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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.

Cài Shìchǎng Mǎi Shuǐguǒ

Jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ qù cài shìchǎng mǎi shuǐguǒ. Shìchǎng lǐ hěn rènào, dàochù dōu shì mài cài hé mài shuǐguǒ de rén. Wǒ xiǎng mǎi píngguǒ hé chéngzi, kěshì wǒ bù zhīdào nǎ gè tānwèi gèng piányi.

Wǒ xiān zǒu dào yí gè shuǐguǒ tān, zhǐ zhe píngguǒ wèn: “Zhège píngguǒ duōshao qián yì jīn?” Lǎobǎn shuō: “Bā kuài yì jīn.” Wǒ juéde yǒudiǎn guì, jiù yòu qù pángbiān wèn chéngzi. Nà jiā tānwèi shuō chéngzi liù kuài yì jīn, érqiě kàn qǐlái hěn xīnxiān.

Wǒ xiǎng le xiǎng, juédìng zài dì èr jiā mǎi. Wǒ duì lǎobǎn shuō: “Wǒ mǎi liǎng jīn chéngzi, zài mǎi yì jīn píngguǒ, kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎnr ma?” Lǎobǎn xiào zhe shuō: “Hǎo ba, gěi nǐ piányi liǎng kuài.” Wǒ juéde hěn huásuàn, jiù mǎshàng ràng tā bāng wǒ zhuāng hǎo.

Fùqián de shíhou wǒ yòng shǒujī zhīfù, hái gēn lǎobǎn shuō xièxie. Huí jiā yǐhòu wǒ fāxiàn shuǐguǒ zhēn de hěn hǎo chī. Xiànzài wǒ xuéhuì le: zài cài shìchǎng mǎi dōngxi, xiān wèn jiàgé, duō bǐjiào, zài lǐmào de shuō “piányi yìdiǎnr”, chángcháng huì gèng shěng qián.

Buying Fruit at the Market

This morning I went to the farmers’ market to buy fruit. The market was lively, with people selling vegetables and fruit everywhere. I wanted to buy apples and oranges, but I didn’t know which stall was cheaper.

I first walked to a fruit stall, pointed at the apples, and asked, “How much are these apples per jin?” The seller said, “8 yuan per jin.” I felt it was a bit expensive, so I went next door to ask about oranges. That stall said oranges were 6 yuan per jin, and they looked very fresh.

I thought about it and decided to buy from the second stall. I said, “I’ll buy two jin of oranges and one jin of apples—can it be a little cheaper?” The seller smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll make it 2 yuan cheaper for you.” I felt it was a good deal and asked him to pack them up.

When paying, I used phone payment and thanked the seller. After getting home, I found the fruit was really tasty. Now I’ve learned: at markets, ask prices first, compare more, and politely say “a bit cheaper,” and you can often save money.

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.

Zài Chāoshì Mǎi Dōngxi

Jīntiān xiàbān yǐhòu, wǒ qù chāoshì mǎi yìxiē rìyòngpǐn. Jìn mén yǐhòu wǒ xiān ná le yí gè lánzi, ránhòu dǎkāi shǒujī lǐ de gòuwù qīngdān: niúnǎi, miànbāo, jīdàn, hái yào mǎi yìdiǎn shuǐguǒ.

Wǒ zǒu dào niúnǎi qū, fāxiàn tóngyàng de niúnǎi yǒu liǎng zhǒng páizi, jiàgé chàbuduō. Wǒ kàn le bǎozhìqī, xuǎn le gèng xīnxiān de. Mǎi miànbāo de shíhou, wǒ kàn dào yǒu dǎzhé de biāozhì, jiù duō mǎi le yí gè. Hòulái wǒ yòu qù chēng shuǐguǒ, píngguǒ yì jīn bā kuài, xiāngjiāo yì jīn liù kuài, wǒ juéde hěn piányi.

Jiézhàng shí, shōuyínyuán wèn wǒ yòng xiànjīn háishi shǒujī zhīfù. Wǒ yòng xiànjīn, yīnwèi wǒ xiǎng liànxí zhǎoqián. Wǒ gěi le tā yì bǎi kuài, tā shuō yí gòng liùshíbā kuài, ránhòu bǎ zhǎo wǒ de qián gěi wǒ. Wǒ jiǎnchá le yíxià, méi yǒu cuò, xīnli hěn fàngxīn.

Huí jiā yǐhòu wǒ fāxiàn zìjǐ mǎi de gānggāng hǎo, méi yǒu huā tài duō qián. Xiànzài wǒ yuèláiyuè xǐhuan zài chāoshì mǎi dōngxi: xiān liè qīngdān, zài bǐjiào jiàgé hé dǎzhé xìnxī, zhēn de hěn shěngxīn.

Shopping at the Supermarket

After work today, I went to the supermarket to buy some daily necessities. After entering, I first took a basket, then opened my shopping list on my phone: milk, bread, eggs, and some fruit.

I went to the milk section and saw two brands of the same product with similar prices. I checked the expiration date and chose the fresher one. When buying bread, I saw a discount sign, so I bought one extra. Later I weighed fruit: apples were 8 yuan per jin and bananas were 6 yuan per jin, which I felt was cheap.

At checkout, the cashier asked if I wanted to pay by cash or phone. I used cash because I wanted to practice receiving change. I gave her 100 yuan; she said the total was 68 yuan and gave me the change. I checked it and it was correct, so I felt reassured.

After getting home, I realized I bought just the right amount and didn’t spend too much money. Now I like supermarket shopping more and more: make a list first, then compare prices and discount information—it really makes life easier.

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 Wènlù (Pinyin)

Jīntiān xiàwǔ, wǒ yào cóng xuéxiào dào yínháng bàn diǎn shì. Tiānqì bù lěng bù rè, kěshì lùshang rén hěn duō, wǒ pà zǒu cuò, jiù xiān dǎkāi shǒujī dìtú. Wǒ zǒu dào yí gè lùkǒu, kànjiàn qiánmiàn yǒu gè dìtiě zhàn, kě wǒ bù quèdìng yínháng shì bú shì zài nàbiān.

Wǒ kànjiàn yí wèi shūshu, jiù wèn: “Qǐngwèn, cóng zhèlǐ dào yínháng zěnme zǒu?” Shūshu shuō: “Nǐ xiān yìzhí zǒu, dào dì-èr gè hónglǜdēng yòuzhuǎn. Yòuzhuǎn yǐhòu zài zǒu liǎng fēnzhōng, jiù néng kàndào yínháng. Yàoshi nǐ xiǎng zuò chē, yě kěyǐ zuò gōnggòngqìchē, zuò sān zhàn jiù dào.” Wǒ shuō: “Xièxie nín! Nà cóng yínháng dào yóujú yuǎn bù yuǎn?” Shūshu xiào zhe shuō: “Bù yuǎn, cóng yínháng chūlái wǎng zuǒ zǒu, guò mǎlù jiù dào le.”

Wǒ zhàozhe tā shuō de zǒu, hěn kuài jiù dào le yínháng. Bàn wán shì yǐhòu, wǒ xiǎng qù yóujú jì dōngxi, kěshì wǒ yòu yǒudiǎnr jǐnzhāng. Wǒ zhàn zài ménkǒu kàn páizi, fāxiàn yóujú jiù zài fùjìn, wǒ bú yòng zài zuò dìtiě, yě bú yòng huàn chē.

Wǒ zǒu dào yóujú ménkǒu, xīnli hěn kāixīn. Jīntiān wǒ xuéhuì le yòng “cóng…dào…”, yě xuéhuì le zuǒzhuǎn, yòuzhuǎn hé yìzhí zǒu. Yǐhòu zài chéngshì lǐ, wǒ juéde chūmén gèng fāngbiàn le.

Asking for Directions in the City

This afternoon, I needed to go from my school to the bank to handle something. The weather was neither cold nor hot, but there were many people on the road. I was afraid of going the wrong way, so I opened the map on my phone first. I walked to an intersection and saw a subway station ahead, but I wasn’t sure if the bank was over there.

I saw an uncle and asked, “Excuse me, how do I get from here to the bank?” He said, “Walk straight first, and turn right at the second traffic light. After you turn right, walk for two more minutes and you’ll see the bank. If you want to take a ride, you can also take a public bus—three stops and you’ll arrive.” I said, “Thank you! Then is it far from the bank to the post office?” The uncle smiled and said, “Not far. After you come out of the bank, walk left, cross the street, and you’ll arrive.”

I followed what he said and arrived at the bank quickly. After finishing, I wanted to go to the post office to mail something, but I felt a bit nervous again. I stood at the entrance and looked at the sign, and found the post office was nearby, so I didn’t need to take the subway again or transfer.

I walked to the post office entrance and felt very happy. Today I learned how to use “from…to…,” and also learned “turn left,” “turn right,” and “walk straight.” From now on, in the city, I feel going out is 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.

Xiàbān Yǐhòu (Pinyin)

Wǒ zài chénglǐ gōngzuò, měitiān xiàbān yǐhòu dōu yào zuò chē huí jiā. Jīntiān gōngsī kāihuì dào hěn wǎn, wǒ yí chūlái jiù juéde yǒudiǎnr lèi, wàimiàn yòu xiàzhe xiǎoyǔ. Wǒ zhàn zài ménkǒu kàn shíjiānbiǎo, fāxiàn gōngjiāochē hái yào děng shí fēnzhōng.

Wǒ xiǎng xiān zuò dìtiě, zài huàn gōngjiāo, zhèyàng bǐjiào kuài. Cóng gōngsī dào dìtiě zhàn yào zǒu yí duàn lù, wǒ lùshang yìzhí kànzhe lùbiāo, pà zǒu cuò. Dào le zhànkǒu, wǒ yòng shǒujī mǎi piào, ránhòu jìnzhàn. Chē lái le yǐhòu, wǒ xiān zhǎo gè wèizhì zuò xià, zài tīng guǎngbō kàn fāngxiàng.

Dào le zhōngzhuǎnzhàn, wǒ děi huàn chē. Wǒ wèn pángbiān de rén: “Qǐngwèn, qù dōngmén zěnme huàn?” Tā shuō: “Nǐ cóng zhè tiáo xiàn dào xià yí zhàn, ránhòu chūzhàn, wǎng yòu zǒu, kàndào hónglǜdēng jiù zuǒzhuǎn, gōngjiāochēzhàn jiù zài qiánmiàn.”

Wǒ zhàozhe tā shuō de zǒu, hěn kuài jiù dào chēzhàn. Gōngjiāochē lái le, wǒ shàng chē shuākǎ, xīnli zhōngyú fàngsōng. Suīrán jīntiān hěn máng, dàn wǒ fāxiàn xuéhuì wènlù hé huàn chē, huí jiā zhēn de gèng fāngbiàn.

After Work

I work in the city, and every day after getting off work I have to take transport home. Today the meeting at the company ran very late. As soon as I came out, I felt a little tired, and it was also raining lightly outside. I stood at the entrance and looked at the timetable, and found I still had to wait ten minutes for the bus.

I wanted to take the subway first, then transfer to a bus, because it’s faster. From the company to the subway station, I had to walk for a while. On the way, I kept looking at the road signs because I was afraid of going the wrong way. After arriving at the entrance, I bought a ticket with my phone and then entered the station. When the train came, I first found a seat, and then listened to the announcements and checked the direction.

At the transfer station, I had to change to another ride. I asked someone next to me, “Excuse me, how do I transfer to go to East Gate?” He said, “Take this line to the next stop, then exit the station and walk to the right. When you see the traffic light, turn left, and the bus stop is right ahead.”

I followed what he said, and I arrived at the bus stop quickly. When the bus came, I tapped my card to get on, and I finally relaxed. Even though today was busy, I realized that learning to ask for directions and transfer makes getting home really 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.

Dìng Fángjiān (Pinyin)

Xià zhōu wǒ xiǎng qù Shànghǎi wán liǎng tiān, yīnwèi wǒ hěn jiǔ méi qùguo dà chéngshì le, suǒyǐ xiǎng huàn gè dìfang zǒuzou. Jīntiān wǎnshang wǒ zài jiā yòng shǒujī zhǎo jiǔdiàn. Wǒ xiān kàn jiàgé, zài kàn dìdiǎn: yǒu de jiǔdiàn bǐjiào piányi, kěshì lí dìtiě zhàn hěn yuǎn; yǒu de lí dìtiě zhàn hěn jìn, dànshì fángjiān yǒudiǎnr xiǎo.

Wǒ xiǎng le xiǎng, juéde fāngbiàn zuì zhòngyào, jiù xuǎn le yì jiā lí dìtiě zhàn zǒulù wǔ fēnzhōng de jiǔdiàn. Wǒ gěi jiǔdiàn dǎ diànhuà shuō: “Nǐhǎo, wǒ xiǎng dìng yí gè fángjiān.” Qiántái wèn wǒ: “Nǐ yào zhù jǐ tiān? Shénme shíhou rùzhù?” Wǒ shuō: “Zhù liǎng tiān, xià zhōu sān rùzhù.”

Qiántái yòu wèn: “Nǐ yào dàchuángfáng háishì shuāngrénfáng?” Wǒ shuō: “Dàchuángfáng. Qǐngwèn, yì wǎn duōshao qián? Yǒu méiyǒu zǎocān?” Qiántái shuō: “Yì wǎn sānbǎi kuài, hán zǎocān.” Wǒ juéde hái kěyǐ, jiù bǎ míngzi hé diànhuà gàosu tā.

Dìng hǎo yǐhòu, wǒ bǎ xìnxī xiě zài běnzi shàng, yě gěi péngyou fā xiāoxi. Zhèyàng dào le Shànghǎi, wǒ jiù bú yòng dānxīn méi yǒu dìfang zhù le.

Booking a Hotel Room

Next week I want to go to Shanghai for two days. Because I haven’t been to a big city for a long time, I want to change places and take a walk. Tonight I searched for hotels on my phone at home. I checked the price first and then the location: some hotels were cheaper but far from the subway; some were close to the subway but the rooms were a bit small.

After thinking about it, I felt convenience was the most important, so I chose a hotel that is a five-minute walk from the subway station. I called the hotel and said, “Hello, I’d like to book a room.” The front desk asked, “How many days will you stay? When will you check in?” I said, “Two days, next Wednesday.”

The front desk asked again, “Do you want a king room or a twin room?” I said, “A king room. How much is it per night? Is breakfast included?” The front desk said, “300 yuan per night, breakfast included.” I felt it was okay, so I gave my name and phone number.

After booking, I wrote the information in my notebook and also messaged my friend. That way, when I arrive in Shanghai, I won’t worry about having nowhere to stay.

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.