Learning a new language is already challenging enough, but learning one that uses a different writing system than your own can be downright daunting. Chinese speakers are the most populous in the world. The Chinese language is mainly spoken in China, Singapore, and Taiwan. Most of these speakers speak Mandarin Chinese. As such, Mandarin is one of the most beneficial languages to learn. Not only will learning this language increase your brainpower, but it will also expose you to the vibrant Chinese culture it represents. To be fluent in Mandarin is not only personally rewarding, but it can open a lot of doors professionally.
Learn Mandarin Chinese Podcast
If you’re considering learning Mandarin, there are an endless amount of amazing resources available to you. Here are some of the best Chinese learning podcasts available for those hoping to be fluent in Mandarin.
1. Learning Chinese Through Stories
Learning Chinese Through Stories is a Chinese podcast available for free on Spotify.
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For Whom
The lessons range from beginner to advanced Mandarin. It is perfect for those who love to learn by listening to stories.
Theme
The stories in the podcasts cover a wide array of different topics. Each of the episodes transports the listener into a conversation with two native Chinese speakers. The speakers explain the concepts and grammar after the story. Each episode is accompanied by a transcript and an annotated vocabulary.
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2. ChinesePod
ChinesePod-Beginner is a free learning Chinese podcast available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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For Whom
It is one of the best podcasts to learn Mandarin if you’re a beginner. After you finish listening to these audio lessons, they also have ChinesePod-Intermediate for learners at the intermediate level and ChinesePod-Advanced for advanced learners.
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This Chinese podcast discusses the history of China, grammar, and a variety of topics from daily life. Each story is given an English translation until the learner reaches the upper-intermediate level. They discuss the news in China, pop culture, poems, and interviews entirely in Mandarin.
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3. Everyday Easy Chinese Podcast
Everyday Easy Chinese Podcast is a great daily Chinese podcast taught by Teacher Lin.
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For Whom
This language podcast is great for a beginner Chinese learner because most of it is in English. Intermediate Chinese learners looking to learn new words in Mandarin can also benefit from each lesson. It is perfect for busy people seeking to insert a brief daily Chinese lesson into their daily routine as the episodes are only 3 minutes long each.
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Each episode introduces new words and informs those listening of their correct uses in phrases and sentences.
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4. Maayot
Maayot is a free resource to learn Chinese on Spotify.
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For Whom
Maayot is suitable for beginners hoping to improve their Chinese listening skills. The show is beneficial for intermediate and advanced learners trying to absorb more Chinese vocabulary. With each episode only being 1-5 minutes long, this is great for listeners who prefer shorter episodes.
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The episodes revolve around short stories about a variety of topics from daily life and Chinese culture. Each topic is discussed in slow Chinese to better engage beginner Chinese students.
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5. Chineseclass101
Chineseclass101 is a paid learning Mandarin experience, although there is a free one-week trial.
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For Whom
Since students have access to a native Chinese speaker, this is best for people who enjoy a more engaging Chinese learning experience. This is a great resource for beginners.
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Native speakers teach Chinese through real conversations in Mandarin. There are also additional resources available such as word lists, flashcards, and slow Chinese audio clips. The teacher provides students with personal feedback.
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6. Chinese Learn Online
Chinese Learn Online boats an extensive 420-episodes list.
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For Whom
It is one of the best podcasts for beginners as it discusses the basics. Each episode slowly introduces new vocabulary and builds on the previous lesson. This is perfect for beginner to advanced Mandarin Chinese learners.
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The lessons use dialogue to teach listeners new words and basic conversational sentences.
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7. 大鹏说中文 – Speak Chinese With Da Peng
Speak Chinese With Da Peng is available on Spotify. This is for more intermediate-advanced learners.
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For Whom
It is for people who love to learn through entertaining dialogue. It is an excellent resource for practicing listening comprehension.
Theme
The host, Da Peng, discusses different topics about day-to-day events in his dialogues. Each expression is provided with context so it can help improve your listening skills in Chinese.
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8. Coffee Break Chinese
Coffee Break Chinese is another great listen to help you learn Chinese.
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For Whom
Coffee Break Chinese is great for those just starting their Chinese language learning journey and who prefer to take their time. It is also suitable for those more advanced, but who are looking to practice their pronunciation of common dialogue sentences.
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Each episode of Coffee Break Chinese includes a native Chinese speaker and someone learning Chinese. They begin slowly with new words to add to your vocabulary and eventually progress to full dialogues.
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9. Inspire Mandarin
Inspire Mandarin is a Chinese podcast is taught by Joyce, a native Taiwanese Mandarin speaker.
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For Whom
This is one of the best Chinese podcasts for intermediate Chinese language learners due to the episodes being almost entirely in Mandarin. This is one of the few podcasts on this list for aspiring Taiwanese Mandarin conversationalists.
Theme
The host, Joyce, discusses a few new words in each episode to build the learner’s vocabulary. She provides a calming presence to your Chinese listening experience.
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10. Dimsum Mandarin
The podcast, Dimsum Mandarin, is available for free on Apple Podcasts.
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For Whom
This is for students who are beginners but enjoy more challenging lessons. Students hoping to learn Chinese for their profession will benefit from the business context of some episodes.
Theme
Students learn Mandarin Chinese by listening to dialogues in context. This language podcast provides a guide to useful words and phrases. It is designed to help people feel confident in everyday business interactions.
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11. Melonchinese
Melonchinese is hosted by Yoyo Mo.
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For Whom
Those who like to listen to short podcasts will enjoy Melonchinese. Each episode is between 1-3 minutes long. The difficulty is suitable for more intermediate Chinese students.
Theme
This podcast discusses multiple different topics including the news, daily life, and business. They provide helpful additional materials such as a transcript with English translation.
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12. Learn Chinese With Ju
Learn Chinese with Ju is a podcast available for free on Spotify and hosted by Ju.
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For Whom
It caters to intermediate learners more than beginners. This podcast is specifically for those seeking to be immersed in the learning Chinese experience. For those who love learning Chinese through stories, this is the right podcast for you.
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Ju uses stories to submerse those who listen in their learning. She adds useful words to your vocabulary and translates them from Mandarin to English. She also encourages listeners to guess the meaning of the word given the context she provides.
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13. Learn Chinese With Kaela
Learn Chinese with Kaela is a great Chinese learning resource on Apple Podcasts.
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For Whom
This is one of the best podcasts for those curious about the people and society of China. This podcast is better suited for more intermediate Mandarin students.
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Kaela discusses a wide variety of topics such as feminism in China, Chinese Zodiac signs, and more. It’s one of the best language podcasts for those looking to learn as much about the culture.
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14. Chinese Explained
Chinese Explained is a podcast hosted by Kate.
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For Whom
This is one of the most suitable podcasts for intermediate-advanced Mandarin students. It’s for those curious about Chinese culture and traditions. This podcast is especially helpful for people who are either about to travel to China or move there.
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Kate discusses everything and anything about the lived experience behind the language. She discusses relevant topics to life in China such as common expressions and current trends.
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15. 聊聊东西 – Talk To Me In Chinese
Talk To Me In Chinese is a podcast available on Apple Podcasts hosted by Chinese native speakers
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For Whom
This podcast offers useful lessons to intermediate Chinese learners. It is for people seeking to develop their vocabulary and listening skills. The episodes cover topics such as cultural differences and shared human experiences so if you enjoy deep discussions, this one is for you.
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The hosts, Candice and Yifei, discuss important topics such as anxiety and the cultural difference between China and the Western world. It’s one of the most relatable Chinese podcasts to learn Chinese from out there. This is a great resource every learner should take advantage of.
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16. Chinese Colloquialised
The Chinese Colloquialised podcast is hosted by Summer.
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For Whom
This is one of the best Chinese podcasts for intermediate and advanced Mandarin students. It’s a good way to learn about Chinese history, culture, and slang. The lessons are a good match for anyone hoping to discover more about the society in China.
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Summer ensures those who listen to the podcast are caught up with the current and past events that shaped China. It discusses daily news as well as leading issues and trends in China. The Chinese expressions covered in the episodes appear in everyday conversations.
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17. Learn Taiwanese Mandarin
Learn Taiwanese Mandarin is a podcast entirely in Chinese.
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For Whom
The episodes are more suitable for those more intermediate and advanced students. The lessons are specifically for students intending to learn Taiwanese Mandarin. It is also for people who are curious about life in Taiwan.
Theme
Out of all the Chinese podcasts on this list, this is one of the few that instructs Taiwanese Mandarin. In the episodes, the host describes Taiwan’s society, people, and history. This Chinese podcast is an enjoyable way to learn Taiwanese Mandarin and listen to its distinct dialect.
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18. 還可中文 Haike Mandarin
Haike Mandarin is a podcast broadcasted on Soundcloud.
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For Whom
The lessons are most appropriate for those who are further along on their journey to learn Chinese. Each episode is structured like a conversation so people who prefer learning through dialogue will greatly benefit from this audio. They also provide additional materials and resources to anyone keen enough to study them, such as a list of keywords with English definitions.
Theme
The hosts, Liyi and XianXian talk about practical day-to-day topics in Mandarin. You listen to them discuss these relatable issues in China while learning to practice how to convey the same idea in multiple ways. They essentially teach students how to not having a boring conversation in Mandarin.
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19. Talk Taiwanese Mandarin With Abby
Talk Taiwanese Mandarin with Abby is a must-listen for Taiwanese Mandarin students.
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For Whom
The lessons are designed for upper intermediate students of Taiwanese Mandarin since the episodes are entirely in Chinese. It is for anyone who wishes to be immersed in Taiwan’s society. This is one of the most helpful Taiwanese Chinese learning podcasts available out there.
Theme
Abby, the host of the podcast, is a teacher and a writer who enjoys discussing life in Taiwan and travelling. The lessons usually take the form of an interview or a conversation.
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20. 馬力歐陪你喝一杯 Drink With Mario
The podcast, Drink With Mario, is a podcast hosted by Mario.
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For Whom
The podcast episodes are definitely for more advanced students. Each episode is a fast-paced conversation between native speakers. This podcast will appeal to those who are interested in the lives of the people in Taiwan.
Theme
The episodes consist of Mario having drinks with highly successful professional friends and discussing their lives. This audio offers insight into the real-life stories of various business associates, and other professionals at the peak of their careers.
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21. Chinese Mandarin Cafe
Chinese Mandarin Cafe is available for free on Spotify.
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For Whom
The audio lessons are perfect for anyone just starting their Mandarin learning journey. The host, Amy, is a skilled teacher. This is the perfect Chinese podcast for students who want to learn slow Chinese at a more relaxed pace.
Theme
Amy teaches students the basics of Mandarin by inserting humour and encouragement into her lessons whenever she can. Each episode teaches a question or sentence in Mandarin. This is a wonderful resource for starters.
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22. Speak Chinese Naturally
Speak Chinese Naturally is a podcast by a native Chinese speaker.
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For Whom
This podcast is better suited for intermediate and advanced students of Mandarin. In addition, the episodes are for people who want to learn more about China, its society, and its customs.
Theme
The episodes cover topics ranging from love stories to trending issues in China. It offers a vast array of important topics. Each lesson provides students with insight into the country, the people, as well as the language.
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23. Oh Chinese 哦！中文
The podcast, Oh Chinese, is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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For Whom
The lessons are intended for higher-level students of the Chinese language. Each episode is entirely in Mandarin. For any music lovers, this is the perfect podcast for you.
Theme
The host expresses their opinion on matters such as classical music and environmentalism. They often use song and story to convey their lessons.
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24. The Mandarin Monkey Podcast
The Mandarin Monkey Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts.
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For Whom
This podcast is designed for those who have grasped the basics of the language but don’t feel comfortable enough to listen to a podcast entirely in Chinese. This is one of the best Chinese podcasts to learn Taiwanese Mandarin from.
Theme
The Mandarin Monkey podcast is taught by a mixed couple living in Taiwan using a combination of English and Chinese. They discuss entertainment, news, and life in Taiwan.
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25. Breadtoast Chinese 面包吐思
Breadtoast Chinese is a podcast available on Spotify.
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For Whom
It is best suited for more advanced Chinese students.
Theme
The episodes are based on the host, Brad, having a conversation with a Chinese friend. The topics are vast and interesting.
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26. 打個電話給你
打個電話給你 is a podcast hosted by Wendy and Iphie.
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For Whom
It is for higher-level students of the language.
Theme
The hosts discuss topics such as personal development, relationships, and other topics you would expect friends to talk about. Their conversations are comforting and entertaining.
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27. Loud Murmurs 小声喧哗
Loud Murmurs is a podcast hosted by four young women in the United States.
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For Whom
It is for more fluent students rather than beginners.
Theme
The hosts converse about pop culture and social issues from the female perspective. Their conversations are entertaining and insightful.
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28. 青春愛消遣
青春愛消遣 is a podcast hosted by Xiao Hua Bing and Xiao Bu.
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For Whom
It is for more seasoned Chinese students, and would not be suitable for a beginner.
Theme
This podcast relies on humour to tackle important topics. Each episode involves music and a fast-paced, humorous dialogue.
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29. 文化土豆 Culture Potato
Culture Potato is a Chinese podcast about art.
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For Whom
This podcast is appropriate for higher-level Mandarin Chinese students who enjoy art.
Theme
Each episode offers a thorough examination of a piece of art. They discuss its history and analyze its significance.
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30. 迟早更新
迟早更新 is a podcast available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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For Whom
This is for students who have mastered Chinese.
Theme
The episodes ponder life’s technological and philosophical questions. While it may be hard for a non-native speaker to follow at first, it provides excellent practice for your listening comprehension.
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31. Talk Chineasy
Talk Chineasy is available on Spotify.
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For Whom
The episodes offer bite-size lessons to listeners to incorporate into their daily routine. It is suitable for beginners.
Theme
With currently over 229 episodes, the host, ShaoLan converses with amazing guests in Mandarin Chinese. Each episode aims to teach a useful phrase.
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32. 瞎扯学中文 Convo Chinese
瞎扯学中文 Convo Chinese is available on Spotify.
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For Whom
The lessons are aimed toward more seasoned Chinese language learners.
Theme
The host immerses listeners into an authentic learning Chinese experience through conversation. It covers daily life and politics in China.
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33. You Can Learn Chinese
You Can Learn Chinese is available on Spotify.
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For Whom
The episodes are perfect for those just starting their learning journey.
Theme
The show is hosted by Jared and John, both of whom learned Mandarin Chinese themselves. They provide many useful tips to others just starting.
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Conclusion
Mandarin is the most native spoken language in the world. While the experience may not be the same as learning in China and absorbing the Chinese culture as well as the language organically, Chinese podcasts are an amazing tool for language learning. We live in an age when language learners can put on a pair of headphones and immerse themselves into another culture. Take advantage of it and learn Mandarin Chinese through a podcast.
To sum up, we rank Learning Chinese Through Stories as the best one in this shortlist as it has explanation of grammar after all conversation which include is great method for teaching the language!
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