscribers get an invite to our “ChinesePod Toga Party”). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0280

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! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0104

Dodging street debris may be good foot-dexterity training for the Chinese New Year lion dance you've been getting ready for, but a quick slip on a banana peel can end a potentially brilliant dance career faster than the crash of a gong. In this podcast, a lesson for the litterbugs, in Mandarin. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0773

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….. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0271

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…! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0100

If you're creative, indoor winter sports can be so much fun in China. Warm your hands over your gas stovetop flame with your significant other, or chug baijiu in a vain attempt to warm up from the inside out. Or, steam your pores over a lip-numbing Sichuan hotpot while trying not to look at the guy eating brains beside you. All this, and more, can be yours in a China winter. Listen to today's podcast lesson for more Mandarin fun. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0714

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0260

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. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0102

Oh the superlative human form. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, so please allow your eye to feast on the lesson image to the left of this very intro, and admire along with the writer that hunk of a man. Oh yes, and before you get too carried away... don't forget to push play and listen to this podcast on describing hot bods, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0665

If Pepsi’s slogan “Come Alive” can mean “Brings Your Ancestors Back from the Dead” after translation into Chinese, then there’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself lost in translation. We don’t want that to happen, so we want to help with this podcast in the form of a Mandarin Chinese lesson on translating. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0251

Taiwanese songwriters such as 罗大佑 and 李宗盛, and of course the legendary singer Teresa Teng 邓丽君 gifted us classic songs that almost every Chinese-speaking person could sing by heart. Chi explains the beautiful music and lyric-writing in these “经典中的经典” (lit. “the classics of classics”). Song in focus: 罗大佑 – 童年 (1983). Songs featured: 邓丽君 – 月亮代表我的心 (1977) 邓丽君 – 甜蜜蜜 (1979) 邓丽君 – 我只在乎你 (1979) 陈淑桦 – 这样爱你对不对 (1991) 张雨生 – 我期待 (1994) 优客李林 – 输了你赢了世界又如何 (1994) 张惠妹 – 听海 (1997) 黄品源 – 你怎么舍得我难过 (1991) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4335

In China, having a meal with clients is not just eating. Everything is related to the business. That's why learning table manners is so important. In this lesson, we’re going to learn what we can say after hosting a meal or being treated. Let's get started! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4366

No trip to China would be complete without a look at the (sleeps for 23.7 hours a day) panda and the (will take your mobile phone) golden-haired monkey. In this podcast, we take a trip to the erm, “exotic zoo” (Google that if you’re bored), where you will learn about some interesting animals in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0244

In the intermediate coffee break series, we will follow the footsteps of Nick through his adventure in China. Along the way, you will learn important terms and phrases used in business settings, as well as some tips and tricks on dealing with Chinese businessmen. In this episode, our main character Nick is having his first meeting in the company, and things are not going so well for him. If you want to know what happens in today’s episode, watch the video and get down to business! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4309

When he/she walks like a woman and talks like a man, and the response that comes to your query of “Who is that?” is “It’s Pat,” you may find yourself in a quandary of gender identification. Think you can fake your way through this kind of predicament in Chinese with an evasive ‘ta’? That, and this podcast will help. And who knows, you may just find out that the elusive Lola ended up in China. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0627

Well, to start, there’s the first 3 months plus deposit… and that’s the easy part. The “laowai” shuffle begins thereafter. If you think you can knock that price tag down all by your lonesome, then feel free – and come back to this lesson afterwards. In this podcast, take a tour of an apartment in Mandarin Chinese, then learn some effective bargaining tools to try out. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0233

In this lesson, we're showing you three common proverbs related to ducks. They can be directly translated to "To herd the ducks onto a porch", "A cooked duck flies away", and "A dead duck's month is still hard". Do you know what they actually mean? Check out these proverbs with Joy and Joshua and learn how to apply them to daily life! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4300

"Meet the parents" takes on a whole other meaning in Chinese families. Now, if you can't keep track of which auntie is the elder, whose brother the rotund uncle is and whose sister the tall auntie is... or for that matter--which side is this grandpa is on, and how that lady over in the corner fits in to the whole scenario... the safest bet is to give lots of compliments about how young they all look. In this podcast, learn a lesson in Chinese charm. You'll be sure to get a dinner invite! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0589

You sure are clever, and we sure are too. So let’s do what clever people do and talk about clever things… I don’t know, say…anthropology? And to be extra clever, let’s learn all about it in Mandarin Chinese in this podcast. So when your friends ask you “what’s up?” you can say “Oh, you know – just talking about anthropology. In Mandarin.” Someone’s getting a dinner party invite! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0224

It is not that easy to stay sane lately as the whole world has been gloomy (天昏地暗) due to COVID-19, to put it mildly. This lesson is about being confused by fears and rumors surrounding the pandemic. As we all know, coronavirus and Corona beer share nothing but a similar name, but that didn't prevent the rumors from flying around. Gosh! (天啊!) How much do we hope the pandemic could end soon! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4294

Having a travel itinerary in place is no problem in China. You can take a tour and be ushered along to a string of jade factories, miracle pearl cream shops, dramatic burn-healing remedy demonstrations and, uh, another jade factory... oh, yeah, and to the Great Wall too, if you're lucky! In this podcast, take control of your itinerary! Learn how to plan your own travel itinerary, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0558

“CCTV” is all the news here – not the “When Russell Crowe Goes Bad” type of CCTV, but the actual conglomerate of news stations. If you live here, you’ll learn to love it… well, most of it (read: Dashan adverts). So how about a newsworthy lesson in Mandarin Chinese on viewing habits? In this podcast, you’ll learn to talk about the tube, as well as learn how to talk about some current events in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0215

In the intermediate coffee break series, we will follow the footsteps of Nick through his adventure in China. Along the way, you will learn important terms and phrases used in business settings, as well as some tips and tricks on dealing with Chinese businessmen.  In this episode, our main character Nick just arrived at the airport. Through a phone conversation, we're going to show you useful terms that you see in every airport. Let's get down to business!  P.S. The dialogue you heard in this lesson was recorded by a non-native speaker for character authenticity. However, we have also included a version in the dialogue file that was recorded by a native Chinese speaker. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4284

Don't make the short-sighted mistake of dismissing the many miniscule denominations of Chinese currency jingling around at the bottom of your pocket just because they are worth, say, one one-thousandth or so of a US cent. In no time, you'll be fighting tooth and nail over that self same mao, jiao or fen, finding yourself at a total impasse with that shopkeeper you think is stealing your shirt. In this podcast, learn about Chinese money denominations in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0549

While it might come as a shock to you that “bunny ears” are not considered “photographically sound,” we’re sure that your composition and lighting are spot on. So, let’s see you follow a Mandarin lesson on the basic rules of the lens. In this podcast, learn to talk about the techniques and art of photography, using Mandarin Chinese. (Any photoshopping of John’s head to make it seem bigger than his body will result in water torture) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0206

The artist-formerly-known-but-has-since-changed-it-back-so-we-assume-it’s-okay-to-call-him-Prince sang about “Pop Life.” Iggy loved it so much he took it on as his surname. It even inspired a form of candy that still (if mixed with Coca-Cola) will kill you. So why wouldn’t we jump on the “pop” bandwagon and talk about its influence in China? In this podcast, DJ Krazy Ken and Mixmaster Jenny do just that. This lesson will help you learn how to talk about bars, music and what young people in China like to do for fun these days, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0085

It’s been estimated that dogs have the ability to understand a vocabulary of around 200 words. So when you come to China, you’ll find out pretty quickly that that Chinese Shar-Pei dog really doesn’t know what you mean when you say “down boy” in English. In this lesson, learn about some of man’s best friend’s very particular personality traits, and some tips on dog training, in Mandarin Chinese. And remember, even the dogs will expect you to speak Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0475

In the north, you’ll find yourself in a maze of “hutongs.” In Shanghai it’s the “longtang.” In this podcast, we’ll open the regional door and lead you through the ChinesePod courtyard in a tale of two city abodes. You will learn about the styles of housing and streets in old China, and how to talk about them using Mandarin Chinese Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0199

Now, back home, an open liquor bottle on your desk might get you a one-way ticket to Palookaville, but in China, a little “báijiǔ” at the end of the meeting is all part of the deal. In this podcast, Ken and Jenny give a lesson about how business gets done in China. You will learn to talk about doing business in Mandarin Chinese, and the dialogue will help you not only learn Chinese, but also learn all about how important a little “guānxi” really is. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0076