Author: Per Johansson

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “可以吗？” (polite request / asking permission)
Use 可以吗 at the end of a sentence to ask politely if something is okay.
Structure: （我们）+ 动作/建议 + 可以吗？
This is a common, natural way to negotiate time and plans.
Here it’s used to change the meeting time.

Examples:
我们改到四点见面，可以吗？
这样做可以吗？

Grammar rule #2: “当然…” (of course)
当然 is used to show a confident, friendly “of course / certainly”.
It often appears in replies to requests or questions.
It can stand alone (当然) or be followed by 可以/行/没问题.
Here it makes the reply warm and supportive.

Examples:
当然可以。
当然没问题。

Idiomatic Expressions

• 我可能赶不上 – meaning
  Example: 我可能赶不上。
• 晚一点儿到 – meaning
  Example: 我得晚一点儿到。
• 你先忙吧 – meaning
  Example: 你先忙吧。
• 路上小心 – meaning
  Example: 路上小心。
• 放心多了 – meaning
  Example: 我放心多了。

Cultural Insights

• Changing plans politely
  When plans change, people often say 不好意思 first to show politeness.
  Then they suggest a new time and ask “可以吗？” to confirm.
  This is a practical pattern for daily life in Chinese.
• Friendly replies
  “当然可以” is a common friendly answer meaning “of course.”
  Adding “你先忙吧” shows understanding and support.
  It makes the conversation warm and natural.
• Meeting at cafés
  Cafés are common meeting places for friends because they’re quiet and comfortable.
  This setting is useful for beginner stories: simple location + simple actions like 聊天.
  It also fits well with time expressions (三点 / 四点).

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “一边…一边…” (do two things at the same time)
Use 一边…一边… to show two actions happen at the same time.
Structure: 一边 + 动作A，一边 + 动作B。
This is very common in HSK 2 daily-life situations.
Here it describes walking while checking the map.

Examples:
一边看一边走。
一边…一边…

Grammar rule #2: “越…越…” (the more… the more…)
Use 越…越… to describe a change that increases over time.
Structure: 越 + 动词/形容词，越 + 动词/形容词。
It’s useful for showing feelings getting stronger (more confused, more tired, etc.).
Here it shows the narrator feels more and more wrong.

Examples:
越走越觉得不对。
越…越…

Idiomatic Expressions

• 怎么也…不… – meaning
  Example: 我怎么也找不到方向。
• 看起来都差不多 – meaning
  Example: 路看起来都差不多。
• 只好… – meaning
  Example: 只好停下来问路。
• 请问…怎么走？ – meaning
  Example: 请问去这个小区怎么走？
• 终于…了 – meaning
  Example: 终于找到朋友家了。

Cultural Insights

• Asking strangers for directions
  In many cities, it is normal to ask strangers for directions with polite words like 请问 and 不好意思.
  This makes “问路” a very practical topic for learners.
  It also gives a natural chance to practice direction words like 往左拐.
• Community (小区) living
  小区 is a common word for residential communities, especially in cities.
  Visitors often need to ask “去这个小区怎么走” because the entrances can be hard to find.
  This is realistic daily-life vocabulary for living in China.
• Being late politely
  Arriving late by a few minutes is a common small problem in city life.
  Stories like this show problem-solving and gratitude without complex language.
  It helps learners talk about delays and outcomes (结果…).

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “一…就…” (as soon as)
Use 一…就… to show that action B happens right after action A.
Structure: 一 + 动作A，就 + 动作B。
This is common in HSK 2 for quick reactions and routines.
Here it shows the narrator went immediately after hearing the news.

Examples:
我一听到这个消息就马上去了。
一…就…

Grammar rule #2: “结果 + sentence” (as a result)
结果 can be used to introduce a result, often after a reason or situation.
Structure: 原因/情况，结果 + 结果句。
It often introduces an unexpected or not-so-ideal result.
Here it shows the narrator ended up buying more than planned.

Examples:
本来我只想买两样东西，结果越看越想买。
结果…

Idiomatic Expressions

• 一听到…就… – meaning
  Example: 一听到这个消息就马上去了。
• 没想到… – meaning
  Example: 没想到人特别多。
• 走来走去 – meaning
  Example: 在里面走来走去。
• 差不多…分钟 – meaning
  Example: 差不多二十分钟。
• 花得不多 – meaning
  Example: 花得不多。

Cultural Insights

• Discount shopping crowds
  When big supermarkets have 打折, it’s common to see many people go early and queue.
  This makes vocabulary like 排队 and 收银台 very practical.
  It also creates a natural “unexpected result” for using 结果.
• Buying more than planned
  Many people experience “I only wanted a few things, but bought more.”
  That’s why 本来…结果… is a very natural story pattern for learners.
  It helps connect cause and effect in simple Chinese.
• Patience in daily life
  Waiting in line is a common daily-life experience, especially during sales.
  Using 耐心 makes the story feel realistic and gives a useful personal opinion sentence.
  Learners can easily reuse this in real conversations.

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “没有…而是…” (not… but rather…)
Use 没有…而是… to correct an expectation: “not A, but B.”
Structure: 没有 + 动作A，而是 + 动作B。
This is useful for explaining decisions and contrasts clearly.
Here it shows the narrator’s choice after graduation.

Examples:
没有马上去找工作，而是决定先去旅行。
没有…而是…

Grammar rule #2: “虽然…但是…还是…” (although… still…)
Use 虽然…但是… to show a contrast between two facts.
Adding 还是 emphasizes that the second action happens despite the first situation.
This is common in HSK 2 for family discussions and opinions.
Here it shows the parents worry, but still listen.

Examples:
虽然他们这样说，但是他们还是听了我的想法。
虽然…但是…还是…

Idiomatic Expressions

• 毕业以后 – meaning
  Example: 我大学毕业以后…
• 找工作 – meaning
  Example: 没有马上去找工作。
• 听…的想法 – meaning
  Example: 还是听了我的想法。
• 放松一下 – meaning
  Example: 也想放松一下。
• 更成熟了 – meaning
  Example: 回来的时候，我觉得自己更成熟了。

Cultural Insights

• Post-graduation choices
  Some graduates choose to travel before starting full-time work, especially to relax after years of study.
  This topic naturally includes planning vocabulary like 计划 and 决定.
  It also makes a good setting for family opinion sentences.
• Family discussions
  Stories often show parents worrying and giving advice, because it reflects common family communication.
  This supports useful grammar for contrast like 虽然…但是… and choices like 没有…而是…
  It also teaches polite ways to explain personal decisions.
• Simple travel planning
  Planning a route (先…再…) and preparing money are practical travel skills.
  These are easy to describe with beginner-level words and numbers.
  It helps learners talk about trips in a structured way.

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “第一次 + verb” (first time doing)
Use 第一次 before a verb to say it’s your first time doing something.
Structure: 主语 + 第一次 + 动词 + …
This is common in HSK 2 when talking about new experiences (travel, food, festivals).
It helps make stories personal and clear.

Examples:
今年是我第一次在中国过春节。
第一次…过春节。

Grammar rule #2: “…的时候” (when / during)
Use …的时候 to indicate “when…” or “during…”.
Structure: 时间/动作 + 的时候，…
It is very useful for describing holiday routines and sequences.
Here it marks the New Year’s Eve moment clearly.

Examples:
除夕的时候，我跟朋友的家人一起包饺子。
见到亲戚的时候要说…

Idiomatic Expressions

• 特别期待 – meaning
  Example: 所以我特别期待。
• 到处都是… – meaning
  Example: 街上到处都是红色的装饰。
• 年夜饭 – meaning
  Example: 吃年夜饭。
• 新年快乐 – meaning
  Example: 要说“新年快乐”。
• 不好意思 – meaning
  Example: 我觉得很不好意思。

Cultural Insights

• Spring Festival importance
  Spring Festival (春节) is widely considered the most important traditional holiday in China, and family reunion is a key theme.
  Beginner stories often focus on red decorations, dumplings, and greetings because they are easy to describe.
  This helps learners talk about real holiday experiences.
• Red envelopes
  红包 are commonly given by elders to younger people during the New Year as a symbol of good luck.
  Learners often practice giving and receiving language through this custom (给我红包 / 谢谢).
  It also introduces polite feelings like 不好意思.
• New Year’s Eve routine
  Many families eat 年夜饭, watch TV, and stay up until midnight on 除夕.
  This routine fits well with time expressions like …的时候 and sequencing words.
  It makes a great topic for short, clear HSK 2 narratives.

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “Time/Verb + 以后, …” (after…)
Use 以后 after a time word (or an action) to show what happens after that point.
Structure: 时间/动作 + 以后，…
This is common for routines and schedules, especially with clock times.
In this story it sets the habit “after 10 p.m.”.

Examples:
晚上十点以后还常常玩手机。
十点以后不再玩手机。

Grammar rule #2: “不再 + verb” (not anymore)
Use 不再 to say you will stop doing something and won’t do it anymore.
Structure: 不再 + 动词 + …
It is useful for describing changes in habits or decisions.
Here it shows the narrator changing a late-night phone habit.

Examples:
决定十点以后不再玩手机。
不再玩手机。

Idiomatic Expressions

• 再看一会儿 – meaning
  Example: 觉得“再看一会儿”没关系。
• 时间一长 – meaning
  Example: 时间一长，我就开始熬夜。
• 起不来 – meaning
  Example: 第二天早上起不来。
• 想慢慢做 – meaning
  Example: 什么都想慢慢做。
• 精神多了 – meaning
  Example: 我发现早上精神多了。

Cultural Insights

• Phone habits
  “玩手机” is a modern daily-life phrase and fits naturally into beginner stories.
  It helps learners talk about routines and self-control in simple sentences.
  This topic feels relevant to many learners.
• Staying up late
  熬夜 is a common word used when people sleep too late because of work or entertainment.
  Stories about 熬夜 often include consequences like 困 and 起不来, which are practical words.
  This makes the vocabulary easy to remember through cause and effect.
• Building better routines
  Many learner stories end with a simple habit change and a positive result.
  This supports language for decisions like 决定 and 不再…, and for progress like 坚持.
  It also encourages learners to describe their own routines.

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “很少 + verb” (rarely do)
Use 很少 before a verb to say something doesn’t happen often.
Structure: 主语 + 很少 + 动词 + …
It is common for describing habits and personality.
Here it describes Teacher Li’s temper.

Examples:
他很少生气。
李老师很少生气。

Grammar rule #2: “虽然…但是…还是…” (concession + still)
Use 虽然…但是… to show “although…, but…”.
Adding 还是 emphasizes that the action continues despite the problem (“still…”).
This pattern is very common in HSK 2 for polite, realistic situations.
Here it shows the teacher stays patient even when students make mistakes.

Examples:
虽然这样不太好，但是李老师还是先让他们坐下。
虽然…但是…还是…

Idiomatic Expressions

• 工作很认真 – meaning
  Example: 李老师工作很认真。
• 总是… – meaning
  Example: 上课的时候总是耐心地解释。
• 忘了带… – meaning
  Example: 有的学生忘了带作业。
• 下次要注意 – meaning
  Example: 告诉他们下次要注意。
• 留在教室 – meaning
  Example: 下课以后，他还常常留在教室。

Cultural Insights

• Respect for responsible teachers
  Many students value teachers who are patient and responsible, so this is a common story theme.
  It also introduces classroom vocabulary like 迟到, 作业, and 教室 in a natural way.
  This topic is practical for describing school life.
• Polite correction
  Teachers often correct students with reminders like “下次要注意” instead of getting angry.
  This shows a common style of gentle advice in daily Chinese.
  It helps learners practice polite, realistic expressions.
• After-class questions
  Students often ask questions after class, and teachers may stay to help.
  This scene supports useful verbs like 回答 and 帮助.
  It also reflects a common school routine.

Grammar

Grammar rule #1: “看起来 + adjective” (looks/seems)
Use 看起来 to describe the impression someone or something gives.
Structure: 主语 + 看起来 + 形容词。
It is often used for appearance, behavior, or first impressions.
Here it describes the new colleague’s manner.

Examples:
新同事看起来很有礼貌，也很友好。
他看起来很友好。

Grammar rule #2: “先…再…” (first… then…)
Use 先 and 再 to show the order of actions.
Structure: 先 + 动作1，再 + 动作2。
This is common in workplace routines and instructions.
It helps describe onboarding steps clearly.

Examples:
我们先告诉他每天要做什么，再带他去开会。
先介绍…再…

Idiomatic Expressions

• 来了一个… – meaning
  Example: 我们公司来了一个新同事。
• 去欢迎… – meaning
  Example: 大家都去欢迎他。
• 刚来 – meaning
  Example: 因为他刚来，有些事情不太懂。
• 不太懂 – meaning
  Example: 有些事情不太懂。
• 不紧张了 – meaning
  Example: 过了几天，他…也不紧张了。

Cultural Insights

• Welcoming a new colleague
  Many workplaces introduce new staff to the team on the first day.
  This creates natural language for “welcome + introduction” scenes in learner stories.
  It also teaches polite, practical vocabulary like 礼貌 and 介绍.
• Learning by asking
  New employees often ask questions while learning procedures.
  Using 常常问… is a simple and realistic way to show this stage.
  It also models a good learning attitude for students.
• Meetings as routine
  开会 is a common daily word for office life and appears early in many textbooks.
  It is easy to connect with sequencing words like 先…再…
  This helps learners describe work life in simple paragraphs.