logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
11m 14s

Newbie | How have you been?

ChinesePod LLC
About this episode

When faced with the 'Do Chinese people really say ni hao ma or are they just succumbing to Englese' quandary, here is a lesson you can use to circumvent these deep unanswerable how-are-you-dilemmas. An alternative greeting option in Mandarin. In this podcast, learn how to ask after a peep in all new exciting ways. And special bonus--two ambiguous answers in one dialogue. Do the Chinese know how to evade, or what? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0816

Up next
Aug 21
Elementary | Hospitality Series 1: Welcome to the Hilton!
Imagine that you work at the Hilton in New York City, and you're tasked with welcoming Chinese guests in Mandarin. You better know exactly what to say, and this Chinese lesson covers exactly that. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1755 
22m 42s
Aug 19
Elementary | Dental Floss
In recent years, China's stunning economic progress has propelled it into the ranks of "nations that pretend to use dental floss to appease their dentists." Many Chinese people are also now aware that excessive use of toothpicks can be a bad thing. If you're ready for the big "de ... Show More
14m 24s
Aug 17
Elementary | Scheduling a Time
That Manager Li is a busy, powerful woman. You can't expect to just pull her aside next to the water cooler; you're going to need to schedule your precious face time with her. In this lesson, learn how to do just that in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/ ... Show More
17m 2s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
Intermediate | Evading Nosy Questions
<p>There&#39;s a little busybody in all of us. Now is your chance... all those questions you always wanted to ask but didn&#39;t have the guts to. In this podcast, get past your western conservative-ism and learn to be nosy with the best of &#39;em, in Mandarin. You&#39;ve gradua ... Show More
16m 29s
Jan 2025
Intermediate | Two Tough Ladies
<p>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! Episode link: https://www.chines ... Show More
15m 32s
Jan 2022
Intermediate | Goals For Studying Chinese
<p>With more and more “laowai” coming to the People’s Republic, more and more find themselves in conversations about the occasional frustration one finds at that point in Mandarin where you’re good enough to get by, but are far from fluent. In this podcast, Ken, Jenny and Aggie d ... Show More
16 m
Sep 2025
Stop Saying “Nǐ Hǎo” + When to Push Your Kids (and Yourself)
Most Chinese learners start with “nǐ hǎo” — but no one actually says that. We break down how native speakers really greet each other, and why using the right phrases makes you sound less like a tourist.We also go deeper on: • Why we might flip our podcast intro to help beginners ... Show More
48m 28s
Jun 2022
Pre-intermediate | Changing the Plate
<p>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</p> 
20m 55s
Mar 2024
Intermediate | What is a Chengyu?
<p>Take 5,000 years of linguistic history and ancient literature... throw in a few snakes, frogs, and fanciful tales. Mix in the odd digit for good measure. What do you get? Cryptic Chinese idioms. Now, we&#39;re not saying they&#39;re all as easy as &#39;horse horse tiger tiger, ... Show More
14m 49s
Feb 2017
CBC 1.01 | Asking "how are you?" in Chinese
<p>Welcome to this first lesson in our brand new series which will help you learn Mandarin Chinese. Join teacher Crystal and learner Mark for this coffee break lesson and start learning the basics today. In lesson 1, you'll learn to say "hello" and "goodbye". You'll also learn to ... Show More
22m 39s
May 2024
Intermediate | Here she comes
<p>When someone you&#39;ve never even met suddenly gives you flowers, that&#39;s ChinesePod.&#39; In this podcast, we hear what really goes on inside the mind of the average smitten male. A Chinese lesson in mustering up the courage to talk to that guy/girl you&#39;re fancying. S ... Show More
13m 36s
Feb 2024
Intermediate | Regional Accents Part II
<p>When you are drowning in the language pool where fours become tens... or was that a ten becoming a four?? And was &#39;laji&#39; trash, or garbage, or rubbish? And where are all those &#39;r&#39;s coming from? It is not time to panic. It is time for ear refinement. Yes, it is ... Show More
10m 21s
May 2024
Upper-intermediate | Using a Character Dictionary
<p>Do you ever find yourself only using the English-Chinese side of your dictionary? Do you sometimes feel intimidated by the seemingly arcane system of naming parts of characters? Well then ChinesePod&#39;s got a lesson for you today. Join us to learn all about looking up charac ... Show More
16m 56s