ChinesePod - Intermediate

ChinesePod steps into the realm of gender politics by taking on the issue of 姐弟恋 (jiědìliàn), relationships between older women and younger men. Most women seem okay going for guys a few years younger with them if they're right one, but younger than that? Let the discussion begin! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2219

Perfume might seem like a good gift for a female friend, but be sure to pick the right fragrance! In this Chinese lesson, our hapless male hero attempts to navigate the choices. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1777

Sign here. Get this stamped. Fill out this form. ChinesePod delves into the world of Chinese bureaucracy. Will it get out in one piece or will it get caught up in the red tape? Find out in this lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2213

It's pretty widely known that the Chinese like to get to know each other over the dinner table, and even make deals over meals. Not every meal is going to be a profitable venture, however, which raises the question of when it's appropriate to treat your client to a meal. In this Chinese lesson, some co-workers tackle the age-old question of "to qing or not to qing." Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1774

Defending a thesis, looking for a job, helping out one's advisers... what's a graduate student to do? In this lesson, learn about graduate school issues as two graduate students talk about the pressures facing them. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2207

A bad temper can cause a lot of trouble in a man's life. In this lesson, we learn about one man's temper and how it has affected his relationships. Fortunately, the guy has a very helpful friend offering advice for how to deal with the situation. Learn all about it in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1767

“One country, two systems.” Hong Kong and Macao are now part of China, but they have their own culture and political systems separate from Mainland China. In some respects, going there is like going to a different country. This is especially true for Mainland Chinese who want to visit. For them, a special travel permit is required. And the deal isn't the same for everyone. Find out out more in this lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2203

What young professional can resist a networking event? Well, it might be a bit easier to resist if you have no clue what to say to meet people. In this Chinese lesson, learn how to chat up another professional and make some of those all-important human connections. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1764

Facebook is blocked in China, so it's not used by most Chinese for socializing and organizing events. For organizing events, especially for the young Chinese artsy crowd, the place to go is Douban. Here you can find information on events as well as book reviews, movie reviews and more. In this lesson, one friend tells another all about it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2200

In this Chinese lesson we join our ill-fated hero at the airport check-in desk. He's battling airport regulations and not doing so well. This could be you, so if you're one of those slightly more "complicated" passengers, this lesson might be just what you need. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1757

Learning Chinese is hard, but learning English is difficult too! In this lesson, a Chinese student faces a teacher after failing to get their head around some points in English grammar. Learn how to talk about tense, prepositions, clauses and all those great grammar words in this lesson! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2193

China is quite a playground for brand names, with big companies like Nike and small knock-off operations existing side by side. In this Chinese lesson, learn how a child and parent view these choices with regards to athletic shoes. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1754

Get your mojitos! Get your gin and tonics! Get your vodka sodas! In this lesson, ChinesePod gets mixed up in the world of cocktails. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2183

Whether you prefer to gawk joyously at the animals, or brood over the moral issues raised by caging animals in a zoo, this Chinese lesson has you covered. Learn also some of those picky details related to Chinese animal names which you've always wondered about but been too shy to ask. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1751

While punctuation marks in Chinese are similar to those in English, there are some notable differences. In fact, there are even some symbols used in Chinese punctuation which don't exist in English. In this lesson, someone helps their Chinese coworker write a letter in English, only to discover these differences first hand. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2177

HR has recently announced a new working hours policy, and a young woman discusses with her boyfriend how it affects her. The policy itself may be full of formal, stuffy language, but this lesson cuts right to the chase and deals with the new office policy in plain, straightforward terms. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1744

ChinesePod brings the last installment of the saga of the snake spirit Bai Suzhen and her love Xu Xian. It's The Legend of the White Snake! In this final part of the story, love goes beyond death and good old fashioned filial piety saves the day! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2173

This Chinese lesson chronicles a day in the life of Wang Guan, a very busy network administrator. If you deal with routers or servers much, this is a good introductory lesson for you. But a word of advice: go into this lesson with your tone hat on; it's going to give you a workout! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1741

The Legend of the White Snake continues! In this episode, Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian find happiness with each other. However, this happiness isn't destined to last... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2153

Somewhere in China, a telephone rings. The mother answers, and, much to her dismay, discovers that it is a young man calling for her daughter. What's a mother to do? And how does a Chinese girl try to outsmart a protective mother? Find out in this Chinese lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1736

Just in time for the Year of the Snake, this classic Chinese folktale takes us to the famed shores of the West Lake in Hangzhou where magical Taoist snakes turn into beautiful women and fall in love with good hearted shepherds. It's The Legend of the White Snake! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2137

Oral interpretation in China is a fairly lucrative job for those with the skills. In this lesson, learn how to distinguish between various types of translation work, as well as some of the more important details for the event itself. Oh, and don't forget to look pretty. Image is everything. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1730

ChinesePod rounds up its three part series on the ins and outs of internet marketing with a bit about social media marketing. Hear those auto executives wax on about Weibo, gaining followers and the drawbacks of using social media. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2143

So the online relationship is going great... could it be time for the "RL meetup"? It's a big step. Scrutinize those photos, talk it over with some RL friends, and make a decision about whether or not meeting in Real Life is a good idea. Then learn the Chinese in this lesson Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1722

Get your business suits on poddies, ChinesePod's discussion of internet marketing techniques continues with a discussion about email and search engine marketing. In this part, learn the Chinese equivalents of internet marketing buzzwords like “keyword”, “click-through rate” and more. To enhance your experience, be sure to make use of the new Task feature for this lesson where you can upload your work in Chinese! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2118

Although it may not be as common a sight in China as certain other electronic products, the Kindle is a handy little device not unknown in the Middle Kingdom. Learn the Chinese to introduce your (not-so-shiny) e-book reader (and we hope you're not studying this lesson from a paper printout). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1719

Pop up ads are the bane of any web surfers existence. However, what are companies supposed to do to reach their clients? In this lesson, listen as two car company executives discuss the direction for their company in 2013, and what sales and marketing options are open to them in the internet age. Get ready to brush up on your Chinese sales and marketing speak! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2109

Multiple roommates, one room. You're going to have to get extra keys made. In this lesson, two roommates try to accomplish the (apparently difficult) feat of having a spare key made. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1716

Ah, college days! A group of older Chinese relive moments from their college glory days again in the second part of this series from ChinesePod. Hear about reserving a seat for a lecture, lining up to take a shower and more! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2189

College days are the glory days for many of us. In this lesson, a group of Chinese coworkers reminisce about those bygone days. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2170

No one wants to eat cold rice, but cold noodles, on the other hand, are a popular summer staple in China. In this culinary lesson, learn how to make a Chinese cold noodle dish. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1708

Hear ye! Hear ye! Our little tailor continues his quest And in tiny kingdom receives a test: Giants in the wood he has to slay But will our hero win the day? In this lesson, hear the second part of the story of “The Brave Little Tailor” and learn more Chinese fairy tale vocab! Also, be sure to check out the new task feature below, ChinesePod's newest way to enrich your learning experience along with fellow poddies! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2124

Hear ye! Hear ye! Listen Chinese students and listen well To a classic tale we'd like to tell Of a brave little tailor with pluck and vim Who comes to us from the Brother's Grimm... In this lesson, learn how fairy tales are told in Chinese, complete with more formal language and the use of onomatopoeia. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2051

In Chinese society, a society particularly concerned with family, being a gay man can be particularly hard. The pressure is so great for gay men to have wives and children, that many of them choose to say in the closet throughout their entire lives. And it's certainly difficult for them, it's also difficult for their wives. In this lesson, two women discuss this social issue. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2103

Sometimes you just have one of those days where everything goes right and you're in a great mood all day long. In this Chinese lesson, follow along this story about a series of fortunate events and learn what made this guy's day so lucky. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1703

Sometimes you just have one of those days where everything goes wrong and you're in a terrible mood all day long. In this Chinese lesson, follow along this story about a series of unfortunate events and learn what made this guy's day so miserable. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1701

If you're from a place like the United States, you might be used to paying exorbitant monthly fees for your cellular phone service. In China, the fees can be very low indeed even including data, but there's a secret: you need to sign up for a monthly service plan. In this Chinese lesson, learn how to abandon pay-as-you-go and get on a data plan. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1699

Cheers! This lesson is about drinking. In this lesson, three friends reminisce about how they first started drinking over a couple of drinks. Learn a bit about Chinese attitudes to alcohol as well as some useful drinking words. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2163

Maybe you've heard that things are cheap in China. Well, yes and no. But leaving lights on and water running isn't smart in any country. In this Chinese lesson, learn how to get to the bottom of a roommate's wasteful behavior and give him an earful for it. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1696

After China's rapid urbanization, it's millions of city dwellers are longing to get back to the farm. And who can blame them? Fresh air, fresh food and peace and quiet. What's not to love about a getaway out in the country? In this lesson, learn all about it! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2159

It's a story that all Chinese children know: the story of the little tadpoles looking for their mother. Follow along on this epic journey and pick up a nice stack of measure words while you're at it. (For extra credit, you'll also be asked to make "the frog noise" the Chinese way.) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1682

For a wintertime getaway, bathing in a hot spring is a popular pastime for many Chinese, not only to relax but also for certain, often dubious, health benefits. Of course, that's not the only thing in doubt. How clean are these hot springs? And are they really hot springs or just glorified hot tubs? In this lesson, a group of coworkers plan an office getaway and reveal their doubts. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2150

Many homes have what's called a "mending pile," which is also referred to as "the place where old clothes go to die." In China, though, it's so easy to find someone to mend, patch, and alter all your clothing woes! In this Chinese lesson learn the key words to describe how clothes "go bad," the key verbs for fixing them, and even some key measure words. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1679

Exploring the world of Chinese food is not for the faint of heart. Those of us not used to eating the organs of animals should be weary. Many traditional Chinese dishes revel in using all kinds of offal in their preparation. And names can be misleading. Even if you think you know what is in a dish, it's easy to get it wrong. In this lesson, two friends check out the food at a Taiwanese night market and are in for a surprise. Also, be sure to check out the new task feature below, ChinesePod's newest way to enrich your learning experience along with fellow poddies! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2134

We know you've been ordering coffee in Chinese since your Newbie days, but have you been ordering fancy coffee? You know, the kind with cream and sugar and chocolate sprinkles? Because we sure are, and it's high time we invited you into our wonderful world... of fancy coffee. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1676

Ah, the problems of others. The landlord is raising the rent just a bit too high. Someone's lover has run off with someone else. A wayward son can't seem to find his way. For some, hearing about these problems is reason enough to end a conversation or leave the room, but for others, it's entertainment at its best. In this lesson, a mother and daughter argue about the worth of “The Auntie Bai Show”, a talk show concerned with mediating family disputes. Also, be sure to check out the new task feature below, ChinesePod's newest way to enrich your learning experience along with fellow poddies! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2129

Ah, bed wetting. Whether it's your young child, or your "friend" who had that "totally realistic dream where I was using the toilet," bed wetting is a fact of life. Learn the key vocabulary to discuss it in this lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1667

You're out of college and it's time to do something with your life. You can't just hang out on your parent's couch all day, can you? In this lesson, someone discusses with their mother about pursuing their dream of starting a magazine. Also, be sure to check out the new task feature below, ChinesePod's newest way to enrich your learning experience along with fellow poddies! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2113

What is there to do in Nanjing? Learn about this fascinating historical Chinese city, including some of its unique cuisine. At the very end of the lesson, find out about some of the Chinese and foreign perceptions of this unique place. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1664

In China, waiters don't get tips. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Of course, there's no way that can fly in the US where tipping is ubiquitous. In this lesson, two Chinese friends discuss American tipping culture and how it relates to Chinese customs. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2094