Author: Martin Wong

Qí Gòngxiǎng Dānchē

Zuìjìn tiānqì hěn hǎo, wǒ bù xiǎng měitiān dōu jǐ dìtiě. Shàng zhōuyī zǎoshang, wǒ fāxiàn xiǎoqū ménkǒu tíng zhe hěn duō gòngxiǎng dānchē, jiù juédìng shì yí shì qí chē qù dìtiě zhàn. Zhèyàng jì néng duànliàn shēntǐ, yě néng shěng yìdiǎn shíjiān.

Wǒ yòng shǒujī sǎomǎ kāisuǒ, xuǎn le yì liàng kàn qǐlái bǐjiào xīn de chē. Gāng kāishǐ wǒ yǒudiǎn bù xíguàn, yīnwèi lùshang chē hěn duō, wǒ bìxū yìzhí zhùyì ānquán. Dào le hóngdēng, wǒ jiù tíng xiàlái děng, juébù chuǎng hóngdēng. Lùshang yǒuxiē rén qí de hěn kuài, wǒ juéde yǒudiǎn wēixiǎn, suǒyǐ wǒ qí de bǐjiào màn.

Qí le shí fēnzhōng, wǒ dào le dìtiě zhàn. Yǐqián zǒulù yào èrshí fēnzhōng, xiànzài kuài duō le. Wǒ bǎ chē tíng zài zhǐdìng de dìfang, hái bǎ suǒ suǒ hǎo. Hòulái wǒ fāxiàn rúguǒ zǎoshang tài yōngjǐ, qí chē bǐ zuò gōngjiāochē gèng fāngbiàn.

Xiàbān huíjiā shí, wǒ yòu qí le yí cì. Suīrán yǒu yìdiǎn lèi, dànshì xīnqíng hěn hǎo. Xiànzài wǒ měi zhōu huì qí liǎng sān cì gòngxiǎng dānchē, jì huánbǎo, yòu ràng wǒ de shēnghuó gèng jiànkāng.

Riding a Shared Bike

Recently the weather has been great, and I don’t want to squeeze onto the subway every day. Last Monday morning, I saw many shared bikes parked at the entrance of my community, so I decided to try riding to the subway station. This way I can exercise and also save some time.

I used my phone to scan the code and unlock the bike, and I chose one that looked quite new. At first I wasn’t used to it, because there were many cars on the road and I had to pay attention to safety. When I reached a red light, I stopped to wait and never ran the red light. Some people rode very fast, which I felt was a bit dangerous, so I rode more slowly.

After riding for ten minutes, I arrived at the subway station. Before, walking took twenty minutes, but now it was much faster. I parked the bike in the designated place and locked it properly. Later I realized that if mornings are too crowded, riding is more convenient than taking the bus.

When I went home after work, I rode again. Although I was a little tired, I felt great. Now I ride a shared bike two or three times a week—it’s eco-friendly and makes my life healthier.

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Mǎi Huǒchē Piào

Xià gè yuè wǒ xiǎng zuò huǒchē qù Shànghǎi kàn péngyou, suǒyǐ zhè zhōumò wǒ qù huǒchē zhàn mǎi piào. Wǒ yǐqián hěn shǎo zìjǐ mǎi huǒchē piào, yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng, pà mǎi cuò shíjiān huòzhě mǎi cuò zhàn.

Dào le chēzhàn, shòupiào tīng lǐ rén hěn duō. Wǒ xiān zài chuāngkǒu qián páiduì, ránhòu gàosu shòupiàoyuán: “Wǒ yào mǎi xià gè yuè sān hào qù Shànghǎi de piào.” Shòupiàoyuán wèn wǒ xiǎng zuò gāotiě háishi pǔtōng huǒchē. Wǒ xiǎng kuài yìdiǎn, jiù xuǎn le gāotiě. Tā bǎ piào gěi wǒ yǐhòu, wǒ zǐxì kàn le chūfā shíjiān, chēcì hé zuòwèi hào.

Mǎi wán piào, wǒ qù dàtīng kàn diànzǐ píng. Shàngmiàn xiě zhe měi yì tàng chē de jiǎnpiào kǒu hé zhàntái. Wǒ fāxiàn chēzhàn hěn dà, rúguǒ bù tíqián lái, hěn róngyì zhǎo bù dào dìfang. Pángbiān yí wèi gōngzuò rényuán tíxǐng wǒ: zuò gāotiě zuìhǎo tíqián sìshí fēnzhōng dào, hái yào dài hǎo shēnfènzhèng.

Huí jiā de lùshang, wǒ bǎ chūfā shíjiān xiě jìn shǒujī rìlì, hái shèzhì le tíxǐng. Xiànzài wǒ juéde mǎi huǒchē piào yě bù nán, zhǐyào kàn qīngchu xìnxī, tíqián zhǔnbèi, jiù néng fàngxīn chūfā.

Buying a Train Ticket

Next month I want to take a train to Shanghai to visit a friend, so this weekend I went to the train station to buy a ticket. I rarely bought train tickets by myself before, so I was a bit nervous and afraid of buying the wrong time or the wrong station.

When I arrived, there were many people in the ticket hall. I first lined up at the window, then told the ticket seller: “I want to buy a ticket to Shanghai for the 3rd of next month.” The ticket seller asked whether I wanted high-speed rail or a normal train. I wanted it to be faster, so I chose high-speed rail. After she gave me the ticket, I carefully checked the departure time, train number, and seat number.

After buying the ticket, I went to the hall to look at the electronic screen. It showed each train’s ticket-check gate and platform. I realized the station is very big—if you don’t arrive early, it’s easy to not find the right place. A staff member next to me reminded me that for high-speed rail it’s best to arrive 40 minutes early, and also to bring your ID card.

On the way home, I wrote the departure time into my phone calendar and also set a reminder. Now I feel buying a train ticket isn’t hard—if you read the information carefully and prepare in advance, you can travel with peace of mind.

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Dǎchē Qù Jīchǎng

Shàng zhōuliù wǒ yào qù wàidì chūchāi, zǎoshang qī diǎn de fēijī. Wèile bù chídào, wǒ língchén sì diǎn bàn jiù qǐchuáng, shōushi hǎo xíngli, wǔ diǎn bàn chūmén. Nà shíhou dìtiě hái méi kāi, suǒyǐ wǒ juédìng dǎchē qù jīchǎng.

Wǒ zài lóuxià děng le yíhuìr, yì liàng chūzūchē lái le. Sījī wèn wǒ qù nǎr, wǒ shuō: “Shīfu, qù jīchǎng, xièxie.” Shàng chē yǐhòu wǒ fāxiàn shǒujī zhǐ shèng xià bǎifēnzhī shí de diàn, wǒ yǒudiǎn dānxīn. Sījī kàn chūlái le, shuō chē shàng kěyǐ chōngdiàn, ràng wǒ bié zháojí.

Chē kāi dào shì zhōngxīn shí, lùshang kāishǐ dǔchē. Wǒ kàn zhe shíjiān yuèláiyuè jǐnzhāng, dānxīn gǎn bù shàng fēijī. Sījī shuō: “Bié pà, wǒ zhīdào yì tiáo bǐjiào kuài de lù.” Tā huàn le yì tiáo lù, hái tíxǐng wǒ dào le jīchǎng yào xiān qù bànlǐ dēngjī shǒuxù.

Zuìhòu wǒmen liù diǎn èrshí dào le jīchǎng. Wǒ fù le qián, gēn sījī shuō xièxie. Suīrán lùshang dǔchē, dàn yīnwèi wǒ chūmén zǎo, háishi hěn shùnlì. Xiànzài wǒ míngbai le: qù jīchǎng zuìhǎo tíqián chūmén, yě yào zhǔnbèi hǎo bèiyòng de jiāotōng fāngshì.

Taking a Taxi to the Airport

Last Saturday I had to go on a business trip, and my flight was at 7 a.m. To avoid being late, I got up at 4:30 a.m., packed my luggage, and left home at 5:30. At that time the subway hadn’t started yet, so I decided to take a taxi to the airport.

I waited downstairs for a while and a taxi arrived. The driver asked where I was going, and I said, “Driver, to the airport, thanks.” After getting in, I noticed my phone only had 10% battery left, and I felt a bit worried. The driver noticed and said I could charge in the car, so I shouldn’t worry.

When we reached the city center, there was a traffic jam. I watched the time and became more and more nervous, afraid I would miss the flight. The driver said, “Don’t worry, I know a faster route.” He changed routes and also reminded me that after arriving I should first go check in.

In the end we arrived at the airport at 6:20. I paid and thanked the driver. Although there was traffic, because I left early, everything still went smoothly. Now I understand: it’s best to leave early for the airport and have a backup transportation plan.

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Cuòguò Gōngjiāochē

Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ chàdiǎn chídào. Wǒ píngshí zuò gōngjiāochē qù gōngsī, chēzhàn lí wǒ jiā hěn jìn, zǒulù zhǐyào wǔ fēnzhōng. Kěshì wǒ qǐchuáng wǎn le, yòu zài jiā lǐ zhǎo yàoshi, chūmén de shíhou yǐjīng qī diǎn wǔshí le.

Wǒ pǎo dào chēzhàn shí, gānghǎo kàn dào gōngjiāochē kāi zǒu. Wǒ zhǐhǎo zhàn zài nàr děng xià yì bān. Kěshì xià yì bān yào děng èrshí fēnzhōng, wǒ xīnli hěn zháojí. Pángbiān yǒu yí gè rén gàosu wǒ, qiánmiàn liǎng zhàn yǒu dìtiě, zǒu guòqù yě bù yuǎn. Wǒ xiǎng le xiǎng, juédìng xiān zǒu dào dìtiě zhàn, zài zuò dìtiě qù gōngsī.

Lùshang wǒ yìzhí kàn shíjiān, pà yòu cuòguò. Dào le dìtiě zhàn, wǒ mǎi piào, guò ānjiǎn, shàng chē yǐhòu cái sōng le yì kǒu qì. Dìtiě suīrán hěn yōngjǐ, dànshì sùdù kuài. Zuìhòu wǒ háishi ànshí dào le gōngsī.

Xiàbān yǐhòu, wǒ zài shǒujī lǐ shèzhì le liǎng gè nàozhōng, hái bǎ yàoshi fàng zài ménkǒu de hézi lǐ. Yǐhòu wǒ yídìng yào zǎo yìdiǎn qǐchuáng, tíqián zhǔnbèi, zhèyàng jiù bù huì zài cuòguò gōngjiāochē le.

Missing the Bus

This morning I almost was late. I usually take the bus to my company, and the bus stop is very close to my home—only a five-minute walk. But I got up late, and I also looked for my keys at home, so when I left it was already 7:50.

When I ran to the stop, I happened to see the bus drive away. I had to stand there and wait for the next one. But the next bus would take twenty minutes, so I felt very anxious. Someone next to me told me that two stops ahead there is a subway station, and it’s not far to walk. I thought about it and decided to walk to the subway station first, then take the subway to the company.

On the way I kept checking the time, afraid I would miss it again. After arriving at the subway station, I bought a ticket, passed security, and only then relaxed a little after getting on. Although the subway was crowded, it was fast. In the end, I still arrived at the company on time.

After work, I set two alarms on my phone, and I also put my keys in a box by the door. In the future I must get up earlier and prepare in advance, so I won’t miss the bus again.

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Zuò Dìtiě Shàngbān

Wǒ zhù de lí gōngsī bù tài yuǎn, dànshì zǎoshang jiāotōng hěn yōngjǐ. Yǐqián wǒ chángcháng zuò gōngjiāo chē, kěshì zuìjìn wǒ fāxiàn zuò dìtiě gèng fāngbiàn, yě gèng zhǔnshí. Suǒyǐ xiànzài wǒ měitiān dōu zuò dìtiě shàngbān.

Wǒ měitiān qī diǎn bàn chūmén, zǒu dào dìtiě zhàn dàyuē shí fēnzhōng. Dào le zhàn lǐ, wǒ xiān mǎi piào, zài guò ānjiǎn. Gāofēng shíjiān rén tèbié duō, chēxiāng lǐ jīhū méi yǒu kōngwèi. Wǒ zhǐ néng zhàn zhe, yìbiān tīng yīnyuè, yìbiān kàn dàjiā máng zhe gǎnlù.

Yǒu yí cì, dìtiě tūrán tíngyùn le. Gōngzuò rényuán shuō xiànlù chū le wèntí, xūyào děng yíhuìr. Hěn duō rén hěn zháojí, wǒ yě dānxīn huì chídào. Wǒ mǎshàng yòng shǒujī chákàn lùxiàn, juédìng xiān chūzhàn, zài dǎchē qù gōngsī. Suīrán duō huā le yìxiē qián, dànshì wǒ háishi ànshí dào le.

Cóng nà yǐhòu, wǒ xuéhuì le tíqián zhǔnbèi: shǒujī lǐ bǎocún hǎo jǐ tiáo lùxiàn, yě huì zǎo yìdiǎn chūmén. Zuò dìtiě shàngbān ràng wǒ juéde chéngshì shēnghuó hěn kuài, dàn zhǐyào jìhuà hǎo, jiù bù huì tài jǐnzhāng.

Taking the Metro to Work

I live not too far from my company, but traffic is very crowded in the morning. I used to take the bus often, but recently I found taking the metro is more convenient and more punctual. So now I take the metro to work every day.

I leave home at 7:30 every day and it takes about ten minutes to walk to the metro station. Once I arrive, I first buy a ticket, then go through security. During rush hour there are many people, and there are almost no empty seats in the carriage. I can only stand, listening to music and watching everyone hurry on their way.

One time, the metro service suddenly stopped. The staff said there was a problem on the line and we needed to wait a while. Many people were anxious, and I also worried I would be late. I immediately checked routes on my phone, decided to exit the station first, and then take a taxi to the company. Although it cost a bit more, I still arrived on time.

Since then, I learned to prepare in advance: I save several routes on my phone and also leave home a bit earlier. Taking the metro to work makes me feel city life is fast, but as long as I plan well, I won’t be too nervous.

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Gōngjiāochē Zhàn Zěnme Zǒu?

Jīntiān wǒ xiǎng zuò gōngjiāochē qù túshūguǎn. Shǒujī dìtú shuō lí wǒ xiànzài de wèizhì bù yuǎn, kěshì wǒ zǒu le jǐ fēnzhōng, háishi méi kàn dào gōngjiāochē zhàn. Lùkǒu rén hěn duō, wǒ yǒudiǎn zháojí, dānxīn huì cuòguò zhè tàng chē.

Wǒ kàn dào pángbiān yǒu yì jiā biànlìdiàn, jiù jìnqù wèn diànyuán: “Qǐngwèn, gōngjiāochē zhàn zěnme zǒu?” Diànyuán hěn rèxīn, shuō: “Nǐ xiān yìzhí wǎng qián zǒu, guò liǎng gè hónglǜdēng, ránhòu zài yínháng pángbiān yòu zhuǎn. Gōngjiāochē zhàn jiù zài yòubiān, nǐ bù huì zhǎo bù dào de.”

Wǒ zhào tā shuō de zǒu, guǒrán hěn kuài jiù kàn dào le chēzhàn. Zhènghǎo xià yì bān chē kuài dào le, wǒ gǎnjǐn páiduì shàng chē. Shàng chē yǐhòu wǒ cái sōng le yì kǒu qì, xīnli xiǎng: zài xīn dìfang, zuì zhòngyào de shì bù pà wèn lù.

Dào le túshūguǎn, wǒ hái yòng shǒujī bǎ zhège chēzhàn de wèizhì bǎocún xiàlái. Xià cì zài lái, wǒ jiù bù huì mílù le, yě bù yòng yìzhí kàn dìtú.

How Do I Get to the Bus Stop?

Today I wanted to take the bus to the library. My map app said the bus stop wasn’t far from where I was, but after walking for a few minutes I still couldn’t see it. There were lots of people at the intersection, and I got a bit anxious because I was afraid I would miss the bus.

I saw a convenience store nearby, so I went in and asked the clerk, “Excuse me, how do I get to the bus stop?” The clerk was very helpful and said, “First walk straight ahead, pass two traffic lights, then turn right next to the bank. The bus stop is on the right—you won’t miss it.”

I followed the directions, and soon I found the stop. The next bus was about to arrive, so I quickly lined up and got on. Only after boarding did I feel relieved, and I thought: in a new place, the most important thing is not being afraid to ask for directions.

When I arrived at the library, I also saved the stop’s location on my phone. Next time I come, I won’t get lost, and I won’t need to keep staring at the map.

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Sòng Péngyou de Lǐwù

Míngtiān shì wǒ péngyou de shēngrì, wǒ xiǎng gěi tā mǎi yí fèn xiǎo lǐwù. Xiàbān yǐhòu wǒ qù le shāngchǎng, yìbiān guàng yìbiān xiǎng: tā xǐhuān shénme? Tā píngshí hěn ài hē kāfēi, yě xǐhuān jiǎndān de dōngxi.

Wǒ zǒu jìn yì jiā shēnghuó yòngpǐn diàn, kàn dào le yí gè hěn hǎokàn de bēizi, hái yǒu yì hé cǎisè de bǐ. Wǒ juéde bēizi gèng shíyòng, jiù ná qǐlái wèn diànyuán: “Zhège bēizi duōshao qián?” Diànyuán shuō jīntiān yǒu huódòng, mǎi liǎng gè hái gèng piányi. Kěshì wǒ zhǐ xūyào yí gè, suǒyǐ wǒ yòu wèn: “Nà wǒ mǎi yí gè yě kěyǐ ma?”

Fùqián yǐhòu, wǒ duì diànyuán shuō: “Zhè shì sòng péngyou de, kěyǐ qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ bāozhuāng yíxià ma?” Diànyuán xiào zhe shuō méi wèntí, hái wèn wǒ xiǎng yào shénme yánsè de bāozhuāng zhǐ. Wǒ xuǎn le fěnsè, yīnwèi wǒ péngyou zuì xǐhuān fěnsè.

Líkāi shāngchǎng de shíhou, wǒ kàn zhe bāozhuāng hǎo de lǐwù, xīnli hěn kāixīn. Wǒ juéde sòng lǐwù bù yídìng yào hěn guì, zuì zhòngyào de shì héshì, yǒu xīn. Míngtiān jiàn dào tā, wǒ yídìng huì shuō: “Shēngrì kuàilè, zhè shì gěi nǐ de lǐwù!”

A Gift for a Friend

Tomorrow is my friend’s birthday, and I wanted to buy her a small gift. After work I went to the mall and thought while browsing: what does she like? She loves coffee and also likes simple, practical things.

I walked into a lifestyle store and saw a nice cup and a box of colorful pens. I thought the cup was more useful, so I picked it up and asked, “How much is this cup?” The clerk said there was a promotion today—buying two would be cheaper. But I only needed one, so I asked, “Is it okay if I only buy one?”

After paying, I said, “This is for my friend. Could you please wrap it for me?” The clerk smiled and said no problem, and asked what color wrapping paper I wanted. I chose pink because it’s my friend’s favorite color.

When leaving the mall, I looked at the wrapped gift and felt happy. I realized gifts don’t have to be expensive—the most important thing is that it fits the person and shows your thoughtfulness. When I see her tomorrow, I’ll say, “Happy birthday—this is for you!”

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Kěyǐ Sǎomǎ Fùkuǎn ma?

Jīntiān wǒ zài shāngchǎng mǎi le jǐ yàng dōngxi: yí jiàn T-xù hé yí gè bēizi. Dào le shōuyíntái, shōuyínyuán wèn wǒ: “Nǐ yào shuā kǎ háishi xiànjīn?” Wǒ xiǎng yòng shǒujī zhīfù, jiù wèn tā: “Kěyǐ sǎomǎ fùkuǎn ma?”

Shōuyínyuán shuō: “Kěyǐ, nǐ yòng Wēixìn háishi Zhīfùbǎo?” Wǒ shuō wǒ yòng Wēixìn. Tā bǎ èrwéimǎ fàng zài wǒ miànqián, wǒ dǎkāi fùkuǎn mǎ zhǔnbèi sǎo yíxià. Kěshì wǒ shǒujī wǎng tūrán bù hǎo, yèmiàn yìzhí zhuǎn, wǒ yǒudiǎn zháojí, hòumiàn de rén yě zài děng.

Wǒ gēn shōuyínyuán shuō: “Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ zhèr wǎng bù tài hǎo, děng yíxià kěyǐ ma?” Tā diǎndiǎn tóu, shuō: “Méi guānxi, nǐ kěyǐ lián yíxià diàn lǐ de Wi‑Fi.” Wǒ lián shàng Wi‑Fi yǐhòu, mǎshàng jiù sǎo dào le mǎ, shǒujī tíshì fùkuǎn chénggōng.

Shōuyínyuán bǎ xiǎopiào gěi wǒ, hái wèn wǒ xū bù xūyào dàizi. Wǒ shuō xūyào, xièxie tā bāngmáng. Huí jiā yǐhòu wǒ juéde hěn fāngbiàn: zài Zhōngguó hěn duō dìfang dōu kěyǐ sǎomǎ zhīfù, zhǐyào shǒujī yǒu wǎng, jiù néng hěn kuài mǎi dào xiǎng yào de dōngxi.

Can I Scan to Pay?

Today I bought a few things at the mall: a T-shirt and a cup. At the cashier, the clerk asked, “Card or cash?” I wanted to pay by phone, so I asked, “Can I scan to pay?”

The cashier said, “Sure—WeChat or Alipay?” I said WeChat. She put the QR code in front of me and I opened my payment code to scan. But my mobile internet suddenly got bad and the page kept loading, so I got a little anxious because people behind me were waiting.

I told the cashier, “Sorry, my internet isn’t good—can you wait a moment?” She nodded and said, “No problem. You can connect to the store’s Wi‑Fi.” After connecting, I scanned successfully and my phone showed “Payment successful.”

The cashier gave me the receipt and asked if I needed a bag. I said yes and thanked her for the help. After getting home, I felt it was very convenient: in many places in China you can pay by scanning a QR code—as long as your phone has internet, you can buy what you need 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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Wǒ de Kuàidì Dào le

Qiántiān wǒ zài wǎngshàng mǎi le yí fù ěrjī, shāngjiā shuō liǎng tiān jiù néng sòng dào. Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ qǐchuáng yǐhòu jiù yìzhí kàn shǒujī, xiǎng zhīdào kuàidì dào nǎr le. Zhōngwǔ wǒ kàn dào wùliú xìnxī: kuàidì yǐjīng dào wǒ jiā fùjìn, zhèngzài pàisòng.

Kěshì xiàwǔ wǒ zhèngzài kāihuì, shǒujī tūrán xiǎng le, shì kuàidìyuán dǎ lái de. Tā shuō: “Wǒ zài nǐ lóuxià, nǐ xiànzài fāngbiàn xià lóu ma?” Wǒ zhǐhǎo shuō wǒ xiànzài bù zài jiā, ràng tā děng wǔ fēnzhōng. Méi xiǎng dào huìyì hái méi jiéshù, tā jiù zǒu le, hái fā xiāoxi shuō: kěyǐ míngtiān zài sòng.

Wǒ yǒudiǎn zháojí, yīnwèi wǒ míngtiān yào chūmén. Xiàbān yǐhòu wǒ mǎshàng gěi kuàidìyuán huí diànhuà, shuō wǒ yǐjīng dào jiā le. Guò le èrshí fēnzhōng, tā zhēn de yòu huí lái le, bǎ bāoguǒ sòng dào wǒ shǒu lǐ. Wǒ zài dānzi shàng qiān le míng, zhōngyú shōu dào le kuàidì.

Dǎkāi bāoguǒ yǐhòu, ěrjī hěn xīn, shēngyīn yě hěn hǎo. Wǒ juéde yǐhòu mǎi dōngxi yídìng yào zhùyì: rúguǒ kuàidì yào sòng dào jiā, zuìhǎo tíqián ānpái shíjiān, bùrán hěn róngyì cuòguò.

My Package Arrived

The day before yesterday I bought a pair of headphones online. The seller said they could be delivered in two days. This morning after getting up, I kept checking my phone to see where the delivery was. At noon I saw the tracking update: the courier had reached my neighborhood and was out for delivery.

But in the afternoon I was in a meeting when my phone rang—it was the courier. He said, “I’m downstairs. Can you come down now?” I had to say I wasn’t home and asked him to wait five minutes. But the meeting didn’t end in time, so he left and messaged that he could deliver again tomorrow.

I felt anxious because I had to go out tomorrow. After work I called the courier back and said I was already home. Twenty minutes later he really came back and handed me the package. I signed for it and finally received my delivery.

After opening the package, the headphones were new and sounded great. I realized that when delivery is to your home, it’s best to plan your time in advance—otherwise it’s easy to miss it.

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.

Wǒ Xiǎng Huàn Yíxià

Zuótiān wǒ zài shāngchǎng mǎi le yí jiàn T-xù, huí jiā yǐhòu shì chuān, fāxiàn chǐmǎ yǒudiǎn xiǎo, chuān qǐlái bù tài shūfu. Wǒ xiǎng le xiǎng, juédìng jīntiān qù diàn lǐ huàn yí jiàn dà yìdiǎn de.

Chūmén qián wǒ xiān zhǎo dào le gòuwù xiǎopiào, hái bǎ yīfu dié hǎo fàng jìn dàizi lǐ. Dào le diàn lǐ, wǒ duì diànyuán shuō: “Bù hǎoyìsi, zhè jiàn yīfu wǒ xiǎng huàn yíxià, kěyǐ ma?” Diànyuán wèn wǒ wèishénme, wǒ shuō: “Chǐmǎ bù héshì.”

Diànyuán kàn le xiǎopiào, yòu jiǎnchá le yīfu, shuō: “Méi wèntí. Nǐ xiǎng huàn shénme hào?” Wǒ shuō wǒ xiǎng huàn dà yí hào. Tā bāng wǒ ná le lìngwài yí jiàn, wǒ qù shìyījiān shì le yíxià, gǎnjué gānggāng hǎo.

Zuìhòu diànyuán bāng wǒ bàn hǎo le huànhuò, hái tíxǐng wǒ xiàcì mǎi yīfu zuìhǎo xiān shì yíxià. Huí jiā de lùshang wǒ hěn kāixīn, yīnwèi wǒ xuéhuì le yòng Zhōngwén jiějué gòuwù wèntí: dài hǎo xiǎopiào, lǐmào shuōmíng yuányīn, jiù néng shùnlì huàn dào héshì de dōngxi.

I Want to Exchange It

Yesterday I bought a T-shirt at the mall. After getting home and trying it on, I found the size was a bit small and it wasn’t very comfortable. After thinking about it, I decided to go to the store today to exchange it for a bigger one.

Before leaving, I first found the receipt, and I folded the shirt and put it into a bag. At the store, I said to the clerk, “Sorry, I’d like to exchange this item. Is that okay?” The clerk asked why, and I said, “The size doesn’t fit.”

The clerk checked the receipt and inspected the shirt, then said, “No problem. What size do you want to exchange for?” I said I wanted one size bigger. She brought another one, and I tried it in the fitting room—it felt just right.

In the end, the clerk helped me complete the exchange and reminded me that next time it’s best to try clothes on before buying. On the way home I felt happy, because I learned how to solve a shopping problem in Chinese: bring the receipt, explain the reason politely, and you can exchange smoothly.

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, intonation, and natural speech.
• After reading: Listen again to compare pronunciation and improve fluency.