ChinesePod - Intermediate

Reports reveal a mysterious drop in the GDP of several countries in the last ten years. Analysts have been concerned and perplexed. But they have overlooked the telltale signs. The blinking orange task bar, the familiar 'ping', the too-fast typing smirk and dexterous click of the mouse when the boss nears. A decade of workdays have passed that much happier for office toilers since the miracle of MSN. Hear about it, and its Chinese counterpart, in this podcast. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0810

No visit to the PRC would be complete without a “Waving Mao” watch, but is it *really* an antique? In this podcast, one seasoned friend helps another with determining whether that artifact really is 3,000 years old or not. Learn some characteristics of different dynasty’s antique items, and how to talk about them in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0289

Not that we agree with the whole “those who can’t, teach”, but it does seem odd, us giving a lesson on talking about dates--seeing as how we can’t get them (despite our “We work with Ken and Jenny” shirts). However, it’s a hot topic in conversation and we’d like to think you’re a “bit of all right” and will need to know this. If not…join us for video night, Friday and Saturday nights. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0106

Your mom's not here and neither is your ayi, and where is a Chinese laundry when you need one? Yes, we know it's true that shirt will get just as rumpled after your sardine subway ride to work, but hey... you never know when you'll be sandwiched up against Mrs. Right. Make a good impression--learn how to iron, and how to say it in Mandarin in this podcast. Women love a man that can pull off a great pant crease. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0787

With more and more people (see: our John Pasden) attending uni at a Mandarin school, we’d like to cover some basics. We’ve already taught you “keg stand” and “dodging student loans”, so the only thing left is making sure you know when an exam is coming up. In this podcast, learn to discuss exams and expectations in Mandarin Chinese. (Premium subscribers get an invite to our “ChinesePod Toga Party”). Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0280

What are your plans for the future? Think that this question ends after you walk out of your guidance counselor’s office? “Think two times” (Chinglish for “twice”). In this podcast, we offer up a monologue on business plans in Mandarin Chinese. Listen and learn…you might just get some good ideas! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0104

Dodging street debris may be good foot-dexterity training for the Chinese New Year lion dance you've been getting ready for, but a quick slip on a banana peel can end a potentially brilliant dance career faster than the crash of a gong. In this podcast, a lesson for the litterbugs, in Mandarin. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0773

For Ken, it’s those tiny little sock hangers. For Jenny it’s losing that great head of hair. We all have phobias…ours is that you won’t learn enough Mandarin (ahem - on your terms) to talk about them. Let’s fix that. In this podcast, learn about some common, and some not-so-common phobias, in Mandarin Chinese. Now, we want you to focus on that object directly in front of you. Allow your entire body to melt into the chair. Now, sleeeeeeeepppppppp….. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0271

A foreigner in China soon gets over any initial shyness to talk price after finding out he paid fifteen times the going rate for that “waving Mao” watch. Everything is to be bargained for…everything. So, take a break from talking price to brush up on your skills in this podcast. And remember, if you can do it in Mandarin Chinese, you’ll only pay ten times too much…! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0100

If you're creative, indoor winter sports can be so much fun in China. Warm your hands over your gas stovetop flame with your significant other, or chug baijiu in a vain attempt to warm up from the inside out. Or, steam your pores over a lip-numbing Sichuan hotpot while trying not to look at the guy eating brains beside you. All this, and more, can be yours in a China winter. Listen to today's podcast lesson for more Mandarin fun. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0714