Elementary | A New Jug for the Water Cooler

Not every baby is cute, but here in China, almost all of them are, so you'll probably find yourself in many situations in which you'll feel the need to tell parents just how adorable their little one is. In today's Newbie lesson, learn all about how to compliment a baby without holding back, because it's not really about that baby's self-esteem anyway - it's about the parents'. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1932

30 Des 202215min

Learning Mandarin is like climbing a mountain made of dumplings. And as with other mountaineering expeditions, it's necessary to study the landscape before starting the ascent. In this podcast, we unravel the mystery of the xiaolongbao, the Mount Everest of Chinese breakfast foods. Tip to the wise: if you can't smell the ocean, don't buy the ones with crab meat. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0511

28 Des 202215min

Though the screech of an alarm clock sounds the same in any language, we know that all this studying makes you tired, so we’ve prepared a lesson on giving you that extra “nudge” to get up out of bed in the morning. In this podcast learn how to tell someone in Chinese that it’s late and they need to get up. Which brings to mind another good thing about Mandarin on your terms: You don’t have to worry about being late for class. So go ahead...hit that snooze button for the seventh time. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0474

26 Des 202211min

"Writing" in China has come a long way from its oracle bone past all the way to its QQ IMing and smartphone texting present. But now there's a new form called "WeChat" which mixes texting and free internet messages with voice messaging and GPS. WeChat is already pretty big in China, so if you're totally unaware, it's time to tackle this lesson... Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1990

23 Des 202214min

Sometimes you say one word of Mandarin and the other side assumes you’re fluent and lets loose with a torrent of Chinese. But then there are times when you have the opposite problem: you don’t hear what someone says, and then they write you off as not even understanding “ni hao.” This podcast was designed for just that maddening situation, so tune in and learn what Mandarin to use in that situation. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0472

21 Des 202213min

We hope that those who come to China have a good memory, seeing as mobile phone numbers are about 20 digits long here. In this podcast, experience a Mandarin Chinese lesson on getting something you can’t live without here—a mobile phone SIM card. (ChinesePod tip: don’t get tricked into taking the number 444-4444-4444 ‘cause it’s easy to remember…) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0507

19 Des 202213min

What is a 成语 or Chéngyǔ? It's an idiom. Here we learn 2 Chinese Idioms! The first is "Lower than a pig or a dog!" The second one is "Fowls and dogs are not at peace!" Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4093

16 Des 20223min

It's a classic situation in any culture. A child breaks something, and when their parents ask them about it, they deny doing it. In this lesson, a father grills his son about something he broke. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2108

14 Des 202214min