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Fángjiān Méiyǒu Rèshuǐ (Pinyin)

Wǎnshang wǒ huí dào jiǔdiàn fángjiān, xiǎng xǐ gè zǎo, kěshì dǎkāi shuǐlóngtóu yǐhòu, shuǐ yìdiǎnr yě bù rè. Wǒ děng le jǐ fēnzhōng, háishì méiyǒu rèshuǐ, suǒyǐ yǒudiǎnr zháojí.

Wǒ gěi qiántái dǎ diànhuà shuō: “Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ fángjiān méiyǒu rèshuǐ, néng bu néng qǐng nǐmen bāng wǒ kànkan?” Qiántái shuō: “Kěyǐ de, qǐngwèn nǐ zhù jǐ hào fáng?” Wǒ shuō: “Yī èr líng liù.”

Guò le yíhuǐr, gōngzuò rényuán shànglái le. Tā xiān kàn le kàn yùshì, yòu qù kàn jīqì, ránhòu shuō: “Kěnéng shì zhège fángjiān de rèshuǐ huài le.” Wǒ wèn: “Nà wǒ kěyǐ huàn yí gè fángjiān ma?” Tā huídá: “Kěyǐ, wǒ xiànzài bāng nǐ huàn.”

Wǒ gēnzhe tā qù qiántái ná xīn fángkǎ, zài huí dào xīn fángjiān fàng xíngli. Xīn fángjiān de rèshuǐ hěn kuài jiù chūlái le. Wǒ shuō: “Máfan nǐ le, xièxie!” Gōngzuò rényuán shuō: “Bú kèqi.”

No Hot Water

At night I returned to my hotel room and wanted to take a shower, but after I turned on the faucet, the water wasn’t hot at all. I waited a few minutes, but there was still no hot water, so I felt a bit anxious.

I called the front desk and said, “Sorry, there’s no hot water in my room. Could you please help me take a look?” The front desk said, “Sure. Which room are you in?” I said, “1206.”

After a while, a staff member came up. He checked the bathroom and then checked the machine and said, “It might be that the hot water in this room is broken.” I asked, “Then can I change rooms?” He replied, “Yes, I’ll help you change now.”

I followed him to the front desk to get a new room card, then went back to the new room to put down my luggage. The new room had hot water quickly. I said, “Sorry to trouble you—thank you!” The staff said, “You’re welcome.”

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.

Yì Zhōu Fùxí: Jiǔdiàn hé Lǚxíng (Pinyin)

Zhè zhōu wǒ qù Shànghǎi lǚxíng, liǎng tiān guò de hěn kuài. Chūfā qián wǒ xiān yòng shǒujī dìng jiǔdiàn, yīnwèi wǒ xiǎng zhù de fāngbiàn yìdiǎnr, suǒyǐ xuǎn le lí dìtiě zhàn zǒulù wǔ fēnzhōng de. Wǒ dìng hǎo yǐhòu bǎ xìnxī xiě zài běnzi shàng, yě gàosu péngyou.

Dào le Shànghǎi, wǒ xiān qù qiántái bànlǐ rùzhù shǒuxù. Gōngzuò rényuán wèn wǒ shénme shíhou rùzhù, zhù jǐ tiān, hái ràng wǒ chūshì shēnfènzhèng. Wǒ fù le fángfèi, ná dào fángkǎ, jiù shàng lóu xiūxi. Fángjiān bú dà, dànshì hěn gānjìng.

Wǎnshang wǒ xiǎng xǐzǎo, kěshì fángjiān méiyǒu rèshuǐ. Wǒ yǒudiǎnr zháojí, jiù gěi qiántái dǎ diànhuà shuō “bù hǎoyìsi”, wèn néng bu néng bāng wǒ kànkan. Gōngzuò rényuán shànglái yǐhòu shuō kěnéng rèshuǐ huài le, kěyǐ gěi wǒ huàn fángjiān. Wǒ gēnzhe tā qù qiántái ná xīn fángkǎ, máfan tā le, yě shuō le xièxie.

Dì-èr tiān wǒ zài jiǔdiàn fùjìn zhǎo fànguǎn chī niúròu miàn. Fúwùyuán wèn wǒ jǐ gè rén, hái shuō tāmen de miàn yòu piányi yòu hǎochī. Wǒ bú yào tài là, chī wán juéde wèidào zhēn bú cuò. Hòulái wǒ qù shì zhōngxīn de jǐngdiǎn pāizhào, kěshì xià le dìtiě yǐhòu zhǎo bù dào lù, jiù wèn lùbiān de āyí. Āyí gàosu wǒ yìzhí wǎng qián zǒu, dào dì-èr gè lùkǒu yòuzhuǎn, zài zǒu wǔ fēnzhōng jiù dào. Wǒ zhàozhe tā shuō de zǒu, hěn kuài jiù dào le.

Huí jiā de nà tiān zǎoshang, wǒ kàn shíjiān yǐjīng qī diǎn bàn le, lí qǐfēi hái yǒu sān gè xiǎoshí. Wǒ hái méi shōushi wán ne, jiù jiē dào péngyou diànhuà. Wǒ shuō wǒ kuài yào tuìfáng le, ràng tā bié zháojí. Dào le qiántái wǒ tuìfáng, hái wèn qù jīchǎng zěnme zǒu bǐjiào fāngbiàn. Gōngzuò rényuán shuō zuò dìtiě yě kěyǐ, dǎchē yě kěyǐ. Suīrán zhè cì lǚxíng hěn duǎn, dànshì wǒ xuéhuì le hěn duō shíyòng de shēnghuó Zhōngwén, xīnli yuèláiyuè fàngxīn.

Weekly Review: Hotel & Travel

This week I traveled to Shanghai, and the two days went by quickly. Before leaving, I booked a hotel on my phone. Because I wanted it to be convenient, I chose one that is a five-minute walk from the subway station. After booking, I wrote the information in my notebook and also told my friend.

After arriving, I went to the front desk first to check in. The staff asked when I would check in and how many days I would stay, and also asked me to show my ID. I paid the room fee, got the room card, and went upstairs to rest. The room wasn’t big, but it was clean.

At night I wanted to take a shower, but there was no hot water. I felt a bit anxious, so I called the front desk, said “sorry,” and asked if they could help check. The staff came up and said the hot water might be broken, and they could change my room. I followed him to the front desk to get a new room card and thanked him.

On the second day I ate beef noodles near the hotel. The waiter asked how many people and said their noodles were both cheap and tasty. I didn’t want it too spicy, and after eating I felt the taste was really good. Later I went to a sight downtown to take photos, but after getting off the subway I couldn’t find the way, so I asked an aunt on the street. She told me to walk straight, turn right at the second intersection, and walk five more minutes to arrive. I followed what she said and got there quickly.

On the morning I went home, I checked the time: it was already 7:30, and my flight would leave in three hours. I still hadn’t finished packing when my friend called. I said I was about to check out and told him not to worry. At the front desk, I checked out and asked what the most convenient way to the airport was. The staff said subway was okay and taxi was okay. Although this trip was short, I learned a lot of practical everyday Chinese, and I felt more and more reassured.

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.

Tuìfáng Qù Jīchǎng (Pinyin)

Zài Shànghǎi de liǎng tiān guò de hěn kuài, jīntiān zǎoshang wǒ jiù yào huí jiā le. Wǒ kàn le kàn shǒujī, yǐjīng qī diǎn bàn le, lí fēijī qǐfēi hái yǒu sān gè xiǎoshí. Wǒ juéde shíjiān chàbuduō le, jiù zhǔnbèi tuìfáng qù jīchǎng.

Wǒ xiān shōushi xíngli, kěshì wǒ hái méi shōushi wán ne, péngyou jiù gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà wèn wǒ zài nǎlǐ. Wǒ shuō: “Wǒ hái zài jiǔdiàn, kuài yào tuìfáng le. Nǐ bié zháojí, wǒ mǎshàng chūmén.”

Dào le qiántái, wǒ bǎ fángkǎ huán gěi gōngzuò rényuán, shuō: “Nǐhǎo, wǒ yào tuìfáng.” Gōngzuò rényuán wèn wǒ: “Nǐ xūyào fāpiào ma?” Wǒ shuō: “Xūyào. Hái yǒu, qǐngwèn qù jīchǎng zěnme zǒu bǐjiào fāngbiàn?”

Gōngzuò rényuán shuō: “Nǐ kěyǐ zuò dìtiě, yě kěyǐ dǎchē. Xiànzài bù dǔchē, dǎchē dàgài sìshí fēnzhōng.” Wǒ xiǎng le xiǎng, juédìng dǎchē. Chūmén de shíhou, wǒ juéde zhè cì lǚxíng hěn shùnlì, yě xīwàng xiàcì hái néng zài lái.

Checking Out and Going to the Airport

The two days in Shanghai passed quickly, and this morning I’m going home. I checked my phone: it was already 7:30, and my flight would leave in three hours. I felt the timing was about right, so I prepared to check out and go to the airport.

I packed my luggage first, but I still hadn’t finished packing when my friend called and asked where I was. I said, “I’m still at the hotel. I’m about to check out. Don’t worry—I’ll go out right away.”

At the front desk, I returned the room card and said, “Hello, I’d like to check out.” The staff asked, “Do you need an invoice?” I said, “Yes. Also, what’s the most convenient way to get to the airport?”

The staff said, “You can take the subway, or you can take a taxi. There’s no traffic now; by taxi it’s about 40 minutes.” I thought about it and decided to take a taxi. When I left, I felt the trip went smoothly, and I hoped I could come again next time.

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.

Qù Jǐngdiǎn Pāizhào (Pinyin)

Dì-èr tiān zǎoshang tiānqì hěn hǎo, wǒ xiǎng qù yí gè yǒumíng de dìfang kànkan, shùnbiàn pāi diǎnr zhàopiàn. Wǒ cóng jiǔdiàn chūmén, zuò dìtiě qù shì zhōngxīn. Kěshì wǒ xià le dìtiě yǐhòu yǒudiǎnr zhǎo bù dào lù, jiù wèn lùbiān de āyí.

Wǒ shuō: “Āyí, bù hǎoyìsi, qǐngwèn qù zhège jǐngdiǎn zěnme zǒu?” Āyí kàn le kàn wǒ de shǒujī, shuō: “Yìzhí wǎng qián zǒu, dào dì-èr gè lùkǒu yòuzhuǎn, zài zǒu wǔ fēnzhōng jiù dào le.” Wǒ shuō xièxie, zhàozhe tā shuō de zǒu, hěn kuài jiù dào le.

Nàlǐ rén hěn duō, wǒ xiān mǎi piào, zài jìnqù. Jìnqù yǐhòu wǒ yìbiān zǒu yìbiān kàn, hái yìbiān pāizhào. Wǒ juéde Shànghǎi de jiànzhù hěn piàoliang, yě juéde zìjǐ jīntiān hěn xìngyùn.

Zhōngwǔ wǒ zài fùjìn zhǎo le yì jiā kāfēidiàn xiūxi. Wǒ kàn le kàn shíjiān, yǐjīng shí’èr diǎn bàn le, jiù diǎn le yì bēi kāfēi hé yí gè miànbāo. Xiūxi yíxià yǐhòu, wǒ zài zuò dìtiě huí jiǔdiàn.

Visiting a Sight and Taking Photos

The next morning the weather was great, so I wanted to visit a famous place and also take some photos. I left the hotel and took the subway to the city center. But after getting off, I couldn’t find the way well, so I asked an aunt on the street.

I said, “Auntie, sorry—how do I get to this sight?” She looked at my phone and said, “Walk straight ahead, turn right at the second intersection, then walk five more minutes and you’ll arrive.” I thanked her, followed her directions, and got there quickly.

There were many people. I bought a ticket first and then went in. Inside, I walked around while looking, and also took photos while walking. I felt Shanghai’s buildings were beautiful, and I also felt lucky today.

At noon I found a咖啡店 nearby to rest. I checked the time; it was already 12:30, so I ordered a coffee and a bread. After resting a bit, I took the subway back to the hotel.

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.

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.