Hi, I’m Amber.
Discover 20 real short stories inspired by conversations with my students: funny misunderstandings, unexpected questions, and moments we still laugh about.
For learners who already know some basic Chinese and enjoy learning through real stories. Pinyin, English translations, and audio support your reading. Difficulty varies by story; this is not a step-by-step course for complete beginners.
✨ In this book you’ll get:
- 20 real short stories
- Vocabulary, questions, and answers
- Pinyin and English translations
- Audio for all 20 stories, including a full-length recording
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Try the stories
Listen to two samples and read short excerpts with pinyin and English. Chapter 2 offers a simpler conversation; Chapter 14 introduces idioms and more complex language.
2. 桌子上有鼻子吗？ Is there a nose on the table?
Read an excerpt — Chinese, pinyin & English
Chinese
我：我的桌子上有一个电脑、一个手机和一个包。你的桌子上有什么？
M：我的桌子上有电脑，手机和鼻子。
我：鼻子？
我先指着自己的鼻子说：这是鼻子。
然后拿起我的包，从里面拿出一支笔说：这个是笔。
我：我的包里有两支笔，但是没有鼻子。哈哈哈……你的包里有什么？
Pinyin
Wǒ: Wǒ de zhuōzi shang yǒu yí ge diànnǎo, yí ge shǒujī hé yí ge bāo. Nǐ de zhuōzi shang yǒu shénme?
M: Wǒ de zhuōzi shang yǒu diànnǎo, shǒujī hé bízi.
Wǒ: Bízi?
Wǒ xiān zhǐ zhe zìjǐ de bízi shuō: Zhè shì bízi.
Ránhòu náqǐ wǒ de bāo, cóng lǐmian náchū yì zhī bǐ shuō: Zhè ge shì bǐ.
Wǒ: Wǒ de bāo lǐ yǒu liǎng zhī bǐ, dànshì méiyǒu bízi. Hahaha…… Nǐ de bāo lǐ yǒu shénme?
English
Me: I have a computer, a mobile phone and a bag on my table. What's on your table?
M: I have a computer, a mobile phone and a nose on my table.
Me: Nose?
I first pointed to my nose and said: This is a nose.
Then I picked up my bag, took out a pen from it and said: This is a pen.
Me: There are two pens in my bag, but no nose. Hahaha…… What's in your bag?
14. 这个是成语吗？ Is this an idiom?
Read an excerpt — Chinese, pinyin & English
Chinese
A是很聪明的学生，很会学习，我们正在学HSK4。
学到“乐于助人”这个成语的时候，我问：你对成语感兴趣吗？
A：我对成语感兴趣，但是我觉得成语很难。
我：你知道什么成语？
Pinyin
A shì hěn cōngming de xuésheng, hěn huì xuéxí, wǒmen zhèngzài xué HSK4.
Xuédào "Lèyúzhùrén" zhège chéngyǔ de shíhou, wǒ wèn: nǐ duì chéngyǔ gǎn xìngqù ma?
A: Wǒ duì chéngyǔ gǎn xìngqù, dànshì wǒ juéde chéngyǔ hěn nán.
Wǒ: Nǐ zhīdào shénme chéngyǔ?
English
A is a very smart student, very good at learning, we are learning HSK4.
When we were learning the idiom "Be willing to help others", I asked: Are you interested in idioms?
A: I am interested in idioms, but I find idioms difficult.
Me: What idioms do you know?
Already own an earlier edition and need help finding the audio? Email hello@blablachinese.com.