Sep 11

Elementary | Boxing Day

No, Boxing Day has nothing to do with the big fight on Pay-Per-View. It's that semi-mystical holiday celebrated by the loyal subjects of the queen. Apparently it's all about shopping? If you have any idea what we're talking about, let's convert the idea into Chinese in this lesso ... Show More

12m 50s

Sep 9

Elementary | Getting an Official Receipt

If you intend to claim something as an expense in China, you need an "official receipt" (AKA "fapiao"). So don't just fight over the bill -- make sure you get this government-issued scrap of paper to make it official. Learn the magic words in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: ht ... Show More

15m 30s

Sep 7

Elementary | Choosing a Room

You've had a long day and finally arrive at your hotel, ready for some much needed R&R. But alas, the room you desire isn't available! What is to be done? Today's unlucky traveler finds himself in such a predicament. Be sure to listen in and learn about different room types in to ... Show More

16m 13s

May 2024

Intermediate | Tool Delivery

Whether you're making tables or making babies, you've come to the right place. Not for the faint of heart, this lesson teaches you all the Chinese vocabulary you're going to need to know to be able to ask for your hammer... or your scalpel. Listen in and find out w ... Show More

12m 46s

Feb 2024

Upper-intermediate | Getting Old Isn't Easy

Learning Chinese is a great way to fight off the ravages of age. Toughen your mind, broaden your horizons, and make new friends at home and abroad. Who knew that learning Mandarin could make the golden years into the jade years? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1149</p ... Show More

16m 16s

Jan 2024

Intermediate | Flowers and Bugs

If the title of this lesson conjures up gory images of the tacky floral bedroom curtains so lovingly lent to you by your packrat landlord... or that cockroach you hammered to death last night, then it's time for a little day trip to this podcast. A Chinese lesson for the g ... Show More

11m 24s

Jan 2023

Pre-intermediate | No Bargaining

In this lesson, we learn how to complain that something is too expensive. We also look at words for large numbers including hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands. We also look take a look at the measure word 条 (tiao2) which is often used for long, thin strips of things. E ... Show More

13m 16s

Oct 2025

Upper-intermediate | Retired Life

What does retirement mean to the Chinese elderly? Just pensions and a bunch of sitting around? Fortunately, some old folks have more interesting aspirations. In this Chinese lesson, we take a positive and a negative look at life after work. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.co ... Show More

15m 36s

Feb 2024

Intermediate | Regional Accents Part II

When you are drowning in the language pool where fours become tens... or was that a ten becoming a four?? And was 'laji' trash, or garbage, or rubbish? And where are all those 'r's coming from? It is not time to panic. It is time for ear refinement. Yes, it is ... Show More

10m 21s

Mar 2024

Intermediate | What is a Chengyu?

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're not saying they're all as easy as 'horse horse tiger tiger, ... Show More

14m 49s

Jun 2024

Upper-intermediate | Electronic Dogs and Radar Detectors

In today's ChinesePod lesson we're exploring the exciting world of electronic gadgets. These days, they've got a gadget for just about everything. Find out what happens when you opt for the cheap do-it-all gadget (you know, the one they're hawking downstairs fo ... Show More

17m 56s

Elementary | Expired!