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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他要去大学上课。
He was going to the university for class.
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坐车要九块钱，高先明手里有四块钱，少五块钱。
The bus ride cost nine yuan. Gao Xianming had four yuan on him, so he was five yuan short.
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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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高先明对她说：“不要给我。
Gao Xianming said to her, 'Don't give it to me.'
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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问问题，要知道，问老师，说“请问”。
When asking questions, remember: when you ask a teacher, say “Excuse me.”
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要看病，去哪里？
Need to see a doctor—where should I go?
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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我天天都想你。
I want to tell you: today, I miss you so much.
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小雨，小雨，你也在想我吗？
I miss you every single day.
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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大中想吃晚饭。
Dazhong really wanted something hot to eat for dinner.
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今天雨太大，我想你还没吃晚饭，我在这儿看你来不来。”
The rain was pouring so hard, and I figured you probably hadn't had dinner yet, so I waited here to see if you'd show up.'
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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游客想去喝茶，还要买门票。
If tourists want to drink tea there, they even have to buy admission tickets.
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喝茶还要买票？
You have to buy a ticket just to drink tea?
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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马家友病好了，要去谢谢谢医生。
Once Ma Jiayou recovered, he wanted to go thank Dr. Xie.
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家人都不在，要多吃水果。”
"None of your family is here, so you should eat more fruit."
Follow a day from waking at six-thirty to coming home at eight, then leap across days, months, and years. This simple story helps you practice speaking about routines and life changes with clear time words.
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明天要看《大饭店》。
Tomorrow I'm going to see Grand Hotel.
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明年我想买新车。
Next year I want to buy a new car.
Meet Xiao Shang, who is heading back to Shanghai. She compares two ways to travel and tells us why she prefers the slower one. This story helps you practice comparing transportation in simple Chinese.
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她下个月要回上海。
She is going back to Shanghai next month.
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从北京到上海坐飞机，不到两个小时，但是要坐火车，就要最少五个多小时。
Flying from Beijing to Shanghai takes less than two hours, but taking the train takes at least five hours, if not more.
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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我想买电视。
I want to buy a TV.
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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.
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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你想知道星期几，可以问他星期几。
If you want to know what day of the week it is, you can ask him.
In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.
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今天我们就要看一个外国黑白老电影。
Today we're going to watch a foreign black-and-white old movie.
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
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高友朋的英语不好，我想我可以和他一起学习。
Gao Youpeng's English isn't very good, so I think I can study with him.
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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什么都要钱，还都不好吃。
They charge you for everything, and none of it even tastes good.
This simple story introduces you to a family and what each member likes to do. Learn helpful words for food and daily activities as you read about Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, and the kids.
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弟弟想读书。
My younger brother wants to read.
Everyday greetings are a gateway to natural Chinese. Practice time-based hellos like “早上好” and “晚安,” learn to address teachers with the respectful “您,” and see how families skip formalities to speak warmly at home.
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想去睡觉说晚安！
When you want to go to sleep, say 'Good night!'
Welcome! This short poem helps you practice the months, weekdays, and mealtimes in Chinese. Read it aloud and notice the rhythm. You already know many of these words!
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一年十二月，爱你也想你。
A year has twelve months; I love you and miss you too.
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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我要说“哪里！
I want to say, 'Nǎlǐ!'
