ChinesePod - Beginner

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn will talk about the weather. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4539

Ah, kids. They love to play, but they also love to steal from each other and smack each other around for no reason. (Come to think of it, they're not that different from adults.) In this Chinese lesson, learn how to introduce children to each other so that they start off on the right foot. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1684

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are taking you to the restaurant to learn how to ask easy questions, make an introduction and some suggestions on how to make small talk. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4536

Renting a boat and going for a little row on the lake is quite common in China's parks. If you're here for a visit, you, too, may find yourself rowing a boat. So cover the essential Chinese vocabulary with us to ensure that language won't be what stops your little rowboat. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1681

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are taking you to the cinema and showing useful sentences you can use to find your seat. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4528

If you come to China, you're going to be offered a cigarette. While you can get by on context and gestures, it's nice to know how to politely decline. While you're at it, you smokers out there can also learn how to ask for a light in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1672

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are teaching you one of the most important sentences that you should know as a Chinese beginner! This phrase comes in handy in when you go to a restaurant as a foreigner in China. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4520

Just by being a foreigner in China, you're a fair target for all sorts of personal questions. So don't be surprised when you're asked how tall you are, or how much you weigh. In this lesson, learn to answer these questions. Remember: for personal questions like these, truth is optional. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1670

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are teaching you how to make "small talk" when you meet somebody for the first time. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4519

Do you know how many years of history China is sporting? In case you have no Chinese friends around to remind you, we have created this lesson to fill you in on this critical detail of world history. This Chinese lesson will also help you Americans out there make a comparison. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1666

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn are teaching you one of the most important sentences that you should know as a Chinese beginner! This phrase comes in handy in the "I have no idea what you're talking about" situations that you might encounter as a foreigner in China. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4511

So you think that "push" and "pull" are the only options for opening a door? Think again! With this Chinese lesson, you can learn about advanced door opening, even as an absolute beginner. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1654

In today's lesson, we are going bag shopping, and you're going to learn some useful phrases that will come in handy when you are in the store next time! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4507

If you've really made it in China, you may have a driver to get you where you need to go. But a driver that also speaks fluent English would just be no fun, so this lesson focuses on basic communications with the driver in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1651

In this lesson, we're looking at a conversation that you would definitely recognize if you have ever been hit on by a stranger (or maybe you are the stranger!). Let's learn how to get out of the awkward situation using one simple phrase, check out the video to find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4503

In this lesson, we're looking at a conversation that you would definitely recognize if you have ever been hit on by a stranger (or maybe you are the stranger!). Let's learn how to get out of the awkward situation using one simple phrase, check out the video to find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4503

Well, if you are a forgetful person, you must hear this dialogue pretty often. "Did you bring this? What about that?" So, today we are going to learn how to ask these questions and how to answer them in Chinese in this lesson. Let's get started! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4369

It's checkout time, also known as "check the room for consumption of overpriced snacks and beverages or theft of towels time." In this lesson, learn how to tell the hotel you're checking out, and the Chinese you're going to hear when they bust you. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1637

In this lesson, Joe and Lyn will show you how to fight for the right to use your bathroom by annoying the person that’s using it. After watching this, I’m sure nobody will ever come between you and the toilet in the future! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4329

If you're a foreign student in China, or planning to be one, you should probably learn the word for "foreign student." And since all our listeners are good-looking, the word for "handsome guy" might just come in handy as well. Learn all this and more in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1634

If you're a foreign student in China, or planning to be one, you should probably learn the word for "foreign student." And since all our listeners are good-looking, the word for "handsome guy" might just come in handy as well. Learn all this and more in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1634

You are getting sleepy, very sleepy. And you know it's lame, but you just want to go to bed early. Learn to express these sentiments and more in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1631

In this newbie lesson, we will listen to a conversation between two friends talking about an opportunity to study abroad. We will show you how to say "I plan to..." in Chinese and how to express uncertainty with a particle 吧 [ba]. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4282

Some foreigners think there's a conspiracy to deprive them of enjoying rice with their meal in China. In fact, it's just a Chinese custom which might seem strange to you. Here's a helpful tip: if you want to eat your rice with your meal, you can always ask them to bring out the rice first. Learn to do that in Chinese, with this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1627

In this newbie lesson, you will hear one of the most common questions that you are asked as a Chinese learner: “Is learning Chinese difficult?” Your immediate response might be, “Yes, learning Chinese is VERY difficult!” But there’s actually a better response to that question! Find out what it is as you join Lyn and Joe for this lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4266

No, we're not talking about black market organ trafficking. We're talking about the "I got your nose!" trick you play on kids. While this game is not exactly "traditionally Chinese," it's still good fun, and involves some essential facial features and verbs. Learn the Chinese to commit your own acts of facial larceny in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1624

Who says you have to use chopsticks to eat Chinese food? If you have not yet mastered your kuàizi skills, then this lesson is for you. Learn how to ask for a fork in a restaurant in today's lesson, let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4261

Have you ever been called an "Old China Hand?" Don't worry, if you keep practicing your Chinese and spend some time in China, you will be! In this Chinese lesson, learn more about this common term while also going over the "foreigner in China FAQ" list. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1617

In this lesson, we're going to learn a very important phrase when learning Chinese, and that is 'I love you'. When it comes to love, there's always a choice that has to be made. Out of a computer, a book, and a TV, which one do you think the girl love the most? Check out the video and find out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4256

The Chinese love their holidays! Review the most popular ones with Grace and Jenny. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4113

In today's dialogue, the doctor is disobeying her own orders by taking a bite of something she's not supposed to eat...Want to know what it is? Check out the lesson and learn the usage of 'verb 不 verb questions' along the way! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4255

You think a hotel is a hotel, but in China these quirky little culture differences have a way of sneaking up on you. Learn about one that westerners might find particularly surprising (and potentially shower-nullifying) in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1613

In this dialogue, we will catch a glimpse of the feud of Grandpa tree and the dog. Why doesn't Grandpa tree like the dog? What happened between them? Along the way, you will learn how to say your age, your date of birth. Let's see how it unravels in today's lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4254

The scene is a blind date. She reveals she's a kindergarten teacher. He passionately states that he hates children. Cue crickets chirping. It's going to be a long night. But you just want to learn how to talk about how you feel about children! So listen in to this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1610

A fight for a girl's attention between a cup and a glass has taken place. The former is an advocate for hot tea, and the latter is a spokesperson for cold water. Which side are you on? Come find out who is the winner of the girl's heart in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4253

There's a big difference between buying movie tickets in China and buying movie tickets in many other countries: China uses assigned seating. So make sure you know how to get the seats you want. Learn how to do it in Chinese in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1607

In today's dialogue, we are going to listen to a conversation between a girl and a prodigal 'horse', and you will learn a sentence pattern to express 'to do sth. together' using 和 and 一起. Let's see what happens! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4252

Are you one of those people that doesn't like to waste money on beverages in restaurants and instead just asks for water? Yeah, so are we. So in China, we naturally ask for tea. In this lesson, learn how to make sure that drink you're getting is free. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1604

Have you ever wondered what makes it rain? In this lesson, you're going to learn how to use 给 to express 'to give' and the real cause of rain. Spoiler alert, it might be a little different from what you learned in science class. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4251

It happens in every modern office: someone leaves their cell phone on their desk, and then disappears for hours. Meanwhile, some impatient caller calls again and again, repeatedly subjecting everyone in the office to the loudest and most annoying ringtone on earth. Relive that moment as the annoying becomes the instructional in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1600

Footsteps in the dark. Whispers in a call. Oh no, something shady is going down in today's dialogue. Fear not, you can still learn some Chinese during this dubious transaction. Now, grab your popcorn and enjoy this lesson before the police gets here! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4250

Have you ever had that problem where you buy seats "together" (consecutive seat numbers), but it turns out they're actually not "together" (split across different rows rather than adjacent)? So have we! And we've decided to do something about this problem: create a Mandarin Chinese lesson about it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1597

Oh no! A hungry washer is eating all of the laundry! How are we going to stop him? Well the answer lies in today's lesson. Let's see how to say 'That's not allowed' using the word 可以. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4249

Homework is a huge part of every Chinese kid's childhood. In this lesson, we cover that dreaded moment when the teacher asks for everyone's homework and one unlucky guy doesn't have his. There's gonna be a reckoning! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1594

In today's dialogue, a vending machine is going through an identity crisis and struggling between being a 饭店 or a 商店, as one does. Through this dilemma, we will learn how to use the word 请 to treat somebody to a meal, 但是 to indicate a turn in the statement, and 也 to express 'also'. Let's get started! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4248

You're as serious about your Chinese lessons as the next person, but you're also very busy. We understand that. That's why we're going to be very understanding and let you change class times so you can attend the Comic-con this year. But you have to be able to ask in Chinese! Tune in to this lesson to learn how. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1591

In today's dialogue, a call was made by mistake, someone was asked out on a date, and the best thing is...this conversation happened between a girl and a car. As confusing as it sounds, you will definitely learn how to say 'I want to...' and 'I don't want to...' using the words 想 and 要 in this lesson, so let's check it out. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4247

There are quite a few forms of address for people in Mandarin Chinese, and being the nice, polite student that you are, you want to use the most appropriate one when you meet someone new. In this lesson, learn how to ask what you should call someone. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1587

In today's dialogue, we're going to learn how to politely greet...your toilet, but of course, you can use the phrases on human beings too. Let's check it out! Disclaimer: No toilet was harmed in today's lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4246

In this challenging Elementary lesson, we listen in on the contents of a Chinese diary detailing a trip to San Francisco's Chinatown. There will be Chinese characters, Chinese food, and maybe even a dragon dance. In this lesson, learn the language to get you through a full day of Chinatown activities. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1584