Year of the Robot: Humanoids Lead a Tech-Heavy Spring Festival Gala

Robots and AI Technology Take Over the Spring Festival Gala Stage

HSK 3-4 level · 6:42

• 动作 (dòngzuò) — movement / action
• 吃惊 (chījīng) — to be surprised
• 精彩 (jīngcǎi) — wonderful / brilliant
• 甚至 (shènzhì) — even / so much so that
• 吸引 (xīyǐn) — to attract
• 流行 (liúxíng) — popular / fashionable
• 广告 (guǎnggào) — advertisement
• 即使 (jíshǐ) — even if / even though

• 不但……而且…… — Not only... but also... . This pattern is used to connect two clauses, where the second clause adds to or reinforces the first.
• 像……一样 — To look like... / To be the same as... . Used to make comparisons.
• 即使……也…… — Even if... still... . Indicates that the result or conclusion remains the same despite a hypothetical or extreme condition.

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Walmart’s Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The Secret of Sam's Club's Success in China

HSK 3-4 level · 6:02

• 现象 (xiànxiàng) — phenomenon
• 适应 (shìyìng) — to adapt / to suit
• 激烈 (jīliè) — fierce / intense
• 优势 (yōushì) — advantage / superiority
• 投入 (tóurù) — to invest / to put into
• 本土化 (běntǔhuà) — localization
• 牛排 (niúpái) — steak
• 坚果 (jiānguǒ) — nuts

• 不是...而是... — This pattern means 'not A, but rather B'. It is used to negate one thing and affirm another.
• 随着... — Means 'along with', 'in the wake of', or 'as...'. It introduces a condition that changes in tandem with something else.
• 只有...才... — This indicates a necessary condition: 'Only if [condition], then [result]'.

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Is Grindr Dead?

Is Grindr Really Dead?

HSK 3-4 level · 6:58

• 讨论 (tǎo lùn) — to discuss / discussion
• 改变 (gǎi biàn) — to change / change
• 广告 (guǎng gào) — advertisement
• 烦恼 (fán nǎo) — annoyed / worried / vexed
• 失望 (shī wàng) — disappointed / to lose hope
• 房租 (fáng zū) — rent (for a house/room)
• 解释 (jiě shì) — to explain / explanation
• 交流 (jiāo liú) — to communicate / interaction

• 不是……而是…… — This structure is used to reject one possibility and affirm another. It translates to "not... but...".
• 专门为……设计 — Indicates that something was created specifically for a certain person or purpose. "Specially designed for...".
• 越……越…… — Indicates a progressive change where one factor changes in proportion to another. "The more..., the more...".

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Slam dunks, global games, emerging stars: The biggest takeaways from All-Star Weekend

In-Depth Review of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend

HSK 3-4 level · 6:08

• 压力 (yālì) — pressure
• 失望 (shīwàng) — disappointed
• 精彩 (jīngcǎi) — wonderful / exciting
• 赢得 (yíngdé) — to win / to gain
• 证明 (zhèngmíng) — to prove / proof
• 激烈 (jīliè) — intense / fierce
• 东道主 (dōngdàozhǔ) — host (of an event)
• 选秀 (xuǎnxiù) — draft / talent selection

• 不仅……而且…… — Not only... but also... (Correlative conjunctions used to connect two clauses, indicating a progressive relationship).
• 虽然……但是…… — Although... but... (Used to express concession or contrast).
• 即使……也…… — Even if... still... (Used to express a hypothetical concession; the result remains unchanged regardless of the condition).

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The real reasons people love playing games

Why We Like Playing Games: The Relationship Between Games and Life

HSK 3-4 level · 6:50

• 放松 (fàngsōng) — to relax
• 甚至 (shènzhì) — even; so much so that
• 遵守 (zūnshǒu) — to comply with; to abide by
• 过程 (guòchéng) — process; course
• 往往 (wǎngwǎng) — often; frequently
• 判断 (pànduàn) — judgment; to judge
• 哲学家 (zhéxuéjiā) — philosopher
• 防守 (fángshǒu) — to defend; defense

• 越……越…… — The more... the more... This structure indicates that the degree of one thing changes in proportion to the degree of another.
• 不是……而是…… — Not... but... This pattern is used to negate one statement and affirm another, correcting a misconception.
• 把 + Object + Verb — The 'Ba' sentence structure is used to indicate how an action affects an object or changes its state.

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China allows visa-free entry to British, Canadian nationals

China Implements Visa-Free Policy for the UK and Canada

HSK 3-4 level · 7:39

• 护照 (hùzhào) — passport
• 证明 (zhèngmíng) — proof / certificate / to prove
• 甚至 (shènzhì) — even / so much so that
• 填 (tián) — to fill in
• 拒绝 (jùjué) — to refuse / to reject
• 邻居 (línjū) — neighbor
• 放弃 (fàngqì) — to give up / to abandon
• 无论 (wúlùn) — no matter what / regardless of

• 对...来说 — This pattern means 'as for...' or 'to...'. It is used to introduce the person or entity from whose perspective a statement is made.
• 既...又... — This construction means 'both... and...'. It is used to connect two adjectives or verbs that describe the same subject, indicating two qualities or actions existing simultaneously.
• 只有...才... — This pattern means 'only if... then...'. It introduces a necessary condition. The result in the second clause can only happen if the condition in the first clause is met.

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Is it love? Or is it an AI romance scam?

Is It Love or an AI Scam?

HSK 3-4 level · 8:24

• 怀疑 (huáiyí) — to suspect; to doubt
• 印象 (yìnxiàng) — impression
• 甚至 (shènzhì) — even; so much so that
• 幽默 (yōumò) — humorous
• 困难 (kùnnan) — difficulty; difficult
• 生意 (shēngyi) — business; trade
• 脾气 (píqi) — temper
• 骗局 (piànjú) — scam; fraud; hoax

• 不但……甚至…… — Not only... but even... (Used to emphasize that something goes beyond what is expected).
• 即使……也…… — Even if... still... (Indicates that the result remains the same despite a hypothetical concession).
• 把 + Object + Verb + Result — The 'Ba' construction creates a disposal sentence where the subject acts upon an object to change its state.

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As Services Expand, More Foreigners Seek Treatment in China

Hope for Life Across Borders and Chinese Healthcare

HSK 3-4 level · 9:12

• 生命 (shēngmìng) — life
• 严重 (yánzhòng) — serious; severe
• 建议 (jiànyì) — to suggest; suggestion
• 仔细 (zǐxì) — careful; attentive
• 成功 (chénggōng) — success; successful
• 改变 (gǎibiàn) — to change; change
• 不仅 (bùjǐn) — not only
• 信任 (xìnrèn) — trust

• 除了... (以外)，...也/还... — This pattern means 'Besides/Apart from..., ...also...'. It indicates addition.
• 把 + Object + Verb + Complement — The 'Ba' sentence structure emphasizes the handling or disposal of an object. The subject performs an action that changes the state or position of the object.
• Comparison using 比 — Used to compare two things. Structure: A + 比 + B + Adjective (+ Degree).

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How Chinese Millennials Are Reimagining Weddings

Young Chinese People Are Redefining Weddings: Choosing What's Right, Not What's Expensive

HSK 3-4 level · 9:50

• 拒绝 (jùjué) — to refuse; to reject
• 压力 (yālì) — pressure
• 坚持 (jiānchí) — to persist; to insist
• 建议 (jiànyì) — suggestion; to suggest
• 幸福 (xìngfú) — happy; happiness
• 尊重 (zūnzhòng) — to respect
• 矛盾 (máodùn) — conflict; contradiction
• 积蓄 (jīxù) — savings

• 不仅……更是…… (bùjǐn... gèng shì...) — Not only... but even more so... This pattern emphasizes that the second part is more important or significant than the first.
• 为了…… (wèile...) — In order to / for the sake of. Indicates the purpose or beneficiary of an action.
• 与其……不如…… (yǔqí... bùrú...) — Rather than... it is better to... Used to compare two options and express a preference for the second one.

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China’s box office presales fall over 60% from last year in crucial Lunar New Year window

Spring Festival Movie Pre-sales Run Cold: Reasons Behind the Significant Drop in Box Office

HSK 3-4 level · 6:59

• 习惯 (xíguàn) — habit / to be used to
• 成绩 (chéngjì) — result / achievement / grade
• 理想 (lǐxiǎng) — ideal
• 严重 (yánzhòng) — serious / grave
• 丰富 (fēngfù) — rich / abundant
• 鼓励 (gǔlì) — to encourage
• 票房 (piàofáng) — box office
• 预售 (yùshòu) — pre-sale

• 也就是说 — Meaning 'that is to say' or 'in other words'. It connects a previous statement with a clarification or conclusion.
• 之所以……是因为…… — A structure meaning 'the reason why... is because...'. It emphasizes the cause of a specific result.
• 不管是……还是……，都…… — Meaning 'no matter if it is A or B, [result] is the same'. It indicates that the condition does not affect the outcome.

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