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

小刚 tells 小宝 about a news story involving fake beef jerky, and 小宝 is shocked.

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Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

小宝: Big brother, I love eating beef jerky the most!
小刚: 小宝, did you know? Some beef jerky doesn’t have any beef in it at all!
小宝: Huh? Then what’s in it?
小刚: It’s made from pork, duck, or chicken. They lie and call it beef jerky, but it’s fake.
小宝: Lying is bad! Will they get caught?
小刚: Yes. Six people have already been sentenced and have to pay a lot of money.
小宝: From now on, before I eat beef jerky, I’ll ask Mom and Dad if it’s real.
小刚: Good idea. Make sure to read the packaging carefully and buy well-known brands. That’s safer.

Liu Na introduces common Chinese breakfast foods to Yuko.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

刘娜: Chinese people often eat soy milk and youtiao for breakfast.
优子: What is soy milk?
刘娜: Soy milk is a drink made from soybeans, kind of like Japanese tounyuu.
优子: Oh, I see! What about youtiao?
刘娜: Youtiao is a type of deep-fried dough. It's fragrant and crispy, and usually eaten with soy milk.
优子: Sounds delicious! Are there other breakfast foods?
刘娜: Yes, for example, baozi, congee, jianbing guozi, and so on.
优子: I want to try jianbing guozi!

小刚 explains to 小宝 how the post-2000 generation is changing the concept of workplace attire and breaking traditional norms.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

小宝: Brother, why does Dad always wear a suit to work?
小刚: Because many companies think wearing a suit looks formal and makes people appear more professional and polite.
小宝: But I saw some people dress very casually at work, like they're hanging out in the park.
小刚: That's right. Many young people born after 2000 don’t like being restricted by dress codes. They think you should wear what you like, not just suits.
小宝: Isn’t that bad? Won’t the company get mad?
小刚: Actually, as long as your clothes are clean, tidy, and suitable for the work environment, most bosses don’t mind. The post-2000 generation wants more freedom at work and to dress comfortably and with personality.
小宝: Then can I wear what I like to work when I grow up?
小刚: Of course you can! As long as you show your professional skills, your outfit won’t affect your performance.

Liu Na introduces Taobao to Yuko and teaches her some common expressions used in online shopping.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

刘娜: Yuko, do you know about Taobao?
优子: I've heard of it, but I don't know how to use it.
刘娜: Taobao is the biggest online shopping platform in China. You can find many cheap products there.
优子: Really? How do you buy things on it?
刘娜: First, search for the item you want to buy, then check the reviews and sales volume.
优子: If I want to ask the seller something, what should I say?
刘娜: You can say 'Does this come in other colors?' or 'When will it be shipped?'
优子: Got it! Shopping like this is much more convenient. Thank you!

黄刚 and 陈花 discuss the hype around kale and the psychological and nutritional misconceptions behind it.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

陈花: Honey, have you noticed that drink shops everywhere are now selling kale tea? My coworker checks in with her 'slimming bottle' every day—it’s 20 to 30 yuan a cup.
黄刚: Yeah, I saw the news saying kale prices have quadrupled. Some netizens even say it’s 'expensive and tastes bad'—just a scam tax on intelligence.
陈花: The key is that nutrition experts say juicing removes most of the dietary fiber, and some drinks add sugar to make them taste better, which actually makes you gain weight.
黄刚: It’s like how quinoa and chia seeds were hyped up before—businesses just blow up the marketing. Kale used to be a niche veggie, now it’s a ‘superfood’ thanks to branding.
陈花: Still, people do have a bit of 'health anxiety'. When they see labels like ‘light wellness’ or ‘fat-burning’, they can’t help but want to try it.
黄刚: Doctors always say real health comes from balanced meals and regular exercise. You can’t rely on one drink to slim down. If you really want to be healthy, you have to change your daily habits.
陈花: You're right. I think we can just cook more leafy greens at home instead of chasing these fads. A plate of stir-fried broccoli might be more reliable than a trendy drink.

Teacher Liu introduces David to KTV culture in China and recommends some simple Chinese songs.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

刘娜: Chinese people really like going to KTV to sing. Do you want to try?
大卫: That sounds fun! But I don’t know how to sing Chinese songs.
刘娜: No problem. I can recommend a simple one, like 'Friend' or 'The Moon Represents My Heart'.
大卫: Oh, I’ve heard 'The Moon Represents My Heart'. The lyrics don’t seem too hard.
刘娜: Right, this song is slow and easy to learn. Do you want to try singing a line?
大卫: Sure, I’ll give it a try… 'You ask me how deep my love for you is…'
刘娜: Very good! Your pronunciation is very clear! Just practice a few more times.
大卫: Thank you, Teacher! Next time I go to KTV, I’ll definitely choose this song!

Teacher Liu and David discuss Chinese calligraphy and share their thoughts on the art form.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

刘娜: David, do you know about Chinese calligraphy?
大卫: Yes, calligraphy is a traditional Chinese art form.
刘娜: Do you like calligraphy?
大卫: Yes, I think calligraphy is very beautiful.
刘娜: Right, calligraphy is not just writing, it's also a form of artistic expression.
大卫: Chinese calligraphy has different styles, right?
刘娜: Yes, there are regular script, semi-cursive, cursive, clerical, and seal scripts. Each has its own characteristics.
大卫: I like semi-cursive the most. It looks so smooth.
刘娜: Semi-cursive is both elegant and practical. Many people enjoy practicing it.
大卫: I want to try practicing calligraphy too!
刘娜: Great! We can find some time to practice together!

小刚 teaches 小宝 how to protect against flying fluff and allergies.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

小宝: Big brother, there are so many white things flying outside, it looks like it's snowing!
小刚: Haha, that's not snow, it's 'flying fluff' from poplar and willow trees.
小宝: The fluff lands on my face and it’s so itchy. Can I scratch it with my hand?
小刚: It’s best not to scratch with your hand. That can make it itchier. You can wash your face with clean water or gently wipe it with a tissue.
小宝: Should I wear a mask when I go out?
小刚: Yes! You can also wear a hat and glasses. That way the fluff won't easily get into your nose or eyes.
小宝: Flying fluff is so annoying. When is it safer to go outside?
小刚: In the morning or after it rains is better. There's less fluff then, and we can play outside safely!

陈智高 and 王明月 engage in a critical discussion about 'Nezha 2', exploring its deeper cultural and narrative issues.

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《English Translation》

王明月: Master, did you watch 'Nezha 2'? I saw a lot of reviews saying it continues the theme of defying fate, but something feels off to me.
陈智高: Yes, I’ve seen it. The film does continue the slogan 'My fate is mine, not Heaven’s,' but what interests me more is whether it truly challenges the system and discourse behind 'fate'.
王明月: You mean, even though Nezha defeats Wuliang Xianweng, the system of prejudice itself remains untouched?
陈智高: Exactly. Nezha’s 'demonic awakening' is essentially about using greater force to break the old order, not establishing a new one. It’s a logic of 'breaking through with power,' not a systemic subversion.
王明月: What do you think about the online claims that Wuliang Xianweng symbolizes American hegemony, and Nezha symbolizes Chinese resistance? Isn’t that a bit superficial?
陈智高: That interpretation is interesting, but I think simplifying complex international relations into a hot-blooded narrative of good vs. evil actually conceals structural problems. It’s more of a dramatized projection of real-world politics than a true metaphor.
王明月: I also noticed that Nezha barely has a character arc. His 'immortal setting' makes it feel unrealistic. I actually preferred the protagonist's inner struggles in 'Jiang Ziya'.
陈智高: Good observation. Nezha’s development is more like stacking buffs—relying on friends, family, and miracles granted by fate, rather than inner awakening. This 'protagonist halo' weakens the philosophical depth of the story.
王明月: And also, Li Jing and his wife became the 'loving parent template' in this one, losing the tension they had in the first film. The whole family storyline feels instrumentalized.
陈智高: Their sacrifice indeed presents an ethical paradox. To save Nezha, they’re willing to sacrifice the people of Chentang Pass, which reveals a certain 'privilege' narrative—who deserves to live, and who can be sacrificed.
王明月: Speaking of cultural expression, some say Nezha’s rage mode looks like Japanese anime, and Ao Bing’s father resembles Legolas from 'The Lord of the Rings'... Is Chinese animation losing cultural confidence?
陈智高: That’s the dilemma of contemporary Chinese animation: on one hand, pursuing international aesthetics, and on the other, trying to uphold the banner of 'Chinese cultural export'. When cultural expression turns into collage and imitation, local identity is easily marginalized.
王明月: But the box office was huge. Didn’t the audience love it?
陈智高: That actually shows the disconnect between audience emotion and the film’s depth. People want to see the rise of Chinese animation, but often get visual bombardment and hollow storytelling. Box office doesn’t equal quality, let alone cultural reflection.
王明月: So what path should Chinese animation take?
陈智高: It needs to return from spectacle to storytelling, from imitation to sincerity, from consumerism to cultural responsibility. If Nezha wants to rebel against fate, he must also rebel against superficiality. Only then

小刚 explains to 小宝 some fun stories about the robot half-marathon competition.

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• Chinese Short Dialogue | Website
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Available in 8 languages on the app:

Learn Chinese | 중국어 배우기 | 中国語を学ぶ | Изучать китайский язык | Học tiếng Trung | Belajar bahasa Mandarin | Aprender chino | تعلم اللغة الصينية

《English Translation》

小宝: Brother, I saw the news today saying robots went running! Is that true?
小刚: It's true! There was a special event in Beijing today where robots ran a half-marathon, covering 21 kilometers.
小宝: Wow, robots can run that far? Don’t they get tired?
小刚: Some robots got tired and even fell down, but they stood up and kept running! One robot even ‘lost its head’ but still finished the race!
小宝: Haha, such brave robots! Who won in the end?
小刚: A robot named ‘天工’ finished first, taking two hours and forty minutes. It even fell once but got repaired and kept running—what great sportsmanship!
小宝: I want to see robots running too! Do they look like people?
小刚: Pretty much! They have arms and legs, can change batteries, turn corners, and sprint—just like little robot athletes.