Have fun learning practical Mandarin Chinese by listening to contextual dialogues. Through structured modules designed by Chung, you will be guided step-by-step to master useful words and phrases, and confidently put together sentences to speak in everyday and business situations. For more information, visit our website at www.dimsummandarin.com.
Announcement 01-Jul-2015 - Dimsum Mandarin
Stand to win a premium membership (US$19.90) of DSM module 4 by sparing 5 min of your time. Fill in a survey by clicking on the "survey" button at the top of the page at www.dimsummandarin.com, and help us make Dimsum Mandarin even more engaging and useful to you!
7/1/2015 • 1 minute, 25 seconds
Lesson 30 - What Are Your Dreams? - Main
In this episode:
review all the key language points from module 3, and
listen to a contextual dialogue about James, Guangxiang, and Li Jing’s dreams.
6/18/2015 • 27 minutes, 24 seconds
Lesson 29 - How Many Times Have You Been to Beijing? - Main
In this episode:
learn to use the 比(bǐ), 没有(méiyǒu), and 和…一样(hé…yíyàng) to form comparative sentences;
learn to count the occurrences of actions with action measure words; and
listen to a contextual dialogue about Li Jing’s plans to start up her own company.
6/11/2015 • 25 minutes, 52 seconds
Lesson 28 - How Did You Go to Beijing? - Main
In this episode:
learn to use the 是…的(shì…de) construction to give details of a past event or action;
learn to use 前(qián, ago) and 后(hòu, later) to talk about points in time; and
listen to a contextual dialogue about Li Jing’s previous work experience, and why she decided to stop working.
6/4/2015 • 26 minutes, 44 seconds
Lesson 27 - Is Dinner Ready? - Main
In this episode:
learn to form sentences with the complement of result; and
listen to a contextual dialogue about education options for Chinese children.
5/28/2015 • 25 minutes, 51 seconds
Lesson 26 - How is His Mandarin? - Main
In this episode:
learn to form sentences with the complement of manners;
learn to use the 对…来说(duì…láishuō) construction to refer to the person(s) offering an opinion; and
listen to a contextual dialogue about marriage.
5/21/2015 • 25 minutes, 9 seconds
Lesson 25 - Have You Been to China Before? - Main
In this episode:
learn to use the particle 过(guò) to talk about past experiences;
use the adverb 最好(zuìhǎo) to offer suggestions, and talk about wishes;
learn the 虽然(suīrán)…但是(dànshì) pair of conjunctions; and
listen to a contextual dialogue about hiring and training.
5/14/2015 • 18 minutes, 32 seconds
Lesson 24 - What Did You Study? - Main
In this episode:
learn a nuanced application of 了(le) to describe how long an action has lasted;
talk about age;
learn to form “if … then” sentences with the “…的话(de huà), 就(jiù)” construction;
use consecutive numbers to approximate a number; and
listen to a contextual dialogue talking about tertiary education.
5/7/2015 • 25 minutes, 26 seconds
Lesson 23 - Shanghai Fun - Main
In this episode:
learn to use 会(huì) to talk about future possibilities;
talk about things that will happen soon with the 要(yào)…了(le) construction;
learn a nuanced use of 了(le) to express a future sequence of actions; and
listen to a contextual dialogue about fun things to do in and around Shanghai.
4/30/2015 • 22 minutes, 57 seconds
Lesson 22 - Business Trip - Main
In this episode:
learn to use the perfect aspect particle 了(le) to talk about actions that have occurred or are completed;
talk about things you “have to do” or “must do” with 得(děi);
form rhetorical questions with the 不是(búshì)…吗(ma) construction;
listen to a contextual dialogue where James talks about his trip to Beijing.
4/23/2015 • 24 minutes, 3 seconds
Announcement 18-Apr-2015 - Dimsum Mandarin
Take the DSM Challenger Quiz by heading over to Dimsum Mandarin's Facebook page and clicking on the "DSM Challenger Quiz" tab.
4/18/2015 • 1 minute, 19 seconds
Lesson 21 - Visiting a Friend - Main
In this episode, we learn:
the use of the change aspect particle 了(le);
to form commands, including negative commands using 别(bié);
the adverb 已经(yǐjīng); and
through a contextual dialogue where James pays a visit to Guanxiang and Li Jing.
4/16/2015 • 24 minutes, 43 seconds
Announcement 09-Apr-2015 - Dimsum Mandarin
Module 3 will be launched on 16-Apr-2015.
Take part in our lucky draw for the Ultimate Dimsum Set (Hanyu Pinyin + Modules 1, 2, 3) by signing up for a free account and our newsletter at www.dimsummandarin.com.
Take advantage of our pre-launch promotion by using the promo code "mod3launch" and get 30% off module 3.
4/8/2015 • 3 minutes, 38 seconds
Year of the Goat Special Edition
In this year of the goat special podcast, you will learn some common and useful well wishes that you can use to greet your Chinese friends and family over the next 15 days of Chinese New Year.
2/18/2015 • 12 minutes, 4 seconds
Announcement 30-Jan-2015 - Dimsum Mandarin
Please spare 5 min to help us improve Dimsum Mandarin. Head over to www.dimsummandarin.com and click on the survey button at the top of the page.
1/31/2015 • 0
Lesson 20 - Review Module 2 - Main
In this episode:
review all the key grammar points from module 2;
learn to use the replication of verbs to convey the casualness of actions;
learn to use 什么时候(shénme shíhòu);
learn to use the adverb 就(jiù) in various situations; and
learn new useful vocabulary and phrases.
12/31/2014 • 0
Lesson 19 - Counting 100 to 999, Buying Things - Main
In this episode:
learn the numbers for 100 to 999;
form sentences involving prices in RMB;
learnt to use the adverb 最(zuì);
learn to use the verb 觉得(juéde).
12/17/2014 • 0
Lesson 18 - Choosing the Color of Your Outfit - Main
In this episode:
form useful noun phrases from adjectives and verbs using 的(de);
learn the basic colors;
learn basic vocabulary related to clothing;
learn basic vocabulary related to food; and
use 比较(bǐjiào) to form “-er” comparatives.
12/11/2014 • 0
Lesson 17 - Expressing Intent, Asking for Permission - Main
In this episode:
talk about what you “want” with 要(yào);
learn to ask for things in a restaurant;
talk about permitted activities using 可以(kěyǐ); and
learn the third use of the modal particle 吧(ba).
12/4/2014 • 0
Lesson 16 - Are You Able to … ? - Main
In this episode:
talk about what you “know how to do” with 会(huì);
talk about things that “can” happen using 能(néng) and 可以(kěyǐ);
learn to use “should” or 应该(yīnggāi);
learn the conjunction 所以(suǒyǐ); and
learn the construction 太(tài)…了(le).
11/27/2014 • 0
Lesson 15 - Getting Directions - Main
In this episode:
talk about distances of one place from another with 离(lí);
learn to give directions;
learn to use 怎么(zěnme) to find out how to do something;
learn to use the 先(xiān)…然后(ránhòu) construction; and
learn to use the adverb 才(cái).
11/20/2014 • 0
Lesson 14 - Locating a Place - Main
In this episode:
form “there is” and “there are” existential sentences with 有(yǒu);
use various directional nouns as the equivalents of English prepositions;
modify nouns with adjectives using 的(de); and
talk about the weather with existential sentences.
11/13/2014 • 0
Lesson 13 - Counting 11 to 99, Telling Time and Making Plans - Main
In this episode:
learn the numbers from 11-99;
learn to tell time and talk about routines;
talk about when you are free or busy;
form sentences with the 从(cóng)…到(dào) construction; and
talk about intentions and plans with 想(xiǎng) and 打算(dǎsuàn).
11/6/2014 • 0
Lesson 12 - The Seasons and Your Moods - Main
In this episode, we learn:
to construct simple subject-adjective sentences;
the use of the question word 怎么样(zěnmeyàng);
a number of useful adjectives;
the adverbs 比较(bǐjiào), 挺(tǐng)…的(de), and 有点(儿)(yǒudiǎn(r)); and
the conjunction 可是(kěshì).
10/30/2014 • 0
Lesson 11 - Your Weekly Routines - Main
In this episode, we learn:
the days of the week and other temporal nouns (today, yesterday etc.);
how to form sentences with the progressive (continuous tense) aspect particle 在(zài);
how to form sentences for regular occurrences with the 每(měi)…都(dōu) construction; and
the adverb 一般(yìbān).
10/23/2014 • 0
Announcement 15-Oct-2014 - Dimsum Mandarin
This is a special announcement podcast (15-Oct-2014) for Dimsum Mandarin.
October promotion code: pod_oct14
Link to survey: http://svy.mk/1rq4J86
10/15/2014 • 4 minutes, 36 seconds
Lesson 10 - Review Module 1 - Main
In this episode:
listen to a new dialogue and test your knowledge from the first nine lessons;
learn the modal particle 啊 (a), and another use of 呢 (ne);
learn the conjunction 那 (nà); and
learn the adverbs 一共 (yígòng) and 还是 (háishi).
9/22/2014 • 0
Lesson 09 - Activities You Like - Main
In this episode, we learn:
to use the verb 喜欢 (xǐhuān, to like) to talk about our preferred activities;
a few important verbs and related activities;
how to invite someone to an activity;
how to ask for someone’s phone number; and
how to read off strings of numbers such as those in a phone number.
9/12/2014 • 0
Lesson 08 - Things You Like - Main
In this episode, we learn:
to talk about our likes and dislikes using the verb 喜欢 (xǐhuān, to like);
a few adverbs to help convey different degrees of our likes and dislikes;
the conjunction 还是 (háishi, or);
the adverb 都 (dōu, all); and
how to say “prefer” using 比较 (bǐjiào, quite).
9/8/2014 • 0
Lesson 07 - Your Work - Main
In this episode, we learn:
to tell people what we work as;
to tell people where we work;
the directional noun 里 (lǐ, inside)
the interrogative pronoun 哪里 (nǎlǐ, where); and
the retroflex version of “where” (哪儿, nǎr).
8/28/2014 • 0
Lesson 06 - Counting 0 to 10, Using "to Have" - Main
In this episode, we learn:
the numbers from zero to ten;
the verb “to have”;
how to negate the verb “to have”;
the concept of measure words;
how to form the plural personal pronouns; and
the tone change rules for 一 (yī).
8/19/2014 • 0
Lesson 05 - Your Family Members - Main
In this episode, we learn:
the words for immediate family members;
how to form possessive adjectives (my, your etc.);
the demonstrative pronouns “this” and “that”; and
how to introduce our family members.
8/13/2014 • 0
Lesson 04 - Where You Live - Main
In this episode, we learn:
how to ask simple “yes-no” 是 (shì) questions;
how to negate simple 是 (shì) sentences; and
how to tell people where you currently live.
8/9/2014 • 0
Lesson 03 - Your Nationality - Conversation Worksheet (Sample)
Consolidate your knowledge and check your progress with conversation worksheets. Conversation worksheets are in both hanyu pinyin and Chinese characters.
8/6/2014 • 0
Lesson 03 - Your Nationality - Supplement (Sample)
In this supplement podcast, we will:
practice the words and phrases we have learnt in the main podcast;
learn two other ways to ask someone where they are from; and
learn the names of a few other countries.
8/4/2014 • 0
Lesson 03 - Your Nationality - Main
In this episode, we learn:
how to tell people what country you are from;
how to ask people what country they are from; and
the names of a few countries.
8/4/2014 • 0
Lesson 02 - Daily Greetings - Lesson Guide for Chinese Characters (Sample)
In this lesson, you will learn:
seven fundamental characters that also function as radicals;
fourteen characters related to the conversations and phrases in lesson 02;
the radical of each character;
the sequence and direction of the strokes for all characters; and
how to associate the characters with where they were used in the conversations and phrases.
In this episode, we learn:
greetings for different times of the day;
various ways of saying goodbye; and
a couple of ways to say “thank you” and “you’re welcome”.
7/31/2014 • 0
Lesson 02 - Daily Greetings - Main
In this episode, we learn:
greetings for different times of the day;
various ways of saying goodbye; and
a couple of ways to say “thank you” and “you’re welcome”.
7/31/2014 • 0
Lesson 01 - Self-Introductions - Worksheets for Chinese Characters (Sample)
In the worksheets, you will learn:
eight fundamental characters that also function as radicals;
fifteen characters related to the conversations and phrases in lesson 01;
the radical of each character;
the sequence and direction of the strokes for all characters; and
how to associate the characters with where they were used in the conversations and phrases.
In this episode, we learn:
how to say hello in both casual and formal situations;
how to introduce yourself; and
how to ask for someone else’s name.
7/27/2014 • 0
Lesson 01 - Self-Introductions - Main
In this episode, we learn:
how to say hello in both casual and formal situations;
how to introduce yourself; and
how to ask for someone else’s name.
7/27/2014 • 0
Lesson 00 - Introduction - Dimsum Mandarin
In this introduction, we will talk about:
what the terms Chinese Language and Mandarin refer to;
tones and Chinese characters, and why they may not be as challenging as you'd imagine;
the aspects of Mandarin that are easy to learn;
the structure of the Dimsum Mandarin series.