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Every reading sits at the level where most of its words are taught
73 readings
Article · 1 min audio为什么中国人见面总问“吃了吗”？Why do Chinese people ask “Have you eaten?”Every morning, the same question on the stairs: “Have you eaten?” Mark answers it honestly. That is his first mistake.HSK 3
Article · 2 min audio中国人为什么怕数字四？Why is 4 unlucky in China?A lift with no fourth floor. A phone number that sold for 2.33 million yuan. And a message that just says 88.HSK 5
Article · 3 min audio为什么中国只有一个时区？Why does China have only one time zone?Nine in the morning, and the stars are still out. One country, one clock, and a sun that keeps its own hours.HSK 6
Story · 1 min audio十二生肖的故事The Great Race: the Chinese zodiac storyTwelve places. One wide river. And a cat who asked a friend to wake it up.HSK 3
Article · 1 min audio为什么中国人过年要给红包？Why do Chinese people give red envelopes?Money in a little red envelope. A monster scared off by red paper. And Mum, who will just “look after it” for you.HSK 3
Article · 2 min audio中国人为什么爱喝热水？Why do Chinese people drink hot water?Got a cold? Drink more hot water. Had a row? Drink more hot water. China’s favourite four words, from tiger stoves to a rock drummer’s thermos.HSK 5
Article · 2 min audio中国人的名字有什么讲究？How do Chinese names work?Shout “Zhang Wei” in China and heads turn. Five surnames cover nearly a third of the country. And “Old Zhang” is no insult.HSK 5
Article · 2 min audio广场舞为什么这么火？Why do Chinese aunties dance in public squares?After dinner, the music starts downstairs. Dozens of aunties, one small speaker, every step in time. Upstairs, not everyone is dancing.HSK 5
Article · 1 min audio什么颜色？Colours in ChineseA girl paints her family on New Year’s morning. Red for happy days, green for trees. But where is the dog?HSK 1
Article · 1 min audio新年快乐，过年好！How to say happy new year in ChineseTwo new years. Two ways to say it. One very long night at a Chinese family’s table.HSK 1
Story · 1 min audio学用筷子Learning to use chopsticksA first dinner at a Chinese friend’s home. Chopsticks that will not behave. A three-year-old teacher with a secret.HSK 1
Story · 1 min audio我的中国名字How I got my Chinese nameA student in China wants a Chinese name. Everyone has an idea, and none of them is quite right. So she picks one herself.HSK 1
