ChinesePod

Join Grace on the farm as she counts all the animals! Learn your numbers from 1 to 10 and the names of farm animals and dragonflies. In this lesson, Grace uses measure words for the different animals. Chinese has many measure words. As we build our lessons, we will identify the various measure words and when they are used.

What are you doing here in Shanghai? It's what everyone wants to know. So tell them that you're here in Shanghai working, and learning Chinese in your spare time. (Convincing them that you're not all about partying and living the high life is a topic for another lesson...)

No, it's not cool to ignore your spouse at those social functions. (That's what those repeated pokes in the ribs are trying to tell you.) So learn how to introduce him or her with this practical Chinese lesson.

If you know "ni hao," you're ready to start networking in the Middle Kingdom. This lesson will equip you with a few more phrases to assist in Chinese introductions. But remember: you're no one if you don't have a "name card," so have yours ready!

If you come to China you're going to be getting served tea everywhere: in restaurants, homes, even offices. In today's newbie lesson, we'll be joining a young woman as she enters an office. Listen in and learn the language for basic manners and politeness in Mandarin Chinese.

It’s been established you like your city, but why exactly? In this podcast, you will learn how to compare two things using Mandarin Chinese; in this case, cities. The more comparisons you can make, the smarter you sound. And the smarter you sound, the more you like us. And the more you like us, the better the Christmas gift we get from you. See how that works?

China is a nation of early risers, so don't be too surprised when housekeeping starts pounding on your hotel room door at 8am. In this Chinese lesson, learn to kindly and clearly tell housekeeping that you're more interested in sleeping than a tidy room.

Hopefully you've bought plane tickets before and you're aware that the price can vary a bit according to when you buy. With this lesson, you can also be prepared to deal with this reality in Mandarin Chinese!

Ah, tables and chairs. Even the most minimalist decorator agrees that "being able to sit down" and "having a raised surface to put stuff on" are good things. There are a few surprises in store for you in today's Chinese lesson, though, so tune in and learn.

So it's another long, boring morning meeting. What's an employee to do? In this Chinese lesson, the boss makes it clear that it's not OK to sleep during the meeting. Learn the key language here.

Everyone loves birthdays, and chances are if you're new to Chinese they'll be some of the first things you broach in conversation. Learn about birthdays, dates, and days of the week in Mandarin Chinese in today's lesson.

Do you like Shanghai? There may only be one right answer to this question (depending on who's asking), but there are also plenty of viable non-answers. Learn how to navigate this verbal minefield in this Chinese lesson.

We know the challenge of getting into Mandarin Chinese is daunting to say the least, but don't worry, ChinesePod is here to help! Today's lesson is a practical guide for the complete newbie, hopefully assuaging some of the fears associated with learning Mandarin and giving you pointers of what you should do. Be sure to check out ChinesePod's Pinyin Pronunciation Chart; a handy reference for learning the basics of Mandarin Chinese pronunciation.

OK, so we know you're coming to Hong Kong. The question is when. And please speak more clearly, because that old cell phone you use gets terrible reception. We've boiled these sentiments down into one Newbie-sized bite of useful Chinese.

You may know that the Chinese (especially the Shanghainese) are rather open about discussing prices. Housing prices are a conversation staple. But you may be surprised how much a car can set you back in modern China. Learn how to ask how much a car costs, and embrace the harsh financial realities of modern life in the PRC.

It's easy to make friends in China, and before you know it you'll be getting invited over to new friends' houses and inviting your friends over to yours. Today's ChinesePod lesson will teach you the basics of at-the-door pleasantries that you'll exchange when you arrive.

Cola or milk? Sugar or calcium? Cavities or strong bones? While the more healthy choice may be quite obvious, it's still important to know the price of either product as well. Learn how to use Mandarin Chinese to ask for prices in today's newbie lesson.

Fans of "are we there yet" will enjoy annoying their companions with the endlessly repeated question, "what time is it now?" Whether you're just curious, or you're shooting for the "super obnoxious" end of the spectrum, you've got to admit that this is a useful question to master. Cover the essentials in this Chinese lesson.

You're in China and you want some tea. Where do you go? A tea house, of course. But what happens if you can't find one? Perhaps you'll have to settle for another kind of caffeinated beverage...

The office water cooler: this is such a common part of most offices that in English we even have a way of describing gossip that originates there! But what happens when the water runs out? Learn how to talk about this in today's super-practical lesson.

Security checks are a given at airports and most bus stations in China. But these days, you're likely to see them in some subway stations, as well (ahem, Shanghai)! Check out today's lesson to learn some important terms related to safety and security checks.

All eyes are focused on South Africa this summer as the nation prepares to host the World Cup. Check out today's lesson and learn how to describe one important South African export (here's a hint: we hear they're a girl's best friend).

Science is fun! So are sports! But what happens when you want to discuss one in Chinese, but you instead use words describing the other? Sounds like you have a problem with tones, but not to worry! ChinesePod is here to help!

For whatever reason you're in the airport and the flight you've got just won't do. Now comes the tricky part! How do you ask to change your ticket? Find out today with this elementary level lesson.

Today's lesson is all about getting a tan on accident! Tune in to find out all the key tools you'll need to bring to the beach this summer in order to avoid tanning!

Most of us have spam filters on our email inboxes. They certainly make life easier a lot of the time, saving us the hassle of deleting loads of advertisements for unnecessary (and often less-than-wholesome) products. Yet sometimes spam filters also cause problems. Check out today's lesson for some useful technology terminology.

We're off to the shoe store today to pick out a pair appropriate for the summer months. Learn how to describe shoes and shoe sizes in this ChinesePod lesson.

In China you'll have no problem finding many of the fruits you like to eat back home: bananas, apples, watermelons. But China also has a lot of unusual fruits you might have never heard of (or even seen before)! Learn about some of these in today's lesson.

From Papa John's to Pizza Hut, American pizza franchises have become a common sight in China's big cities. Learn how to order the pizza you want with today's lesson.

The French often say the stinkier a cheese, the better its taste. Well not so, according to the characters in today's lesson. Learn how to describe this popular Gallic export and its most important characteristic in Chinese.

Meeting up with friends in the city can sometimes be confusing. In today's lesson you'll learn the Chinese you need to know to describe which exit of the metro station you'll be meeting your friends at.

Traveling in China can be a bit different than what some tourists are used to. Many people opt to travel as a part of a tour group (you've all seen them - they often have a brightly-dressed guide with a flag and matching t-shirts). While this kind of travel has its benefits, there are some undeniable drawbacks, as well. Find out more by tuning in to today's lesson!

Today ChinesePod is exploring classic games. From the intense world of real estate to the physical challenges of contorting your body, we're exploring options for having fun with friends. Tune in to find out which game the people in today's dialog choose to play! Here's a hint: we hope they stretched first!

Elvis chapels and exotic animals. Magicians and pyramids. Sin city has it all. Learn how to talk about Las Vegas in Chinese with today's show. And remember: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

Many times conversations about money in Chinese involve some kind of bargaining. In today's show we're exploring bargaining in a more formal setting - the office. Someone's contract is up for renewal and he's about to play hardball. Tune in to hear how it goes!

Nuts come in all shapes and sizes - and some people say eating them will even make you smarter. Join us today as we browse many varieties of this delicious snack. We're sure you'll find a kind you like!

Everyone loves babies, right? Well today's lesson will cover some essential language for talking about (and to) these little bundles of joy! You'll be learning some great ways to compliment the baby (which always makes new parents proud)...

In today's ChinesePod lesson we're headed back to our hometown. Lots of things have changed, some of them good and some of them not. Learn all about talking about the past in this reflective podcast.

ChinesePod has visitors today and they're getting the full tour of the office! Find out how to make small talk and give basic directions to people who are visiting from afar!

You know the situation: you're rocking out to Guitar Hero in your PJ's and you're about to hit that whammy bar when - suddenly - the lights go out. Apparently Kiss's "Rock and Roll All Night" was just too much for your little circuit breaker to take! Time to go change a fuse (or call someone who knows how to, maybe)...

First there was blogging, then there was microblogging. Your life in 140 characters or less! Tune in to today's lesson on social media to learn more about this technical trend in China.

No one wants bugs or vermin in their homes. These little pests seem to appear more often in the hot months. So tune in to today's lesson about insecticides to find out how to describe getting rid of pests - in Chinese!

Take a trip with ChinesePod as we visit one of China's most famous cities: Xi'an! From the Qin Shi Huang's famous Terracotta Warriors to delicious foods found on Xi'an's Muslim food street, this city's got something for everyone. Join us and learn how to get yourself around in Chinese.

Summer is here and it's time to go to the beach. Join us today as we cover the essentials for having a good time in the sand and in the water. And don't forget to pack the sunscreen - you wouldn't want to get burnt!

Today's upper-intermediate level lesson is essential for anyone trying to improve their ability to discuss marketing and advertising related issues in Chinese. Learn some great industry jargon, as well as the Chinese names of some of the biggest companies in these fields.

China is a bit list-crazy, and among its myriad lists is the "Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism" list. Listen to this Chinese lesson, learn some more about Buddhism, and for you mountain-lovers out there, maybe even gain a new item or two for your China travel itinerary.

If you order some noodles, and the person that delivers them to your office is a child, is it a case of child labor? Different cultures don't see this in quite the same way. In this lesson, learn more about the Chinese view on what constitutes "child labor."

Did you know that in the mythic past, the earth had ten suns taking turns warming it? That is, until legendary archer Houyi came along. Learn this classic tale in this Chinese lesson.

So many companies dream of selling their products to China's billion consumers. But selling to China means localizing for China, and not just any product is going to sell. Listen in on the thoughts of a real marketing manager for some perspective on how it's done.

You didn't think that localization stopped at the product, did you? The interview series with real-life marketing manager Kay continues in this lesson, where localization of sales model is explored, using the familiar example of Dell.