Learn Chinese Online - Beginner Lessons

Beginner Lesson - Chinese Podcast - Survival Chinese - Catching the bus

In this Chinese podcast you will learn how to catch a bus in China, and what to ask the bus driver if you need to change to another bus.

If you want to consolidate what you have learned, why not try the exercises for this lesson? Please Chinese test to try the exercises now.

Beginner Lesson - Chinese Podcast - Daily Chinese - Don't give up

During the Beijing Olympics 2008, one chinese expression has been repeated more than a million times. Can you guess what that chinese expression is?

The expression is 加油! You don't know what it means? So you better listen to this podcast and learn all about 加油.

Consolidate your knowledge of today's Chinese podcast by trying Chinese Test - Don't give up!

Beginner Lesson - Chinese Podcast - Daily Chinese - Tiring Trip

Oh my god! Mr Lee’s plane is been delayed again. It is troublesome as Mr Lee never been to this city and being delayed means that all of his plans will have to be changed. Also, he will be exhausted by the time he gets to his destination. Therefore, he called Xiaoli to let her know about the delay. Xiali, in order to comfort him, said: “路上辛苦了”! What does this mean and will Mr Lee feel better after hearing it? Tune in into this podcast to find out.

Consolidate your knowledge of today's Chinese podcast by trying Chinese Test – Tiring trip.

Beginner Lesson - Chinese Podcast - Daily Chinese - It's up to you

What would you say if you were asked the following questions:

1. Where can we go for dinner?
2. What would you like?
3. Do you like this color?

In today’s lesson, we will talk about the Chinese expression “随便”. It is such a magic sentence that you can use it as an answer for all the questions that are listed above. Would you like to find out the reason? Tune into this podcast to find out.

Consolidate your knowledge of today's Chinese podcast by trying Chinese Test - It's up to you.

Beginner Lesson - Chinese Podcast - Survival Chinese - Are you free?

If you want to do something with a friend, invite them for a drink or go to a movie together, you need to know how to ask them whether they are free. In today's lesson we teach you how to do that. And if you are on the receiving end of an invitation but you need to decline it, we also teach you how to politely decline.

If you want to consolidate what you have learned, why not try the exercises for this lesson? Please Chinese test to try the exercises now.

Beginner Lesson - Videos - Learn Pinyin and Tones - Tones

In this lesson we teach you about Chinese tones. There are five tones in Chinese: first tone, second tone, third tone, fourth tone, and also a special one - neutral tone. The idea is simple yet distingushing or pronouncing the sounds can be difficult. But don't worry our host Demi will hopefully make everything a bit easier for you. After watching this video we recommend you o try our tones exercises. The best way to improve your tones is to practice as much as you can.

Beginner Lesson - Videos - Learn Pinyin and Tones - Finals

In this video Demi teaches you all about Finals in pinyin. Almost all chinese syllabes consist of a initial, followed by a final. The tricky bit is to distinguish different types of finals because the sound can be quite similar. Watch this and learn more about initials. Once you complete this lesson we recommend you to try our discrimation of sounds exercises to give you some practice.

Beginner Lesson - Videos - Learn Pinyin and Tones - Initials

In this video Demi teaches you all about Initials in pinyin. Almost all chinese syllabes consist of a initial, followed by a final. The tricky bit is to distinguish different types of initials because the sound can be quite similar. Watch this and learn more about initials. Once you complete this lesson we recommend you to try our discrimation of sounds exercises to give you some practice.

Beginner Lesson - Videos - Survival Chinese - Declining an invitation

In this lesson, Aaron asks Demi for dinner after work, but she says that she is too busy. Maybe she is stuck with work, or maybe she just use it as an excuse? How did she refuse the invitation in a polite way? Please watch this video to find out.

Beginner Lesson - Videos - Survival Chinese - Which bus should I take?

Demi wants to go to the Bell tower in Xi’an, but she is not sure which bus to take. She seems confused at the bus station. In order not to take the wrong bus, she asks help from Aaron: “请问，我要去钟楼，应该坐几路车?”

Watch this video and learn how to ask directions for which bus to take.