This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.
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高先明的手机里也没有钱。
Gao Xianming didn't have any money on his phone either.
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高先明不能上车，很不高兴。
Gao Xianming couldn't get on the bus and was very upset.
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老先生看见高先明，知道他不是中国学生。
The old gentleman saw Gao Xianming and knew he wasn't a Chinese student.
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老先生说：“不要给我。”
The old gentleman said, 'Don't give it to me.'
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老先生对高先明说：“我说不要给我。
The old gentleman said to Gao Xianming, 'I said, don't give it to me.'
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有人没有钱坐车，你给他这五块钱吧。”
If someone doesn't have money for the bus, give them this five yuan.
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高先明对她说：“不要给我。
Gao Xianming said to her, 'Don't give it to me.'
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有人没有钱坐车，你给他们吧。”
If someone doesn't have money for the bus, give it to them.
Before you start learning Chinese, master the most important phrases: greetings. This short dialogue shows you how to say hello and goodbye, and how to respond politely.
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不谢!
Don't mention it!
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不用谢！
No need to thank me!
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不用客气！
There's no need to be so polite!
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不客气！
You're welcome!
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对不起对没关系！
Sorry — it's okay!
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不好意思，也可以。
Sorry also works.
This playful poem will make you smile as you explore how Chinese words like 'computer' and 'phone' can be funnier than they seem. Get ready to enjoy simple HSK 1 vocabulary and a twist of logic!
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超市非常小，电脑没脑子，电话不能打。
The supermarket is very small, computers have no brains, and phones can't make calls.
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学生上学校，医生不上学。
Students go to school; doctors don't go to school.
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下雨不“上雨”，下雪没“上雪”。
For rain we say 下雨, not '上雨'; for snow we say 下雪, not '上雪'.
This playful HSK 1 poem twists words you already know and asks how an hour can be small. Read it aloud and laugh; a fun way to practice Chinese.
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高兴高不高，不对对不起。
Is 高兴 (happy) 'high' or not? No—sorry.
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小猫小的猫，小狗小的狗，小学不很小，小时怎么小？
A kitten is a little cat, a puppy is a little dog; primary school isn't very small—so why is 'hour' small?
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多大不“多老”。
For age, you say 多大, not 多老.
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
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找了一个月，白天明也没有看见那只大白猫。
After searching for a month, Bai Tianming still didn't see that big white cat.
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天天在家里，很多天都没有人和我说话。
Day after day at home, I can go many days without anyone talking to me.
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我们不找猫了。”
We won't look for the cat anymore.
In this easy story, you will follow a simple trip to the supermarket to buy apples. Practice numbers, question words, and nationalities in a real-life shopping context.
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三个苹果是中国的，三个苹果不是中国的。
Three of the apples are from China, and three are not.
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她说她不知道。
She said she didn't know.
Before you read, think about the questions you ask every day. This simple poem shows you how to ask age, price, time, and more in friendly Chinese.
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贵不贵？
Is it expensive?
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好不好？
Is it good?
This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.
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大苹果是中国的，小苹果不是中国的。
The big apples were from China, and the small apples were not.
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她说她不知道。
She said she didn't know.
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
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你不要买太多东西。”
Don't buy too many things.'
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我很不高兴：“我也在给你买东西。
I was very unhappy: 'I'm buying things for you too.'
This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.
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你冷不冷？
Are you cold?
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你忙不忙？
Are you busy?
Before you read: this is a short rhyming poem. You will meet a doctor who asks about seeing and hearing. Try to spot words you already know!
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生病看医生，看见看不见？
If you're sick, you go to a doctor. Can you see them or not?
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听见听不见？
Can you hear it or not?
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
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老先生不喝茶，也不吃东西。
He doesn't drink the tea, nor does he eat anything.
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大中不知道。
Dazhong doesn't know.
Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.
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看病非常贵，吃饭不便宜。
Getting medical care is very expensive, and eating isn't cheap either.
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什么都要钱，还都不好吃。
They charge you for everything, and none of it even tastes good.
This short poem plays with words that sound alike, comparing things that are good to watch, read, hear, or taste. Perfect for practicing basic adjectives like 好 and 真.
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好电影好看，好书不好看。
Good movies are enjoyable to watch, but good books aren't much to look at.
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好歌真好听，真话不好听。
Good songs really sound nice, but the truth isn't nice to hear.
Before you read, think about names: a train is called 'fire vehicle' in Chinese, but there's no fire! This simple rhyme will help you laugh while reviewing everyday words.
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包子不是包儿，面包也不是。
A baozi isn't a bag, and neither is bread.
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米饭不是米，鸡蛋不是蛋，牛奶不是奶。
Cooked rice isn't rice, a chicken egg isn't an egg, and cow's milk isn't milk.
Join a shopper on a quick trip to the store. You'll learn simple words for shopping and feelings in this easy-to-follow story.
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这个商店没有我想买的电视。
This store doesn't have the TV I want to buy.
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我很不高兴。
I'm very unhappy.
Chat about where friends study Chinese while exploring 哪儿 and 哪里 across Beijing and Shanghai. Practice asking “where”, talking about “here” and “there”, and using the modest reply 哪里哪里 to accept a compliment.
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老包：不对。
Lao Bao: That's not right.
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我觉得老上海人喜欢说“这里”、“那里”和“哪里”，不喜欢说“……
I think older Shanghai people like to say 'zhèlǐ', 'nàlǐ', and 'nǎlǐ', but don't like to say '...
Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!
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星期没有“星期七”，还有一天星期日。
There is no 'Week Seven' in a week; there is still one day, Sunday.
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
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老先生很高兴，对大中说：“不客气，多吃一点儿。”
The elderly man is very happy and says to Dazhong, 'You're welcome. Have a little more.'
Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.
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谢医生对马家友说：“苹果不是医院给的。
Dr. Xie said to Ma Jiayou, "The apple is not from the hospital."
Before you read, close your eyes and imagine a rainy afternoon. This story uses simple HSK 1 words to show how rain can become a talking friend.
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不冷，也不热。
It's neither cold nor hot.
Ever noticed how similar Chinese words can be? This rhyme plays with place names and homophones, from schools to hotels, even throwing in Samsung's origin. A lighthearted way to boost your word power.
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书店有好书，饭店吃和住，酒店没有酒。
Bookstores have good books; restaurants offer food and lodging; hotels have no wine.
