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

Xiaopan asks the teacher for advice on applying for a cultural exchange internship with the Culture and Tourism Bureau targeting Vietnam.

文旅局实习怎么申请？ - How to Apply for an Internship at the Culture and Tourism Bureau? [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》

小潘: Teacher Liu Na, the school recommended an internship at the Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, doing cultural promotion for Vietnam. I really want to apply, but I don’t know how to prepare.
刘娜: This opportunity suits you very well. You study history and understand Vietnamese culture, which is a big advantage. What materials does the school require?
小潘: I need to write a self-introduction and explain why I want to participate. I’m worried my Chinese writing isn’t good enough.
刘娜: Don’t worry, we can revise it together. First, use simple words to explain why you want to go.
小潘: I really like Chinese history and culture, and I want more young Vietnamese people to learn about Chinese festivals and ancient city culture, so I want to join this internship.
刘娜: That’s very well said. You can include this idea. It will make them feel you are sincere and have your own goals.
小潘: Thank you, teacher! Then I’ll write a draft today and ask you to check it after I finish.
刘娜: Of course. Take your time and make it clear. I think you have a good chance.

A girl developed a serious illness after long-term exposure to secondhand smoke, prompting reflection on smoking at home.

二手烟的危险 - The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke [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: Brother, why do adults always say people shouldn’t smoke at home?
小刚: Because smoke doesn’t only harm the person smoking; it also harms family members. This is called secondhand smoke.
小宝: Can secondhand smoke also make people sick?
小刚: Yes. There was a 13-year-old girl who developed a very serious illness because her father often smoked at home.
小宝: What? That’s so scary! Is it okay if we open the windows?
小刚: No. Substances from smoke can stay in the air and on furniture. This is called thirdhand smoke, and it’s also very dangerous.
小宝: Are children more likely to get sick, then?
小刚: Yes. That’s why many places in China now promote smoke-free homes. It’s a way to protect family members.

A failed in-store demonstration sparked doubts about the gap between phone drop-resistance claims and real-life experience.

防摔神话为何翻车 - Why Did the Drop-Resistant Myth Fall Apart? [HSK 6]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》

赵强: Did you see that video? A store clerk demonstrated a phone’s drop resistance on the spot, but it shattered as soon as he threw it. Isn’t that embarrassing themselves?
黄刚: I saw it. The contrast was too obvious. The issue isn’t just an operating mistake; people are starting to question whether those ‘lab data’ are really reliable.
赵强: I work in marketing, and whenever I hear phrases like ‘ten times better’ or ‘worry-free from 2 meters,’ I know there’s exaggeration. The key is that many people really believe it.
黄刚: Right. Ordinary consumers have a hard time telling the conditions apart. In the lab, it might be a wooden floor and a fixed angle, but in real life it’s tile, concrete, and maybe even pebbles. A slight difference can lead to a completely different result.
赵强: Simply put, this is the gap between an ‘ideal scenario’ and a ‘real scenario.’ If the limits aren’t clearly explained in advertising, people easily misunderstand it as ‘it won’t break no matter how it falls.’
黄刚: This also involves integrity. As an old Chinese saying goes, ‘One must keep one’s word.’ Overpromising may sell products in the short term, but it damages trust in the long run.
赵强: And there’s also the after-sales issue. Users believe the advertising, but when the phone breaks after a fall, they’re told it’s ‘human-caused damage.’ Who can accept that?
黄刚: So now many people are starting to reflect: when buying things, you can’t just look at ads. You need to look at real experience and learn to protect yourself, such as using a screen protector and a case.
赵强: In the end, no matter how strong the technology is, it has limits. Instead of mythologizing a product, it’s better to clearly explain its limitations. That actually makes people trust it more.

Jack Ma discusses AI’s impact on education, emphasizing less rote practice and more creativity and humanities education.

AI时代课堂该变吗 - Should Classrooms Change in the AI Era? [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》

陈花: While preparing my lesson today, I kept thinking: Jack Ma said AI is coming too fast and none of us are ready. Is this a reminder for us teachers?
黄刚: It really is. In the past, everyone emphasized scores and endless practice questions. Now it seems that approach may not keep up with the times. Has your school changed at all?
陈花: A little. I’ve noticed students use AI to look up information very quickly, but if they just copy the answers, they stop thinking. I’m a bit worried.
黄刚: It’s like the old saying: ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ AI can give answers, but it can’t replace judgment and thinking ability.
陈花: Exactly. So recently I’ve had students do role-play and discuss social issues in English. One student who usually has average grades actually came up with a very thoughtful point.
黄刚: That shows creativity really is more important than rote memorization. On the government side, education reform is also being discussed, emphasizing overall development rather than a single exam score.
陈花: But parents are still very anxious. They always feel that without doing lots of practice questions, their children will fall behind. Sometimes I feel caught in the middle.
黄刚: Changing mindsets takes time. But in the long run, AI will handle calculation and memorization. What humans need more is empathy and judgment.
陈花: Hearing you say that gives me more confidence. Maybe we teachers really need to change from ‘people who deliver knowledge’ into ‘people who guide the way.’

Xiao Mei is curious about why there are so many languages in the world.

世界上有很多语言 - There Are Many Languages in the World [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》

小美: Teacher Li, are there many languages in the world?
李芳: Yes, there are many. People in different places speak different languages.
小美: Then why don’t we all speak the same one?
李芳: Because people live in different places and have different ways of life. Over time, their ways of speaking become different.
小美: When I can’t understand, I feel anxious.
李芳: That’s okay. Language is like a key—learn a little, and you can open a little more of the door to understanding.
小美: Then if I learn English, it’s like getting another key!
李芳: Exactly. Language is also like a bridge—it helps you talk with people from different places.
小美: I want many keys, and I also want to build many bridges!
李芳: Very good. If we learn a little every day, you’ll gradually become better at speaking.

A man bought Chinese herbal medicine online and brewed it himself, resulting in poisoning and death, reminding everyone to use medicine safely.

网购药材真安全吗 - Is It Really Safe to Buy Herbal Medicine Online? [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》

小宝: Brother, can herbal medicine bought online be boiled and drunk by ourselves?
小刚: You shouldn’t drink it casually. Recently, an uncle wanted to lower his blood sugar, bought herbs online, and made a decoction himself. In the end, his heart stopped.
小宝: What? Aren’t herbal medicines supposed to nourish the body? How can they be so dangerous?
小刚: Because some herbs are toxic, like aconite. If used incorrectly, it can harm the heart. It may look like ‘health care,’ but it can actually be dangerous.
小宝: Then what should people do when they get sick?
小刚: Go to a正规 hospital and let a doctor prescribe medicine. Don’t trust livestreams, and don’t drink more based on your own judgment.
小宝: I understand now. Things bought online aren’t always safe.
小刚: Right. There’s a saying in China: ‘Every medicine has some toxicity.’ Learning to use medicine scientifically is the real way to care for your health.

In the tech industry, “cognition” has become a popular term used to explain success, failure, and career choices.

裁员风声中的“认知” - “Cognition” Amid Layoff Rumors [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》

赵强: Recently, everyone in the company has been talking about “cognition.” Some say that avoiding layoffs is not just about hard work, but also whether you have higher “cognition.”
黄刚: I hear this term a lot too. It originally comes from psychology, but now many people use it to explain why someone succeeds or fails.
赵强: Right. For example, AI is developing quickly. Some people immediately go learn new things, while others stay the same. People then say this is a “cognition gap.”
黄刚: This way of thinking is also related to the changes in China over the years. Many people see that in the same era with the same opportunities, different families end up very differently, so they believe more that “cognition determines choices.”
赵强: Our boss often says that we shouldn’t just do tasks, but also look at problems from a higher perspective. Some of my colleagues read books and industry news after work to improve their “cognition.”
黄刚: However, if we explain others’ failures simply as “insufficient cognition,” I think that’s unfair. Sometimes it’s not about lack of effort, but that the environment changes too fast.
赵强: Exactly. I have a friend who worked very seriously, but when the company changed its business, he was still laid off. Later, people said his “cognition wasn’t enough,” and he felt very upset.
黄刚: So I think the term “cognition” can help us reflect on ourselves, but it shouldn’t be used as the answer to everything. Focusing only on “cognition” can oversimplify complex issues.

During a blind date, an expensive meal was ordered and a friend was brought along, eventually leading to a dispute over the bill.

相亲不是付款测试 - A Blind Date Is Not a Payment Test [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》

优子: Teacher Liu, I saw a news story about someone spending 8,000 yuan on seafood during a blind date.
刘娜: Yes, I saw it too. The woman not only ordered many expensive dishes, but also brought a male friend with her.
优子: Why did she bring a friend? Isn’t a blind date supposed to be a meeting between two people?
刘娜: She said she wanted to see whether the man was generous. It was actually like a kind of test.
优子: In that case, wouldn’t the man feel uncomfortable?
刘娜: Yes. The man later made an excuse to leave and did not pay.
优子: Wasn’t the woman really embarrassed then? Who paid in the end?
刘娜: In the end, the woman paid for it herself. This incident made people feel that blind dates should still be sincere and polite.

This dialogue explains what a flipped classroom is and discusses its advantages and real-world problems.

翻转课堂的争议 - The Controversy Over the Flipped Classroom [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: I saw a news story today saying that some students cried because of the "flipped classroom." What exactly is a flipped classroom?
陈花: Simply put, in a traditional class, the teacher lectures and the students listen. A "flipped classroom" reverses that: students prepare the content first and then present it in class, while the teacher adds explanations and guidance from the side.
黄刚: Oh, so "flipped" means switching the usual order of "teacher lectures, students listen." Then why would students cry?
陈花: Because some students are not well prepared and cannot explain things clearly, so the people listening below cannot understand. For some students, not only do they fail to learn the material, but they also feel a lot of pressure.
黄刚: Now I understand. In other words, this method was originally meant to make students more proactive, but if it is not handled well, the class may work even worse.
陈花: Right. For example, in language classes or discussion-based classes, having students speak more may work quite well. But in classes with very difficult content, if the teacher explains too little, students can easily get confused.
黄刚: So the problem is not the method of the "flipped classroom" itself, but whether it is used in the right context and whether the rules are explained clearly.
陈花: Exactly. Educational reform is not just about changing to a new name. What matters most is whether students can truly understand and learn. Only then does it have meaning.

Qingming Festival is both a time for tomb-sweeping and remembrance, and a time for spring outings and welcoming spring, so whether to say “Happy Holiday” depends on the occasion.

清明节能说快乐吗 - Can You Say “Happy Qingming Festival”? [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: Yuko, yesterday in class a student asked me, "Can we actually say 'Happy Qingming Festival'?" When I heard that, I thought it was a very interesting question.
优子: I’ve been wanting to ask that too! Because when I watch Chinese dramas, some people look very solemn when they go tomb-sweeping, but on social media some people write "Peace and health on Qingming," and others even say "Happy Qingming Festival."
刘娜: Actually, Qingming Festival is very special. It is half a festival and half a solar term. In ancient times, people did not just sweep tombs; whole families would also go on spring outings and fly kites, because they did not want to miss the best time of spring.
优子: So it is not only about sadness. I used to think Qingming Festival was just about going to cemeteries, and that the atmosphere had to be very heavy. I did not expect it to have such a springlike side too.
刘娜: That’s right. So experts say that when sweeping tombs and honoring ancestors, of course you should be more solemn; but when going on outings and enjoying spring, saying "Happy Qingming Festival" is not necessarily wrong either. It depends on the occasion, and you cannot apply one rule to everything.
优子: That reminds me of a saying: when you speak, you should consider the time and the place. If someone smiled and loudly offered cheerful greetings in front of a grave, that probably would not be very appropriate.
刘娜: You understand it very well. Qingming Festival places remembrance and new life together. On the one hand, it reminds people where they come from; on the other hand, it reminds them that spring has arrived. This feeling is very much like what Chinese people often call "慎终追远".
优子: No wonder this festival is so special. It is not simply about being happy, nor is it only about sadness. It lets people remember the past while living the present seriously. I think that is exactly what is most worth learning from Qingming Festival.