ChinesePod - Beginner

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

In today's dialogue, a self-introduction was made, and it was quickly followed by a love confession! What's more exciting is that you're going to learn how to express 'I can...' using 会 and 'I am...' using 是. Let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4245

You know how to say you want to wash your hands. You know the word for water. But what about hand soap? First of all - do you want liquid or bar soap? Second - where is it? Learn how to ask for different kinds of soap at the grocery store in today's elementary lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1580

In the ChinesePod HSK Test Prep series, we will focus on the HSK level 1 test. This series has a total of 12 lessons. Check out our Pinyin program first, then follow us through our HSK Level 1 series. Let’s start this wonderful journey together!! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4244

Teenagers in the US stress over the SATs, while expats in China go crazy preparing for the HSK, China's official test of Chinese-language skill. It's no easy task, but today you can learn how to talk about studying for this most burdensome of tests in our newest Elementary lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1956

In today's lesson, we're showing you how to buy a train ticket at the station and some useful direction verbs, let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4239

What do you get when you combine metal blades, wooden sticks, and players speeding around a rink at 20-30 miles per hour? Besides a high incidence of concussions, lacerations and broken bones, you get hockey, of course! Learn how to talk about this popular wintertime sport in Chinese today. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1577

In this series, we tackle the most common question in every newbie's mind: "What's with the tone changes?" Along the way, you'll learn the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Practice and familiarize yourselves with the sounds, and you'll be a tone master in no time. Generally we do not see tone change rules applied in written texts, i.e. we do not see the change of tone mark reflected in written pinyin. Precisely because of this, tone change rules are confusing and burdensome to beginning learners. To help our users to master tone change rules more quickly, we have deliberately marked the changes so that they are more easily recognized and more discernible to learners. So join us in this newly designed tone change series, and let us know your thoughts! In this episode, we will introduce the tone change rule for consecutive three third tones! Let's get started! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4214

If you've never taken a taxi in China, you might find this question a bit absurd. "Which is better, China or the USA?" You're quite likely to be asked this in China, however. In this lesson, learn the diplomatic way to answer in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1574

In this series, we tackle the most common question in every newbie's mind: "What's with the tone changes?" Along the way, you'll learn the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Practice and familiarize yourselves with the sounds, and you'll be a tone master in no time. Generally we do not see tone change rules applied in written texts, i.e. we do not see the change of tone mark reflected in written pinyin. Precisely because of this, tone change rules are confusing and burdensome to beginning learners. To help our users to master tone change rules more quickly, we have deliberately marked the changes so that they are more easily recognized and more discernible to learners. So join us in this newly designed tone change series, and let us know your thoughts! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4206

Don't eat the snow! No, not for the reason you're thinking... it's dirty! Join us in this lesson as a northerner and a southerner compare their Chinese winter experiences. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1568