宠物蛙“吃饭”引误会 - Pet Frog Causes a Dining Misunderstanding [HSK 4]

A woman brought her pet frog into a restaurant, and it was mistaken for an ingredient, leading to a funny incident.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 a really funny piece of news. A girl brought her pet frog to a restaurant, and the staff thought she wanted the chef to cook it!刘娜: Really? Was it one of those tiny frogs?优子: Yes, it’s a small pet called a 'horned frog'. When the staff saw it, they immediately asked, 'Is this for cooking?' They almost even called the police.刘娜: Haha, that’s such a huge misunderstanding. Actually, many people now keep frogs as pets, just like cats and dogs.优子: Yes. The news also said that not long ago a restaurant was fined because it had 'toad soup' on the menu, since toads are protected animals.刘娜: So the wording of names is also very important. People who keep pets should learn more about these things, and it’s best to explain clearly when taking pets out.优子: I think Chinese pet culture is very interesting. Next time if I take a pet out, I’ll also tell everyone in advance.刘娜: Right, that way no one will misunderstand and life will be more harmonious.

International student 郝某 was recruited by foreign intelligence and infiltrated a core department. He was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment, reminding the public to raise national security awareness.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》赵强: Huang Gang, did you see the news about that international student who became a spy? It's terrifying. After returning to China, he even slipped into a core department to steal intelligence, and in the end he got life imprisonment.黄刚: I saw it. 郝某 was targeted by foreign intelligence personnel. At first they pretended to care about him under the identity of a visa officer, then step by step dragged him in. In the end, it shows that many people’s awareness of security is still too weak.赵强: The scariest part is that after returning to China he was still able to get into a critical position and work as a spy for years. National security is really no small matter.黄刚: Exactly. The tricks of foreign spies run very deep. They don’t just target international students—they’re also very good at ‘emotional tactics’ and setting ‘honey traps’. Sometimes just one meal or one favor can pull someone into the trap.赵强: Looks like everyone needs to stay sharp, especially those who may come into contact with important information. National security isn’t just a slogan—you really have to stay alert at all times.黄刚: Yeah, there was even a recent case where someone was approached by a stranger and then recruited as a spy—fortunately they reported it in time and avoided greater losses. Actually, as long as someone turns back in time and voluntarily confesses, there’s still a chance for leniency.赵强: Whether abroad or at home, we must watch what we say and choose friends carefully. The National Security Law and Counter-Espionage Law are definitely not for show.黄刚: Right. Everyone has to raise their security awareness—only then can we build a stronger ‘Great Wall of Steel’.

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.