数一数教室里的东西 - Counting Things in the Classroom [HSK 2]

A café converted from an old public toilet sparked controversy and was sealed by urban management.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》小宝: Brother, have you heard? A café used to be a public toilet. So amazing!小刚: Yes, that place used to be an old public toilet, and later someone renovated it into a café.小宝: Wouldn't it smell inside? Do people dare drink coffee there?小刚: I heard the renovation was very good, but some people still felt strange about it.小宝: Then why is the café closed now?小刚: Because they turned it into a café without government approval, so urban management sealed it.小宝: So you need to apply for permits to open a shop.小刚: Yes, you can’t just change the use of public places like public toilets.

Li Fang and Xiaomei count objects in the classroom using numbers and measure words to help Xiaomei become familiar with quantity expressions.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》李芳: Xiaomei, shall we count the things in the classroom?小美: Sure! I’ll start with the chairs. One, two, three… ten chairs.李芳: Very good. Remember to say ‘ten chairs’. How about the tables?小美: There are five tables.李芳: Correct. How many blackboards are there?小美: There is only one blackboard.李芳: And what about the windows?小美: There are four windows.李芳: Excellent, you used measure words like ‘ba’, ‘zhang’, ‘kuai’, and ‘shan’.小美: I see! Different things need different measure words!

Exploring the humor and social psychology behind using the word ‘dog’ in Chinese internet self-deprecating expressions.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》优子: Teacher Liu, I often see young people online calling themselves ‘single dogs’ and ‘overtime dogs’. Are they insulting themselves? I don’t really understand.刘娜: It’s not an insult, but a humorous way of laughing at oneself! ‘Single dog’ is used by single people to playfully describe not having a partner. It sounds pitiful yet cute and makes people smile.优子: So that’s how it is! Then what about ‘overtime dog’? My husband often works very late, and he says that too.刘娜: ‘Overtime dog’ describes office workers who work very hard and often do overtime. Using ‘dog’ shows how tiring the work is but also adds humor, making it lighter and more fun than directly complaining.优子: This way of expressing things is really interesting! Why do Chinese people like this kind of self-deprecating way of speaking?刘娜: Self-deprecation is a smart way to express yourself. When facing pressure and setbacks in life, using humor to dissolve them can improve your mood and also easily win others’ empathy and understanding.优子: I understand! It’s like wrapping bitter medicine in a sugar coating so people can accept it more easily.刘娜: Your metaphor is very accurate! This self-deprecating culture shows young Chinese people’s optimistic attitude in the face of difficulties. If you learn these expressions, you’ll be able to fit into modern Chinese internet culture better.

College students livestreaming in dormitories has sparked debates about privacy and shared living spaces.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》优子: Teacher Liu, I saw that some university students in China like livestreaming in their dorms. Is that allowed?刘娜: Actually, livestreaming in the dorm is convenient, but it may affect roommates. For example, some people may want to rest or study.优子: Yes, if someone livestreamed all the time, I would feel uncomfortable. Other people might be filmed, right?刘娜: Right, that brings privacy issues. A dorm is a shared living space, not one person's stage.优子: Then what do schools do? Do they have rules?刘娜: Many schools are now making new rules, such as specifying the time and place for livestreaming. That way everyone can live comfortably.优子: I think that's good. Everyone needs space and freedom, but also needs to consider others.刘娜: Exactly. Mutual respect makes university life better.

A mentally disabled worker was forced to work in a brick factory for many years, and his wages were taken by the foreman.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》小潘: Teacher Liu, I saw a very heartbreaking news story. A mentally disabled worker worked in a brick factory for many years, and all his wages were taken by the foreman.刘娜: Yes, I saw it too. He moved hundreds of thousands of bricks every day but didn’t get even a single cent. This is so unfair.小潘: He’s so pitiful. I heard he worked for eighteen years and in the end couldn’t even recognize his own mother.刘娜: It’s heartbreaking. Mentally disabled workers are also laborers, and their work should be respected.小潘: Will the foreman be punished?刘娜: Yes. The police have already opened an investigation. According to the law, forcing someone to work is a crime.小潘: I hope things like this never happen again. Everyone should be treated fairly.刘娜: That’s right. A society’s civility is not just about economic development, but also about protecting its most vulnerable people.

小宝 and 小美 talk about helping their mother today and find it interesting.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》小美: 小宝, what did you do today?小宝: I helped my mom with some chores.小美: What did you help your mom with?小宝: I helped my mom sweep the floor.小美: You know how to sweep the floor?小宝: Yes, it's very easy.小美: I helped my mom wash apples today.小宝: You did a great job!小美: Thanks, we're both little helpers!

A new policy encourages one 'no-homework day' each week, making students happier.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》小宝: Brother, what is a 'no-homework day'? The teacher said that in the future there will be a day when we don’t have to do homework.小刚: A 'no-homework day' means the school won’t assign homework one day a week, so everyone can relax a bit.小宝: Wow, then can I play more?小刚: Of course. You can draw with me, play ball, or rest early.小宝: But will Mom make me study something else?小刚: Some parents might arrange extracurricular classes, but teachers and experts hope that on a 'no-homework day' we can rest well and do what we like.小宝: I love 'no-homework day' the most. That way I can play with you.小刚: Yes, studying is important, and resting is important too. Only when we're healthy can we study better.

Exploring exam pressure, the 'chicken baby' phenomenon, and family expectations in Chinese education culture.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》优子: Teacher Liu, I saw many children in my neighborhood carrying heavy schoolbags and attending all kinds of tutoring classes on weekends. Do Chinese children really face that much study pressure?刘娜: Yes, that’s true. In China, there’s a saying: ‘Don’t lose at the starting line.’ Many parents arrange various learning activities for their children from a very young age, fearing they’ll fall behind their peers.优子: Why is that? In Japan, although there’s also pressure to enter good schools, it doesn’t seem this intense.刘娜: It’s mainly because the college entrance exam, or *gaokao*, is extremely important in China. People often say, ‘One exam determines your whole life.’ The *gaokao* score basically decides which university you can enter, and that affects your future job and social status. So the whole family works toward this goal.优子: I’ve heard of the term ‘chicken baby’. What does it mean?刘娜: ‘Chicken baby’ refers to parents who constantly push their children to study, like giving them a ‘shot of chicken blood’ to energize them. Nowadays, many parents have become ‘chicken baby parents’, filling their children’s schedules with tutoring classes.优子: Is that good for the kids? I think childhood should be happier.刘娜: You’re right. Recently, the government introduced the ‘Double Reduction’ policy to ease students’ academic burden. More and more parents are reflecting on this, hoping their children can grow up healthier and happier instead of just chasing grades.

A Malaysian tourist praised China for being happy and safe, sparking heated discussion online.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》小潘: Teacher Liu, I saw the news! A Malaysian tourist said ‘Chinese people are very happy,’ and it went viral online.刘娜: Yes, recently many foreign tourists visiting China have said that it’s very safe, transportation is convenient, and life feels happy here.小潘: Since I came to Beijing, I’ve also felt that the subway is fast and the streets are very clean. When I ask for directions, people are always friendly.刘娜: These are all results of China’s social development. Now China and Malaysia have a visa-free policy, making travel between the two countries very convenient.小潘: I think happiness is actually very simple — feeling safe, having convenient transportation, and kind people around.刘娜: You said it well. China welcomes more foreign friends to travel, communicate, and experience a happy life together.

The average life expectancy in China has risen to 79 years, and the elderly population has exceeded 300 million.Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | WebsiteChinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》陈花: Honey, did you see the news? The Ministry of Civil Affairs said that the average life expectancy in China has now reached 79 years, five years higher than the world average.黄刚: Yes, I saw it. That’s really good news. It shows that our living standards and medical conditions are improving. But the growing number of elderly people is also a challenge.陈花: Right. The news said there are already 310 million people over 60 nationwide, accounting for 22% of the total population. My parents often say we need to think about elderly care in advance.黄刚: I think the country is also working hard on this. For example, it’s promoting the “Silver-Age Action” to let older people take part in volunteer work and encourage them to continue contributing.陈花: I really like this idea of “older people still having something meaningful to do.” Some retired teachers at my school now teach calligraphy to kids in the community, and they’re in great spirits.黄刚: Yes, when elderly people join social activities, they not only help others but also keep themselves happy. The country is also building “age-friendly communities,” which is very meaningful.陈花: But I still worry about some issues, like scams targeting the elderly and medical burdens. I heard the government is also strengthening legal protection and cracking down on fraud aimed at seniors.黄刚: That’s right, the policies are becoming more detailed. In the future, we also need to learn to plan for our own later years — not just to live long, but to live well.