Chinese Short Dialogue | 听中文会话 | 中国語リスニング

The game Delta Force has become popular among elementary and middle school students. Some children have become addicted and even secretly used their parents’ money to make in-game purchases.

学生都在玩的“三角洲”游戏 - The “Delta” Game All the Students Are Playing [HSK 5]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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: A boy in my class fell asleep during class today. I woke him up, and he said he had played games until two in the morning last night.
黄刚: PUBG again?
陈花: Not anymore. These days they’re all playing “Delta.” They talk about it during breaks, and even their profile pictures are little mice from the game. Students who don’t play can’t join in the conversation.
黄刚: What’s so special about this game?
陈花: You go in and search for things, and whatever you find, you can bring out. You can keep it or exchange it for in-game currency. Every time you open a case, you don’t know what you’ll get. It’s like opening a mystery box, so you always want to play one more round.
黄刚: Isn’t that basically like gambling? No wonder it’s so hard to stop. Just have the parents take away their phones.
陈花: It’s not that easy. A lot of children use their parents’ phones and accounts. The game assumes an adult is playing, so it doesn’t stop them from spending money. One ten-year-old secretly spent tens of thousands of yuan on in-game purchases. It’s hard to get a refund, too—the platform says there’s no way to prove that the child made the purchases.
黄刚: Then parents should take action first. Remind everyone in the parents’ group to at least change their payment passwords and make sure the children don’t know them.
陈花: Okay, I’ll post a reminder tonight. I’m just worried that some parents still don’t know what their children are playing every day.

David's first attempt at cooking Chinese food didn't go well. Liu Na comforts him by saying everyone's first attempt is like that.

我做的饭不好吃 - The Food I Made Doesn't Taste Good [HSK 2]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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》

大卫: Teacher, yesterday I cooked Chinese food by myself for the first time.
刘娜: Really? What did you make?
大卫: I made eggs and rice, but... they didn't taste good.
刘娜: What was wrong with them?
大卫: The eggs got burnt, and the rice was too hard. Even I didn't want to eat them.
刘娜: Don't be sad. Everyone's first time is like that. My cooking wasn't good the first time either.
大卫: Really? Even you had a first time, Teacher?
刘娜: Of course! The first time I made noodles, my mom laughed for a long time.
大卫: Then I feel better. I can ask my mom how to cook.
刘娜: Good idea! Practice a few more times, and next time you can cook for me, okay?
大卫: Okay! But Teacher, you'd better eat slowly and be careful!
刘娜: No problem. I'm looking forward to trying your cooking!

Liu Na and Junxi discuss how buzzwords spread quickly, but also quickly become overused and get replaced by new memes.

流行语为什么很快过气？ - Why Do Buzzwords Go Out of Style So Quickly? [HSK 5]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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》

刘娜: Junxi, have you noticed? Some internet buzzwords are popular for a few months and then no one uses them anymore.
俊熙: Yes! It feels like they have a 'shelf life.' Once they expire, using them feels a bit awkward.
刘娜: Why does that happen?
俊熙: They spread too fast. Everyone jumps on the trend, and people get tired of them quickly.
刘娜: Right, and new memes keep appearing, so the old ones get replaced.
俊熙: Also, when words are used too much in ads and marketing, they become boring.
刘娜: As a blogger, how do you use buzzwords naturally?
俊熙: I use them sparingly and put them where they fit best, instead of using them in every sentence.
刘娜: Well said. Language is like the tide: it comes quickly and goes quickly too.
俊熙: Then let me sum it up: no matter how popular a meme is, don't force it. Using it just right is what makes it classy!

While buying cat treats at a pet store, Yuko recalls a recent testing controversy and decides to choose a different snack for now.

猫条货架前的犹豫 - Hesitating in Front of the Cat Treat Shelf [HSK 4]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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: Ms. Liu, look at this whole row of cat treats. My cat usually loves all of these.
刘娜: There are so many kinds. Didn't you just say you were going to buy two boxes?
优子: I was going to, but this brand has been in the news recently. Some people said melamine was detected, while the brand said a follow-up test found none.
刘娜: That really would make anyone hesitate. Owners are especially worried when it comes to food for their pets.
优子: Now when I look at the pretty packaging, I actually feel less reassured. High sales don't necessarily mean a product is safe.
刘娜: Right. When you can't understand the test report, choosing not to rush into buying it is perfectly reasonable.
优子: Then I'll get freeze-dried chicken today instead. The ingredients are a bit simpler.
刘娜: That works. Once the results are clearer, you can decide whether to buy the original cat treats again.
优子: Okay. My cat may be disappointed tonight, but at least I, as its owner, will feel a little more at ease.

A teacher and student discuss feng shui’s practical meaning and cultural value in modern life.

风水真的有用吗？ - Does Feng Shui Really Work? [HSK 5]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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: 刘老师, in my dorm, my Chinese roommate always says the bed shouldn’t face the door, and they even put a small mirror on the desk. Is that feng shui?
刘娜: Yes, that is indeed a feng shui idea. Do you find it strange? Actually, feng shui isn’t entirely superstition—many principles make a lot of sense. For example, if the bed faces the door, someone walking by at night can disturb your sleep.
小潘: I see! I also heard there are rules about office seating too—like having your back against a wall and facing the door?
刘娜: Exactly! That’s called “having a backer.” From a psychology perspective, having support behind you makes you feel safer, and facing the door helps you keep track of what’s going on around you, so you can focus better at work.
小潘: So in that sense, feng shui is really experience and lessons the ancients summed up from observing daily life?
刘娜: You’ve got it! The core of feng shui is “harmony between people and the environment.” Some explanations do sound mysterious, but the idea of pursuing a balanced, comfortable living space is still well worth learning from.
小潘: We have similar ideas in Vietnam too. It seems East Asian cultures share common wisdom about the relationship between environment and daily life!
刘娜: Exactly! Cultural exchange is about discovering those common points. You can try arranging your dorm to be more comfortable—whether you call it feng shui or not, the most important thing is that you’re happy living there.

Keeping “exotic pets” such as lizards and snakes is becoming increasingly popular, but they are difficult to care for and may even make people sick.

要不要把小蜥蜴买回家 - Should We Buy the Little Lizard and Take It Home? [HSK 3]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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: Big Brother, look! The little lizard is on my hand, and I’m not scared at all!
小刚: You’re really brave. But as soon as you’re done playing with it, you need to wash your hands.
小宝: Why? It’s very clean.
小刚: It looks clean, but lizard droppings contain bacteria—very tiny harmful things. If they get into your stomach, they can make you sick.
小宝: Then I’ll give it a bath every day when we get home! Let’s buy one. Mom will agree.
小刚: It’s not like a cat or a dog. It needs to live somewhere very warm; if it gets even a little too cold or too hot, it can get sick. We don’t have a place like that at home.
小宝: But that man said it’s easy to take care of…
小刚: Of course the seller would say that. I read in a book that many people stop wanting to keep them after just a few days and release them outside. They can’t survive, and they might also harm other small animals.
小宝: Then it’s too pitiful. I won’t buy one. Let’s come see it again next week, okay?
小刚: Okay. Come on, let’s wash our hands first.

Xiaomei accidentally spills some water and apologizes to Teacher Li. Teacher Li comforts her and helps her clean up together.

说对不起 - Saying “I'm Sorry” [HSK 3]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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, what happened just now?
小美: I accidentally spilled the water. I'm sorry!
李芳: It's okay. Just be a little more careful next time.
小美: Thank you, Teacher, for helping me wipe the table.
李芳: You're welcome. It'll be faster if we clean up together.
小美: I'll carry my cup more carefully from now on.
李芳: That's very good. Doing things a little more slowly is safer.
小美: When you said, 'It's okay,' I didn't feel so sad anymore.
李芳: Knowing how to apologize and how to forgive are both very important.

Many middle-aged people discover after following college students’ “special forces” travel guides that these budget-friendly, highly efficient itineraries don’t suit their own stamina or pace.

大学生的旅游攻略不适合我 - Travel Itineraries Made for College Students Don’t Work for Me [HSK 4]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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》

黄刚: Didn’t you go to Xi’an? How come you complained about back pain on your very first day back?
赵强: Don’t remind me. I followed a college student’s travel guide I found online: I left at six in the morning, visited five attractions in one day, and even had a nighttime climb planned. By the next day, I could barely lift my legs.
黄刚: You really went all out. College students love this kind of “special forces tourism”—taking hard-seat trains, staying in cheap hotels, and walking 30,000 steps a day just to spend less and check off more attractions.
赵强: The guide even said, “See the Terracotta Warriors in two hours.” I actually followed it, but I spent the whole time rushing and couldn’t even see things clearly.
黄刚: So there’s not necessarily anything wrong with the guide itself; it’s just not necessarily right for you. Young people have more stamina and care more about saving money and being efficient. At our age, traveling comfortably may be more important.
赵强: I understand now. I saved 100 yuan on the hotel, but the next afternoon I couldn’t go anywhere and slept in the room for four hours.
黄刚: Next time, plan just one or two places a day, find a good restaurant for a proper meal in between, and go back to the hotel to rest if you get tired. Traveling isn’t a work assignment you have to complete.
赵强: Exactly. From now on, I’ll first see whether an itinerary suits me, and only then look at how much money it can save. Vacations are hard to come by—I don’t want to spend money making myself miserable again.

Xiaobao can’t find his socks, so Xiaomei helps him look for them. In the end, they find them in an unexpected place.

我的袜子不见了 - My Socks Are Missing [HSK 3]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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: Xiaomei! My socks are missing!
小美: Missing? Where did you put them yesterday?
小宝: I don’t remember…
小美: Are they on the bed?
小宝: No. My pillow is the only thing on the bed.
小美: What about on the chair?
小宝: They’re not there either. Xiaomei, help me look for them.
小美: Okay. Are they next to your shoes?
小宝: Next to my shoes… Ah! Here they are!
小美: We found them!
小宝: The socks are inside my shoes! Haha!
小美: You put them in there yourself, didn’t you?
小宝: Yes… I forgot. Thank you, Xiaomei!

A man in Guizhou discovered while applying for a replacement marriage certificate that two marriages were registered under his name. It turned out to be an error in registration records from many years ago.

补办结婚证发现多了一个妻子 - Man Discovers an Extra 'Wife' While Replacing His Marriage Certificate [HSK 4]Download the app here:

• Chinese Short Dialogue | App Store
• Chinese Short Dialogue | Google Play

Available 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: Ms. Liu, I just saw a news story. A man went to replace his marriage certificate, and the system actually showed that he had two wives. Is this really bigamy?
刘娜: No, it isn't bigamy. He has only been married once. The other 'wife' is actually his second elder brother's wife. It was a registration mistake from years ago.
优子: How could his second sister-in-law have been registered as his wife? That sounds so strange.
刘娜: He got married in 2004. When his older brother got married in 2008, the staff may have accidentally registered the information under his name. Back then, many records were still handwritten, and the systems weren't connected online.
优子: I see. Then can't they just correct the mistake now?
刘娜: It's not that simple. Since it's an error in the official records, they first have to check the old paper documents and then correct the erroneous record according to the proper procedure.
优子: No wonder he's so anxious. Without a correct marriage certificate, his child's schooling and other administrative procedures could be affected, right?
刘娜: Yes. The local civil affairs department has said it will investigate the matter and provide a response within 7 to 15 working days. Hopefully they can get to the bottom of it soon so it doesn't continue to disrupt the family's life.