Learning Chinese Through Stories

古时候 gǔ shíhòu Noun phrase, ancient times 回 huí noun, time(s) 一回，one time/once 两回，twice 几回，a few times 跟 gēn Prep, (do something) with (someone); and, (noun) and (noun) 我跟朋友去看电影。I went to the movie with a friend. 苹果跟香蕉，apple and banana 花园 huāyuán Noun, garden 颐和园(yíhéyuán)，the summer palace 假 jiǎ Adj, fake 假山，fake mountain; rockery 口 kǒu Measure word for vat, water well and family members 一口水缸，一口井（jǐng），五口人 水缸 shuǐ gāng Noun, a big container for water, usually it is made of porcelain 鱼缸，fish tank 浴缸，bath tub 米缸, a porcelain container for rice 烟灰缸，an ashtray for cigarette 装 zhuāng Verb, to contain 把米装到缸里, put the rice into the rice container 满 mǎn Adj, full 爬 pá Verb, to crawl 掉 diào Verb, to fall 掉下来，to fall down 进 jìn Verb, to get in 别的 bié de Adj, other 慌 huāng Adj, to be in panic 别慌!Don’t panic! 吓 xià Verb, to scare (someone) 哭 kū Verb, to cry 叫 jiào Verb, to yell 喊 hǎn Verb, to shout 大人 dàrén Noun, guardians 举起 jǔ qǐ Verb, to lift up… 块（儿） kuài (er) Measure word for stone, rock, candy, chocolate, etc. 石头

Simaguang is the writer of the greatest Chinese history masterpiece “Zizhi Tongjian". He was a famous historian, writer and politician in Song Dynasty. This story records his heroic act of saving a drowned buddy in his childhood. It has another well-known Chinese name called "Simaguang smashed the vat" (Simaguang Za Gang) and it is one of the best-known stories in China. Going through the new word list before you listen to this episode will help you have a better understanding. The word list can be found on www.learningchinesethroughstories.com 古时候有个孩子，叫司马光。 有一回，他跟几个小朋友在花园里玩。花园里有假山，假山下面有一口大水缸，缸里装 满了水。有个小朋友爬到假山上去玩，一不小心，掉 进了大水缸。 别的小朋友都慌了，有的吓 哭了，有的叫着喊着，跑去找大人。 司马光没有慌，他举 起一块儿 石头，使劲儿 砸那口缸，几下子就把缸砸破了。 缸里的水流出来了，掉进缸里的小朋友得救了。 ——摘自人教版小学语文课本一年级下册

壁虎 bìhǔ Noun, gecko 尾巴 wěibā Noun, tail 角 jiǎo Noun, corner 墙角，corner of the wall 街角，corner of the street 蚊子 wénzi Noun, mosquito 咬住 yǎo zhù Verb phrase, to bite into; to grip 挣 zhèng Verb, to break; to snap 断 duàn Adj, to be broken into half 逃走 táozǒu Verb, to escape 难看 nánkàn Adj, ugly 爬 pá Verb, to crawl 河边 hé biān Noun, riverside 摇 yáo Verb, to wave (head or tail) ……来……去 ……lái……qù Back and forth 走来走去，walk back and forth 游来游去，swim back and forth 飞来飞去，fly back and forth 行吗? xíng ma？ Does (that) work? Will (it )work? Are you Ok with that? 拨水 bō shuǐ Verb phrase, to push aside the water 拨号，to dial a phone number 拨台，to change a radio channel 甩 shuǎi Verb, to swat 伯伯 bóbo Noun, uncle (dad’s elder brother) 赶 gǎn Verb, to drive away; to expel 蝇子 yíngzi Noun, flies 屋檐 wūyán Noun, eaves 空中 kōngzhōng In the air Or天空中 摆 bǎi Verb, to sway 阿姨 āyí Noun, aunt (mom’s sister or friends) 掌握 zhǎngwò Verb, to acquire the information of…; to acquire/master the skill of… 方向 fāngxiàng Noun, direction(s) 难过 nánguò Adj, upset; sa

This is a scientific story about a little gecko trying to find out a solution after its tail was bitten by a snake. After an adventure of going to different animals and asking for a loan of a new tail, the little gecko learned that its tail would grow back. Going through the new word list before you listen to this episode will help you have a better understanding. The word list can be found on www.learningchinesethroughstories.com 小壁虎在墙角捉蚊子，一条蛇咬住了它的尾巴。小壁虎一挣，挣断尾巴逃走了。 　　 没有尾巴多难看啊！小壁虎想去借一条尾巴。 小壁虎爬呀爬，爬到小河边。他看见小鱼在河里摇着尾巴游来游去。小壁虎说：“小鱼姐姐，您的尾巴借给我行吗？”小鱼说：“不行啊！我要用尾巴拨水呢。” 小壁虎爬呀爬，爬到大树上。他看见老黄牛在树下甩着尾巴吃草。小壁虎说：“黄牛伯伯，您的尾巴借给我行吗？”老黄牛说：“不行啊！我要用尾巴赶 蝇子呢。” 　　 小壁虎爬呀爬，爬到屋檐下。他看见燕子在空中 摆着尾巴飞来飞去。小壁虎说：“燕子阿姨，您的尾巴借给我行吗?”燕子说：“不行啊！我飞的时候，要用尾巴掌握 方向呢。” 　　 小壁虎借不到尾巴，心里很难过。他爬呀爬，爬回家里找妈妈。小壁虎把借尾巴的事告诉了妈妈。妈妈笑着说：“傻孩子，你转过身子看看。”小壁虎转身一看，高兴地叫起来：“我长出一条新尾巴啦！” ——摘自人教版小学语文课本一年级下册

胖乎乎 pànghūhū Adj, chubby 全家 quánjiā Noun phrase, whole family 兰兰 lánlan Chinese nickname for girls. 兰 is a kind of a flower 下班 xiàbān Verb phrase, to get off work 拿 ná Verb, to take/pick something with hands 又 yòu Adv, again; one more time 贴 tiē Verb, to post 墙 qiáng Noun, wall 明白 míngbai Verb, to understand 只是 zhǐshì Adv, only 自己 zìjǐ Pronoun, oneself 那么 nàme Adv, very (+adjective) 替 tì Verb, to do something for someone 过 guò Particle, verb+过，means someone has had the experience of doing something 拖鞋 tuōxié Noun, slippers 洗 xǐ Verb, to wash 手绢 shǒujuàn Noun, handkerchief 姥姥 lǎolao Noun, grandma on mom’s side 厨房 chúfáng Noun, kitchen 一眼就…… yīyǎn jiù…… did something at the first sight 红润润 hóngrùn rùn Adv phrase, rosy and healthy 帮 bāng Verb, to help 挠 náo Verb, to scratch 痒痒 yǎngyang Noun, itch 长大 zhǎng dà Verb, (kid, small animal) to grow up 变成 biàn chéng Verb, to become 事情 shìqíng Noun, thing(s) New words and grammatical structures in the story are being taught in this episode. A lot of repetitions are used

This is a modern story that happens in a Chinese family. Chinese girl Lanlan's painting of her own chubby hands got praised by all of her family members. Lanlan's father picked this picture from many of her paintings and hang it on the wall. At first, Lanlan was very confused, but later she learned why from each of her family member. Going through the new word list before you listen to this episode will help you have a better understanding. The word list can be found on www.learningchinesethroughstories.com 全家人都喜欢兰兰画的这张画。 　　爸爸刚下班回来，拿起画，看了又看，把画贴在了墙上。兰兰不明白，问：“我只是画了自己的小手啊！我有那么多画，您为什么只贴这一张呢？” 　　爸爸说：“这胖乎乎的小手替我拿过 拖鞋呀！” 　　妈妈下班回来，看见画，笑着说：“这胖乎乎的小手给我洗过手绢啊！” 　　姥姥从厨房出来，一眼就看见了画上红润润的小手，说：“这胖乎乎的小手帮我挠过痒痒啊！” 　　兰兰明白了全家人为什么都喜欢这张画。她高兴地说：“等我长大了。小手变成了大手。它会帮你们做更多的事情！” ——摘自人教版小学语文课本一年级下册

要 yào Auxiliary verb, means “soon will”; “is going to” 弯 wān Verb, to bend 腰 yāo Noun, waist 山坡 shānpō Noun, the slope of a hill 山顶(ding)，the top of a hill 山脚，the foot of a hill 山腰，the mid of a hill 闷 mēn Adj, stifling 直（起） zhí (qǐ) Verb, to straight up… 直起腰 直起身子 身子 shēnzi Noun, body 伸 shēn Verb, to stretch 腰 yāo Noun, waist 燕子 yànzi Noun, swallow 大声 dàshēng Adv, loudly 喊 hǎn Verb, yell; shout 低 dī Adj, low （一）边……（一）边…… (yī) biān……(yī) biān…… (one) is doing two things at the same time. 他一边吃饭一边看电视。He is eating his meal and at the same time watching TV. 空气 kōngqì Noun, air 潮湿 cháoshī Adj, humid 虫子 chóngzi Noun, bug 翅膀 chìbǎng Noun, wing 沾 zhān Verb, to wet; to soak 水珠 shuǐ zhū Noun, drop of water 正 zhèng Adv, 正（在）+verb…, (someone) is doing something. 我正（在）吃饭。I am eating my meal. 忙 máng Adj, busy. 忙着+verb…, (someone) is busy doing something. 我正忙着做作业。I am busy doing my homework. 捉 zhuō Verb, to catch 往前 wǎng qián Towards the direction of the front 往后，往左，往右 池子 chízi Noun, pool Or 水池 游 yóu Verb, to swim 水面 shuǐmià

This is a scientific story that teaches people to predict rain from observing animals' change in their behaviors. It is told through a rabbit's lens. 小白兔弯着腰在山坡上割草。天气很闷，小白兔直起 身子，伸伸腰。 　　小燕子从他头上飞过。小白兔大声 喊：“燕子，燕子，你为什么飞得这么低啊？” 　　燕子边飞边说：“要下雨了。空气很潮湿，虫子的翅膀沾了小水珠，我飞不高。我正 忙着 捉虫子呢！” 是要下雨了吗？ 小白兔往前一看，那边池子里的小鱼都游到水面上来了。 　　小白兔跑过去，问：“小鱼，小鱼，今天怎么有空出来啊？” 　　小鱼说：“要下雨了。水里闷得很，我们游到水面上透透气。小白兔， 你快回家吧，小心 淋着雨。” 　　小白兔连忙 挎起 篮子往家跑。他看见路边有一大群 蚂蚁， 小白兔把要下雨的消息告诉蚂蚁。一只大蚂蚁说：“是要下雨了，我们正忙着往高处 搬家呢！” 　　小白兔加快 步子往家跑。他一边跑一边喊：“妈妈，妈妈，要下雨了！” 哗，哗，哗，大雨下起来了！ ——摘自人教版小学语文课本一年级下册

装 zhuāng Verb, to stuff; to fill 满 mǎn Adj, full 海鲜 hǎixiān Noun, seafood 馅 xiàn Noun, filling(s) In northern China, people say 馅儿 重庆 Chóngqìng City name, Chongqing 直径 zhíjìng Noun, diameter 米 mǐ Noun, meter 月饼 yuèbǐng Noun, mooncake, traditional Chinese food for the Mid-Autumn’s Day 王 wáng Noun, king 标价 biāojià Verb, the price is marked at… 千 qiān Noun, thousand 百 bǎi Noun, hundred 元 yuán Noun, yuan；RMB 陈家坪 Chénjiāpíng An area in Chongqing city 届 jiè Noun, measure word for festival, conference, competition and etc. 第26届奥运会， the 26th Olympic Games 节 jié Noun, festival 春节， spring festival 展览 zhǎnlǎn Noun, exhibition 中心 zhōngxīn Noun, center 开幕 kāimù Verb, to open (ceremony, festival, exhibition) 开幕式， opening ceremony 等 děng Pronoun, etc. 我喜欢吃西瓜、苹果等水果。 余 yú A little bit more than… 十余个，11-15 二十余个，21-25 三十余个， 31-35 省 shěng Noun, province 市 shì Noun, city 品牌 pǐnpái Noun, brand Or 牌子 参加 cānjiā Verb, participate 公斤 gōngjīn Noun, kilogram Or 千克 市民 shìmín Noun, residents of a city 据……介绍 jù……jièshào According to … (sp

The Mid-Autumn's Day (Zhongqiu jie) is around the corner. As a traditional food for the festival, Chinese mooncakes are notorious for being overpackaging as well as for their skyrocketing prices. This year, a mooncake king produced in Chongqing is priced at 8888 Yuan, which equals 1333 USD. Check out this news story and find out more about this mooncake. And find the transcript and glossary at www.learningchinesethroughstories.com 装满海鲜馅 重庆直径一米“月饼王”标价8888元 2016年9月6日下午2点，重庆市陈家坪第10届（重庆）月饼节在陈家坪展览 中心 开幕，来自广州、上海、四川、云南等 十余个省市、400多个品牌的月饼参加了本次月饼节。在这次月饼节上，200公斤“月饼王”与市民见面。据负责人介绍，这个“月饼王”里面的馅都是包的海鲜。月饼王重200公斤，厚30厘米，直径1.2米，耗用 面粉80公斤，由6个师傅 日夜赶工2天完成。 ——摘自http://news.qq.com/a/20160907/015856.htm#p=1

This is a fable story about a little monkey's adventure of going downhill. During the monkey's trip down the hill, he saw many things that interested him. He could have brought everything home, but he did not. Find out more about the story in this episode. The transcript of our stories can be found at www.learningchinesethroughstories.com. They are free for you to download. Enjoy learning with 听故事学中文！ 有一天，小猴子下山来，走到一块 玉米地里。他看见玉米结得 又大又多，非常高兴，就掰了一个，扛着往前走。 小猴子扛着玉米，走到一棵 桃树 底下。他看见满树的桃子又大又红，非常高兴，就扔了玉米，去摘桃子。 小猴子捧着几个桃子，走到一片 瓜地里。他看见满地的西瓜又大又圆，非常高兴，就扔了桃子，去摘西瓜。 小猴子抱着一个大西瓜往回走。走着走着，他看见一只小兔子蹦蹦跳跳的，真 可爱，就扔了西瓜，去追小兔子。 小兔子跑进 树林里，不见了。小猴子只好 空着手回家去。 ——摘自人教版小学一年级语文课本

下山 xiàshān Verb phrase, to go downhill 上山，to go uphill 块 kuài Measure word for “farming field”, a square unit of a farming field 一块巧克力,a piece of chocolate 玉米 yùmǐ Noun, corn 地 dì Noun, farming field 玉米地，corn field 结 jiē Verb, (fruit, flower) grow(s) 玉米结得又大又好。The corn is big and good. 又……又…… yòu……yòu…… ...(adj) and …(adj) 又大又红,big and red 掰 bāi Verb, to break in the middle with one’s hands 掰玉米，to pick up corns(break off corn cobs) 扛 káng Verb, to carry on one’s shoulder 扛着枪， to carry the gun on the shoulder 着 zhe Particle word, verb+ 着， it means some action is taking place at that moment 吃着饭，while someone is eating meal 扛着枪， while someone is carrying the gun 棵 kē Measure word for tree(s) 桃树 táo shù Noun, peach tree 底下 dǐxia Noun, the place that is underneath; the place that is under… 桃树底下有很多桃子。 Under the peach tree, there are a lot of peaches. （桌子）底下有一本书。 There is a book under the table. 满树 mǎn shù Noun phrase, the whole tree 满天，the whole sky 满眼，the whole vision 扔 rēng Verb, to throw 摘 zhāi Verb, to pick up

乌鸦 wūyā Noun, crow 口渴 kǒu kě Adj, (mouth is) thirsty or 渴 到处 dàochù Adv, everywhere 瓶子 píngzi Noun, bottle 可是 kěshì Conjunction word, but; however. Or 但是，然而 瓶口 píng kǒu Noun, the mouth of a bottle 着 zháo Particle word, an action to be complete. Verb + (不 )+着。 喝(得)着,can get to drink… 喝不着，cannot get to drink… 怎么办 zěnme bàn What should (I/he/she/they) do now? 呢 ne Question particle word, at the end of this sentence softens it and makes it more polite. 你喝水呢还是喝可乐呢？Would you like to drink water or coca? 旁边 pángbiān Noun, (someone or some object’s )side 她在我的旁边。She is next to me. 小石子 xiǎo shízǐ Noun, pebble(s) Or 小石子儿 办法 bànfǎ Noun, solution 放（进） fàng (jìn) Verb, to put… ( inside…) 把小石子放进瓶子里。Put pebbles inside the bottle. 渐渐 jiànjiàn Adv, gradually; little by little 升高 shēng gāo Verb, to go up 降低(jiàngdī)is the anonym New words and grammatical structures in the story are being taught in this episode. A lot of repetitions are used so that our learners can get master this story in no time! Please find the new word lis

This is a classic fable story about a thirsty crow trying to figure out how to get a drink from a water bottle that only has a little bit water inside. 一只乌鸦 口渴了，到处找水喝。乌鸦看见一个瓶子，瓶子里有水。可是，瓶子里水不多，瓶口又小，乌鸦喝不着水。怎么办呢？ 乌鸦看见旁边有许多小石子，想出办法来了。 乌鸦把小石子一个一个地放进瓶子里。瓶子里的水渐渐升高，乌鸦就喝着水了。 ——摘自小学一年级语文课本

从前 cóngqián Noun, long time ago 挂着 guàzhe Verb phrase, (something) is hanging on (somewhere) 门上挂着一个铃铛。 墙上挂着一幅画。 铃铛 língdāng Noun, bell 偷 tōu Verb, to steal 小偷，thief 明明 míngmíng Adv, (someone knows something)clearly 她明明知道吃巧克力会发胖，晚上还吃了两包巧克力。 碰 pèng Verb, to touch (usually without permission) 别碰我！Don’t touch me! 丁零丁零 dīngling dīngling Onomatopoeia, the sound of a bell 铃铛“丁零丁零”地响。 响 xiǎng Verb, (alarm, instrument) make a certain sound 被 bèi Passive word, Object + 被 + subject + verb/verb phrase. 铃铛被人偷了。The bell is stole by someone. 发觉 fājué Verb, to come to know; to be aware that… 掩 yǎn Verb, to cover 伸 shēn Verb, to stick out 捂 wǔ Verb, to cover 比喻 bǐyù Verb, to analogize; Noun, analogy 这个成语比喻做事要实事求是。This idiom analogizes that one should seek the truth from facts. 欺骗 qīpiàn Verb, to lie to; to cheat or 骗 却 què Conjunction word, but; however or 可是，但是 了 liǎo Particle word, action is complete 去得了，can go(the action of going can be complete) 去不了, cannot go(the action of going cannot be complete) 自欺欺人 zìqīqīrén Chengy

This Chengyu (Chinese idiom) story is about a thief who was stealing a bell with a hand covering his ear. He thought if he covered his ear, then the bell owner would not hear the bell ring either. This Chengyu is used to describe someone who is being dishonest with himself/herself. 从前，有一个人，看见人家大门上挂着一个铃铛，想把它偷走。他明明知道，那个铃铛只要用手一碰，就会丁零丁零地响起来，就会被人发觉。可是他想：响声要耳朵才能听见，如果把耳朵掩起来，不是就听不见了吗？他掩住了自己的 耳朵，伸手去偷那个铃铛。谁知手刚碰到铃铛，就被人发觉了。 掩耳盗铃：捂住耳朵去偷铃。比喻自己欺骗自己，却骗不了别人。做人、做事都不能自欺欺人。

古时候 gǔ shíhòu Noun phrase, ancient times 古代的时候 朝代 cháodài, noun,dynasty 矛 máo Noun, spear 长矛, long spear 盾 dùn Noun, shield the same with 盾牌(pái) 街上 jiē shàng On the street 街上，有人卖水果，有人卖衣服。 叫卖 jiàomài Verb, to announce publicly as for sale 举 jǔ Verb, to hold up 举手，have one’s hand up 举起…来， to raise…up 夸口 kuākǒu Verb, to brag; to boast or夸下海口 锐利 ruìlì Adj, sharp (this word is used to describe sharp weapons, such as spear, knife and etc.) 不论什么……都…… búlùn shénme……dōu…… Conjunction, all of …(noun) apply to ...(verb/adj phrase) 不论什么巧克力我都吃过。I have tasted all sorts of chocolates. 戳穿 chuōchuān Verb phrase, to pierce through 戳得穿, can be pierced through 戳不穿，cannot be pierced through 坚固 jiāngù Adj, sturdy 哑口无言 yǎ kǒu wú yán Chengyu, speechless 比喻 bǐyù Verb, to analogize; Noun, analogy 这个成语比喻做事要实事求是。This idiom analogizes that one should seek the truth from facts. 前后不符 qiánhòu bùfú Verb phrase, the latter statement does not correspond with the former statement 你说的这些前后不符。What you said has not been consistent. 互相 hùxiāng Adv

This is an Chengyu (Chinese idiom) story about an ancient street vendor who was being inconsistent while advertising for his spear and shield. Spear and shield were thus used to describe contradictions since then. 古时候，有一个人，一手拿着矛， 一手拿着盾，在街上叫卖。他举起矛，向人夸口说：“我的矛 锐利得很，不论什么盾都戳得穿！”接着又举起盾，向人夸口说：“我的盾坚 固得很，不论什么矛都戳不穿它！” 有人问他：“用你的矛戳你的 盾，会怎么样呢？”他哑口无言， 回答不出来了。自相矛盾：用自己的矛戳自己的盾。 比喻说话、做事前后不符，互相抵触。说话、做事要实事求是， 不能夸大其词，否则只会自相矛盾。

上海 Shànghǎi Chinese metropolitan city, Shanghai 70后 70 hòu Noun phrase, people who were born during 1970-1979 80后，90后，00后，10后 城管 chéngguǎn Noun, Chinese urban management officer 次 cì Noun, time(s) 一次，once 两次， twice 三次， three times 无偿 wúcháng Adv, voluntarily 献血 xiànxiě Verb phrase, to donate blood 救 jiù Verb, to save one’s life “救命(mìng)！”means “Help!” 眭 Suī Noun, surname (uncommonly seen) 区 qū Noun, district 土生土长 tǔshēngtǔzhǎng Adj, to be born and grow up in the local community 个头 gètóu Noun, a person’s height synonym or 个子 黝黑 yǒuhēi Adj, tanned skin color (usually caused by outdoor physical work) 话语 huàyǔ Noun, utterance 话语不多， quiet 留着 liúzhe Verb phrase, 留着 +name of hair style 留着长发/短发/平头 小平头 xiǎo píngtóu Noun phrase, flat(hair style) or平头 坚持 jiānchí Verb, to persist; to keep doing without quitting 再坚持一下! Be persistent, you will finish it soon. 来 lái Particle word, a period of time word+来 : in the past a period of time 10年来，in the past ten years 捐献 juānxiàn Verb, to donate 这个公司给学校捐献了10万元钱。This company dona

Chinese Chengguan (urban management officers) usually have a very bad reputation. Check at today's news story about an awesome Chengguan doing good deeds by donating blood for 101 times in 10 years and the reason why he is doing this. 上海“70后”城管101次无偿献血救人 2016年8月29日，上海，眭庆是一名城管，在静安新城十区工作。37岁的他是土生土长的上海人，个头不高，黝黑的脸，话语不多，留着 小平头。从2006年起，眭庆坚持 无偿 献血，10年来，眭庆已捐献 全血7次累计2600毫升，血小板94次累计178人份，在熟悉他的人中传为佳话。 眭庆，穿上城管制服，他是穿梭在城市街头的一名城管队员；脱下制服，瘦小的他显得微不足道,普普通通。就是这样一个普通的年轻人，101次无偿献血救人。 要问眭庆献血到底为了啥？憨厚的他笑着说：“不为别的，想着能救人一命就觉得快乐。” ——摘自腾讯新闻http://news.qq.com/a/20160901/007808.htm#p=1