Elementary | Preparing for the HSK

Teenagers in the US stress over the SATs, while expats in China go crazy preparing for the HSK, China's official test of Chinese-language skill. It's no easy task, but today you can learn how to talk about studying for this most burdensome of tests in our newest Elementary lesson. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1956

In today's lesson, we're showing you how to buy a train ticket at the station and some useful direction verbs, let's check it out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4239

What do you get when you combine metal blades, wooden sticks, and players speeding around a rink at 20-30 miles per hour? Besides a high incidence of concussions, lacerations and broken bones, you get hockey, of course! Learn how to talk about this popular wintertime sport in Chinese today. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1577

In this series, we tackle the most common question in every newbie's mind: "What's with the tone changes?" Along the way, you'll learn the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Practice and familiarize yourselves with the sounds, and you'll be a tone master in no time. Generally we do not see tone change rules applied in written texts, i.e. we do not see the change of tone mark reflected in written pinyin. Precisely because of this, tone change rules are confusing and burdensome to beginning learners. To help our users to master tone change rules more quickly, we have deliberately marked the changes so that they are more easily recognized and more discernible to learners. So join us in this newly designed tone change series, and let us know your thoughts! In this episode, we will introduce the tone change rule for consecutive three third tones! Let's get started! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4214

If you've never taken a taxi in China, you might find this question a bit absurd. "Which is better, China or the USA?" You're quite likely to be asked this in China, however. In this lesson, learn the diplomatic way to answer in Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1574

In this series, we tackle the most common question in every newbie's mind: "What's with the tone changes?" Along the way, you'll learn the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Practice and familiarize yourselves with the sounds, and you'll be a tone master in no time. Generally we do not see tone change rules applied in written texts, i.e. we do not see the change of tone mark reflected in written pinyin. Precisely because of this, tone change rules are confusing and burdensome to beginning learners. To help our users to master tone change rules more quickly, we have deliberately marked the changes so that they are more easily recognized and more discernible to learners. So join us in this newly designed tone change series, and let us know your thoughts! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4206

Don't eat the snow! No, not for the reason you're thinking... it's dirty! Join us in this lesson as a northerner and a southerner compare their Chinese winter experiences. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1568

In this series, we tackle the most common question in every newbie's mind: "What's with the tone changes?" Along the way, you'll learn the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Practice and familiarize yourselves with the sounds, and you'll be a tone master in no time. Generally we do not see tone change rules applied in written texts, i.e. we do not see the change of tone mark reflected in written pinyin. Precisely because of this, tone change rules are confusing and burdensome to beginning learners. To help our users to master tone change rules more quickly, we have deliberately marked the changes so that they are more easily recognized and more discernible to learners. So join us in this newly designed tone change series, and let us know your thoughts! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4203

If you've ever played in an orchestra, you may be curious about the Chinese names of some of those musical instruments. No, we don't mean guitar or drums; we're talking violin, tuba, and clarinet. The names are easier than you think. This one is for you, band nerds! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1564

In this series, we tackle the most common question in every newbie's mind: "What's with the tone changes?" Along the way, you'll learn the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Practice and familiarize yourselves with the sounds, and you'll be a tone master in no time. Generally we do not see tone change rules applied in written texts, i.e. we do not see the change of tone mark reflected in written pinyin. Precisely because of this, tone change rules are confusing and burdensome to beginning learners. To help our users to master tone change rules more quickly, we have deliberately marked the changes so that they are more easily recognized and more discernible to learners. So join us in this newly designed tone change series, and let us know your thoughts! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4196