Author: Martin Wong

Dìtiě Lǐ de Yì Tiān (Pinyin)

Jīntiān zǎoshang, wǒ yào cóng jiā dào chéngshì zhōngxīn shàngkè. Wèile bù chídào, wǒ hěn zǎo jiù chūmén. Dào le dìtiě zhàn, wǒ xiān mǎi piào, zài jìnzhàn. Zhàn lǐ rén hěn duō, wǒ kànzhe páizi zhǎo fāngxiàng, fāxiàn wǒ yào zuò èr hào xiàn dào rénmín guǎngchǎng.

Wǒ shàng chē yǐhòu yìzhí tīng guǎngbō, yě kàn chēmén shàngmiàn de dìtú. Wǒ pà zuò guò zhàn, suǒyǐ měi dào yí zhàn wǒ dōu kàn yíxià zhànmíng. Chē dào le dōngmén, guǎngbō shuō xià yí zhàn shì rénmín guǎngchǎng. Wǒ xīnli fàngsōng le yìdiǎnr, yīnwèi kuài dào le.

Dào le rénmín guǎngchǎng, wǒ yào huàn xiàn qù túshūguǎn. Kěshì zhàn lǐ lù hěn duō, wǒ bù quèdìng zěnme zǒu, jiù wèn gōngzuò rényuán: “Qǐngwèn, qù sān hào xiàn zěnme huàn?” Gōngzuò rényuán shuō: “Nǐ xiān wǎng qián zǒu, dào dì-yī gè lùkǒu yòuzhuǎn, ránhòu yìzhí zǒu, kàndào chūkǒu yǐhòu zài xià lóu, jiù shì sān hào xiàn.”

Wǒ zhàozhe tā shuō de zǒu, hěn kuài jiù zhǎodào le sān hào xiàn. Wǒ shàng chē yǐhòu fāxiàn chē lǐ hěn ānjìng, dàjiā dōu zài kàn shǒujī. Dào le túshūguǎn zhàn, wǒ xià chē zǒu chū dìtiě zhàn, juéde jīntiān xuéhuì le huàn xiàn, yě gèng fāngbiàn le.

A Day on the Subway

This morning, I needed to go from home to the city center for class. To avoid being late, I left very early. When I arrived at the subway station, I bought a ticket first and then entered the station. There were many people inside. I looked at the signs for the direction and found I needed to take Line 2 to People’s Square.

After I got on, I kept listening to the announcements and also looked at the map above the door. I was afraid of missing my stop, so at every stop I checked the station name. When the train reached East Gate, the announcement said the next stop was People’s Square. I relaxed a little because I was almost there.

At People’s Square, I needed to transfer to another line to go to the library. But there were many paths inside the station, and I wasn’t sure how to go, so I asked a staff member, “Excuse me, how do I transfer to Line 3?” The staff member said, “Walk forward first, turn right at the first intersection, then keep walking. After you see the exit, go downstairs, and that’s Line 3.”

I followed what he said and found Line 3 quickly. After I got on, I noticed it was very quiet and everyone was looking at their phones. When I arrived at the library station, I got off and walked out of the subway station. I felt that today I learned how to transfer lines, and it became more convenient.

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.

Chénglǐ de Yí Cì Dà Zhuǎn Chē (Pinyin)

Jīntiān wǒ yǒu hěn duō shì yào zuò, suǒyǐ yì zǎo jiù chūmén. Wǒ xiān cóng jiā dào yóujú jì dōngxi, zài cóng yóujú dào yīyuàn kàn péngyou. Péngyou zhùyuàn yǐhòu xīnqíng bú tài hǎo, wǒ xiǎng dài diǎn shuǐguǒ gěi tā. Qù yóujú de lù wǒ hěn shú, kěshì cóng yóujú dào yīyuàn wǒ bù cháng zǒu. Wǒ zhàn zài ménkǒu kàn dìtú, fāxiàn yào xiān zuò gōngjiāo dào dōngmén, zài huàn dìtiě dào rénmín guǎngchǎng, ránhòu zài huàn yì tiáo xiàn qù yīyuàn fùjìn.

Wǒ dào le gōngjiāochēzhàn, kàndào páizi xiězhe yígòng shí zhàn. Wǒ shàng chē yǐhòu yìzhí tīng guǎngbō, yě kàn chuāngwài de lùkǒu hé hónglǜdēng, pà zuò guò zhàn. Zuò dào dì-wǔ zhàn shí, chē tūrán tíng de hěn jiǔ, sījī shuō qiánmiàn dǔchē. Wǒ yǒudiǎnr jǐnzhāng, pà chídào, jiù wèn pángbiān de rén: “Qǐngwèn, cóng zhèlǐ dào dōngmén hái yǒu jǐ zhàn?” Nàgè rén shuō: “Dàgài hái yǒu sān zhàn. Nǐ yě kěyǐ xià yí zhàn xià chē, zǒu dào dìtiě zhàn, zuò dìtiě huì gèng kuài.”

Wǒ xiǎng le xiǎng, juédìng xià yí zhàn xià chē. Wǒ xià chē yǐhòu xiān guò mǎlù, zài wǎng yòu zǒu, kàndào yí gè dìtiě zhàn de rùkǒu. Wǒ jìnzhàn mǎi piào, zhǎo fāngxiàng, zuò shàng èr hào xiàn qù rénmín guǎngchǎng. Dìtiě lǐ rén hěn duō, dàn wǒ gàosu zìjǐ bié jí. Měi dào yí zhàn wǒ dōu kàn yíxià zhànmíng, tīng guǎngbō shuō xià yí zhàn shì shénme. Dào le rénmín guǎngchǎng, wǒ yào huàn xiàn, kěshì zhàn lǐ lù tèbié duō, wǒ chàdiǎn yòu mílù.

Wǒ kànjiàn gōngzuò rényuán, jiù wèn: “Qǐngwèn, qù yīyuàn nàbiān zěnme huàn?” Gōngzuò rényuán shuō: “Nǐ xiān yìzhí zǒu, dào dì-yī gè lùkǒu zuǒzhuǎn, ránhòu xià lóu. Kàndào ‘sān hào xiàn’ de páizi yǐhòu, zài yòuzhuǎn jiù dào le.” Wǒ zhàozhe tā shuō de zǒu, zhōngyú zhǎodào le sān hào xiàn. Wǒ shàng chē hòu fāxiàn chē lǐ hěn ānjìng, dàjiā dōu zài kàn shǒujī. Wǒ mànmàn fàngsōng, xīnli juéde zìjǐ yuèláiyuè huì zuò chē le.

Dào le yīyuàn fùjìn, wǒ xià chē zǒu chū dìtiě zhàn, wàimiàn hěn rènào. Kěshì yīyuàn zài nǎr? Wǒ yòu bù quèdìng le. Wǒ kàndào yí gè dà ménkǒu, xiězhe “yīyuàn”, dàn wǒ bù zhīdào shì bú shì wǒ yào qù de dìfang. Zhè shí wǒ kànjiàn yí wèi āyí, jiù shuō: “Qǐngwèn, cóng zhèlǐ dào dì-yī yīyuàn zěnme zǒu?” Āyí xiàozhe shuō: “Nǐ yǐjīng dào le! Zhège mén jiù shì dì-yī yīyuàn. Jìnqù yǐhòu wǎng qián zǒu, dào dì-èr gè lùkǒu yòuzhuǎn, jiù néng kàndào zhùyuànbù.”

Wǒ tīng wán yǐhòu tèbié kāixīn, gǎnkuài jìnqù. Jiàndào péngyou shí, tā yě xiào le. Wǒmen liáo le yíhuǐr, wǒ bǎ shuǐguǒ gěi tā, tā shuō xièxie. Huí jiā de lùshang, wǒ fāxiàn zìjǐ cóng zǎo dào wǎn yìzhí zài zhuǎn chē, wènlù, kěshì wǒ yìdiǎn yě bù pà le. Zhǐyào duō liànxí, zài chéngshì lǐ chūmén zhēn de huì yuèláiyuè fāngbiàn.

A Big Transfer Day in the City

Today I had many things to do, so I went out early. First I went from home to the post office to mail something, then from the post office to the hospital to see a friend. After my friend was hospitalized, he wasn’t in a very good mood, so I wanted to bring him some fruit. I know the route to the post office well, but I don’t often go from the post office to the hospital. I stood at the entrance and looked at the map and found I needed to take a bus to East Gate first, then transfer to the subway to People’s Square, and then transfer again to another line near the hospital.

When I got to the bus stop, the sign said there were ten stops in total. After I got on, I kept listening to the announcements and watched the intersections and traffic lights outside, afraid of missing my stop. When we reached the fifth stop, the bus suddenly stopped for a long time, and the driver said there was a traffic jam ahead. I felt a bit nervous and worried about being late, so I asked someone next to me, “Excuse me, how many stops are left from here to East Gate?” That person said, “About three stops left. You can also get off at the next stop, walk to the subway station, and the subway will be faster.”

I thought about it and decided to get off at the next stop. After getting off, I crossed the street first, then walked to the right and saw a subway entrance. I entered, bought a ticket, found the direction, and took Line 2 to People’s Square. There were many people on the subway, but I told myself not to rush. At every stop I checked the station name and listened to the announcement of the next stop. At People’s Square, I needed to transfer, but there were so many paths that I almost got lost again.

I saw a staff member and asked, “Excuse me, how do I transfer to the hospital side?” The staff member said, “Walk straight first, turn left at the first intersection, then go downstairs. After you see the sign for ‘Line 3,’ turn right and you’ll arrive.” I followed what he said and finally found Line 3. After I got on, I noticed the car was very quiet and everyone was looking at their phones. I slowly relaxed and felt I was getting better and better at taking transport.

Near the hospital, I got off and walked out of the subway station. It was lively outside, but where was the hospital? I wasn’t sure again. I saw a big gate with “hospital” written on it, but I didn’t know if it was the one I needed. Then I saw an auntie and said, “Excuse me, how do I get from here to First Hospital?” She smiled and said, “You’ve already arrived! This gate is First Hospital. After you go in, walk forward. Turn right at the second intersection, and you’ll see the inpatient building.”

After listening, I was very happy and went in quickly. When I saw my friend, he smiled too. We chatted for a while, and I gave him the fruit. He said thank you. On the way home, I realized I had been transferring and asking directions from morning to night, but I wasn’t afraid at all anymore. As long as you practice more, going out in the city really becomes more and more convenient.

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.

Zhǎo Bù Dào Chūkǒu (Pinyin)

Jīntiān wǎnshang, wǒ hé tóngshì cóng gōngsī dào shāngchǎng mǎi dōngxi. Wǒmen xiān zuò dìtiě dào rénmín guǎngchǎng, zài huàn yì tiáo xiàn qù xīmén. Dào le xīmén zhàn, wǒmen xià chē yǐhòu yào zhǎo chūkǒu, kěshì zhàn lǐ lù hěn duō, wǒ yíxiàzi jiù mílù le.

Wǒ kànzhe páizi zhǎo le bàntiān, háishì zhǎo bú dào “chūkǒu A”. Tóngshì shuō: “Bié jí, wǒmen xiān wǎng qián zǒu, kàndào gōngzuò rényuán zài wèn.” Zǒu dào yí gè lùkǒu, wǒ fāxiàn zuǒyòu dōu yǒu lóutī, wǒ bù zhīdào yīnggāi shàng lóu háishì xià lóu.

Zhè shí wǒ kànjiàn yí wèi āyí, jiù shuō: “Qǐngwèn, qù chūkǒu A zěnme zǒu?” Āyí xiǎng le yíxià, shuō: “Nǐ xiān xià lóu, dào dì-yī gè lùkǒu yòuzhuǎn, ránhòu yìzhí zǒu. Kàndào hónglǜdēng yǐhòu, zài zuǒzhuǎn, jiù néng kàndào chūkǒu A.” Wǒ tīng wán yǐhòu fàngxīn duō le, gǎnkuài zhàozhe tā shuō de zǒu.

Guǒrán, zǒu le jǐ fēnzhōng wǒ jiù kàndào le chūkǒu A. Wǒmen chū le dìtiě zhàn, wàimiàn hěn rènào, shāngchǎng jiù zài fùjìn. Tóngshì xiàozhe shuō: “Nǐ xiànzài wènlù hěn lìhai le!” Wǒ yě xiào le: “Duō wèn jǐ cì, jiù gèng fāngbiàn.”

Can’t Find the Exit

Tonight, my coworker and I went from the company to the mall to buy things. We first took the subway to People’s Square, and then transferred to another line to West Gate. After arriving at West Gate station, we needed to find the exit, but there were many paths inside the station, and I got lost right away.

I looked at the signs for a long time, but I still couldn’t find “Exit A.” My coworker said, “Don’t rush. Let’s walk forward first, and when we see a staff member, we’ll ask.” When we reached an intersection, I saw stairs on both the left and the right, and I didn’t know whether I should go upstairs or downstairs.

Then I saw an auntie and said, “Excuse me, how do I get to Exit A?” She thought for a moment and said, “Go downstairs first. Turn right at the first intersection, then keep walking. After you see the traffic light, turn left, and you’ll see Exit A.” After listening, I felt much more relieved and quickly followed what she said.

Sure enough, after a few minutes I saw Exit A. We left the subway station, and it was lively outside. The mall was nearby. My coworker smiled and said, “You’re really good at asking directions now!” I also smiled: “If you ask a few more times, it becomes even more convenient.”

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 Gōngjiāo Qù Péngyou Jiā (Pinyin)

Jīntiān shì zhōumò, wǒ xiǎng cóng jiā dào péngyou jiā yìqǐ chīfàn. Péngyou zhù zài chénglǐ, wǒ bù cháng qù nàbiān, suǒyǐ chūmén qián wǒ xiān kàn le yíxià dìtú. Wǒ zǒu dào gōngjiāochēzhàn, fāxiàn yào děng yìhuǐr. Pángbiān yǒu gè páizi xiězhe: zhè liàng chē dào rénmín gōngyuán, yígòng bā zhàn.

Chē lái le, wǒ shàng chē yǐhòu zhǎo le gè zuòwèi zuò xià. Wǒ pà zuò guò zhàn, jiù yìzhí tīng guǎngbō, yě kàn chuāngwài de lùkǒu hé hónglǜdēng. Guò le sān zhàn, wǒ háishì bù quèdìng, jiù wèn sījī: “Shīfu, qǐngwèn, dào dōngmén hái yǒu jǐ zhàn?” Sījī shuō: “Hái yǒu liǎng zhàn. Nǐ dào le yǐhòu xià chē, wǎng qián zǒu, dào dì-yī gè lùkǒu zuǒzhuǎn, zài zǒu yì fēnzhōng jiù dào nǐ péngyou zhù de xiǎoqū.”

Wǒ shuō xièxie, ránhòu jìxù zuò chē. Chē lǐ rén bù duō, wǒ xīnli bù nàme jǐnzhāng le. Dào le dōngmén, wǒ xià chē zhàozhe sījī shuō de zǒu. Wǒ xiān guò mǎlù, zài zuǒzhuǎn. Zǒu dào xiǎoqū ménkǒu shí, wǒ kànjiàn péngyou zài děng wǒ.

Péngyou xiàozhe shuō: “Nǐ jīntiān lái de hěn kuài!” Wǒ yě xiào le: “Wǒ xuéhuì le shǔ zhàn, yě xuéhuì le wènlù.” Yǐhòu wǒ qù xīn de dìfang, jiù bú huì nàme dānxīn le.

Taking the Bus to a Friend’s Home

Today is the weekend, and I wanted to go from my home to my friend’s home to eat together. My friend lives in the city, and I don’t go to that area often, so before going out I looked at the map first. I walked to the bus stop and found I had to wait for a while. A sign next to me said: this bus goes to People’s Park, eight stops in total.

When the bus came, I got on and found a seat. I was afraid of riding past my stop, so I kept listening to the announcements and also watched the intersections and traffic lights outside. After three stops, I still wasn’t sure, so I asked the driver, “Driver, excuse me, how many stops are left to East Gate?” The driver said, “Two more stops. After you arrive, get off and walk forward. Turn left at the first intersection, then walk one more minute and you’ll reach the neighborhood where your friend lives.”

I said thank you and continued riding. There weren’t many people on the bus, and I felt less nervous. At East Gate, I got off and followed what the driver said. I crossed the street first, then turned left. When I reached the entrance of the neighborhood, I saw my friend waiting for me.

My friend smiled and said, “You arrived very quickly today!” I also smiled: “I learned how to count stops, and I also learned how to ask for directions.” Next time I go somewhere new, I won’t worry so much.

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.