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How Mandarin really works when people use it.

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Every reading sits at the level where most of its words are taught

HSK 167 readings HSK 232 readings HSK 328 readings HSK 435 readings HSK 519 readings HSK 620 readings

47 readings

Story · 1 min audio我饿了How to say I'm hungry in ChineseA five-year-old learns three magic words. Grandma gives an egg, Mum an apple, the neighbour cake. Then his baby sister says her first word.HSK 1

Article · 2 min audio王羲之和《兰亭序》Wang Xizhi and the Orchid Pavilion PrefaceThe most famous page in Chinese calligraphy was written slightly drunk at a party. Its author could never write it as well again, and an emperor had it stolen.HSK 5

Article · 1 min audio说一次再见How to say goodbye in ChineseEvery Chinese learner knows 再见. But how long does one goodbye take? The teacher has been leaving since nine.HSK 1

Article · 1 min audio我听不懂How to say “I don’t understand” in ChineseA waiter who talks fast. A learner who says “I don’t understand”. He says it again, only louder.HSK 1

Article · 1 min audio五号四月？How to say the date in ChineseChinese says the date biggest first. Tom says his birthday the English way. His friend brings the cake a month late.HSK 1

Story · 1 min audio幺是一How to say your phone number in ChineseA whole week to ask one question. She says her number so fast that every other word sounds like “want”.HSK 1

Article · 1 min audio中国人为什么喜欢数字八？Why is 8 a lucky number in China?One phone number cost an airline 2.33 million yuan. The Beijing Olympics began at 8:08 pm. Here is why China loves the number 8.HSK 3

Story · 1 min audio请问，怎么走？How to ask for directions in ChineseOne address. Three strangers. Left, right, and a lot of identical buildings. The last man he asks knows exactly where his friend is.HSK 1

Article · 1 min audio熊猫是猫吗？Animals in Chinese: is a panda a cat?熊猫 is a “bear cat”. 河马 is a “river horse”. A child at the zoo has questions, and Grandpa has one surprise about English.HSK 1

Article · 1 min audio妈妈不说“我爱你”How to say I love you in Chinese我爱你 is easy to say. So why do so many Chinese mums never say it? And what does 520 have to do with it?HSK 1

Story · 1 min audio大床和小箱子Big or small? The cat and the boxThe cat is getting big, so Dad buys her a big bed. She wants the box it came in. Then an even smaller box. The next morning, everyone sees why.HSK 1