I'm sure we have all pestered our parents asking them "can I do this?" or "can I do that?".In today's Newbie Mandarin lesson you will learn a really useful and highly repeated phrase for saying you can or cannot do something. In Chinese there are about 3 ways to say can, and in today's lesson we focus on the one that is used when asking for permission. For example, when asking if you can use the toilet, or if you can eat and drink on the subway. After the lesson you will be confident in knowing when to use which "can" word. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2815

School days are here. In this lesson, read the diary of a student about their day at school. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2081

It’s only right that with us being the “bread and butter” of your day, we also offer up a Mandarin Chinese lesson on buying these two basics at the grocers. In this podcast, learn how to request a specific item at the supermarket, using your Mandarin Chinese. Spread the word! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0434

If there's one place you're apt to find yourself in a crowded elevator, it's China. With so many people around, chances someone will have to help you push your floor if it hasn't been pushed already. This lesson helps bring your elevator talk to a new level. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2077

Today we're trying out a different style of lesson. We are following the traditional ChinesePod approach, but adding this visual element to hopefully make learning Chinese that little bit easier. We hope you like it and if you have any feedback, we'd love to hear what you have to say in the comments below :) Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2748

ChinesePod loves sports, which is why ChinesePod has such a fantastic figure. So, in keeping with that “little meet-up” in Beijing happenin' in 2008, in this podcast we offer up a Mandarin Chinese lesson on that slightly popular and oh-so-exciting game of ping pong. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0448

No matter where you are in China, Chinese people will be lavishing praise on you the moment you're able to utter even a simple "hello" or "thank you" in barely distinguishable Chinese. It's important to know how to deflect this politely (your Chinese companion will often expect you to!). Listen to today's newbie lesson to learn how! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1986

It's time to check out a basketball game. In this lesson, learn the word for 'basketball game', and more importantly, how to say you're free to go watch! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2075

There are a few things ChinesePod is scared of: 1. Having to be constrained to a classroom seat to learn language 2. Animals dressed as humans 3. The dark …so, over the next few months, we will address each. Today, we start with the 3rd: what would one say when the power goes out? Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0431

Your head aches, your mouth is dry and your stomach is churning, but you're not sick. You had a lot of fun last night, maybe too much fun... In this lesson, learn how to talk about feeling under weather after a night out on the town. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/2073