Key Learning Point (Preview):

纸上谈兵 (zhǐshàngtánbīng): armchair strategy

Listen to the whole story

Zhàoguó jiāngjūn Zhào Kuò cóng xiǎo jiù xuéxí bīngfǎ, tánlùn bīngshì.
赵国          将军       赵     括    从     小  就  学习  兵法， 谈论    兵事。

The general Zhao Kuo of Zhao Dynasty studied military strategy and tactics from childhood.

Dàn tā zhǐ huì zhǐ shàng lùn bīngshù, cóng méi shàng guò zhànchǎng,
但    他 只  会  纸   上     论     兵术，   从      没     上      过      战场，      
bìng bú shànyú yòng bīng.
并    不    善于     用     兵。

But he could only talk about military strategies on paper; he never went to the battlefield. So he was not good at the art of war.

Dāng Zhào Kuò zuòle jiāngjūn yǐhòu, quánbù biàngēngle jūnfǎ, qīngshuài de rènyòng jūnguān.
当        赵      括   做了   将军      以后，全部        变更了     军法，  轻率      地   任用      军官。

When Zhao Kuo became a general, he changed all the military laws and appointed officers thoughtlessly.

Jiéguǒ zài zhùmíng de "Chángpíngzhīzhàn" zhōng, Zhào Kuò de jūnduì dàbài.
结果     在   著名      的   "长平之战"                  中，    赵     括  的   军队   大败。

As a result, Zhao Kuo's army suffered a severe defeat in the famous Campaign of Changping.

Zhào Kuò zìjǐ yě sǐ zài zhànzhēng zhōng, shǐ Zhàoguó yìjuébúzhèn le.
赵       括  自己也死在    战争              中，使    赵国       一厥不振    了。

Zhao Kuo himself died in the war and the Zhao Dynasty was unable to recover from the defeat.

Key Learning Point:

纸上谈兵 (zhǐshàngtánbīng): armchair strategy

Xuéxí bù néng zhǐshàngtánbīng, yào huó xué huó yòng cái xíng.
学习   不  能       纸上谈兵，         要   活    学   活    用     才   行。

Learning is not about empty talk. You need to use what you learn.

Yào chénggōng jiù yào fùzhū xíngdòng, zhǐ kào zhǐshàngtánbīng shì bù xíng de.
要     成功           就  要   付诸     行动，    只 靠      纸上谈兵         是  不  行   的。

You must act if you want to succeed. It is no use to be an armchair strategist.

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如鱼得水 (rúyúdéshuǐ): to feel just like a fish in water

Dōnghàn mònián, tiānxià dà luàn. 
东汉         末年，   天下    大 乱。

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the country was in confusion.

Liú Bèi wèi tǒngyī tiānxià, tèyì bàifǎng yǐnjū de Zhū Gěliàng xúnqiú bāngzhù.
刘备   为     统一    天下，特意 拜访   隐居 的  诸    葛亮        寻求       帮助。

In order to reunite the country, Liu Bei paid a visit to Zhu Geliang who had hidden himself in the countryside.

Tā lián qùle liǎngcì dōu méi jiàndào Zhū Gěliàng, dì sān cì cái jiàndàole tā.
他   连  去了 两次   都     没    见到    诸    葛亮，   第 三   次 才   见到了 他。

He went there twice but didn't see Zhu Geliang. Then the third time he finally met him.

Liú Bèi shuōmíng láiyì, bìng chàngtánle zìjǐ de hóngtúdàzhì.
刘备       说明      来意，并       畅谈   了 自己的   宏图大志。

Liu Bei explained why he came and explained his noble ambition to Zhu Geliang.

Zhū Gěliàng yě tíchūle zhōuxiáng de zhànlüè fāngzhēn.
诸   葛亮      也   提出了    周详      的     战略    方针。

Zhu Geliang also proposed some very good strategies.

Liú Bèi tīng hòu dàxǐ, yúshì lì Zhū Gěliàng wéi jūnshī.
刘  备   听   后    大喜，于是立 诸    葛亮     为    军师。

After listening, Liu Bei was so happy, he appointed Zhu Geliang as his military advisor.

Tā shuō: "Wǒ Liú Bèi yǒule Zhū Gěliàng, jiù hǎoxiàng yú'er yǒule shuǐ yíyàng."
他   说：“我   刘 备    有了  诸    葛亮，   就   好像      鱼儿   有了   水    一样。”

He said: "Zhu Geliang to me is as water is to fish."

Liú Bèi zài Zhū Gěliàng de bāngzhù xià, shìlì búduàn kuòdà, zuìzhōng shíxiànle mùbiāo.
刘  备   在   诸    葛亮     的     帮助    下，势力  不断     扩大，    最终      实现了     目标。

With the assistance of Zhu Geliang, Liu Bei's power expanded rapidly, and finally he realized his goal.

Nowadays, this phrase is often used to describe the person who stays in the environment which suits him/her perfectly, or someone who is very adept at using the suitable or right methods.

Key Learning Point:

如鱼得水 (rúyúdéshuǐ) to feel just like a fish in water

Examples:

Zhǐyào zhǎngwòle zhèngquè de xuéxí fāngfǎ, jiù huì yǒu rúyúdéshuǐ de gǎnjué.
只要        掌握   了       正确    的   学习 方法，就 会 有     如鱼得水  的    感觉。

As long as you master the right study methods, you will feel that you are just like a fish in water.

Zǒujìn yīnyuè de shìjiè, wǒ jué de zìjǐ rúyúdéshuǐ. 
走进     音乐  的  世界，我 觉 得自己  如鱼得水。

I feel just like a fish in water when I enter the world of music.

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隔墙有耳 (géqiángyǒu'ěr): walls have ears

Listen to the whole story

Cóngqián, yǒu yí ge hàoqíxīn hěn zhòng de rén.
从前，       有 一 个   好奇心    很     重    的   人。

Once upon a time, there was a curious man.

Tā zǒngshì xǐhuan sìchù dǎting biéren de mìmi.
他     总是     喜欢   四处    打听    别人 的   秘密。

He liked to invade other peoples' privacy.

Tā zhīdào de mìmi tài duō le, biē zài xīnlǐ hěn nánshòu.
他   知道  的   秘密太  多 了，憋在 心里  很    难受。

He knew too many secrets and found it hard to keep them all.

Yì tiān, tā hēle jǐ bēi jiǔ, jiéguǒ bǎ zìjǐ dǎting dào de shìqing quánbù shuōle chūlái.
一 天，他 喝了几杯酒，结果  把  自己打听  到   的     事情      全部     说了   出来。

One day he drank several cups of wine, and while drunk spilled all the secrets.

Tā méi xiǎng dào, gébì fángjiān lǐ de rén tīngjiànle tā shuō de huà. 
他  没    想     到，隔壁   房间    里 的 人   听见了 他    说  的   话。

To his surprise, the man next door heard all he said.

Méi guò duōjiǔ, suǒyǒu rén dōu zhīdàole tā duōzuǐ de huài máobìng. 
没   过     多久，  所 有   人   都    知道了 他  多嘴   的   坏      毛病。

Very soon, everyone knew of his bad habit of gossiping.

The walls may not have ears, but the person next door does. At least that's true in this story. "隔墙有耳 (Géqiángyǒu'ěr)" is a phrase used to alert people to be careful about their words, as someone may be listening in from the other side of the wall.

Key Learning Point:

隔墙有耳 (géqiángyǒu'ěr) walls have ears

"隔 (gé)" means "next to;" "墙 (qiáng)" means "wall;" "有 (yǒu)" means "have;" "耳 (ěr)" means "ear."

Examples:

Zài gōnggòng chǎnghé shuōhuà xiǎoxīndiǎnr, géqiángyǒu'ěr a!  
在        公共        场合         说话      小心点儿，      隔墙有耳   啊。

Be careful of what you say in public, the walls have ears.

Xū, xiǎoshēng diǎnr, nǐ zhīdào, géqiángyǒu'ěr.
嘘，  小声        点儿，你知道，  隔墙有耳。

Ssh! Be careful! There may be eavesdroppers you know.

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回家 (huíjiā): v. to go home

然后 (ránhòu): adv. then/after that 

Listen to the whole story:

Wèiguó yǒu gè jiào Yuè Yángzǐ de rén dào yuǎnfāng qù xúnshī qiúxué.
 魏 国    有   个   叫  乐   羊 子    的  人  到   远  方       去  寻 师   求 学。

There was a man called Le Yangzi in Wei State who went far away to study.

Yì nián hòu, Yuè Yángzǐ jiù huílái le.
一  年    后， 乐   羊  子 就 回来 了。

A year after departing, he returned.

Qīzi wèn tā wèihé zhème zǎo jiù huíjiā le.
妻子 问  他 为 何  这么   早   就  回 家了。

His wife asked why he came back so early.

Yuè Yángzǐ shuō: "chūmén shíjiān cháng le xiǎng jiā."
乐    羊  子     说:： “出门   时  间    长    了  想  家。”

He said, "I've been away so long, I just missed home."

Qīzi tīnghòu, náqǐ yì bǎ jiǎndāo bǎ gāng zhī hǎo de bù jiǎn duàn le.
妻子 听 后， 拿起一把 剪 刀   把   刚   织   好  的  布  剪    断    了。

Then his wife took a pair of scissors and cut the cloth she had just woven.

Ránhòu shuō: "zhè bù shì yì gēn sī yì gēn sī jīlěi qǐlái de, wǒ xiànzài yǐ jiāng tā jiǎnduàn,
然后       说：  “这  布 是  一根   丝一 根  丝积累起来的，我 现 在  已  将  它   剪断，
zhèyàng yǐqián de shíjiān jiù dōu báibái làngfèi le."
这 样      以前   的  时间   就  都  白 白   浪费   了。”

Then she said: “This cloth was woven one thread at a time. Now I have cut it, so the time spent weaving it was wasted.”

Qīzi jiēzhe yòu shuō: "dúshū yěshì zhèyàng, yīnggāi měitiān huòdé xīn de zhīshi,
妻子接着  又    说：  “读 书   也 是 这样，  应 该    每天    获得   新  的 知 识，
rúguǒ bàntú’érfèi, hé gēduàn zhī bù yǒu shénme liǎng yàng ne?"
如果  半途而废， 和  割  断    织 布  有    什么     两   样      呢？”

Continuing she said, “Study is also like this. You should learn new knowledge everyday. If you give up halfway, it is the same as cutting the cloth.

Yuè Yángzǐ bèi qīzi de huà shēnshēn gǎndòng le, yúshì yòu qù wánchéng xuéyè,
乐    羊 子  被  妻子的  话    深 深       感  动    了，于 是  又  去    完   成     学 业，
yì lián qī nián méiyǒu huí guò jiā.
一连    七 年    没有    回  过  家。

Le Yangzi was very moved by what his wife said and went on to finish his studies. This time, he didn’t return home for seven years. 

This story tells people not to do things halfway. It is also frequently used now to persuade people to persist in their study or work.

Key Learning Points:

回家 (huíjiā): v. to go home

Example:

Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ děigánjǐn huíjiā le.
时  间   不 早 了，我 得  赶 紧  回 家了。

It's getting late and I must go home.

然后 (ránhòu): adv. then/after that

"然后 (ránhòu)" is a phrase showing that one thing follows another. Now it has become a frequently-used phrase in daily life, especially on talk shows.

Example:

          Qǐngwèn fùjìn yǒu shūdiàn ma?
Mike:  请  问     附近  有  书店      吗？

         Excuse me. Is there a bookstore near here?

                  Nǐ yánzhe zhè tiáo lù yì zhí zǒu, ránhòu zuǒzhuǎn jiù néng kàn dào le.
Zhang Jie:  你  沿 着   这  条   路一 直  走,    然 后    左  转    就   能     看  到  了。

                 Can you see that road? Just go straight along it, then, turn left, you can’t miss it.

Vocabulary

浪费 (làngfèi): v. to waste

感动 (gǎndòng): v. to be moved

时间 (shíjiān): n. time

读书 (dúshū): n. study

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最 (zuì): adv. most

哭 (kū): v. to cry

Watch the video to listen to the song

Míngtiān nǐ shìfǒu huì xiǎngqǐ
明天       你 是否   会   想起

Will you recall tomorrow

zuótiān nǐ xiě de rìjì?
昨天     你写的日记？

the things you wrote in your diary yesterday?

Míngtiān nǐ shìfǒu hái diànjì
明天       你 是否 还 惦记

Will you remember tomorrow

céngjīng zuì ài kū de nǐ?
曾经        最爱 哭 的你？

that you were the one who loved to cry most?

Lǎoshīmen dōu yǐ xiǎngbùqǐ
老师们          都已  想    不起

The teachers have already forgotten you

cāibùchū wèntí de nǐ.
猜不出      问题的 你。

the one who could not answer the questions.

Wǒ yě shì ǒurán fān xiàngpiàn
我 也 是  偶然    翻    相片

I just saw the photograph by chance,

cái xiǎngqǐ tóngzhuō de nǐ.
才   想起      同桌     的   你。

that reminded me of you, the deskmate.

Shuí qǔle duōchóushàngǎn de nǐ?
谁      娶了多愁善感             的 你？

Who is it that married that sentimental girl?

Shuí kànle nǐ de rìjì?
谁     看了你 的日记？

Who is it that saw your diary?

Shuí bǎ nǐ de chángfà pán qǐ?
谁     把你的    长发     盘   起？

Who is it that fixed up your hair?

Shuí gěi nǐ zuòde jiàyī?
谁      给你 做的 嫁衣？

Who is it that made the wedding clothes for you?
…

Key Learning Points:

最 (zuì): adv. most

Example:

   Nǐ zuì xǐhuan shénme huā?
A: 你最 喜欢     什么     花？

   What flower do you like best?

   Wǒ zuì xǐhuan yùjīnxiāng le.
B: 我 最  喜欢     郁金香    了。

   I like tulips best.

哭 (kū): v. to cry

Example:

Zài bìyè wǎnhuì shàng, dàjiā dōu kū le.
在 毕业 晚会      上，   大家   都   哭  了。

All of us cried at the graduation party.

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漂亮 (piàoliang) adj. beautiful

照片 (zhàopiàn) n. photo 

Two lovers are talking in a park.

Nánhái: Jīntiān wǒ zài jiēshang kànjiàn le yígè měinǚ.
男孩：   今天    我 在    街上       看见   了 一个 美女。

Boy: Today I saw a beautiful woman on the street.

Nǚhái: Shì ma?
女孩： 是 吗？

Girl: Really?

Nánhái: Shì ā, tài piàoliang le!
男孩：  是 啊，太   漂亮     了！

Boy: Yes, she was so beautiful!

The girl is a little angry. The boy takes something out of his pocket and looks at it carefully. At the same time, he says that the girl he met on the street is the most beautiful person in the world.

Nánhái: Kàn, wǒ hái yào le tā de zhàopiàn ne. Tài piàoliang le.
男孩：   看， 我 还 要 了 她 的    照片     呢。太     漂亮    了！

Boy: Look, I have a photo of her. She is so beautiful.

Nǚhái: Wǒ yě yào kàn.
女孩： 我 也 要 看。

Girl: I want to have a look too.

Nánhái: Néng qǔdào tā shì wǒ zhè bèizi zuì dà de mèngxiǎng.
男孩：     能     娶到   她 是 我 这  辈子 最 大 的   梦想。

Boy: To marry her is the highest dream in my entire life.

The girl snatches the "photo" from the boy's hand, and she suddenly finds it's not a "photo." It's a "mirror!" At the same time, she sees herself in the mirror and is surprised.

Nánhái: Nǐ jiùshì shìjièshàng zuìpiàoliang de nǚhái.
男孩： 你   就是      世界上       最漂亮      的 女孩。

Boy: You are the most beautiful woman in the world.

Nǚhái: Nǐ ge piànzi.
女孩：你 个 骗子。

Girl: You are a liar.

The girl is blushing. She is too happy to say anything…

Key Learning Points:

漂亮 (piàoliang) adj. beautiful

In Chinese language, we use "漂亮 (piàoliang) beautiful" to describe a girl, but we use "英俊 (yīngjùn) handsome" to describe a boy.

Example:

Nàge nǚhái hěn piàoliang.
那个   女孩    很     漂亮。

That girl is very beautiful.

照片 (zhàopiàn) n. photo

Example:

Gěi wǒ yìzhāng nǐ de zhàopiàn, hǎo ma?
给   我    一张    你 的    照片，   好    吗？

Could you please give me one of your photos?

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In the Chinese idiom "囫囵吞枣 (húlún tūnzǎo)", "囫囵 (húlún)" means "the whole;" "吞 (tūn)" means to "swallow;" "枣 (zǎo)" is "date." This idiom means "to eat the date whole."

Key Learning Points (Preview):

吞 (tūn): v. to swallow

枣 (zǎo): n. date

Learn this online Chinese idiomatic story:

A long time ago, a person who considered himself clever went to a friend's party. Everyone was chatting together while eating fruits. A guest among the group said, "It is hard to have the best of both worlds. Let's take eating fruits as an example. Pears are good for our teeth, but they harm our stomachs if we eat too many of them. Likewise, dates are good for our stomachs, but bad for our teeth." The others agreed with the guest. The man who considered himself clever continued the conversation by saying, "This problem is easy to solve. We can discard the pulps when eating pears in order to avoid hurting our stomachs, and we can also eat the dates whole in order to protect our teeth."

In jest, a fellow guest at the party remarked, "You really 囫囵吞枣 (húlún tūnzǎo) eat dates whole!" Following this incident, Chinese people often use this idiom to point out when a person accepts information without digesting and analyzing it.

Key Learning Points (Preview):

吞 (tūn): v. to swallow

Example:

Tūn xià shíwù zhī qián xìxì jǔjué huì yǒuyì jiànkāng.
吞    下   食物   之  前  细细 咀嚼 会 有益    健康。

It is beneficial for our health to chew food well before swallowing it.

枣 (zǎo): n. date

Example:

Shǎnxī de hóngzǎo hěn yǒumíng.
陕西      的     红枣     很      有名。

Dates from Shaanxi are very famous.

囫囵吞枣 (húlún tūn zǎo)

Example:

Dúshū bùnéng húlúntūnzǎo, ér yào cóng zhōng xīqǔ  zìjǐ   xūyào de dōngxi.
读书       不能       囫囵吞枣， 而 要    从      中   吸取 自己 需要  的   东西。

Do not read books without analyzing the content; each person must take from a text the parts that are important to him or her.

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Key Learning Points (Preview)

生肖 (shēngxiāo): n. Zodiac

出发 (chūfā): v. to start off

Hěn jiǔ yǐqián, Yùhuángdàdì dǎsuàn zài dòngwù zhōng xuǎn shí’èr gè pái shēngxiāo.
很   久 以前，玉皇大帝          打算      在     动物      中     选    十二     个 排   生肖。

Long ago, the Jade Emperor prepared to select twelve animals to be the zodiac signs.

Gēnjù guīdìng, zài zhǐdìng de nà yì tiān,
根据     规定，   在    指定   的 那 一天，
nǎ ge dòngwù xiān dào jiù huì bèi xuǎn zhòng.
哪 个   动物     先    到   就  会  被   选     中。

In accord with decree, the first twelve animals to arrive on the appointed day would be selected as the animals of the zodiac.

Huángniú yǔ tùzi yuēdìng yìqǐ cānjiā jìngsài.
黄牛         与  兔子  约定 一起  参加   竞赛。
The ox and the rabbit agreed to take part in the event together.

Zhēng shēngxiāo de rìzi zhōngyú lái le.
争          生肖        的  日子 终于    来 了。

The day arrived.

Tùzi qǐ de hěn zǎo, méi yǒu děng huángniú jiù chū fā le.
兔子起的 很   早， 没   有    等       黄牛      就   出发  了。

The rabbit got up early and started off without waiting for the ox.

Tùzi pǎo le yí zhèn zi, fāxiàn lùshang méi yǒu qí tā dòngwù de yǐngzi.
兔子 跑 了  一阵子， 发现    路上      没    有   其 它   动物   的   影子。

After running for a while, the rabbit found that no other animals were on the way.

Yúshì, zài cǎodì shang shuì qǐ jiào lái.
于是，在 草地    上       睡   起  觉  来。

So he began to doze off in a meadow.

Suīrán huángniú chūfā wǎn le, pǎo de yòu màn,
虽然      黄牛        出发   晚  了，跑  得  又   慢，
dàn píng zhe yìlì, zài tùzi shuì jiào de shíhou, jiù dàodá  tiāngōng le.
但  凭     着 毅力，在兔子 睡   觉     的    时候，就   到 达   天宫       了。

Thanks to his perseverance, the ox, despite starting off later and running slower, arrived at the temple earlier than the rabbit who at the time was fast asleep.

Zuìhòu, tùzi zhǐ pái dào le shēngxiāo de dì sì míng.
最后， 兔子只 排   到  了     生肖      的  第 四  名。

In the end, the rabbit was the fourth animal in rank of the zodiac.

Pái zài tā qián miàn de shì lǎoshǔ, huángniú hé lǎohǔ.
排   在 他  前    面   的   是   老鼠，  黄牛       和  老虎。

Ranked before him was the mouse, the ox and the tiger.

Key Learning Points:

生肖 (shēngxiāo): n. zodiacs

Example:
    Nǐ de shēngxiāo shì shénme?
A: 你的    生肖         是    什么？

     Which year of the zodiac were you born in?

    Wǒ shì tù nián de.
B: 我 是 兔   年   的。

    I was born in the year of the rabbit.

出发 (chūfā): v. to start off

Example:
Wǒmen míngtiān xiàwǔ wǔ diǎn chūfā.
我们        明天      下午    五  点    出发。

We will start off at five p.m. tomorrow.

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Why do Chinese lovers "eat vinegar?" This online Chinese lesson will tell you.

Zài Zhōngguó, qínglǚ zhī jiān de jìdù jiào "chīcù." Wèishénme shì chīcù ér bú shì
在   中国，       情侣    之 间   的 嫉妒  叫“吃醋”。为什么    是  吃醋   而 不 是
bié de dōngxi? Zhè shì yǒu diǎngù de.
 别 的  东西？  这    是   有    典故   的。

In China, when lovers are jealous, it is said they are "eating vinegar." Why are they "eating vinegar?" Let's look at an old story.  

Key Learning Points (preview):

吃醋 (chīcù): v. to be jealous

赐 (cì): v. to bestow

更别说 (gèngbiéshuō): let alone/not to mention

Zài Tángcháo, yǒu gè dàchén jiào Fáng Xuánlíng, tā hěn pà lǎopo.
在   唐朝，      有 个   大臣 叫          房玄龄，         他 很   怕   老婆。

During the Tang Dynasty, there was a minister named Fang Xuanling. He was very afraid of his wife.

Yǒu yì tiān zǎocháo zhīhòu, Fáng Xuánlíng bù huíjiā què zài cháo zhōng páihuái.
有 一 天   早朝        之后，   房    玄龄        不  回家   却   在   朝       中      徘徊。

One day, Fang Xuanling didn't go home after morning court but wandered around in the palace hall instead.

Táng Tàizōng hěn qíguài de wèn tā, tā shuō fūrén zhèngzài shēngqì, bù gǎn huíjiā.
唐      太宗        很    奇怪   地   问   他，他 说  夫人   正在          生气， 不 敢   回家。

Tang Taizong was puzzled and asked what was going on. Fang Xuanling replied that his wife was angry so he dared not go home.

Tàizōng hěn chījīng, méi xiǎng dào Fáng Xuánlíng jìng zhème pà lǎopo.
太宗      很     吃惊，没     想      到    房       玄龄      竟    这么   怕 老婆。

Taizong was astonished. He didn't know Fang Xuanling was so afraid of his wife.

Yúshì, wèile tì tā de dàchén chū yì kǒu qì, Tàizōng jiù cì gěi Xuánlíng yígè xiǎoqiè.
于是，为了 替他的 大臣      出    一口 气，太宗     就  赐 给 玄龄        一个小妾。

Then, in order to help his minister save face, Taizong bestowed on Xuanling a concubine.

Fáng Xuánlíng dāngrán bùgǎn yào,
房   玄龄          当然        不敢     要，
Tàizōng jiù pài huánghòu quànshuō Fáng Xuánlíng de qīzi, yě bù guǎnyòng.
太宗       就  派    皇后           劝说           房     玄龄         的 妻子，也不 管用。

Of course, Fang Xuanling dared not accept the gift. So Taizong appointed his queen to counsel Mrs. Fang, but this also failed.

Tàizōng dà nù, biàn cì Fáng fūrén dújiǔ,
太宗     大 怒，便   赐 房     夫人  毒酒，
shuō: "Nǐ yào huó jiù bié jìdù, ruò yào jìdù nà jiù hēxia zhè bēi dújiǔ ba!"
说：“你 要   活   就 别 嫉妒，若 要 嫉妒 那 就 喝下 这 杯 毒酒 吧！

Taizong became incredibly angry. He bestowed on Mrs. Fang a poisonous wine and said, "Leave aside your jealousy if you want to live, or keep it and drink this poisonous wine!"

Tàizōng yǐwéi zhèyàng jiù kěyǐ xiàdào tā, què jiàn Fáng fūrén jiāng dújiǔ jiē guò qu,
太宗       以为   这样      就 可以吓倒   她，却   见   房     夫人   将    毒酒  接  过  去，
hán lèi yǐn xià.
含   泪 饮 下。

Taizong thought that this would scare Mrs. Fang, but she took the wine and drank it. Tears were in her eyes

Tàizōng kàn dào zhèzhǒng qíngxíng, xīnlǐ dà wéi zhènjīng,
太宗       看    到    这种           情形，  心里  大  为  震惊，
tàndào: "zhèyang de nǚzǐ, wǒ jiànle dōu pà, gèngbiéshuō Xuánlíng le."
叹道：“这样       的  女子，我 见了 都   怕，更别说            玄龄     了。

Taizong was shocked by this situation and exclaimed, "Let alone Xuanling, I am even afraid of such a woman."

Dànshì, Tàizōng bìng búshì zhēn yào tā sǐ, zhǐshì ná le nóng cù xiàhu tā,
但是，   太宗       并    不 是 真     要   她 死，只是拿了 浓   醋  吓唬 她，
méi xiǎng dào què xià dào le zìjǐ hé bǎiguān.
没    想     到     却   吓 到 了自己和 百官。

However, it had not actually been Taizong's aim to kill Mrs. Fang. He had just tried to scare her with strong vinegar. Unexpectedly though, he scared himself and all his ministers.

Ér jiāng jìdù shuō chéng "chī cù” de diǎngù yě yóu cǐ ér lái.
而 将    嫉妒 说     成   “吃醋”  的   典故   也 由 此而 来。

Because of this story, "eating vinegar" stands for the jealousy of lovers.

Key Learning Points:

吃醋 (chīcù): v. to be jealous

In fact, "to eat vinegar" means to be jealous. Chinese people often use "喝 (hē) to drink" as the verb when talking about swallowing liquids, but "吃醋" is a settled usage as an exception.

Example:
Shènzhì tā gēn biéde nánren zhàn de shāowēi jìn diǎnr, tā nánpéngyou dōu huì chīcù.
甚至       她 跟 别 的 男人      站    得   稍微     近   点儿，她 男朋友       都    会  吃醋。

Her boyfriend will be jealous even if she just stands a little close to another man.

赐 (cì): v. to bestow

In Chinese, "赐" is a verb that describes a honored person giving a present. Royalty bestow awards to their ministers and people who contribute to their country. Gods bestow blessings unto mortals. Furthermore, when emperors wanted to kill someone without sensible reasons, they would "赐死 (cìsǐ) to bestow someone a death."

Example:
Nǐ shì shàngdì cì gěi wǒ de lǐwù.
你 是 上帝     赐  给  我 的礼物。

You are a present bestowed unto me by God.

更别说 (gèngbiéshuō): let alone/not to mention

"更" means "even more," "别" means "don't" and "说" means "to say/mention." So you can interpret it as "even more, don't say that… ," that is "let alone" and "not to mention."

Example:
Wǒ búhuì shuō Yìdàlì yǔ, gèngbiéshuō xiě tā  le.
我   不会   说     意大利语，   更别说   写  它 了。

I cannot speak Italian, let alone write it.

生词 (shēngcí) vocabulary:

情侣 (qínglǚ): n. lover

徘徊 (páihuái): v. to wander

吓唬 (xiàhu): v. to scare

Learn more online Chinese lessons:
Online Chinese lessons: 画饼充饥 (Huàbǐngchōngjī) Drawing Pancakes to Stave off Hunger
Online Chinese lessons: 叶公好龙 (Yègōng hào lóng) Lord Ye Loved Dragons!
Online Chinese lessons: 盲人摸象 (Mángrén mō xiàng) Blind Men and an Elephant

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Key Learning Point (Preview):

待 (dài): v. to wait/to wait for

Cóngqián, yǒu yí gè nóngfū.
   从前，    有  一 个   农夫。

Once upon a time, there was a farmer.

Yì tiān, zài  tā gēngtián de shíhou, hūrán pǎo guò lái  yì zhī  yětù,
一 天，在  他   耕田     的   时候， 忽然    跑    过  来  一 只 野兔，
qiàhǎo pèng zài yí gè shùzhuāng shàng, bózi  zhé duàn sǐ le.
  恰好     碰    在 一 个      树桩         上，  脖子  折   断   死 了。

One day, while he was working in the fields, he saw a hare run into a tree stump accidentally and die of a broken neck.

Nóngfū bǎ tùzi  shí huí jiā qù, měi měi de chī   le  yí dùn tùròu.
  农夫   把 兔子 拾  回 家 去，美 美   地  吃   了 一 顿 兔肉。

The farmer took the hare home and cooked a delicious meal for himself.

Dāng wǎn, tā  jiù xiǎng: "wǒ hébì xīnxīnkǔkǔ de zhòngdì ne?
  当     晚，他 就   想：“我 何必 辛辛苦苦   的    种地   呢？
Měi tiān  zài shùzhuāng páng děngzhe jiǎn zhuàng sǐ  de  yětù  jiù hǎo le."
  每 天    在        树桩       旁      等着     捡     撞      死  的 野兔   就 好 了”。

That night he thought: "I needn't work so hard. All I have to do is wait every day by the stump to pick up the hare that runs into it."

Yúshì tā cóngcǐ bú zài gēnzhòng, měi tiān zài  shùzhuāng páng děngdài yětù de dàolái.
 于是 他   从此  不 再      耕种，     每 天   在         树桩       旁      等待   野兔  的 到来。

So from then on he gave up farming, and stood by the tree stump waiting for the hare to come and run into it.

Dànshì, cóng nà yǐhòu, tā zài méiyǒu fāxiàn yì zhī  yětù zhuàng zài shùzhuāng shàng.
  但是， 从    那 以后，他 再    没有   发现 一 只  野兔    撞      在       树桩        上。

But from then on, he never saw another hare run into the tree stump.

The moral: We shouldn't just wait for a stroke of luck. If we want to do something, we should work hard at it, just like the saying goes, "No pain, no gain."

Key Learning Point:

待(dài): v. to wait/to wait for

We often use "等待(děngdài)" instead of "待(dài)" to express the meaning of "to wait/to wait for." In spoken Chinese, we often say "等(děng)," which is short for "等待(děngdài)." "等待(děngdài)" is more formal than "等(děng)."

Example:

Nǐ hǎohao xuéxí hànyǔ , wǒ děngdài nǐ tōngguò hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì de hǎo xiāoxi. 
你 好好     学习 汉语， 我    等待    你      通过    汉语      水平    考试     的   好 消息。

Learn Mandarin Chinese with all your heart. I am waiting for the good news of you passing HSK test.

   Duìbùqǐ, ràng nǐ děng le wǒ zhème cháng shíjiān.
A: 对不起，让   你  等    了  我    这么    长       时间。

  I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long.

   Méi guānxi.
B: 没    关系。

   Never mind.

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Key Learning Points (Preview):

输(shū): v. to lose

赢(yíng): v. to win

Qíguó de dà jiāngjūn Tián Jì hěn xǐhuan sàimǎ.
 齐国   的 大    将军     田 忌 很   喜欢     赛马。

It is said that Tian Ji, a general from the state of Qi, loved racing horses.

Yǒu yì huí, Tián Jì hé Qí wáng yuēdìng, jìnxíng yí cì   bǐsài.
 有 一 回，田   忌  和 齐 王       约定，   进行 一 次 比赛。

One day, Tian Ji and the king of Qi agreed to hold a horse race.

Tāmen bǎ  gèzì de mǎ fēn chéng shàng, zhōng, xià sān děng.
  他们   把  各自 的 马 分     成       上、   中、   下   三    等。

They divided their horses into high, middle, and low levels.
 
Bǐsài shí, shàngděnmǎ duì shàngděngmǎ, zhōngděngmǎ duì zhōngděngmǎ,
 比赛 时， 上等马        对       上等马，            中等马        对    中等马，
xiàděngmǎ duì xiàděngmǎ.
 下等马        对   下等马。

During the match, the high-level horse would compete against the other high-level horse, the middle-level against the middle-level, and the low-level against the low-level.

Yóuyú Qí wáng měi yì děng de mǎ dōu bǐ Tián Jì de qiáng,
  由于 齐  王      每  一   等    的  马 都 比 田 忌 的    强，
sān chǎng bǐsài xiàlái Tián Jì dōu shū le.
 三    场      比赛  下来   田  忌 都    输 了。

Since each level of the king's horses was better than Tian Ji's, Tian Ji lost all three matches.

Tián Jì de hǎopéngyou Sūn Bìn kàn wán bǐsài duì Tián Jì shuō: "cóng gāngcái de qíngxíng 
 田  忌  的    好朋友         孙 膑    看 完    比赛 对  田   忌   说：“  从       刚才  的    情形    
kàn, Qí wáng de mǎ  bǐ  nǐ  de kuài bù liǎo duōshǎo, wǒ yǒu bànfǎ ràng nǐ yíng."
 看，齐  王     的   马 比 你 的   快 不 了     多少，   我  有    办法    让 你  赢。”

After watching the races, Sun Bin, a good friend of Tian Ji, said, "from what I saw, the king's horses are not much better than yours. Perhaps I can help you win."

Yúshì, Tián Jì qǐngqiú  hé Qí wáng zài bǐ  yí  cì,   Qí wáng dāyìng le.
 于是，田    忌    请求   和  齐 王   再   比 一 次，齐   王     答应   了。

So Tian Ji asked the king for another race and the king agreed.

Tián Jì xiān yòng xiàděngmǎ duì Qí wáng de shàngděngmǎ, dì  yī chǎng shū  le.
  田  忌 先    用      下等马      对   齐   王   的    上等马，        第 一   场     输   了。

In the first match, Tian Ji's low-level horse was used to compete against the Qi king's high-level horse. So, of course, Tian Ji lost.

Jiēzhe Tián Jì yòng shàngděngmǎ duì Qí wáng de zhōngděngmǎ, yíng le  dì  èr chǎng.  
  接着    田   忌  用         上等马        对   齐  王   的     中等马 ，       赢 了  第 二    场。

Then in the second match, Tian Ji used his high-level horse defeated the king's middle-level horse.

Dì sān chǎng, Tián Jì yòng zhōngděngmǎ duì Qí wáng de xiàděngmǎ, yòu yíng le yì chǎng.
 第 三      场，  田  忌   用        中等马        对 齐   王     的      下等马，  又   赢   了 一  场。

In the third match, Tian Ji used his middle-level horse to compete against the king's low-level horse, and Tian Ji won again.

Sān chǎng zhōng Tián Jì yíng le liǎng chǎng, zuìhòu huò shèng.
 三       场       中    田   忌  赢   了       两 场，      最后   获      胜。

Since his horses won two of the three matches, Tian Ji won the competition,

 Key Learning Points:

输(shū): v. to lose

 Example:

Wǒmen dǎ gè dǔ, shuí shū le shuí qǐngkè!
  我们    打  个  赌，谁    输  了  谁     请客！

  Let's make a bet. The loser will treat the winner!
 
赢(yíng): v. to win

Example:

    Zuówǎn de bǐsài nǎ  gè qiúduì yíng le?
A:  昨晚     的  比赛  哪  个    球队   赢 了？

     Which team won the game last night?

    Nà hái yòng wèn? Dāngrán shì Xībānyá duì  le!
B: 那 还   用     问？   当然       是    西班牙   队 了!

    Do you really have to ask? Spain, of course!

Read More Teens Chinese Stories:

Read Chinese story: 画蛇添足 (huàshétiānzú) Draw a Snake and Add Feet to it

Read Chinese story: 滥竽充数 Fill a Post without Real Qualifications

Read Chinese story: 初生牛犊不怕虎 New-born Calves are not Afraid of Tigers

Read Chinese story: 笨鸟先飞 Clumsy Birds Have to Start Flying Early

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Key Learning Points (Preview): 蛇 (shé): n. snake

画 (huà): v./n. to draw/picture

Chǔguó yǒu gè guìzú.
楚国       有    个 贵族。

During Chu dynasty, there was an aristocrat.

Jì guò zǔzong yǐhòu, tā bǎ yì hú jìjiǔ shǎng gěi bāngmáng de púrén.
祭 过 祖宗      以后，他把一 壶 祭酒 赏      给 帮忙        的    仆人。

After worshiping the ancestors (on one day), he gave a jug of libation to the servants who helped him.

Púrén shāngliang shuō:
仆人     商量          说:
"Wǒmen dōu lái huà shé, shuí xiān huà hǎo, shuí jiù hē zhè hú jiǔ."   
我们        都   来   画 蛇， 谁   先    画    好， 谁   就 喝 这 壶 酒。”

The servants discussed among them and said: “Every servant would draw a snake on the ground. The man who finished first would drink the wine.”

Yǒu yí gè rén hěn kuài bǎ shé huà hǎo le.
有  一 个 人 很   快    把   蛇  画  好  了。

One man finished very quickly.

Tā duān qǐ jiǔhú zhèng yào hē, kàndào biérén hái zài máng zhe huà shé,
他 端     起  酒壶    正     要   喝，看到      别人 还 在  忙     着  画  蛇，
jiù déyì de shuō: "Wǒ nénggòu zài gěi shé tiān shàng jǐ zhī jiǎo ne!"
就 得意 地 说：“ 我 能够         再   给 蛇    添  上     几 只 脚 呢！”

He was about to drink the wine. However, when he saw others were still busy drawing, he said in triumph: “I can add feet to my snake.”

Kěshì méi děng tā bǎ jiǎo huà wán, lìng yí gè rén yǐ bǎ shé huà chéng le.
可是    没 等     他 把 脚 画    完， 另 一 个 人 已 把 蛇 画    成   了。

However, before he finished drawing the feet, another man finished drawing a snake.

Nà rén bǎ nà hú jiǔ qiǎng guòqù,
那  人  把 那 壶 酒 抢    过去，
shuō: "Shé běnlái shì méiyǒu jiǎo de, nǐ zěnme néng gěi tā tiān shàng jiǎo ne?"               说：“ 蛇 本来    是 没有    脚 的， 你 怎么  能    给 它 添  上      脚  呢”？

That man grabbed the jar and said: “Who has ever seen a snake with feet? How do you add feet to it?”

Shuō wán, biàn bǎ hú zhōng de jiǔ hē le xiàqu.
说     完， 便   把 壶  中     的 酒 喝了 下去。

Then, he drank up the wine.

Nàgè gěi shé huà jiǎo de rén zuìzhōng méiyǒu hē dào jiǔ.
那个  给 蛇   画 脚    的 人 最终       没有     喝 到 酒。

The man who added feet to the snake didn’t get the wine eventually.

Key Learning Points:

蛇 (shé): n. snake

Example:

Tā hěn hàipà shé.
她 很  害怕   蛇。

She was afraid of snakes.

画 (huà): v./n. to draw/picture

Examples:

Verb:     

    Nǐ zài huà shénme ne?
A: 你 在 画  什么   呢？

    What are you drawing?    

   Wǒ zài huà nà zhī māo.
B: 我 在  画  那  只 猫。

    I'm drawing that cat.

None:

Tā bǎ gāng mǎi de huà guà zài le qiángshàng.
他 把  刚     买 的 画   挂  在 了  墙上。

He hangs the picture he just bought on the wall.

Read More Teens Chinese Stories:

Teens Chinese story:滥竽充数 Fill a Post without Real Qualifications

Teens Chinese story: 压岁钱的故事 The Story of Pocket Money on Lunar New Year’s Day

Teens Chinese story: 初生牛犊不怕虎 New-born Calves are not Afraid of Tigers

Teens Chinese story: 笨鸟先飞 Clumsy Birds Have to Start Flying Early

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Key Learning Point (Preview):

怕 (pà): v to fear/ be afraid of

 Towards the end of Eastern Han Dynasty, “刘备 (Liú Bèi) Liu Bei” captured the city “汉中 (Hànzhōng) Hanzhong” from “曹操 (Cáo Cāo) Cao Cao” and proclaimed himself king. He ordered his famed general “关羽 (Guān Yǔ) Guan Yu” to capture “襄阳 (Xiāngyáng) Xiang yang” in the north. 刘备 (Liú Bèi)’s army defeated 曹操 (Cáo Cāo)’s army, which fell back on“樊城 (Fánchéng) Fancheng.” “曹操 (Cáo Cāo) Cao Cao” sent a young and brave officer “庞德 (Páng Dé) Pang De” to lead the soldiers into “樊城 (Fánchéng) Fancheng” for support.  When “庞德 (Páng Dé) Pang De” led his troops into “樊城 (Fánchéng) Fancheng,” he said that he would have a “决战 (juézhàn) decisive battle” with “关羽 (Guān Yǔ) Guan Yu.” Both fought hard against each other in the following battles but neither prevailed. After the battles, “关羽 (Guān Yǔ) Guan Yu” came back to the military camp and said to his subordinates: “ ‘庞德 (Páng Dé) Pang De’ had very good sword skills, and he was “初生牛犊不怕虎 (chū shēng niúdú bú pà hǔ) a new-born calf that is not afraid of tiger.” We can’t look down upon him.” “初生 (chū shēng)” means new-born and “牛犊 (niúdú)” means calf. This idiom is often used to describe young people who are not afraid of obstacles and are very brave.

For example：

Zhèxiē xiǎohuǒzi wúlùn zuò shénme shì dōu shuō gàn jiù gàn ，
 这些   小   伙子  无论   做    什么      事  都     说     干  就  干，                                                  bú hàipà rènhé kùnnan ，zhēn kě wèi chū shēng niúdú bú pà hǔ ā ！
不   害怕    任何    困难，    真   可   谓    初  生     牛犊   不  怕  虎 啊！ 

Whatever these young men decide to do they will start without delay and they aren’t afraid of any difficulty. “New-born calves are not afraid of tigers!”

Key Learning Point：

怕 (pà): v to fear/ be afraid of

 Example:

Wǒ jiějie gàosu wǒ xué hànyǔ bú shì jiàn jiǎndān de shìqing,  
我  姐姐   告诉  我 学   汉语 不 是    件     简单    的 事 情，
dànshì wǒ yí diǎn dōu bú pà, wǒ jué dé xué hànyǔ hěn yǒu yìsi.  
但 是   我  一 点    都  不 怕，我 觉 得 学   汉语    很    有  意 思。

My older sister told me that it is not easy to learn Mandarin, but I am not afraid of learning it at all. I think it is very interesting to learn Mandarin.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:

 决战 (juézhàn): n a decisive battle

 初生牛犊 (chū shēng niúdú): new-born calves

 虎 (hǔ): n tigers

 Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.    

男生如何邀请女生 (Nánshēng rúhé yāoqĭng nǚshēng) When a Boy Invites a Girl

        Zuìjìn máng shénme ne?
Boy: 最近    忙       什么    呢？ 

        What have you been busy doing recently?                

        Kuài kăoshì le, mángzhe fùxí  ne!  Zhè jĭ tiān yìzhí mái zài shūduī lĭ  ne!
Girl: 快     考试    了， 忙 着  复习 呢！这 几 天 一直   埋 在   书堆里  呢！ 

        Exams are approaching, and I'm busy reviewing the books to prepare for them. I'm buried in a pile of books these days.                

         Nĭ yě  tài yònggōng le  ba! Xiàwŭ chūqù sànbù, zěnme yàng?
Boy: 你 也 太      用功     了  吧！下午    出去     散步，怎么     样？

        You're too serious about your studies! What about going for a walk this afternoon?                

        Wǒ kě méiyǒu nĭ nàyàng de xiánqíngyìzhì!
Girl: 我   可   没有    你 那样     的   闲情逸致！ 

        I don't have the leisure time and carefree mood as you do.                 

         Bié a!   Nĭ méi tīngshuō "zhĭ gōngzuò  bù wánshuă cōngmíng háizi yě biànshă" ma?
Boy: 别 啊！你 没    听说     “只    工作     不     玩耍        聪明     孩子 也    变傻” 吗？        
         Nĭ nándào xiăng biànchéng shăzi ma?                 
        你 难道      想      变成          傻子   吗？

        Oh, come on. Haven't you ever heard "All work and no play make Jack a fool?" Do you want to become a fool?              

        Nà hăo ba!  Wǒ kě bùxiăng bèi nĭ shuō chéng shăzi.  Wǒmen chūqù sànbù ba!
Girl: 那 好  吧！ 我 可 不想       被 你 说      成      傻子。  我们      出去   散步  吧！ 

        Ok! I don't want to be called a fool. Let's go for a walk!

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:

最近 (zuìjìn): adv recently

认真 (rènzhēn): adj be serious

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Key Learning Point (Preview):

数 (shǔ/shù): v/n count/number

In the Warring States Period of China, a king named Qixuan liked listening to the "合奏 (hézòu) instrumental ensemble" of Yu (an instrument in ancient China). The more bandsmen played it, the happier he would be. Mr. Nanguo was a man who didn't like to work hard but liked to brag. When he heard the king Qixuan wanted to organize a bigger band, he told the king Qixuan that he was an expert in playing the Yu. So the king Qixuan happily invited him to join the band. When playing Yu, he just sat together with other bandsmen and acted as he spared no effort. But in fact, he couldn't play it at all. He made his living by acting like this for many years until the king Qixuan died.

After the king Qixuan died, his son Qimin took over. He didn't like listening to the instrumental ensemble of Yu at all. He liked listening to the "独奏 (dúzòu) solo" of Yu. So he only asked one bandsman to play the Yu for him each time. In this case, Mr. Nanguo had no way but to run away.

This Chinese idiom tells us that we should tell things as they are and be honest. In modern Chinese, this Chinese idiom is used to describe people who fill in a post without real qualifications. You can see how it is used from the following example:

Wǒ bú tài huì chànggē, zài héchàngduì lǐ   zhǐ shì lànyúchōngshù ér yǐ.
我   不 太 会   唱歌，   在   合唱队       里 只 是   滥竽充数         而 已。

I am not good at singing. I just fill a post without real qualifications in the chorus team.

Key Learning Points:

数 (shǔ/shù): v/n to count/number

Examples:   

    Zhè shì jīntiān bàomíng cānjiā ap hànyǔ péixùn de míngdān,
1. 这  是 今天    报名       参加   AP   汉语    培训  的  名单，   
nǐ shǔ yí xià yígòng duō shǎo rén .     
你 数 一 下 一共     多  少   人。

    This is the name list of those who applied for the AP Chinese training today. Please count the total number.

    Zài Zhōngguó, dàbùfèn rén dōu rènwéi bā shì gè hěn jílì  de shùzì.
2. 在  中国，      大部分   人  都    认为  8   是 个 很 吉利 的 数字。

     In China, most people think that eight is a lucky number.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:

 合奏 (hézòu): n instrumental ensemble

独奏 (dúzòu): n solo

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Let’s paddle together is a very famous and traditional Chinese song for teens in China. You can definitely practice speaking Chinese while singing it. Learn Chinese through this beautiful Chinese song!

Listen to the song

Key Learning Points (Preview):

愉快 (yúkuài): adj cheerful

幸福 (xìngfú): adj happy

Listen to the song lyrics

Ràng wŏmen dàngqĭ shuāngjiăng, xiăochuán'ér tuī kāi bōlàng.
让       我们    荡起     双桨，      小船儿    推      开          波浪。

Let's paddle together and the boat will push away the waves.

Hăimiàn dàoyìng zhe měilì de báită, sìzhōu huánrào zhe lǜshù hóngqiáng.
海面      倒映 着     美丽   的    白塔，  四周    环绕    着   绿树      红墙。

The beautiful White Tower is reflected on the sea, green trees and red walls are all around.

Xiăochuán'ér qīngqīng, piāodàng zài shuĭzhōng, yíngmiàn chuī lái le liángshuăng de
小船儿               轻轻，      飘荡   在   水中，     迎面    吹     来了              凉爽        的
fēng.
风。

The boat floats on the water, and a cool wind blows against our faces.

Hónglĭngjīn yíng zhe tàiyáng, yángguāng să zài hăimiàn shàng.
红领巾         迎 着     太阳，     阳光      洒    在      海面      上。

Young Pioneers face the sun and the sunshine spills onto the sea.

Shuĭ zhōng yú'ér wàng zhe wŏmen, qiāoqiāo de tīng wŏmen yúkuài gēchàng.
水    中      鱼儿   望    着     我们，      悄悄    地    听     我们     愉快      歌唱。

The fish look at us from the water and listen quietly to our cheerful singing.

Xiăochuán'ér qīngqīng, piāodàng zài shuĭ zhōng, yíngmiàn chuī lái le liángshuăng de
小船儿            轻轻，       飘荡   在   水    中，      迎面    吹    来    了          凉爽     的
fēng.
风。

The boat floats on the water, and a cool wind blows against our faces.

Zuòwán le yī tiān de gōngkè, wŏmen lái jìnqíng huānlè.
做完      了 一天 的 功课，    我们   来    尽情     欢乐。

After a long day of homework, we come to play happily.

Wŏ wèn nĭ qīn'ài de huŏbàn, shuí gěi wŏmen ānpái xià xìngfú de shēnghuó?
我 问    你 亲爱   的    伙伴，    谁    给   我们     安排   下    幸福    的     生活？

I ask you, dear partners, who has arranged a happy life for us?

Xiăochuán'ér qīngqīng, piāodàng zài shuĭ zhōng, yíngmiàn chuī lái le liángshuăng de
小船儿            轻轻，          飘荡      在      水中，        迎面     吹      来    了       凉爽    的
fēng
.风。

The boat floats on the water, and a cool wind blows against our faces.

Xiăochuán'ér qīngqīng, piāodàng zài shuĭ zhōng, yíngmiàn chuī lái le liángshuăng de
小船儿             轻轻，      飘荡        在     水中，     迎面    吹     来     了         凉爽     的
fēng.
风。

The boat floats on the water, and a cool wind blows against our faces.

Key Learning Points:

愉快 (yúkuài): adj cheerful

Examples:

Zhù nǐ lǚtú yúkuài.
1. 祝 你 旅途 愉快。

I wish you a pleasant trip.

Tīng dào zhège hǎo xiāoxi hòu, tā liǎn shàng lòuchūle yúkuài de xiàoróng.
2. 听  到     这个   好    消息    后， 她  脸   上      露出了     愉快   的      笑容。

After hearing the good news, she smiles happily. .

幸福 (xìngfú): adj happy

Examples:

Xīwàng dàjiā dōu kěyǐ dédào xìngfú de shēnghuó.
希望    大家    都    可以   得到   幸福   的    生活。

Hope everyone can have a happy life.

生词 (shēngcí): Vocabulary:

飘荡 (piāodàng): v to float

凉爽 (liángshuăng): adj cool

安排 (ānpái): v to arrange

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采蘑菇 (Cǎi mógu) Pick Mushrooms

Key Learning Point (Preview):

蘑菇 (mógu): n mushroom

Hēitù hé báitù,
黑兔 和 白兔，

The black rabbit and the white rabbit,

Shàngshān cǎi mógu.
上山             采 蘑菇。

Climbed up the mountain to pick mushrooms.

Xiǎohóu hé xiǎolù,
小猴       和 小鹿，

Little monkey and little deer,

Yìqǐ  lái bāngzhù.
一起 来 帮助。

Come and help them.

Hóu hé tù,
猴   和 兔，

Monkey and rabbit,

Tù hé lù,
兔 和 鹿，

Rabbit and deer,

Gāogāoxìngxìng cǎi mógu.
高高兴兴             采 蘑菇。

Pick mushrooms happily together.

Key Learning Point:

蘑菇 (mógu): n mushroom

Example:

A: Wǒ xiǎng yào yìwǎn mógu tāng.      
    我 想      要   一碗 蘑菇   汤。

    I would like a bowl of mushroom soup.

B: Hǎode, qǐng shāoděng.    
     好的，  请     稍等。

    OK, wait a moment please.

生词 (shēngcí): Vocabulary

兔 (tù): n rabbit

猴 (hóu): n monkey

鹿 (lù): n deer

帮助 (bāngzhù): v/ n help

More Chinese tongue twitters: 茄子和鞋子 Eggplant and Shoes 会与费 Can and Cost Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Key Learning Points (Preview):
梦游 (mèngyóu): n sleepwalking

梦想 (mèngxiǎng): v/n to dream of/dream

白日梦 (báirìmèng): n daydream

A：Zuìjìn de sānwéi lìtǐ diànyǐng zhēn jīngcǎi!
      最近  的   三维 立体 电影      真     精彩！

      The recent 3D movies are really wonderful!

B：Shì，Bǐrú Àilìsī mèngyóu xiānjìng, ràng wǒ fǎngfú yòu huídào le tóngnián.
      是， 比如《爱丽丝梦游仙境》，      让   我 仿佛    又    回到   了 童年。

      Yeah, for example, Alice in Wonderland lets me feel as if I were back to my childhood.

A：Zěnme? Nǐ xiǎoshíhou yě zǒngshì zuò èmèng ma?
      怎么？   你   小时候     也     总是    做     噩梦   吗？

     What? Did you often have nightmares when you were a child too?

B：Búshì la,  wǒ xiǎoshíhou yě xǐhuan huànxiǎng.
      不是 啦，我   小时候      也   喜欢    幻想
     Nah, I mean I also liked fantasizing.
     Bǐrú,  wǒ  jiā de gǒu yàoshi néng shuōhuà, nà jiù tàihǎo le.
     比如，我 家 的 狗    要是    能      说话，    那 就 太好  了。。

     For example, it would be great if our dog could speak.

A：Wǒ yě yíyàng.
      我   也 一样。
      Same here.
      Kànzhe tiānshàng de niǎo, yě mèngxiǎng zhe zìjǐ zhǎng chū yìshuāng  chìbǎng.
      看着       天上        的   鸟， 也    梦想        着   自己  长   出      一双         翅膀。

      While seeing the birds fly in the sky, I was dreaming of myself sprouting a pair of wing.

B：Wǒ xiǎng suōxiǎo le néng hé mǎyǐ wán, biàndà  le néng káng qǐ hǎo duō zhòng dōngxi.
      我   想       缩小    了   能   和   蚂蚁 玩， 变大   了 能     扛   起   好   多   重      东西。

       I would like to be shrunk and be able to play with the ants.
       I would also be able to lift many heavy things if I were stretched.

A：Nà nǐ yào xiān dédào suōxiǎo yàoshuǐ hé bèizēng dàngāo ba.
      那 你 要   先   得到     缩小     药水     和    倍增     蛋糕    吧。

      Then you should first get the shrink potion and Upelkuchen
      (the cake which can stretch people).

B：Hāhā, xiànzài xiǎngxiǎng, dōushì xiē báirìmèng.
      哈哈，现在     想想，        都是    些    白日梦。

      Haha, now when I think about these, they all are daydreams.

A：Dànshì wǒ juéde, yǐngpiàn zhōng de   Àilìsī  gǔwǔ le wǒ xiàng tā yíyàng qù jiānxìn,
      但是     我   觉得， 影片      中      的 爱丽丝 鼓舞 了  我  像    她 一样    去 坚信，
      bìng shíxiàn zìjǐ  de mèngxiǎng.
      并     实现   自己 的      梦想。

      But I think through the movie, Alice encouraged me to firmly 
      believe in my dreams and try to make them come true.

B：Duì, wǒ yě yǒu tónggǎn. Zuìhòu tā duì māma shuō de nà  jù
       对，我 也 有   同感。     最后   她 对   妈妈    说    的 那 句
     "wǒ huì zhǎodào wǒ rénshēng de  yìyì,"   yě shì wǒ xiǎng duì māma shuō de huà.
     “ 我 会    找到      我   人生        的  意义”，也 是 我 想    对    妈妈   说    的   话。

      Yes I agree with you. In the last scene,
      Alice says to her mom "I'll find something useful to do with my life."
      This is also what I wanted to tell my mom.

A：Bù zhīdào Àilìsī  qù le Zhōngguó zhīhòu, shìfǒu yě shàng Zhōngwénkè le ne.
      不 知道 爱丽丝 去 了    中国       之后， 是否 也   上       中文课        了   呢？

      Don't know if Alice went to China, whether she would take Chinese courses?

B：Hāha, nǐ hái zhēn huì xiǎngxiàng.
      哈哈，你 还 真     会    想象。

      Haha, you are really fanciful.

Key Learning Points:
梦游 (mèngyóu): v/n to walk in one' dream/sleepwalking

"梦 (mèng)" means dream and "游 (yóu)" means to walk or to tour. But in the movie name "《爱丽丝梦游仙境》 (Àilìsī mèngyóu xiānjìng)," "游 (yóu)" means to tour. So here the Chinese word "梦游 (mèngyóu)" refers to "to tour in the dream."

Examples:
    Mèngyóu shì bú zhèngcháng de.
1. 梦游         是   不      正常       的。

    It's abnormal for a person to walk in his dream.

    Wǒ yě xiǎng xiàng   Àilìsī yíyàng yǒu nàme qímiào de mèngyóu.
2. 我   也   想      像   爱丽丝 一样    有    那么   奇妙  的   梦游。

     I want to tour in a wonderful dream just like Alice.

梦想 (mèngxiǎng): v/n to dream of/dream

Examples:
    Tā mèngxiǎng zhe chéngwéi yìmíng lǜshī.
1. 他   梦想          着      成为    一名     律师。

    He is dreaming of becoming a lawyer.

    Zhù nǐ mèngxiǎng chéngzhēn!
2. 祝  你   梦想           成真!

    May your dream come true!

白日梦 (báirìmèng): n daydream

"白日 (báirì)" means daytime and "梦 (mèng)" means dream. When referring to "to daydream," we say "做白日梦 ( zuò báirìmèng)."

Examples:
    Bié zuò báirìmèng le, zhuānxīn tīngkè ba.
1. 别  做    白日梦     了， 专心    听课   吧。

    Don't daydream, and concentrate on the class.

   Zhè shì wǒ zuò guò de zuìhǎo de báirìmèng le.
2. 这  是 我  做    过 的   最好    的    白日梦 了。

    It's the nicest daydream I ever had.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:

噩梦 (èmèng): n nightmare

翅膀 (chìbǎng): n wing

缩小 (suōxiǎo): v to shrink

变大 (biàndà): v to stretch

More Chinese conversations:
狂欢的日子来了 (Kuánghuān de rìzi lái le) Christmas Party
去网吧 (Qù wăngbā) Go to an Internet Cafe

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You can learn Chinese with fun through Chinese crossword puzzle!

Horizontal:
(1) No way
(2) Close
(3) Contact

Vertical:
(1) Back door
(2) It doesn't matter
(3) Unite

Please click here to see the answer key.

Related links:
http://resources.echineselearning.com/teens/?p=647
http://resources.echineselearning.com/teens/?p=651

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Key Learning Points (Preview):

帅哥 (shuàigē): n handsome man or cute boy

美女 (měinǚ): n beautiful girl

假小子 (jiǎxiǎozi): n tomboy

For teenagers in China, there are many interesting, funny and popular Chinese words used to describe their styles and tastes. In this article, we give you examples of some most widely-used teenager expressions. People in China usually use the Chinese words “帅哥 (shuàigē)” to describe handsome boys or men, while they use the Chinese phrase “美女 (měinǚ)” to describe beautiful girls. In addition to using the phrase “美女 (měinǚ) beautiful girl” to describe an attractive girl, one can also use “淑女 (shūnǚ) good mannered lady” to describe a girl who is gentle and has good manners. For girls who behave just like boys, people often call them “假小子 (jiǎxiǎozi) tomboy. ” In schools, “书虫 (shūchóng) book worm” are used to describe students who are interested and spend a lot of time in reading books. Finally, we describe a young but mature person “少年老成 (shàoniánlǎochéng).”

Key Learning Points:

帅哥 (shuàigē): n handsome man or cute boy

In Chinese, “哥 (gē)” means elder brother and “弟 (dì)” means young brother. But in this phrase, people just use “哥 (gē)” to mean boys.

Example:

    Hāi, zěnme yí gè rén a!
A: 嗨， 怎么   一个 人 啊！

    Hi, why are you alone here?

    Méi bànfǎ, péngyou dōu yǒuyuē le.
B: 没    办法， 朋友      都     有约   了。

    There is nothing I could do since all my friends have appointments.

     Bú huì ba, xiàng nǐ zhèyàng de shuàigē zěnme huì luòdān?
A: 不   会   吧，像    你   这样     的    帅哥      怎么   会   落单？

     Oh, no! I can’t believe that a cute boy like you is here alone.

美女 (měinǚ): n beautiful girl

“美 (měi) beautiful ” is the antonym of the Chinese character “丑 (chǒu) ugly.”

Example:

    Gébì bān nà gè měinǚ shì wǒ xǐhuan de lèixíng.
A: 隔壁   班  那 个   美女   是 我   喜欢   的  类型。

     The beautiful girl in another class is the type I like.

    Xǐhuan jiù qù zhuī ya.
B: 喜欢     就  去 追   呀。

     You should pursue her if you like her.

假小子 (jiǎxiǎozi): n tomboy 

“假 (jiǎ) false” is the antonym of the Chinese character “真 (zhēn) true.” “小子(xiǎozi)” means boy.

Examples:

Tā nǚ’ér shì yí gè tiáopí de jiǎxiǎozi.
他   女儿 是  一个  调皮  的 假小子。

His daughter is a naughty tomboy.

Dàjiā yào tígāo duì zhēnjiǎ shìfēi de biànbié nénglì.
大家   要   提高  对    真假    是非 的   辨别    能力。

We should improve our ability to distinguish between the truth and the false and discriminate right from wrong.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:

淑女 (shūnǚ): n good mannered lady

书虫 (shūchóng): n book worm

少年老成 (shàoniánlǎochéng): adj young but mature

落单 (luòdān): adj alone

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茄子和鞋子 (qiézi hé xiézi) Eggplant and Shoes

Listen to the tongue twister

Key Learning Points (Preview):

鞋子 (xiézi): n shoe

茄子 (qiézi): n eggplant

Yígè xiǎo háizi,
一个 小    孩子，

There was a little child,

Shǒu ná shuāng xiézi.
手      拿    双       鞋子。

Who had a pair of shoes in his hand.

Kànjiàn dìshàng yǒu qiézi,
看见       地上      有    茄子，

He saw an eggplant on the ground,

Fàng xià xiézi jiǎn qiézi.
放       下 鞋子 捡  茄子。

He put aside the shoes and picked up the eggplant.

Jiǎn qǐ le qiézi,
捡    起了 茄子，

As he picked up the eggplant,

Wàngjì le xiézi.
忘记    了 鞋子。

He forgot his shoes.

Key Learning Points:

鞋子 (xiézi): n shoe

The character "鞋 (xié)" means shoe. "子 (zǐ)" here, is an auxiliary word. when "子" is placed in front of a character or is used alone, it takes the falling and raising (i.e., 3rd) tone.

Example:

子女 (zǐnǚ) children/ sons and daughters

Tā hěn téng'ài zìjǐ  de zǐnǚ.
他 很     疼爱     自己 的子女。

He is very affectionate towards his children.

when "子" is placed after a character, it takes the light tone.

Example:

Wǒ de xiézi pò le, míngtiān děi mǎi shuāng xīn de.
我 的 鞋子 破 了，明天     得    买     双     新 的。

My shoes were damaged, and I have to buy a new pair tomorrow.

Many foreigners find it difficult to pronounce the initial consonant "x." The followings are some Chinese words or expressions beginning with "x." 写 (xiě) to write

下课 (xiàkè) class dismissed

心情很好 (xīnqíng hěnhǎo) be in a good mood

茄子 (qiézi): n eggplant

The character "茄 (qié)" means eggplant and "子 (zǐ)" is an auxiliary word here. It is common for foreigners to say "cheese" when they take photos but Chinese people prefer to say "茄子 (qiézi)."

Example:

A: Nǐ zuì xǐhuan chī nǎ zhǒng shūcài?     
    你 最  喜欢   吃 哪   种        蔬菜？

     Which is your favorite vegetable?

B: Qiézi! hóng shāo qiézi shì wǒ zuì xǐhuan de yí dào cài.     
     茄子！红      烧    茄子 是 我 最 喜欢   的 一 道    菜。

     Eggplant! "Hongshao eggplant" is my favorite dish.

The initial consonant "q" is difficult for Chinese learners to pronounce as well. Here are some Chinese words and expressions beginning with "q."

请进 (qǐngjìn) come in, please

汽车 (qìchē) car

穷人 (qióngrén) the poor

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Key Learning Points (Preview):

熊猫 (xióngmāo): n panda

鼓励 (gǔlì): v to encourage

感激 (gǎnjī): n gratitude

Recently a "特别的 (tèbiéde) special" company, whose primary service is delivering "slow" letters for its customers, appeared in Beijing. Located on a side alley in the 798 art district, Chaoyang District, this company is called "798 Art & Travel Post," but affectionately known as the "熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda" Slow Post. Visitors here would leave their letters, either to "鼓励 (gǔlì) encourage" themselves or to address to their beloved ones until a specified date in the future. When the pre-fixed mailing date comes, "熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda" staff will retrieve the letter and send it to the recipient. Although customers of the service come from all walks of life, most of them are youngsters. "熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda" staff recalled that one of the most impressive letters was from a boy who was planning to study abroad. He sent a letter to his parents expressing his love and "感激 (gǎnjī) gratitude," but wanted the letter to be mailed after his departure. The coming of "熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda" Slow Post may not be a coincidence. Life for youngsters nowadays is fast-paced. Sometimes it is difficult to "处理 (chǔlǐ) handle" what's going on in life. Some find it difficult to "交流 (jiāoliú) communicate with" their parents; some find it hard to deal with their "同龄人 (tónglíngrén) peers;" and some find the weight on their shoulders too heavy. "熊猫 (xióngmāo) Panda" Slow Post's service provides an opportunity to communicate in a different way. Here you can try writing a letter to yourself, either to "鼓励 (gǔlì) encourage" or to complain; or send one to your beloved ones or your hated ones, either to show "感激 (gǎnjī) gratitude" or contempt. When the time comes to read your own letter, you will get to feel the difference between your past and present. And if the recipient is your beloved ones, you will feel satisfied to see the smiles on their faces.

Key Learning Points:  

熊猫 (xióngmāo): n panda

 The character "熊 (xióng)" means bear. "猫 (māo)" means cat.

Example:
Xióngmāo shì Zhōngguó de guóbǎo.
熊猫          是   中国         的      国宝。

Panda is a national treasure of China.

鼓励 (gǔlì): v to encourage

 "鼓 (gǔ)" means drum. "励 (lì)" means to encourage.

Example:

Lǎoshī gǔlì  wǒmen yào hǎohǎo zhǔnbèi AP kǎoshì.
老师   鼓励 我们       要 好好        准备    AP  考试。

Our teacher encourages us to get ready for the AP Chinese preparation.

感激 (gǎnjī): n gratitude

 "感 (gǎn)" means to feel. "激 (jī)" means to stimulate.

Example:

Wǒmen yīnggāi shǐzhōng duì fùmǔ huáiyǒu gǎnjī zhī qíng.
我们         应该      始终     对 父母   怀有     感激 之    情。

We should always feel gratitude towards our parents.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary

处理 (chǔlǐ): v to handle with/ to deal with

交流 (jiāoliú): v to communicate with

同龄人 (tónglíngrén): n peers

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Listen to the song

Key Learning Points (preview):

重 (zhòng): adj heavy and 轻 (qīng): adj light

静 (jìng): adj quiet

About the singer: This song is sung by 周杰伦 (Zhōu Jiélún) Jay Chou, a very famous pop singer in China. In addition to singing Snail, Jay Chou also composed both the lyrics and music for it.

Listen to the song lyrics

Gāi bù gāi gēxià zhòngzhòng de ké
该   不  该 搁下     重重          的 壳

Should I drop the heavy shell

Xúnzhǎo dàodǐ nǎlǐ  yǒu lántiān
寻找       到底   哪里 有   蓝天

To look for the blue sky

Suízhe qīngqīng de fēng qīngqīng de piāo
随着      轻轻       的 风     轻轻      地  飘

Gently floating with the light wind

Lìjīng de shāng dōu bù gǎnjué téng
历经   的    伤      都 不  感觉     疼

Haven't felt pain after injury

Wǒ yào yí  bù  yí  bù wǎngshàng pá
我    要 一 步 一 步     往上        爬

I'll keep on climbing step by step

Děngdài yángguāng jìngjìng kàn zhe tā de liǎn
等待          阳 光        静静     看    着  它 的 脸

To wait for the sunshine shining on the face of the sky

Xiǎoxiǎo de tiān yǒu dàdà de mèngxiǎng
小 小      的 天   有   大大 的   梦 想

There is a big dream in the small sky

Zhòngzhòng de ké guǒzhe qīngqīng de yǎngwàng
重 重            的 壳 裹着      轻 轻     的   仰望

Being wrapped by the heavy shell I look up to the sky

Wǒ yào yí bù yí  bù wǎngshàng pá
我   要 一 步 一 步    往上         爬

I'll keep on climbing step by step

Zài zuì gāo diǎn chéngzhe yèpiàn wǎngqián fēi
在   最  高    点     乘 着      叶片     往 前       飞

On the highest point in the sky, I fly forward by riding the leaves

Xiǎoxiǎo de tiān liúguò de  lèi hé hàn
小 小      的 天    流过  的 泪 和 汗

The tears and sweat I've shed before are also in the sky.    

Zǒng yǒu yì tiān wǒ yǒu shǔyú wǒ de tiān
总      有 一 天   我 有    属于   我 的 天

One day I will have my own sky

Wǒ yào yí bù yí bù wǎngshàng pá
我   要 一 步一 步   往 上        爬

I'll keep on climbing step by step

Zài zuì gāo diǎn chéngzhe yèpiàn wǎngqián fēi
在   最   高    点   乘 着       叶片     往前        飞

On the highest point in the sky, I fly forward by riding the leaves

Rèn fēng chuīgān liúguò de  lèi hé hàn
任    风      吹干      留过   的 泪 和 汗

Let the wind dry the tears and sweat

Wǒ yào yí bù  yí  bù wǎngshàng pá
我   要 一 步 一 步    往上         爬

I'll keep on climbing step by step

Děngdài yángguāng jìngjìng kàn zhe tā de liǎn
等待          阳 光         静 静   看   着  它 的 脸

To wait for the sunshine shining on the face of the sky

Xiǎoxiǎo de tiān yǒu dàdà de mèngxiǎng
小 小      的 天   有 大大   的     梦想

There is a big dream in the small sky

Wǒ yǒu shǔyú wǒ de tiān
我   有    属于   我 的 天

I have the sky that belongs to me

Rèn fēng chuīgān liúguò de lèi hé hàn
任    风        吹干     留过 的 泪 和 汗

Let the wind dry the tears and sweat

Zǒng yǒu yì tiān wǒ yǒu shǔyú wǒ de tiān
总       有 一 天  我   有    属于 我 的 天

One day I will have my own sky

Key Learning Points:

重 (zhòng): adj heavy and 轻 (qīng): adj light

The two Chinese characters "重 (zhòng)" and "轻 (qīng)" are opposites. "重 (zhòng)" means heavy and "轻 (qīng)" means light.

Example:

    Zhège xiāngzi hǎo zhòng ya!
A: 这 个   箱 子   好   重      呀！

    The box is so heavy!

    Wǒmen huàn yí xià ba, wǒ zhège bǐjiào qīng.
B: 我 们     换  一 下 吧，我  这个   比较 轻。

     Let's switch since mine is a lighter.

静 (jìng): adj quiet

The Chinese character "静 (jìng)" means quite, and people usually use some phrases with the character "静 (jìng),"  such as "安静 (ānjìng) quiet" and "宁静 (níngjìng) tranquil."

 Example:

    Nǐ néng bù néng ānjìng yí xià  a,   wǒ zài zhǔnbèi hànyǔ kǎoshì ne.
A: 你  能    不   能     安静  一 下 啊，我 在  准备     汉语    考试    呢。

    Can you keep quiet? I am preparing for the Chinese tests.

    Hǎo ba.
B: 好   吧。

    OK.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:

蜗牛 (wōniú): n snail

壳 (ké): n shell

疼 (téng): adj pain

爬 (pá): v to climb

泪 (lèi): n tear

汗 (hàn): n sweat

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Key Learning Points (Preview):

日 (rì): n day/ date

年 (nián): n year

早晨 (zǎochen): n early morning

"一年之计在于春，一日之计在于晨 (Yì nián zhī jì zàiyú chūn, yí rì zhī jì zàiyú chén) A year's plan starts with spring; a day's plan starts with early morning" is a popular Chinese proverb that shows how Chinese people think of the changing of the seasons during a year and how they relate to one's daily life. "一年之计在于春 (yì nián zhī jì zàiyú chūn) A year's plan starts with spring " was "总结 (zǒngjié) summed up" by the farmers during their cultivation of crops. It emphasizes the importance of spring out of the four seasons and that a good "收获 (shōuhuò) harvest" depends on the spring sowing. "一日之计在于晨 (yí rì zhī jì zàiyú chén) A day's plan starts with early morning" refers to the best time of a day being the early morning, and that it is good to make a whole day's "计划 (jìhuà) plan" early in the morning. What's more, in Chinese language, teenagers are compared with the spring, since they are full of hopes and dreams for their lives ahead of them. That's why the Chinese word "青春 (qīngchūn) youthful" which contains the character "春 (chūn) spring" is used to describe the young people who are at the spring season of their life.

 Key Learning Points:

日 (rì): n day/ date

It means day or date. And people usually use "日子 (rìzi)" in Chinese when referring to "day."

Examples:

    Wǒmen de  rìzi  yuè guò yuè hónɡhuo.
1. 我们      的 日子 越    过    越    红火。

    Our days are more and more prosperous.

          Nǐ zhīdào jīnnián de HSK kǎoshì zài nǎ yì tiān ma?
2. A:   你   知道    今年  的  HSK  考试   在 哪 一 天 吗？

          Do you know which day the HSK exam is on this year?           

       Tīngshuō shì zài sìyuè shíqīrì.      

B:   听 说        是 在   四月 十七日。

        I heard that it is on 17 April. 年 (nián): n year

The Chinese word for "year" is "年 (nián)." "明年 (míngnián)," "今年 (jīnnián)" and "去年 (qùnián)" separately mean "next year," "this year" and "last year." The character "年 (nián)" comes from a story of a beast, and you can check out the article about this story.

Example:

Wǒ míngnián yào cānjiā zhōngwén xuéxíbān.
我    明年         要    参加     中文      学习班。

I am going to take Chinese classes next year.

 早晨 (zǎochen): n early morning

"早 (zǎo)" means early and "晨 (chén)" means morning. Another word "早上 (zǎoshàng)" has the same meaning as "早晨 (zǎochen)."

 Example:

Zǎochen de kōngqì hěn qīngxīn.
早 晨      的    空气     很   清新。

The early morning air is very fresh.

 生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:

总结 (zǒngjié): v to sum up

收获 (shōuhuò): v/n to harvest/ harvest

计划 (jìhuà): v/n to plan/ plan

青春 (qīngchūn): adj/n youthful/ youth

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Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

会与费 (Huì yǔ fèi)  Can and Cost 　

Listen to the tongue twister 　

 Key Learning Points (Preview):

学 (xué): v to learn 　
会 (huì): v can/be able to 　

The Chinese tongue twister below is a very typical one which will help you practice the Chinese Pinyin pronunciation of “h” and “f.”

Shǒuyì  xué   búhuì,
手艺        学    不会，　
When one can not learn a craft,

Cáiliào yòng de  fèi.
材料          用   得 费。　
Materials cost a lot.

Zhèng shì huì de búfèi,
正           是 会 的 不费，　
It costs less when you know the craft,

Fèi de búhuì.
费 的 不会。　
But it costs more when you don’t have the craft.

Key Learning Points:

学 (xué): v to learn 　

Example:

     Jiàqī nǐ xiǎng  xuédiánr  shénme ya?
A: 假期 你 想          学点儿      什么    呀？　
     What do you want to learn during the holidays? 

    Wǒ xiǎng xué  lādīngwǔ.
B: 我      想      学     拉丁舞。　
     I want to learn Latin dance.

会 (huì): v can/be able to 　

Example:

Wǒ liùsuì de  dìdi  xiànzài huì yóuyǒng le.
我    六岁  的 弟弟     现在    会     游泳   了。　
My six-year-old brother can swim now.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary   　

手艺 (shǒuyì): n craft 　
材料 (cáiliào): n material 　
费用 (fèiyong): v to cost 　

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 Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Listen to the story 　

Key Learning Points (Preview):

哭 (kū): v to cry 　

宝贝 (bǎobèi): n/v baby/ take sth/ sb as treasured one 　

告诉 (gàosù): v to tell 　

Gǔ  shíhou,  yǒu  yìgè  xiǎoyāo jiào “Suì.”
古     时候，   有   一个   小妖     叫   “祟”。 　

In ancient times, there was a demon called “evil spirit.”

Tā xǐhuan zài chúxī wǎnshàng yòng shǒu mō háizi de tóu.
他   喜欢    在  除夕    晚上        用     手      摸  孩子 的 头。 　

He loved to touch the heads of children on Chinese New Year’s Eve.

Bèi tā mō guò de   háizi jiù huì dàkū,  tóuténg fārè,  zuìhòu biànchéng le shǎzi.
被  他  摸 过 的     孩子 就 会  大哭， 头疼    发热，最后      变成         了傻子。 　

Children touched by him were scared to cry; then they developed a headache, followed by a fever, and eventually turned into a fool.

Suǒyǐ,  měi   nián chúxī,  měi  yì jiā   dōu  liàng   zhe    dēng bú   shuìjiào, zhè jiàozuò
所以，   每   年      除夕， 每  一 家    都    亮      着     灯     不     睡觉，  这   叫做 

“shǒu Suì.”
 “守 祟”。 　

Therefore, every family had lights on throughout the night, and this was called: “protection from the evil spirit.”

Yǒu   yì  jiā   fūqī  hěn  bǎobèi  tāmen   de  xiǎo’ érzi.
有      一 家   夫妻  很     宝贝     他们    的   小      儿子。 　

There was a couple who took their young son as their treasured one.

Chúxī yèwǎn, tāmen bùjīngyì de jiāng bā méi tóngqián yòng hóng zhǐ bāo
除夕   夜晚， 他们     不经意   地   将   八  枚   铜钱        用     红   纸   包

qǐlái, fàngzài shúshuì de háizi de zhěntou xiàmian.
起来，放在      熟睡    的 孩子 的    枕头     下面。 　

They put eight coins in a red wrap, and placed it below the child’s pillow casually on New Year’s Eve.

Bànyè “Suì” gāng yào qù mō háizi de tóu, zhěntóu biān jiù fāchū shǎnguāng, 
半夜   “祟”    刚   要 去 摸 孩子  的 头，    枕头   边  就   发出       闪光，

xiàdé “suì” táopǎo  le.
吓得  “祟” 逃跑    了。 　

When the “evil sprit” was about to touch the child’s head, the eight coins below the boy’s pillow sent out bright light which scared the “evil spirit” away.

Yuánlái bā méi tóngqián shì bāxiān biànde, ànzhōng lái bǎohù háizi de.
原来      八   枚    铜钱      是   八仙    变的，   暗中     来    保护  孩子 的。 　

In fact, the eight coins were actually the eight immortals who had secretly assumed the shape of coins to protect the children.

Yīnwèi  “Suì”  yǔ  “suì”  tóngyīn,  zhīhòu zhújiàn yǎnbiàn wéi “yāsuìqián.”
因为     “祟”   与   “岁”   同音，  之后     逐渐     演变   为    “压岁钱”。 　

Because the “evil spirit” and “year” share the same pronunciation in Mandarin Chinese, it gradually began to be called “Pocket money for children on lunar New Year’s Day.”

Key learning points:

哭 (kū): v to cry 　

The character “哭 (kū)” means to cry.

Example:

Zài guò chūnjié de shíhou, xiǎoháizi búyào kū, yào xiào.
在    过    春节   的    时候，  小孩子   不要   哭， 要笑。 　

Children are encouraged to laugh instead of crying during the Chinese New Year.

宝贝 (bǎobèi): n/ v baby/ take sth/ sb as treasured one 　

The character “宝 (bǎo)” means precious and “贝 (bèi)” means shell.

Examples:

Bǎobèi, māma míngtiān dài nǐ qù gōngyuán wán.
宝贝，   妈妈      明天     带 你 去     公园       玩。 　

Baby, mom would like to take you to the park tomorrow.

Tā   hěn   bǎobèi    tā nà   bǎ   jiujítā.
他     很      宝贝      他 那    把  旧吉他。 　

He takes his old guitar as his treasured one.

告诉 (gàosù): v to tell 　

Both the character “告 (gào)” and “诉 (sù)” mean to tell.

Example:

Tā gàosù wǒ míngtiān kěnéng huì xiàyǔ.
他 告诉    我   明天      可能       会  下雨。 　

He told me that it might rain tomorrow.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary 　

孩子(háizi): n child 　

枕头(zhěntóu): n pillow 　

保护(bǎohù): v to protect 　

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 Key Learning Points (Preview):
决心 (juéxīn): v to resolve 　
志气 (zhìqì): n aspiration  　

Idiom Story

树上一只鸟妈妈孵出了六只鸟宝宝， 　
Shùshàng yìzhī niǎomāma fū chū le liùzhī niǎobǎobao,
A bird hatches six baby birds,

小六又瘦又小，哥哥姐姐们都欺负它； 　
Xiǎoliù yòu shòu yòu xiǎo, gēge jiějie men dōu qīfu tā;
Xiaoliu is very weak and small; his sisters and brothers usually bully him.

经常从它嘴里抢虫子，小六只得饿着肚子。 　
Jīngcháng cóng tā zuǐlǐ qiǎng chóngzi, xiǎoliù zhǐ děi è zhe dùzi.
The other birds usually rob food from his mouth, and Xiaoliu has to suffer from hunger.

哥哥姐姐们叫他 “笨鸟”。 　
Gēge jiějie men jiào tā “bèn niǎo.”
Sisters and Brothers call him “clumsy bird.”

于是他决心锻炼好身体，让哥哥姐姐们不再嘲笑自己。 　
Yúshì tā juéxīn duànliàn hǎo shēntǐ, ràng gēge jiějie men bú zài cháoxiào zìjǐ. 
He determines to exercise more to be healthier, in order to not be laughed by his sisters and brothers. 

他志气非常大，每天都起得很早， 　
Tā zhìqì fēicháng dà, měitiān dōu qǐ de hěn zǎo,
Xiaoliu has a strong will and gets up very early every day.

等哥哥姐姐们醒来，他已经跑完步，吃了虫子了。 　
Děng gēge jiějie men xǐnglái, tā yǐjīng pǎo wán bù, chī le chóngzi le.
He always finishes exercising and eating worms by the time his sisters and brothers wake up.

冬天到了，鸟群要南飞了；笨鸟是鸟群中第一个飞往南方的。 　
Dōngtiān dào le, niǎoqún yào nán fēi le; bènniǎo shì niǎoqún zhōng dìyígè fēiwǎng nánfāng de.
When the winter is coming and the bird flock prepare to fly to the south, the “clumsy bird” is the first one to start flying. 

笨鸟先飞 (Bèn niǎo xiān fēi) Clumsy birds have to start flying early 　

Usage:
“笨鸟先飞 (bèn niǎo xiān fēi) Clumsy birds have to start flying early” is used to describe someone who compensates for his/her weaknesses by working hard. The character “笨 (bèn)” means clumsy. “鸟 (niǎo)” refers to bird; “先 (xiān)” means first and “飞 (fēi)” means to fly. 

Example:

我相信通过努力我会达到目标的，笨鸟先飞嘛！ 　
Wǒ xiāngxìn tōngguò nǔlì wǒ huì dádào mùbiāo de, bèn niǎo xiān fēi ma!
A slow bird should make an early start；I believe I can reach my goal through hard working.

Key Learning Points:

决心 (juéxīn): v to resolve 　

Example:

她决心这次要考全班第一。 　
Tā juéxīn zhècì yào kǎo quán bān dìyī.
She resolves to win the first place in this examination.

志气 (zhìqì): n aspiration 　

Example:

别这样，有志气点儿，重新振作起来！ 　
Bié zhè yàng, yǒu zhìqì diǎnr, chóngxīn zhènzuò qǐlái！
Don’t be like that; please cheer up again with a strong aspiration.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary 　

嘲笑 (cháoxiào): n/v laugh 　

欺负 (qīfu): v to bully 　

锻炼 (duànliàn): v to exercise  

鸟群 (niǎoqún): n bird flock 　

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This is a Chinese song which became well known since performing on a Chinese Spring Festival Gala on CCTV. With cheerful rhythm, this song will not only be useful for you to learn Chinese, but will also make you want to exercise with the music.

Listen to the song

Key Learning Point (Preview):  

客气 (kèqi) adj. courtesy/politeness  

小萱萱来来来，跟爷爷做个运动。
Xiǎo Xuānxuān lái lái lái, gēn yéye zuògè yùndòng.
Xiao Xuanxuan come on. Let's exercise with grandpa.

左三圈右三圈，脖子扭扭屁股扭扭。
Zuǒ sān quān yòu sān quān, bózi niǔniǔ pìgu niǔniǔ.
Three circles to the left and three circles to the right. Sway your neck and bottom.

早睡早起，咱们来做运动。
Zǎoshuì zǎoqǐ, zánmen lái zuò yùndòng.
Go to bed and get up early and we will do some exercise.

抖抖手啊，抖抖脚啊，勤做深呼吸。
Dǒudǒu shǒu a, dǒudǒu jiǎo a, qín zuò shēn hūxī.
Shake your hands and feet and take deep breaths often.

学爷爷唱唱跳跳,你才不会老。
Xué yéye chàngchàng tiàotiào, nǐ cái búhuì lǎo.
Learn from grandpa to sing and dance, and you won't be able to grow older.

笑眯眯，笑眯眯，做人客气，快乐容易。 Xiàomīmī, xiàomīmī, zuòrén kèqi, kuàilè róngyì. Smilingly and smilingly. If you become a polite person, you will get happy more easily.

爷爷说的容易，早上起床哈啾哈啾。
Yéye shuōde róngyì, zǎoshang qǐchuáng hājiū hājiū.
It's easy for grandpa to say that but I'm so sleepy to get up early

不要乱吃零食，多喝开水咕噜咕噜。
Búyào luànchī língshí, duōhē kāishuǐ gūlu gūlu.
Don't eat too many snacks, but drink more boiled water with a gurgle.

我比谁更有活力。
Wǒ bǐ shuí gèng yǒu huólì.
I am more dynamic than anyone else.

左三圈右三圈，脖子扭扭屁股扭扭。
Zuǒ sān quān yòu sān quān, bózi niǔniǔ pìgu niǔniǔ.
Three circles to the left and three circles to the right. Sway your neck and bottom.

早睡早起，咱们来做运动。
Zǎoshuì zǎoqǐ, zánmen láizuò yùndòng.
Go to bed and get up early and we will do some exercise.

抖抖手啊，抖抖脚啊，勤做深呼吸。
Dǒudǒu shǒu a, dǒudǒu jiǎo a, qín zuò shēnhūxī.
Shake your hands and feet and take deep breaths often.

学爷爷唱唱跳跳，我也不会老。
Xué yéye chàngchàng tiàotiào, wǒ yě búhuì lǎo.
Learn from grandpa to sing and dance, and you won't be able to able to grow older.

笑眯眯, 笑眯眯，对人客气，笑容可掬。
Xiàomīmī, xiàomīmī, duìrén kèqi, xiàoróngkějū.
Smilingly and smilingly. Be polite to others with a kind smile.

你越来越美丽，人人都说nice nice。
Nǐ yuèláiyuè měilì, rénrén dōushuō nice nice.
You will become more and more beautiful and everyone will say nice nice.

饭前记得洗手，饭后记得漱口漱口。
Fànqián jìde xǐshǒu, fànhòu jìde shùkǒu shùkǒu.
Remember to wash your hands before meals and rinse your mouth after meals.

健康的人快乐多。
Jiànkāng de rén kuàilè duō.
Better health can bring you more happiness. (Once again)

来，小萱萱啊！
Lái, Xiǎo Xuānxuān a!
Come on Xiao xuanxuan!

跟着爷爷一起做。要看好喔！
Gēnzhe yéye yìqǐ zuò. Yào kàn hǎo ō!
Follow grandpa to exercise. Watch carefully!

爷爷加油加油！
Yéye jiāyóu jiāyóu!
Grandpa Let's go, let's go!

我们一起来答数。
Wǒmen yìqǐ lái dáshù.
Let's beat time by counting the numbers together.

一二三四，二二三四。
Yī èr sān sì, èr èr sān sì.
One two three four, two two three four.

三二三四，四二三四。
Sān èr sān sì, sì ér sān sì.
Three two three four, four two three four.

五二三四，六二三四。
Wǔ èr sān sì, liù èr sān sì.
Five two three four, six two three four.

七二三四，八二三四。
Qī èr sān sì. Bā èr sān sì.
Seven two three four. Eight two three four. (Once again)

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary: 

"客气 (kèqi)" adj courtesy/politeness   

"客 (kè)" represents the meaning of  "客人 (kèrén) guest" and "气 (qì)" means attitude.

Exmple:

A: 请接受我们这份薄礼，聊表敬意。     
Qǐng jiēshòu wǒmen zhèfèn bólǐ, liáobiǎo jìngyì.      
Please accept this gift as a demonstration of our respect.

B: 来就来嘛，还带什么礼物，你们太客气了！     
Lái jiù lái ma, hái dài shénme lǐwù, nǐmen tài kèqi le.     
 Just come-you don't need to bring any gift. You are too polite!

做运动 (zuò yùndòng): v to do some exercise    

洗手 (xǐshǒu): v to wash hands  

健康 (jiànkāng): n/adj health/healthy  

起床(qǐchuáng): v to get up  

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Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)  

A：打扰一下，请问 “Internet Cafe” 用汉语怎么说？ 
      Dărăo yí xià, qĭngwèn “Internet Cafe” yòng hànyŭ zěnme shuō?
      Excuse me, how to say “Internet Cafe” in Chinese?

B：哦，这个呀，我们叫网吧。
      Ò, zhège ya, wŏmen jiào wăngbā.
      Well, we say “wăngbā.”

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary: 
   
网吧 (wăngbā): n Internet Cafe  

通常 (tōngcháng): ad usually  

Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)  

A:  嗨，露西，你晚上上网的经历多吗？
     Hài, lù xī, nĭ wănshàng shàngwăng de jīnglì duō ma?
     Hi, Lucy, have you had many experiences surfing on Internet in the
     evening?

B: 是的，很多，而且我经常上到深夜。
     Shì de, hěn duō, érqiě wŏ jīngcháng shàng dào shēnyè.
     Yes, many, I often surf the Interne late at night.

A:  哇，你精力真旺盛，睡那么少难道你不觉得累吗?   
     Wà, nĭ jīnglì zhēn wàngshèng, shuì nàme shăo nándào nĭ bù juéde lèi ma?
     Wow, you are really full of energy and won’t you feel tired as you sleep so
     little?

B:  没有，我觉得挺有趣的。
     Méiyǒu, wǒ juédé tĭng yǒuqù de.
     No, because I think it’s very interesting to do that.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:  

经历 (jīnglì): n experience  

精力 (jīnglì): n energy  

High Level 高级 (gāojí)  

A：嗨，杰克，怎么这么愁眉苦脸的？
      Hāi, jié kè, zěnme zhème chóuméikŭliăn de?
      Hi, Jack, what’s wrong with you since you look very worried?

B：哎，别提了，最近忙着发布文章，我的电脑却无法联网了。 
      Ài, bié tí le, zuìjìn mángzhe fābù wénzhāng, wŏ de diànnăo què wúfă
      liánwăng le.
      Oh, don’t mention it. I am busy with publishing an media article, but the
      Internet doesn’t work.

A：哦，原来是这么回事。事情很紧急吗？
      Ò, yuánlái shì zhème huíshì. Shìqíng hěn jĭnjí ma?
      I see. Is that very urgent?

B：是的，再过两天就要发布了。
      Shì de, zài guò liăngtiān jiùyào fābù le.
      Yes, the article will be released in two days.

A：如果你着急的话，可以去网吧。
      Rúguŏ nĭ zháojí de huà, kéyĭ qù wăngbā.
      If you are worried, you can go to an Internet cafe.

B：网吧？我对这儿不熟，你知道附近哪里有网吧吗？
      
      Wăngbā? Wŏ duì zhè’r bùshú, nĭ zhīdào fùjìn nălĭ yŏu wăngbā ma?
      Internet cafe? I am not familiar about the area here; do you know any
      Internet cafe nearby?

A：文艺路东边有个小蚂蚁网吧，你可以去那里上网。
      Wényì lù dōngbiān yŏu gè xiăo măyĭ wăngbā, nĭ kěyĭ qù nàlĭ shàngwăng.
      There is an Internet Cafe called Little Ants on the east of Wenyi Road and
      you can go there.

B：太好了，谢谢你的提醒。对了，那个网吧网速怎么样？
      Tài hăo le, xièxie nĭ de tíxĭng. Duì le, nàge wăngbā wăngsù zěnmeyàng?
      Great, thank you for reminding me. By the way, what about the Internet
      connection speed?

A：网速很快，我经常去那里。
      Wăngsù hěn kuài, wŏ jīngcháng qù nàlĭ.
      It is great, and I often go there.

B：那就好。那么一个小时多少钱？
      Nà jiù hăo. Nàme yí gè xiăoshí duōshăo qián? 
      That is fine. And how much does it cost per hour?

A：不是很贵，三块钱一个小时。
      Búshì hěn guì, sān kuài qián yí gè xiăoshí.
      It is not so expensive, three yuan per hour.

B：好的，我下午就去。
      Hăo de, wŏ xiàwŭ jiù qù.
      Okay, I will go to the Internet Cafe this afternoon.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary: 

愁眉苦脸 (chóuméikŭliăn): adj to look very worried  

上网 (shàngwăng): v  to surf the Internet  

网速 (wăngsù): n speed of the Internet connection  

用法 (yòngfă) Usage：

哪里 (nălĭ) &那里 (nàlĭ)

“哪里 (nălĭ)” is usually used in the following situations：

a. To ask about the location, i.e. where.
    e.g. 他去哪儿了？
           Tā qù năér le?
           Where is he?

b. To express modesty, i.e. not at all or it’s nothing.
    e.g. —你的新娘真漂亮！
           —Nĭ de xīnniáng zhēn piàoliang!
           —You bride is really beautiful.

            —哪里哪里，过奖了。
            —Nălĭ nălĭ, guòjiăng le.
            —Not at all. You are flattering me.

“那里 (nàlĭ)” refers to a place, i.e. there.  

    e.g. —我的书在哪里？
           —Wŏ de shū zài nălĭ?
           —Where is my book?

            —不就在那里么！
            —Bú jiù zài nàlĭ me!
            —It is right over there!

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Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí) 

A: 暑假有什么安排吗？
    Shǔjià yǒu shěnme ānpái ma?
    Do you have any plans for your summer holiday?

B: 暑假我参加中文暑期班学中文。
    Shǔjià wǒ cānjiā zhōngwén shǔqībān xué zhōngwén.
    I am going to take a summer Chinese program to learn Chinese.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:  

暑假 (shǔjià): n summer holiday 

安排 (ānpái): n/v arrange  

参加 (cānjiā): v to participate 

Usage:

n. 有什么安排 (yǒu shénme ānpái)? Do you have any plans?
    没有安排 (méiyǒu ānpái). I have no plans.
    有安排了 (yǒu ānpái lē). I have plans.   
v. 安排一下 (ānpái yī xià). Have an arrangement.

Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)  

Liu Ting：你干嘛呢？叫你怎么不理我？
                Nǐ gàn má nē? Jiào nǐ zěnmē bù lǐ wǒ?
                What are you doing? Why don’t you answer me?
      
      Mike：抱歉，我净想着我的旅行计划了。
                Bàoqiàn, wǒ jìng xiǎng zhē wǒ dē lǚxíng jìhuà le.
                Sorry. I was absorbed in thinking of my summer travel plan.

Liu Ting：离暑假还有两周呢，你就想得这么出神。
                Lí shǔjià háiyǒu liǎngzhōu ne, nǐ jiù xiǎng de zhème chūshén.
                Summer holiday is still two weeks away, but you put so much
                concentration on your summer travel plan right now.
      
      Mike：我计划去中国呢，说实话，我现在就想收拾行李动身。
                 Wǒ jìhuà qù zhōngguó ne, shuō shíhuà, wǒ xiànzài jiù xiǎng shōu
                 shī xínglǐ dòngshēn.
                 Actually, I plan to visit China. I actually want to pack and leave 
                 right now.

 Liu Ting：哎，你干嘛？你不能说走就走啊。明天还有课呢。
                 Ai, nǐgàn má? Nǐ bù néng shuō zǒu jiù zǒu ā. Míng tiān hái yǒu kè
                 nē.
                 Hey…what are you doing? You can’t leave right now. We have
                 classes tomorrow.
       
      Mike：我去订机票。
                 Wǒ qù ding jīpiào.
                 I’m going to order the ticket right now.

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary:  

理 (lǐ): v  to notice, answer  

净 (jìng): adv only, completely   

计划 (jìhuà): n/v plan   

离 (lí): prep away 

出神 (chūshén): adj absorbed  

收拾 (shōushi): v to pack  

行李 (xínglǐ): n luggage   

动身 (dòngshēn): v to set out/leave