chinese

hsk2-3

Written by

Per Johansson

in

English summary: Xiao Li takes the subway to work every day and uses the commute to study by reading or listening to Chinese. Even when the subway is crowded and he must stand, he keeps studying and doesn’t play on his phone. His colleagues think he will improve quickly because he works hard.

LEVEL/WORDCOUNT: HSK 2 / ~300 characters

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地铁上学习

小李每天坐地铁去公司，上班路上常常看书或者听中文录音。他觉得这样可以节省时间，还能学习外语。

有时候地铁上人很多，他只能站着，可是他还是坚持看书，不玩手机。

他的同事说，他这么努力，一定会很快提高。

Studying on the Subway

Xiao Li takes the subway to the company every day. On the way to work, he often reads books or listens to Chinese recordings. He thinks this can save time and he can also study a foreign language.

Sometimes there are many people on the subway, so he can only stand. But he still keeps reading and doesn’t play on his phone.

His colleagues say that he works so hard, so he will definitely improve quickly.

Help

How to Use the Audio

The audio is designed to help you improve your Mandarin Chinese listening skills and pronunciation. You can use it in two ways:

  • Before reading: Listen to understand rhythm, tones, and natural speech.
  • After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Vocabulary

  • 地铁 (dìtiě) – subway
  • 路上 (lùshang) – on the way
  • 或者 (huòzhě) – or
  • 录音 (lùyīn) – recording
  • 节省 (jiéshěng) – to save (time/money)
  • 只能 (zhǐnéng) – can only
  • 站 (zhàn) – to stand
  • 坚持 (jiānchí) – to persist; keep doing
  • 努力 (nǔlì) – to work hard
  • 提高 (tígāo) – to improve

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “有时候…，可是…” (contrast in a situation)
Use 有时候 to introduce a situation that happens sometimes.
Use 可是 to show contrast: something is difficult, but the person still does it.
This pattern makes the story more natural and expressive.
It is common in HSK 2 narratives about habits.

Examples:
有时候地铁上人很多，他只能站着，可是他还是坚持看书。
他只能站着，可是他还是坚持看书。

Grammar rule #2: “还是” (still, as before)
Use 还是 before a verb to show something continues and has not changed.
Structure: 主语 + 还是 + 动词/形容词 + …
It often appears after a contrast or a new problem (e.g., it’s crowded, but he still studies).
This is a common A2 / HSK 2 usage.

Examples:
可是他还是坚持看书，不玩手机。
他还是坚持看书。

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 上班路上 – meaning
    Example: 上班路上常常看书或者听中文录音。
  • 节省时间 – meaning
    Example: 他觉得这样可以节省时间。
  • 人很多 – meaning
    Example: 有时候地铁上人很多。
  • 只能… – meaning
    Example: 他只能站着。
  • 一定会… – meaning
    Example: 一定会很快提高。

Cultural Insights

  • Commute time as study time
    Many learners use commute time to study because it is regular and easy to plan.
    Reading or listening while traveling is a common self-study method in big cities.
    Stories like this make study habits feel realistic and achievable.
  • Subway crowds
    Crowded subways are a normal part of daily life in many large cities.
    This context helps learners practice practical expressions like 人很多 and 只能站着.
    It also creates a natural contrast for grammar practice (可是…还是…).
  • Phone habits
    “不玩手机” is a simple phrase that reflects modern daily life and self-discipline.
    Many beginner stories contrast “study vs. phone” to show effort and routine.
    This makes the vocabulary immediately useful.

10 Questions

  1. How does Xiao Li go to the company? (answer)
  2. What does he often do on the way to work? (answer)
  3. Why does he do that? (answer)
  4. What is the subway like sometimes? (answer)
  5. What can he only do when it is crowded? (answer)
  6. Does he stop studying when it is crowded? (answer)
  7. What does he not do on the subway? (answer)
  8. Who comments about him? (answer)
  9. What do his colleagues think will happen? (answer)
  10. Why do they think that? (answer)

Multiple Choice

  1. 小李怎么去公司？ (answer)
    a) 走路
    b) 坐地铁
    c) 坐火车
  2. 他上班路上常常做什么？ (answer)
    a) 看书或者听中文录音
    b) 买菜
    c) 睡觉
  3. 他觉得这样可以： (answer)
    a) 很贵
    b) 很累
    c) 节省时间
  1. 地铁上人很多时，他只能： (answer)
    a) 站着
    b) 坐着
    c) 睡觉
  2. 可是他还是： (answer)
    a) 玩手机
    b) 坚持看书
    c) 不去公司
  3. 同事说他会很快： (answer)
    a) 下雨
    b) 回家
    c) 提高

True or False

  1. 小李每天坐地铁去公司。 (answer)
  2. 他上班路上常常睡觉。 (answer)
  3. 他觉得这样可以节省时间。 (answer)
  4. 地铁上人很多时，他只能坐着。 (answer)
  5. 他还是坚持看书，不玩手机。 (answer)
  6. 同事说他不会提高。 (answer)

Retell the Story

Rewrite the story in your own words.

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