Daily Chinese is for students who have studied Chinese for at least 50 hours, understand the basics of pinyin, and have mastered about 300 Chinese words.. This unit goes beyond Survival Chinese to focus on the daily lives of Chinese people. Through relaxed-paced and interesting dialogues, you will learn authentic spoken Chinese on topics such as music, pets, travel, sports, dating, and so on.
Number of Lessons: 50 lessons
Suggested Study Time: 80 hours
You should already know: Pinyin, Chinese Characters, Basic Conversation, Survival Chinese
Preview: Want to catch up with an old friend at dinner? Got nothing to do tonight? In this lesson, we’ll solve those problems by teaching you how to invite someone out.
Preview: You’ve got your sights on those new Nikes and you’ve finally saved enough money to buy them, but what size or color to get?This lesson’s got you covered with trying them on and asking for the right color.
Preview: Looking to save some money on your latest fashion find? Well, this lesson will help you understand the Chinese way of expressing discounts and even get some information about return policies just in case.
Preview: Your friend’s birthday is coming fast and you need to plan some celebrations with mutual friends. We’ll cover gift ideas and parties with this perennially useful lesson.
Preview: Want to impress all your friends with your vocal stylings, but scared of scaring strangers? Then get yourself to Karaoke! In this lesson, we’ll teach you how to get a room to sing in and even some free food.
Preview: Talking about your taste in movies can lead to a great conversation with someone. We’ll show you how to express your genre likes and dislikes in this lesson.
Preview: Oops! You’ve really slipped up this time and lost your wallet. This lesson discusses the contents of your recently lost wallet and what to do about those missing credit cards.
Preview: Hope you weren’t planning on being on time, because traffic is really heavy at this time of day. With over 4 million cars on Beijing’s overcrowded roads, you’re not going anywhere fast. At least after you study this lesson, you’ll be able to apologize for being so late.
Preview: Summer’s coming up and you’ve just got to fit into that new bathing suit. Forget the fad diets and harmful pills; you need to get to a gym. This lesson will teach you how to inquire about the gym’s equipment and amenities.
Preview: Chinese sports fans are very enthusiastic basketball followers. Case in point: Yao Ming was the flag-bearer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This lesson will enable you to talk about last night’s game with a friend.
Preview: Some people just aren’t blessed with the social skills we see on Gossip Girl. These people, commonly known as nerds, eschew shopping trips in favor of playing the latest video game. This lesson will teach you how to interact with one without losing your patience.
Preview: Oh no! Your computer is acting up and you don’t know what’s wrong. It’s time to troubleshoot your computer with a local computer technician. This lesson deals with what you might do in case a virus infects your computer.
Preview: Can’t believe how badly the weather is shaping up this year? This lesson will give you some useful words and expressions for venting your frustration with an unseasonable chill in the air.
Preview: You booked your vacation months ago and now everything is all set to go. The only thing is, your coworkers now want to talk about it. This lesson will arm you with the confidence to have those conversations.
Preview: Sooner or later, you’re going to run out of things to eat at home. In this situation, it helps to know how to ask someone to pick you something up at the supermarket. This lesson does exactly that, and will help you to relay your shopping list.
Preview: Sometimes your car is in the shop or your carpool cancelled. Whatever the reason, you’re going to have to take the subway eventually, and this lesson will teach you how to converse about its surprising efficiency.
Preview: A friend asks you out to do something but you remember that you’ve already got plans elsewhere. Don’t fret. This lesson’s got what you need to know about gently turning down an invitation for a night out with a friend.
Preview: Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, but it’s just so darn addictive. Cutting back and eventually quitting has loads of benefits, and this lesson will teach you how to talk someone into doing just that.
Preview: Since the advent of the internet, most folks could do with a little more exercise these days. What better way to get that exercise than by batting around a shuttlecock? This lesson will help you to plan a session with a coworker or friend.
Preview: From May 1 to October 31, 2010, the World Expo is taking place in Shanghai. Why not get down there to visit some of the amazing country pavilions while you have the chance? But be prepared to wait in line. This lesson will help you to talk about your recent visit when you get back.
Preview: Malatang is spicy-hot/numbing soup that you choose your own ingredients for and then have them cooked up right in front of you. It can’t always be 5-star Michelin-rated restaurants, nor should it be. Some of the best flavors are served up right on the streets. This lesson will get you ready to go out there and taste them. What are you waiting for? Your stomach is waiting!
Preview: Sometimes you’re looking for a nice, quiet atmosphere to study or get some work done. What better place than a cozy coffee shop. They often have wireless internet and comfortable seating, to maximize your productivity. This lesson will help you ensure you have everything you need in a café situation.
Preview: Perfect for students and small businesses alike, copy shops can really come in handy when you need a document printed fast. Usually inexpensive, they’re a good alternative to buying your own printer. In this lesson, we’ll explore three very useful services you can get at a copy shop.
Preview: Beijing is a very flat place, so what better way to get around the city than on your shiny new bike? Avoid traffic jams and public transportation by pedaling yourself everywhere you need to go. In this lesson we’ll discuss showing off your new ride, asking to borrow it, and then promptly refusing.
Preview: You like to travel, and that means that at some point, you’ll probably have to stay in a hotel room. In this lesson, we’ll talk about walking in to the lobby and asking for a standard room. We’ll also discuss length of stay, room keys, deposit, and even check out time.
Preview: Don’t you hate being the last person to know about what’s going on in your friends’ lives? This lesson will help you talk about your friend’s new boyfriend. We’ll talk about where they met, how he looks, and how much money’s in his bank account. Dish!
Preview: Think you’re not cut out for a new relationship? This lesson’s got you covered as we meet a guy who feels that he’s not cut out for the dating scene. His friend tries to convince him otherwise and offers to set him up with some single ladies. Get out there and find love!
Preview: Sit! Stay! Good boy! Who doesn’t love an adorable puppy? This lesson will introduce you to a cute dog who’s not too picky about what he eats. You’ll learn how to compliment his beautiful coat and also to ask whether it’s a boy or a girl.
Preview: Bikes are everywhere in China, and with good reason – they’re a fast, fun, and cheap way to get around the city. But there are a lot of junkers on the street, which means whether you like it or not, one of these days your bike’s going to need a nip and tuck. This lesson will teach you how to talk about bike problems and ask your local mechanic for repairs.
Preview: The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and a site not to be missed. Learn about the best sections to visit, how to talk about your trip, and why exactly most Chinese people probably think you still aren’t a real man.