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The Magic Word 让 (Ràng) We taught you the two other so-called...

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:16:05 +0800

We taught you the two other so-called ‘magic words,’ but today, the one that trumps them all with its multi-varied uses. In this Qing Wen learn all about 让 (Ràng). The word that makes people jump out of the way, lets you boss people around, and provides old ladies with seats on the bus.

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请 (Qǐng) - Please and Beyond In this Qing Wen, yet another way...

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 10:00:05 +0800

请 (Qǐng) - Please and Beyond

In this Qing Wen, yet another way to make ourselves sound like the polite people we are. However, there is so much more to 请 (Qǐng) than meets the eye. Listen to this episode to see all the many uses of this polite-sounding word!

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Often: Using 常常，经常，通常 (chángcháng, jīngcháng, tōngcháng) So...

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:30:06 +0800

Often: Using 常常，经常，通常 (chángcháng, jīngcháng, tōngcháng)

So many words for ‘often.’ In this Qing Wen, we dissect three of the more common ones: 常常，经常，and 通常 (chángcháng, jīngcháng and tōngcháng). Listen in and learn the difference as you explore the mundane routines of your ChinesePod hosts.

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When 比较 (bǐjiào) becomes 更 (gèng) Our favorite comparison...

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 10:00:05 +0800

When 比较 (bǐjiào) becomes 更 (gèng)

Our favorite comparison word, 比较 (bǐjiào), makes a special appearance on this Qing Wen, in order to help us state our preferences. Its more enthusiastic partner, 更 (gèng), also chimes in today and shows us how to take our likes to the next level.

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Good, Bad and Otherwise Today on Qing Wen we help you move...

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:15:05 +0800

Good, Bad and Otherwise

Today on Qing Wen we help you move above and beyond your usual one word answers… and expand your vocabulary when responding to the age old query, ‘怎么样 (Zěnmeyàng)?’ Listen in, and learn to express everything from being on top of the world to the depths of despair, in Chinese.

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麻烦你 (Máfan Nǐ) to Say Please In this Qing Wen, we discover a...

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:00:06 +0800

麻烦你 (Máfan Nǐ) to Say Please

In this Qing Wen, we discover a new way to make ourselves sound like the polite people we are. The magic phrase: 麻烦你 (Máfan Nǐ)… a way to curry favor, impose upon, complain, and much more. Learn how to use it here!

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Last and Next On today’s Qing Wen, we teach you have to...

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:05:06 +0800

Last and Next

On today’s Qing Wen, we teach you have to maneuver around the ‘time’ words of Chinese. You’ll learn the differences between yesterday and tomorrow, last week and this week… and so on. A little clarity on these everyday words and how to use them in Chinese!

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Numbers in Chinese In this Qing Wen we tackle numbers. From...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:27:05 +0800

Numbers in Chinese

In this Qing Wen we tackle numbers. From 100 and beyond, you’ll learn them all here. Bonus inclusion for those that earn their millions—how to decipher Chinese discounts and brag about getting 100% on your Chinese math test after this podcast.

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No Wonder! Today on Qing Wen we learn about the two ways to...

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:56:06 +0800

No Wonder!

Today on Qing Wen we learn about the two ways to say ‘no wonder’ in Chinese! They are 难怪 (nánguài) and 怪不得 (guàibude)! Listen to our examples, and tell people you listen to every Qing Wen. They’ll say, ‘no wonder your Mandarin is so good!’

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Using ‘Almost’ Today on Qing Wen we talk about how...

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:53:06 +0800

Using ‘Almost’

Today on Qing Wen we talk about how to use the word for almost in Chinese, 差一点儿 (chàyīdiǎnr). Learn here not only how to use ‘almost,’ but how Connie ‘almost’ made a fool of herself, how Amber ‘almost’ got hit by a car, and how JP… laughs at both of us! Try your own ‘almost’ sentences in the comments section

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Don’t Never Say Never Qing Wen is back to make sure you...

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:56:06 +0800

Don’t Never Say Never

Qing Wen is back to make sure you are always making good use of the word ‘never’ in Chinese. In this episode, learn how and when to use the two forms of ‘never’ in Mandarin: 从来没 (cónglái méi) and 从来不 (cónglái bù).

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Making Negative Comparisons Today on Qing Wen we teach a...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:31:05 +0800

Making Negative Comparisons

Today on Qing Wen we teach a structure that will help you to make comparisons in the negative: A 没有 (méiyǒu) B (Adj). So if you want to say your Chinese isn’t as good as Connie’s, for example, you will know the Chinese to say it after this podcast. Listen and try your own sentences in the comments section!

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The Pretty Podcast Flattery will get you everywhere, so today...

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:41:06 +0800

The Pretty Podcast

Flattery will get you everywhere, so today on Qing Wen, your hosts: two pretty and one handsome, bring you the three (or so) words for beautiful in Chinese. We’re pretty sure after this podcast you will know where, when, and how to use the many words for pretty.

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The My Minefield We all know that when speaking in Chinese,...

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:30:06 +0800

The My Minefield

We all know that when speaking in Chinese, some English expressions cannot be translated literally. But every now and then, what you thought was just basic grammar results in a communication breakdown. Even something as simple as the word “my” can betray you! Take a walk with us today in the minefield of “my.” (This week’s topic was inspired by a blog entry on Sinosplice.)

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会 (Huì) and 能 (Néng) Face-off Alas these tricky little words....

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:01:06 +0800

会 (Huì) and 能 (Néng) Face-off

Alas these tricky little words. In this episode, we help clarify some different ways to use 会 (huì) and 能 (néng). The qingwen-ers tell all as they reveal each other’s secret abilities. Listen in and add the ability to use these words in Chinese to your wealth of talents

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Measure Words for Counting People John plays substitute...

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:04:06 +0800

Measure Words for Counting People

John plays substitute teacher this week as Amber shares with us a burning secret: four differentmeasure words for counting people in Chinese! Join Connie, Amber, and John as they discuss the various social dimensions to using the words 个 (gè), 位 (wèi), 口 (kǒu), and 名 (míng).

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The 是…的 (Shì…de) Pattern Finally, we tackle one of...

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:00:06 +0800

The 是…的 (Shì…de) Pattern

Finally, we tackle one of the top ten requested sentence patterns here on Qing Wen: the 是…的 (shì…de) pattern. No, we weren’t afraid… well, maybe a little… but for some reason it took a year to get around to it. Good thing we have a linguist on hand (JP) to help us break this one down. A linguist, a smuggler, and a shopaholic. Are you sure you trust us with this pattern? Listen in and see!

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Addressing People There are a lot of people here. They all...

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 10:00:06 +0800

Addressing People

There are a lot of people here. They all have names. In this edition of Qing Wen, learn an essential tool for dodging name-forgetting embarrassment. But, more importantly, learn an essential part of interacting with Chinese people young and old. That is, the many-varied ways of properly addressing people. Listen in and learn how to keep everyone straight.

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Colors, By Degrees Today we welcome JP to Qing Wen with a...

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:03:06 +0800

Colors, By Degrees

Today we welcome JP to Qing Wen with a rousing analysis of pencil crayon colors and flesh tones. In this episode, learn how to talk about all the colors of the rainbow, as well as the variants thereof.

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Clarifying how to use “every” 每（měi） Amber says...

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:00:06 +0800

Clarifying how to use “every” 每（měi）

Amber says Y’all, Connie plays us a Jackie Chan song, and Clay takes a back seat and listens to the girls clarify how to use the an “every” day word.

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