ChinesePod

Winter has officially descended upon us. Now it's time to focus on how to be most comfortable in the cold (and how to avoid getting sick). Step one: find a warm blanket. Not one of those light throws - we're talking one that's so warm it'll make you sweat through those long winter nights. Join us today as we learn about different types of blankets!

How often have you traveled across multiple time-zones and gone straight into the office the next day? Some of our Poddies in the community may have also experienced jet lag of sorts whilst engaging in hot debates with their counterparts from the other side of the globe - and fallen asleep in the office the next day. Either way listen to today's Mandarin lesson to learn important language for discussing your jet-lagged predicament.

Riding a bike is probably the most convenient mode of transport in China. So far on ChinesePod you've used Mandarin to rent a bike and even fix a flat tire. In today's podcast we buy a bike, and bell, and lock... but don't forget to buy a helmet!

“So… what do you do?” While that might sound like a “Singles’ Night” introduction, we mean it… seriously (you should see our faces right now). In this lesson, you will learn how to ask someone what they do, using Mandarin Chinese. And this podcast will also help you to learn how to give a nice sounding response… and so much more.

In bustling cities like Shanghai and Beijing, there's always something happening, and sometimes even according to schedule. Knowing what time it is will always be something you need to ask early on, as well as knowing how good your timing is. Learn the essential Chinese words and phrases in this lesson.

Never leave it till the last minute to catch a taxi to the airport. If you are left with no choice, make sure you've listened to today's lesson - you'll be able to tell the driver the time of your flight in Mandarin. This should inspire them to use their 'driving gongfu' get you to the departure terminal in time.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

The CCTV New Year's Gala, also known as the Spring Festival Gala, and commonly abbreviated in Chinese as Chunwan, is a Chinese New Year special produced by China Central Television. Listen to a dialogue about a family prepare to watch this event and how it has become a tradition in the household during Chinese New Year.

It's coming up to Chinese New Year (2017) and this year it is the Year of the Rooster. Learn some phrases to wish someone well this coming CNY.

Each new year is the same. You make a list of New Year's Resolutions and end up not sticking to any of them. Listen as some friends meet up for their annual reflection on how the year went, and whether or not anyone achieved what they set out to do.

年夜饭 Nián yèfàn is the large family dinner that kick-starts the festive season. It happens the night before the start of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival). In this lesson we learn about some of the foods eaten at this time, some traditions, and also how some people like to eat out instead of going home.

Making dinner to welcome in the Chinese New Year is no easy feat. The chef needs to prepare at least a dozen dishes, many of which have special significance. In this lesson, a mother and her daughter discuss their Chinese New Year feast and all the essential dishes.

If rice is the staple of the Chinese diet, then the electric rice cooker is the staple of the Chinese kitchen. In this lesson, learn about the range of options available to the rice cooker shopper, and which features are most important to the discriminating Chinese consumer.

It's never easy to fire someone, even if you have ample reason to do so. This lesson demonstrates the Chinese way of laying out the facts leading to that unpleasant decision, in a firm but humane way.

The couple in this Chinese lesson are shopping for jewelry, with an unusual disregard for price. Learn how to discuss some of the specific Chinese vocabulary relating to these expensive accessories, and even find out where China's "bargain jewelry" is.

So you're working in a Chinese company, and your boss is really piling on the work, with unrealistic deadlines. What are you going to do? In today's lesson, we see how a conscientious translator is able to skillfully talk her manager into extending the deadline. (Yeah, acquiring this skill is going to take some practice!)

As more and more Chinese buy cars, consumers are increasingly paying attention to the services provided by the dealerships. In today's Chinese lesson, learn what a "4S Dealership" is and what it offers.

Today's Qing Wen is all about ringing in the lunar New Year. In addition to all of the quintessential New Year's wishes, we've added a number of dragon-pertinent terms and idioms that are sure to impress your Chinese friends and bring them good luck too! Happy year of the dragon to all our poddies and listeners!

Everyone loves receiving gifts, no matter the occasion they're celebrating or the country they're living in. Gift-giving in China, however, can get slightly complicated if you don't know a few basic rules. Listen in to today's Qing Wen and learn some essential tips that will help you maintain "face" at various celebratory events.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series is a push increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Christmas is just around the corner and we have all got our festive sweaters on, but we in the office have an age out conundrum to solve. What to get your colleagues and family for Xmas. In this dialogue, they have clearly run out of all good ideas.

Experiencing Chinese New Year in China is truly a spectacular event. Houses are covered in bright red decorations. Bright red lanterns are lit up for all to see. Literally millions of firecrackers are set off at the same time, filling the streets with a mighty roar. But how did these traditions come about? In this lesson a grandfather tells the story to his grandson. Also, be sure to check out the new task feature below, ChinesePod's newest way to enrich your learning experience along with fellow poddies!

Many people have already experienced blizzard-like conditions this year, but for those of you who have yet to see snowfall in your neck of the woods, this lesson's for you! Tune in to learn how to describe the year's first snow.

It's that time of year when the tank tops and shorts get packed away in storage. Out come the long johns, the thick socks, and the ear muffs. Join us in today's ChinesePod lesson as we learn how to talk about winter clothing in Chinese.

It's coming up on Christmas time, which means presents and parties and... thank you notes. In today's lesson you can practice not only your Chinese letter-writing formula, but also how to say mushy and heartwarming cheesy lines to warm your friends' hearts. (Thank you, ChinesePod, for all the wonderful podcasts...)

They say laughter is the best medicine. In today's ChinesePod lesson you'll be learning how to express regret for a friend's unexpected injury, as well as offer standard (but sincere!) pleasant wishes for his or her speedy recovery!

You know how to express yourself in Chinese with grace and tact. But when you need some down-and-dirty insults, what are you going to say? Listen to this Mandarin podcast and learn the Chinese you need to let people know that you mean business!

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series introduces fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

In this festive episode, we discuss spending Chrismas in Asia with friends. Over in the East, Xmas is not so much a holiday to spend with family, but rather with friends (unless they're Christian obviously). Learn some words for various holidays, and how to say how you will spend them. Happy holidays from myself, (Gwilym), Fiona, and Constance and the rest of the ChinesePod team.

Jingle bells are in the air again, but one of our characters isn't feeling very merry. In this lesson we'll teach you some Christmas vocabulary, whether you love it or hate it.

The holiday season is a time for shopping, which means lots of decision-making. Who will you buy gifts for? How much will you spend? Oh yes, and there's one more decision with Chinese characteristics. Find out what it is in this Chinese lesson.

Skiing and ice skating are two of the world's most popular winter sports. But don't let this singular commonality fool you into thinking that mastery of the one means mastery of the other! Join us today as we explore the wonderful world of powder and piste (and learn that it's quite different from the world of hockey and double axles).

You will see just about everything imaginable on the streets of China - a family of four on the back of a scooter, bike carts stacked ten feet high with Styrofoam packaging, buses packed so tightly that people are pressed up against the windows on all four sides... There are also some people who like to talk animatedly on the phone while riding their bikes. In today's lesson, find out why this might not be the best idea!

It's the time of the year when Americans (and even some Canadians, too) give thanks for the good things in their lives. Today we're listening to a conversation between a mother and son - and there's a great Thanksgiving surprise at the end!

So you figured out which movie you want to see, you bought the right tickets, and you made it past the concessions area (you might have even picked up some sweet popcorn on the way). Now what? ChinesePod is here to help you find your seat - or ask for help - in Chinese!

Having friends who know how to cook is important - otherwise when else are you going to get to try delicious home-cooked foods (and mom's food doesn't count, you grew up with it!)? Join us at ChinesePod today as we're at a friend's house trying strange new dishes...

The days are getting shorter, nights longer; autumn has arrived. You may feel like venturing out in shorts and t-shirts, but the chill winds may make you regret not bringing a jacket. Today's lesson will offer an alternate way to get that jacket, in Mandarin Chinese.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series aims to increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series increases awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Learn Mandarin From Movies Series is a push increase awareness of fun Chinese movies that can help you improve your Mandarin Chinese level.

Are your sisters weird? In today's Chinese podcast, learn how to talk in Mandarin about your vast quantities of older sisters. You may even learn a Chinese word or two for other relatives. The only way to find out is to tune in to this exciting Chinese podcast.

Talking about your job is one of the best ways to break the ice in Chinese. In today's Mandarin podcast, you'll learn how to talk about what you do to earn your daily rice. Listen and learn how to talk about your profession in Mandarin Chinese.

Some families seem to have teaching in their blood. In today's Chinese lesson, we'll talk about family members and their jobs in Mandarin Chinese. Get ready to learn how to brag in Chinese about your mom, the attorney.

There's nothing worse than learning Chinese on an empty stomach. After you listen to this lesson, you'll never again have to learn Mandarin over the growls of an empty belly. In today's podcast, you'll learn how to tell others what you'd like to eat in Mandarin Chinese.