Elementary | A New Jug for the Water Cooler

O, the profundity of language. Read literally, the word for contradiction in Chinese is nothing less intriguing than: "spear shield." Yes, it's just this kind of mental gymnastic that keeps us coming back for more. In this podcast, join us as we penetrate the fathomless depths of Chinese word origin and learn the interesting (poetic license notwithstanding) story of "contradiction," in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0562

22 Feb 202312min

Men, at times, find comprehending the female nature a perplexing and bewildering endeavor. However, leave it to this podcast to teach you the three magic words that women the world over, no matter what race, religion or language group, love to hear. (If only life were really that simple.) In this lesson, learn how to profess your love in Mandarin Chinese... and remember (profound statement of the day): you don't have to understand something to love it! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0564

20 Feb 202312min

Drug stores are full of potentially embarrassing items. Embarrassment is exponentially heightened when it involves the acting out of said item to drug store clerk, gesturing to specific body parts and drawing pictures. Thankfully, we at ChinesePod do not shy away from these topics (to wit: lesson on buying tampons), and wouldn't want to see you acting out the word for "condom." Thus, this podcast, where you will learn how to discreetly ask for your contraceptive of choice, in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0567

17 Feb 202313min

There is going to be lots to write home about when you're in China, so because ChinesePod knows how much your mom wants to hear from you, we have created this lesson on inquiring about internet café rates. In this podcast, learn how to ask in Mandarin Chinese how much the rate is per hour, and also how to complain about the price being a bit expensive. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0501

15 Feb 202314min

This podcast covers a famous Chinese story about an old man who moves a mountain. Like most famous Chinese stories, it is more open to interpretation than you might expect. So... while we're not exactly sure what the mountain represents, or where it ends up (NIMBY, thank you), this is a handy story to know. Sit back by the fire, dowload this podcast, and learn it in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0553

13 Feb 202315min

Hot day—there’s nothing you imagine that could be better than a nice cold glass of ice water... aha, not so! There is a whole nation of Chinese people that would beg to differ with you on this point. In this podcast, learn how to request a glass of water in Mandarin Chinese... cold water. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0497

10 Feb 202314min

Some love to watch Olympic swimming--the poignant fortitude of the human spirit, the split-second heart-breaking culmination to a lifetime of training, the record-crushing photo finishes, the heart-wrenching agony of defeat. Others, however, appreciate something different. The robust, wet, speedo-clad chisled physiques. . . a testimony to the exquisiteness of human anatomy in it's highest form. . . (sigh). Whatever your thing, listen in to this podcast, and learn about Olympic swimming in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0545

8 Feb 202313min

Admittedly, you may have been getting a little bit raucous practicing the “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” song you learned in that other podcast, but baby comes first. In this lesson, listen and learn how to tell someone in Mandarin Chinese to be quiet, ‘cause the baby is sleeping. Even if you don’t have a baby, it’s a handy phrase to use on those noisy neighbors (works every time). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0494

6 Feb 202312min