Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我在圆明园心里不太好，这是为什么？
   我在圓明園心裡不太好，這是為什麼？

   1. 因为人太多了
      因為人太多了

   2. 因为那里太热了
      因為那裡太熱了

   3. 因为那里没有好看的东西
      因為那裡沒有好看的東西

   4. 因为法国人以前烧了那里
      因為法國人以前燒了那裡

2. 我为什么喜欢这两个公园？
   我為什麼喜歡這兩個公園？

   1. 我的朋友带我去的
      我的朋友帶我去的

   2. 可以学到很多历史
      可以學到很多歷史

   3. 可以拍很多照片
      可以拍很多照片

   4. 那里的树很多，很舒服
      那裡的樹很多，很舒服

3. 这次去公园让我知道了什么？
   這次去公園讓我知道了什麼？

   1. 公园里可以走路
      公園裡可以走路

   2. 北京的夏天很热
      北京的夏天很熱

   3. 历史有时候离我们很近
      歷史有時候離我們很近

   4. 中国以前有皇帝
      中國以前有皇帝

4. 圆明园和颐和园有什么不一样？
   圓明園和頤和園有什麼不一樣？

   1. 圆明园是新建的公园
      圓明園是新建的公園

   2. 颐和园的人更多
      頤和園的人更多

   3. 颐和园被烧了以后又建起来了
      頤和園被燒了以後又建起來了

   4. 圆明园更大
      圓明園更大

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This is the 🌱 Easy version of today’s worksheet, designed for learners around HSK 2–3-4. Looking for more of a challenge? The Advanced version is in your inbox or right here.

Want only one version from now on? You can update your preferences here.

Yesterday in CGG #125, we took a closer look at 都 (dōu), one of the busiest little words in Mandarin.

Today’s exercises will help you get comfortable putting your words in the right order so your sentences land naturally. You’ll practice spotting what 都 is talking about and where it likes to sit.

With a little practice, this word order will start to feel automatic, and 都 will stop tripping you up.

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. Everyone in our company can speak Chinese.

2. These past few days we’ve all been really busy.

3. I bought both tea and coffee.

4. I’m so tired, I don’t want to do anything.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

Everyone in our company can speak Chinese.

When you want to say that every single member of a group does something, with nobody left out, Mandarin likes to make that completeness obvious. You name the full set with 每 (měi), meaning “every,” and then confirm nothing is missing with 都 (dōu), “all.” The two work as a team: 每 points to each person one by one, and 都 sweeps them all up, so leaving 都 out would sound oddly unfinished. And since speaking a language is a learned skill, the “can” part calls for 会 [會] (huì) rather than 能 or 可以, which leans on circumstances allowing something.

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 我们 [我們] (wǒmen) means “we” and here acts as a possessive “our.”

• 公司 (gōngsī) means “company.”

• 每 (měi) means “every.”

• 个 [個] (gè) is the general measure word, needed here between 每 and 人.

• 人 (rén) means “person.”

• 都 (dōu) means “all.”

  • This is the partner of 每 in the 每…都… pattern, confirming no one is left out.

• 会 [會] (huì) means “can,” for a learned skill.

  • 📖 Learn more about 会 [會] versus 能 and 可以 in CGG #122.

• 说 [說] (shuō) means “to speak.”

• 汉语 [漢語] (hànyǔ) means “Chinese language.”

Notes

• Don’t drop 都 (dōu) here. With 每 (měi) it’s almost always required, and skipping it sounds incomplete.

• 每 (měi) normally needs a measure word right after it, which is why we say 每个人 [每個人] (měi gè rén) and not just 每人.

• Use 会 [會] (huì) for skills you’ve learned, like languages. 能 (néng) would be for circumstances letting you do something, which isn’t the point here.

Recap

• 我们公司每个人都会说汉语。

• 我們公司每個人都會說漢語。

• 我们 / 公司 / 每 / 个 / 人 / 都 / 会 / 说 / 汉语 。

• wǒmen gōngsī měi gè rén dōu huì shuō hànyǔ.

• Everyone in our company can speak Chinese.

• our / company / every / (measure word 个) / person / all / can / speak / Chinese language.

🌱 Translation #2

These past few days we’ve all been really busy.

Read more

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我觉得能在中国过端午节很幸运，主要是因为什么？
   我覺得能在中國過端午節很幸運，主要是因為什麼？

   1. 因为我很喜欢吃粽子
      因為我很喜歡吃粽子

   2. 因为我第一次看到龙舟
      因為我第一次看到龍舟

   3. 因为我快要离开中国了
      因為我快要離開中國了

   4. 因为端午节是中国最大的节日
      因為端午節是中國最大的節日

2. 人们把米扔到河里是为了什么？
   人們把米扔到河裡是為了什麼？

   1. 让河里的水更干净
      讓河裡的水更乾淨

   2. 纪念屈原写的诗
      紀念屈原寫的詩

   3. 让屈原有东西吃
      讓屈原有東西吃

   4. 让鱼吃米，不吃屈原
      讓魚吃米，不吃屈原

3. 从文章来看，我平常喜欢吃什么样的东西？
   從文章來看，我平常喜歡吃什麼樣的東西？

   1. 用叶子包的东西
      用葉子包的東西

   2. 糯米做的东西
      糯米做的東西

   3. 甜的东西
      甜的東西

   4. 咸的东西
      鹹的東西

4. 我对这次端午节觉得有点可惜，是因为什么？
   我對這次端午節覺得有點可惜，是因為什麼？

   1. 我快要离开中国了
      我快要離開中國了

   2. 我没去看龙舟比赛
      我沒去看龍舟比賽

   3. 我以前没听说过屈原
      我以前沒聽說過屈原

   4. 我没吃到咸的粽子
      我沒吃到鹹的粽子

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This is the 🌱 Easy version of today’s worksheet, designed for learners around HSK 2–3-4. Looking for more of a challenge? The Advanced version is in your inbox or right here.

Want only one version from now on? You can update your preferences here.

In this week’s lesson, we looked at the heavier jobs that little 也 (yě) can take on, the ones where it leans toward “still” or quietly softens how something lands.

Today’s exercises will help you get comfortable placing this small word in the right spot and feeling how it changes the mood of a sentence. You’ll work through everyday situations where a single word carries a lot of weight.

With a bit of practice, these uses of 也 will start to feel automatic. Let’s put 也 to work and make it feel natural!

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. Even if it rains, I’ll still come to your house.

2. I think this is fine, I guess.

3. Whether we go or not, I’m okay with it.

4. After he left, I never saw him again.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

Even if it rains, I’ll still come to your house.

Here, we’re making a promise that holds firm no matter what gets in the way. The rain is the obstacle, and we want to say it won’t change our plan at all. To set up that kind of obstacle, Mandarin reaches for an “even if” connector, and 就算 (jiùsuàn) is the conversational one for everyday speech. But naming the obstacle isn’t enough on its own: we still need a word that says the result stays the same in spite of it. That’s where 也 (yě) comes in, sitting right before the verb and carrying the sense of “still” or “all the same.” The two act as a team: 就算 raises the hypothetical, and 也 holds your ground against it.

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 就算 (jiùsuàn) means “even if.”

  • This is the most conversational member of the “even if” family, perfect for casual speech.

  • 📖 Learn more about 就算 in CGG #23 and CGG #24.

• 下雨 (xiàyǔ) means “to rain.”

  • 下 (xià) means “to fall,” and 雨 (yǔ) means “rain.”

• 我 (wǒ) means “I.”

• 也 (yě) here reads as “still” or “all the same.”

  • It marks that the result does not bend because of the obstacle in the first clause.

  • It sits before the verb, never at the end.

• 去 (qù) means “to go.”

  • Mandarin uses 去 (movement away from the speaker) where English says “come” here, since the focus is on heading over to your place.

• 你 (nǐ) means “you” and acts as a possessive “your” here.

• 家 (jiā) means “home” or “house.”

Notes

• Don’t drop 也 (yě). It’s the word that delivers the “still,” and without it the sentence loses the whole point.

• 就算 (jiùsuàn) is the casual choice. 即使 (jíshǐ) means roughly the same but feels more neutral and slightly more written.

• Mandarin pairs the connector with 也 (or 都) rather than leaving the second clause bare. Think of 就算…也… as a fixed “even if … still …” frame you keep together.

Recap

• 就算下雨，我也去你家。

• 就算下雨，我也去你家。

• 就算 / 下雨 / ，/ 我 / 也 / 去 / 你 / 家 。

• jiùsuàn xiàyǔ, wǒ yě qù nǐ jiā.

• Even if it rains, I’ll still come to your house.

• even if / rain / I / still / go / your / home.

🌱 Translation #2

I think this is fine, I guess.

Read more

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我觉得第三天没有第二天那么特别，主要是因为什么？
   我覺得第三天沒有第二天那麼特別，主要是因為什麼？

   1. 我不喜欢滑道这个活动
      我不喜歡滑道這個活動

   2. 从酒店开车去太远了
      從酒店開車去太遠了

   3. 那里的玻璃桥不好玩
      那裡的玻璃橋不好玩

   4. 下雨了，很多地方不能去
      下雨了，很多地方不能去

2. 为什么我觉得山顶的风景可能是最美的？
   為什麼我覺得山頂的風景可能是最美的？

   1. 因为我和于佳一起看的
      因為我和於佳一起看的

   2. 因为山上有很多可爱的猴子
      因為山上有很多可愛的猴子

   3. 因为索道很长很高
      因為索道很長很高

   4. 因为风吹开了雾，看到了美景
      因為風吹開了霧，看到了美景

3. 从文章来看，我和于佳的关系有什么变化？
   從文章來看，我和於佳的關係有什麼變化？

   1. 一直都很好，没有变化
      一直都很好，沒有變化

   2. 三年没见，关系不好了
      三年沒見，關係不好了

   3. 从不习惯变得像以前一样
      從不習慣變得像以前一樣

   4. 从很好变得不太好
      從很好變得不太好

4. 离开中国以前，我想做什么？
   離開中國以前，我想做什麼？

   1. 在中国多走走多看看
      在中國多走走多看看

   2. 和于佳一起住
      和於佳一起住

   3. 去别的国家旅行
      去別的國家旅行

   4. 多在酒店休息
      多在酒店休息

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This is the 🌱 Easy version of today’s worksheet, designed for learners around HSK 2–3-4. Looking for more of a challenge? The Advanced version is in your inbox or right here.

Want only one version from now on? You can update your preferences here.

In CGG #123, we explored the little word 也 (yě) and the different jobs it does in everyday Mandarin.

Today’s exercises will help you place 也 correctly and pick the right structure for each situation. You’ll get a feel for where it sits in the sentence and how it changes the tone of what you say.

The more you practice, the more naturally 也 will slip into your sentences.

Let’s make 也 feel effortless in your Mandarin!

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. I want to eat some fruit, and I also want to drink some water.

2. It’s raining today, I don’t want to go anywhere.

3. I was so busy today I didn’t eat a single bite.

4. This phone is not only cheap, it also looks nice.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

I want to eat some fruit, and I also want to drink some water.

Here, one person wants to do two things, and we need a smooth way to add the second wish without starting a brand new sentence. That’s exactly what 也 (yě) does: it tells the listener “this applies too.” Since the subject stays the same, we can drop the repeated “I” in the second part, but 也 can’t stand alone, so the verb 想 (xiǎng) must come back right after it. Unlike English “too,” which likes to sit at the end, 也 always goes before the verb.

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 我 (wǒ) means “I.”

• 想 (xiǎng) means “to want” or “would like.”

  • 📖 Learn more about the different uses of 想 in CGG #34.

• 吃 (chī) means “to eat.”

• 点 [點] (diǎn) means “some” or “a bit of.”

  • This is the shortened, casual form of 一点 [一點] (yìdiǎn).

• 水果 (shuǐguǒ) means “fruit.”

• 也 (yě) means “also” or “too.”

  • It must come before the verb, never at the end of the clause.

  • Because the subject is the same, we drop the second 我 and let 也 carry the connection.

  • 📖 Learn more about 也 for adding parallel ideas in CGG #109 and CGG #110.

• 想 (xiǎng) appears again, since 也 needs a verb after it.

• 喝 (hē) means “to drink.”

• 点 [點] (diǎn) again means “some.”

• 水 (shuǐ) means “water.”

Notes

• Don’t end the sentence with 也 the way English ends with “too.” A sentence like 我想喝点水也 is incorrect.

• Don’t skip the second 想 (xiǎng). 也 cannot attach directly to the object, so 也点水 doesn’t work.

• 点 [點] (diǎn) softens the request and makes it sound casual and natural, like “some” or “a little” in English.

Recap

• 我想吃点水果，也想喝点水。

• 我想吃點水果，也想喝點水。

• 我 / 想 / 吃 / 点 / 水果 / ，/ 也 / 想 / 喝 / 点 / 水 。

• wǒ xiǎng chī diǎn shuǐguǒ, yě xiǎng hē diǎn shuǐ.

• I want to eat some fruit, and I also want to drink some water.

• I / want / eat / some / fruit / also / want / drink / some / water.

🌱 Translation #2

It’s raining today, I don’t want to go anywhere.

Read more

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我觉得袁家界“有点可惜”是因为什么？
   我覺得袁家界「有點可惜」是因為什麼？

   1. 离得太远了
      離得太遠了

   2. 天气不好
      天氣不好

   3. 风景不够美
      風景不夠美

   4. 游客太多了
      遊客太多了

2. 我为什么喜欢在天子山走森林里的小路？
   我為什麼喜歡在天子山走森林裡的小路？

   1. 路比较好走
      路比較好走

   2. 那里有很多花
      那裡有很多花

   3. 想快点儿下山
      想快點兒下山

   4. 人少，风景很美
      人少，風景很美

3. 从这篇文章来看，我最喜欢什么样的地方？
   從這篇文章來看，我最喜歡什麼樣的地方？

   1. 有很多东西可以买的地方
      有很多東西可以買的地方

   2. 人少、风景好的地方
      人少、風景好的地方

   3. 可以坐索道的地方
      可以坐索道的地方

   4. 游客多、很热闹的地方
      遊客多、很熱鬧的地方

4. 我们在杨家界为什么没有走到山下？
   我們在楊家界為什麼沒有走到山下？

   1. 太累了
      太累了

   2. 时间不够了
      時間不夠了

   3. 开始下雨了
      開始下雨了

   4. 山上有石头掉下来了
      山上有石頭掉下來了

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This is the 🌱 Easy version of today’s worksheet, designed for learners around HSK 2–3-4. Looking for more of a challenge? The Advanced version is in your inbox or right here.

Want only one version from now on? You can update your preferences here.

In CGG #122, we looked at how English packs several ideas into one little word, “can,” while Mandarin spreads them across 会 (huì), 能 (néng), and 可以 (kěyǐ).

Today’s exercises will help you build a clear instinct for which one to reach for. You’ll get a feel for the kind of “can” each sentence is really asking about, so the right choice starts to come naturally.

With a bit of practice, picking the right word will stop feeling like a guess.

Let’s sort these three out together!

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. Can you come to my place on Saturday?

2. The doctor said I can’t drink coffee.

3. I can cook a few Chinese dishes.

4. For Dragon Boat Festival can we go to the river to watch the dragon boats?

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

Can you come to my place on Saturday?

Here, we’re asking whether someone’s Saturday is free enough for them to drop by. The real question isn’t about skill, and it isn’t quite about permission either. It’s about whether the day works out, whether their schedule allows it. That’s exactly the job of 能 (néng): it asks “is this doable for you, given your time and circumstances?” Compare that with 会 (huì), which would be about a learned skill (coming over isn’t something you study), and with 可以 (kěyǐ), which leans toward asking for permission. Since coming over depends on a free afternoon, 能 is the natural fit. Then, to turn the statement into a polite yes-or-no question, we close it off with 吗 (ma).

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 星期六 (xīngqīliù) means “Saturday.”

  • Time expressions usually come early, here even before the subject for emphasis.

• 你 (nǐ) means “you.”

• 能 (néng) means “can,” in the sense of “are conditions right for it?”

  • This is the “can” of possibility, not skill or permission.

• 来 [來] (lái) means “to come.”

• 我 (wǒ) means “my” here.

  • No need for 的 (de) when talking about your own home.

• 家 (jiā) means “home.”

• 吗 [嗎] (ma) turns the sentence into a yes-or-no question.

  • 📖 Learn more about the question particle 吗 [嗎] (ma) in CGG #87 and CGG #88.

Notes

• 能 (néng) fits because you’re really asking whether their Saturday is free.

• Keep 吗 [嗎] (ma) at the very end; it’s what marks the whole thing as a question.

Recap

• 星期六你能来我家吗？

• 星期六你能來我家嗎？

• 星期六 / 你 / 能 / 来 / 我 / 家 / 吗 / ？

• xīngqīliù nǐ néng lái wǒ jiā ma?

• Can you come to my place on Saturday?

• Saturday / you / can / come / my / home / (question particle 吗).

🌱 Translation #2

The doctor said I can’t drink coffee.

Read more

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我觉得天门洞那天的天气怎么样？
   我覺得天門洞那天的天氣怎麼樣？

   1. 云太多了，我们马上就下山了
      雲太多了，我們馬上就下山了

   2. 天气很好，我们看到了很美的风景
      天氣很好，我們看到了很美的風景

   3. 天气不好，所以我很不开心
      天氣不好，所以我很不開心

   4. 虽然看不见风景，但是云让那里很特别
      雖然看不見風景，但是雲讓那裡很特別

2. 我为什么很高兴我们坐了电梯？
   我為什麼很高興我們坐了電梯？

   1. 因为坐电梯比爬楼梯快
      因為坐電梯比爬樓梯快

   2. 因为我不喜欢运动
      因為我不喜歡運動

   3. 因为从电梯上能看到更好的风景
      因為從電梯上能看到更好的風景

   4. 因为爬999级楼梯会很累
      因為爬999級樓梯會很累

3. 从这篇文章看，我去张家界最开心的是什么？
   從這篇文章看，我去張家界最開心的是什麼？

   1. 和很久没见的老朋友见面了
      和很久沒見的老朋友見面了

   2. 第一次坐索道上山
      第一次坐索道上山

   3. 看到了天门洞的美丽风景
      看到了天門洞的美麗風景

   4. 去了一个很有名的地方
      去了一個很有名的地方

4. 我们上天门山用了哪些交通工具？
   我們上天門山用了哪些交通工具？

   1. 先坐索道，然后坐大巴车，最后坐电梯
      先坐索道，然後坐大巴車，最後坐電梯

   2. 先坐飞机，然后爬楼梯上山
      先坐飛機，然後爬樓梯上山

   3. 先坐火车，然后爬999级楼梯
      先坐火車，然後爬999級樓梯

   4. 只坐了索道，没有用别的
      只坐了索道，沒有用別的

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This is the 🌱 Easy version of today’s worksheet, designed for learners around HSK 2–3-4. Looking for more of a challenge? The Advanced version is in your inbox or right here.

Want only one version from now on? You can update your preferences here.

In CGG #121, we explored a rich collection of ways to compare things in Mandarin, from neutral framings to evaluative judgments and casual brush-offs.

Today’s exercises will help you practice choosing the right comparison structure for different situations. The key is knowing when you’re simply lining up a reference point, expressing a preference, saying something falls short, or declaring that comparison itself doesn’t make sense.

Let’s dive in and make these comparison structures feel natural in your Mandarin!

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. Compared to last year, my Chinese is much better.

2. The food at this restaurant isn’t as good as the one over there.

3. Compared to noodles, I like rice more.

4. Beijing duck and Shanghai xiaolongbao can’t really be compared, they’re both delicious.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

Compared to last year, my Chinese is much better.

Here, we’re setting up a comparison by putting the reference point first (last year) before sharing the main observation (my Chinese has improved). For this kind of neutral framing, Mandarin uses 跟……相比 (gēn……xiāngbǐ), which literally means “with… compared,” to introduce the thing being compared against before the main point. The English “much better” needs special treatment too: rather than using 比, the structure 好多了 (hǎo duō le) captures the sense of significant improvement that has happened. It’s like saying “there’s been a big jump in quality,” perfect for talking about progress over time.

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 跟 (gēn) means “with.”

  • It introduces the reference point of the comparison.

  • In more formal writing, you can swap 跟 for 与 [與] (yǔ).

• 去年 (qùnián) means “last year.”

• 相比 (xiāngbǐ) means “to compare.”

  • Together with 跟, it forms a neutral comparison frame.

• ， is the comma separating the setup from the main statement.

• 我 (wǒ) means “I.”

• 的 (de) is the possessive particle, here making “my.”

• 汉语 [漢語] (hànyǔ) means “Chinese language.”

• 好 (hǎo) means “good.”

• 多 (duō) means “a lot.”

• 了 (le) marks the change of state (it became much better).

  • Together, 好多了 (hǎo duō le) means “much better” and signals that an improvement has occurred.

Notes

• Don’t add 比 (bǐ) inside this structure. 跟……相比 is already a complete comparison frame, so adding 比 would be redundant.

• 跟……相比 is neutral in tone, while 比起 (bǐqǐ) carries an evaluative flavor (you’ll see this in Translation #3 below).

• The pattern [Adjective] + 多了 is a handy way to express significant change. Compare 好多了 (much better) with 好一点 [好一點] (hǎo yīdiǎn, a little better).

Recap

• 跟去年相比，我的汉语好多了。

• 跟去年相比，我的漢語好多了。

• 跟 / 去年 / 相比 / ， / 我 / 的 / 汉语 / 好 / 多 / 了 。

• gēn qùnián xiāngbǐ, wǒ de hànyǔ hǎo duō le.

• Compared to last year, my Chinese is much better.

• with / last year / compared / , / I / (possessive particle 的) / Chinese / good / a lot / (change of state particle 了).

🌱 Translation #2

The food at this restaurant isn’t as good as the one over there.

Read more

📘 Today is the last day. The Mandarin Grammar Workbook, Vol. 1 (for beginners) and its companion Anki deck are 40% off until tonight, 23:59 Pacific Time. After tonight, the launch price is gone.

Take a look at the workbook →

I’ve been eating every meal out since moving to Beijing because ten yuan at the cafeteria is cheaper than cooking, but in two months I’ll be back in France where there are no cheap Chinese restaurants.

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我为什么现在想学做中国菜？
   我為什麼現在想學做中國菜？

   1. 因为北京的餐馆太贵了
      因為北京的餐館太貴了

   2. 因为我不喜欢在外面吃饭了
      因為我不喜歡在外面吃飯了

   3. 因为我想在法国也能吃到喜欢的菜
      因為我想在法國也能吃到喜歡的菜

   4. 因为我的朋友想吃我做的菜
      因為我的朋友想吃我做的菜

2. 我选择学拍黄瓜，最重要的原因是什么？
   我選擇學拍黃瓜，最重要的原因是什麼？

   1. 这个菜在法国很有名
      這個菜在法國很有名

   2. 这个菜不需要用刀
      這個菜不需要用刀

   3. 这个菜用的东西最少
      這個菜用的東西最少

   4. 这个菜做起来简单，我也能学会
      這個菜做起來簡單，我也能學會

3. 从文章可以知道，我在北京的生活是怎样的？
   從文章可以知道，我在北京的生活是怎樣的？

   1. 我只在周末去餐馆吃饭
      我只在週末去餐館吃飯

   2. 我每天自己做三顿饭
      我每天自己做三頓飯

   3. 我常常在家里请朋友吃饭
      我常常在家裡請朋友吃飯

   4. 我天天在外面吃，因为很方便也不贵
      我每天在外面吃，因為很方便也不貴

4. 做拍黄瓜的时候，为什么要把水倒掉？
   做拍黃瓜的時候，為什麼要把水倒掉？

   1. 因为水太多了
      因為水太多了

   2. 因为水不干净
      因為水不乾淨

   3. 因为黄瓜太咸了
      因為黃瓜太鹹了

   4. 因为这样黄瓜会更好吃
      因為這樣黃瓜會更好吃

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This is the 🌱 Easy version of today’s worksheet, designed for learners around HSK 2–3-4. Looking for more of a challenge? The Advanced version is in your inbox or right here.

Want only one version from now on? You can update your preferences here.

📘 Launch ends tomorrow night.

My Mandarin Grammar Workbook, Vol. 1 (for beginners) and its companion Anki deck are 40% off until this Sunday, 23:59 Pacific. After Sunday night, the launch price is gone. If you’re still on the fence, or know someone just starting their Mandarin journey, this is the moment.

Take a look at the workbook →

Hi from somewhere over China! As you’re reading this, I’m on a plane from Beijing to Zhangjiajie, off to hike among the limestone pillars for a few days. Stories and photos from the trip will turn into next week’s comprehension worksheets.

On Wednesday, we built on the basics of comparison sentences and looked at how to add precision when comparing two things. How much more? How many minutes earlier? How much faster? Today’s exercises will help you get comfortable showing how big or small a difference really is, whether you’re talking about prices, taste, or quality.

Let’s sharpen those comparison skills together!

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. Buying things in Shanghai is a bit more expensive than in Beijing.

2. Chinese tea tastes much better than coffee.

3. Rice is 2 yuan cheaper than noodles.

4. The dumplings here taste the same as my grandma’s.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

Buying things in Shanghai is a bit more expensive than in Beijing.

Here, we’re comparing prices between two cities, with a small difference between them. The key challenge is expressing “a bit more.” For this small gap, we reach for 一点儿 [一點兒] (yìdiǎnr), which slots in right after the adjective to soften the comparison. If the difference were bigger, we’d use 多了 (duō le) instead, but here we just want to say the prices are slightly higher, not dramatically so.

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 在 (zài) means “in” or “at.”

• 上海 (Shànghǎi) means “Shanghai.”

• 买东西 [買東西] (mǎi dōngxi) means “to buy things” or “to shop.”

  • 买 [買] (mǎi) means “to buy.”

  • 东西 [東西] (dōngxi) means “things” or “stuff.”

• 比 (bǐ) means “compared to” or “than.”

  • This is the core comparison marker placed between the two items being compared.

• 在北京 (zài Běijīng) means “in Beijing.”

• 贵 [貴] (guì) means “expensive.”

• 一点儿 [一點兒] (yìdiǎnr) means “a little” or “a bit.”

  • This always comes after the adjective, never before.

  • Use it when the difference between A and B is small.

Notes

• When using 比 (bǐ), don’t place 一点儿 [一點兒] (yìdiǎnr) before the adjective. Saying 一点儿贵 [一點兒貴] means “a bit expensive” but can’t be used with 比.

• Don’t add 很 (hěn) before 贵 [貴] (guì) in a 比 (bǐ) sentence. Saying 比在北京很贵 [比在北京很貴] is wrong because 很 (hěn) clashes with the comparison structure.

• For a small difference, 一点儿 [一點兒] (yìdiǎnr) and 一些 (yìxiē) are interchangeable. 一点儿 [一點兒] sounds slightly more casual and spoken.

Recap

• 在上海买东西比在北京贵一点儿。

• 在上海買東西比在北京貴一點兒。

• 在 / 上海 / 买 / 东西 / 比 / 在 / 北京 / 贵 / 一点儿 。

• zài Shànghǎi mǎi dōngxi bǐ zài Běijīng guì yìdiǎnr.

• Buying things in Shanghai is a bit more expensive than in Beijing.

• in / Shanghai / buy / things / compared to / in / Beijing / expensive / a bit.

🌱 Translation #2

Chinese tea tastes much better than coffee.

Read more

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe Now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我的同事为什么说“应该学中国的棋”？
   我的同事為什麼說「應該學中國的棋」？

   1. 因为中国象棋比较容易
      因為中國象棋比較容易

   2. 因为法国的棋太难了
      因為法國的棋太難了

   3. 因为中国同事让我们学
      因為中國同事讓我們學

   4. 因为我们在中国，学中国的棋很好
      因為我們在中國，學中國的棋很好

2. 我觉得学象棋怎么样？
   我覺得學象棋怎麼樣？

   1. 很难，我不想学了
      很難，我不想學了

   2. 很容易，我已经学会了
      很容易，我已經學會了

   3. 我下得不好，但是很有意思
      我下得不好，但是很有意思

   4. 没什么意思，我只是陪同事
      沒什麼意思，我只是陪同事

3. 从“以前中国同事好奇我们的棋，现在我好奇他们的棋了”可以看出什么？
   從「以前中國同事好奇我們的棋，現在我好奇他們的棋了」可以看出什麼？

   1. 中国同事现在不好奇了
      中國同事現在不好奇了

   2. 我们互相了解对方的东西
      我們互相了解對方的東西

   3. 我们不下法国的棋了
      我們不下法國的棋了

   4. 中国象棋比法国的棋好
      中國象棋比法國的棋好

4. 我现在下象棋下得怎么样？
   我現在下象棋下得怎麼樣？

   1. 我比我的同事下得好
      我比我的同事下得好

   2. 我只会记棋子的名字
      我只會記棋子的名字

   3. 我还记不住棋子的名字，也不会赢
      我還記不住棋子的名字，也不會贏

   4. 我已经很会下了
      我已經很會下了

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This worksheet you’re reading right now is the 🌱 Easy version, specifically designed for learners around HSK levels 2–3-4.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, check your inbox for the Advanced version or click here!

Not interested in the Easy worksheets? No problem, you can opt out and receive only the Advanced version by clicking here.

In CGG #119, we explored different ways to compare things in Mandarin.

Today’s exercises will help you practice picking the right structure for each situation. Comparing two things might seem simple, but Mandarin offers several ways to do it, and choosing the right one makes your sentences feel natural.

With practice, these patterns will click into place and start feeling automatic. Ready to put those comparisons to work?

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. This dish is even tastier than that one!

2. My phone isn’t as new as yours.

3. This book is just as good as that one.

4. Taking the bus is faster than walking.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

This dish is even tastier than that one!

Here, we’re comparing two dishes and saying one is more delicious than the other, with a touch of excitement to it: not just tastier, even tastier. The standard comparison pattern in Mandarin uses 比 (bǐ), but the “even” part needs an extra word inside the comparison. You’ve got two options: 更 (gèng) and 还 [還] (hái). Both mean “even more,” but 更 is the neutral, general choice, while 还 [還] carries emotional weight and feels more spoken, like you’re genuinely impressed. With the exclamation point telling us this is enthusiastic, 还 [還] fits perfectly here.

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 这 [這] (zhè) means “this.”

• 个 [個] (gè) is the general measure word.

• 菜 (cài) means “dish.”

• 比 (bǐ) means “compared to” or “than.”

  • This is the core comparison marker that sets up “A is more X than B.”

• 那 (nà) means “that.”

• 个 [個] (gè) again is the measure word.

  • Notice that the noun 菜 is dropped here because it’s already clear from context.

• 还 [還] (hái) means “even more” inside the comparison.

  • It carries emotional emphasis and feels vivid, like you’re reacting in the moment.

  • 📖 Learn more about 还 [還] in CGG #82 and CGG #83.

• 好吃 (hǎochī) means “delicious” or “tasty.”

Notes

• Don’t add 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), or other intensity words after 比. The comparison already carries the idea of degree, so an extra intensifier sounds wrong.

• 更 (gèng) is the neutral choice for “even more,” while 还 [還] (hái) adds emotional weight, surprise, or a personal reaction. Both sit between B and the adjective.

• The noun after 那个 [那個] is dropped to avoid repetition. When the noun is obvious from context, Mandarin often leaves it out.

Recap

• 这个菜比那个还好吃！

• 這個菜比那個還好吃！

• 这 / 个 / 菜 / 比 / 那 / 个 / 还 / 好吃 / ！

• zhège cài bǐ nàge hái hǎochī!

• This dish is even tastier than that one!

• this / (measure word 个) / dish / compared to / that / (measure word 个) / even more / delicious.

🌱 Translation #2

My phone isn’t as new as yours.

Read more

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe Now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我觉得留在北京很好，主要是因为什么？
   我覺得留在北京很好，主要是因為什麼？

   1. 北京五一的时候很漂亮
      北京五一的時候很漂亮

   2. 潘家园的东西很便宜
      潘家園的東西很便宜

   3. 我的新朋友都在北京
      我的新朋友都在北京

   4. 不用坐火车和到处跑，很舒服
      不用坐火車和到處跑，很舒服

2. 从文章来看，我在潘家园买了什么？
   從文章來看，我在潘家園買了什麼？

   1. 给朋友的礼物
      給朋友的禮物

   2. 一些旧家具
      一些舊傢俱

   3. 什么都没买
      什麼都沒買

   4. 一些旧书和杂志
      一些舊書和雜誌

3. 我为什么以后还想来潘家园买礼物？
   我為什麼以後還想來潘家園買禮物？

   1. 这里的礼物更特别，更有中国的味道
      這裡的禮物更特別，更有中國的味道

   2. 我的朋友很喜欢旧东西
      我的朋友很喜歡舊東西

   3. 这里离我家很近
      這裡離我家很近

   4. 这里的东西比别的地方便宜
      這裡的東西比別的地方便宜

4. 我觉得逛潘家园“有意思”，主要是因为什么？
   我覺得逛潘家園「有意思」，主要是因為什麼？

   1. 可以认识很多新朋友
      可以認識很多新朋友

   2. 那里的老爷爷很有意思
      那裡的老爺爺很有意思

   3. 可以学到很多历史知识
      可以學到很多歷史知識

   4. 可以看到很多不一样的老东西
      可以看到很多不一樣的老東西

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This worksheet you’re reading right now is the 🌱 Easy version, specifically designed for learners around HSK levels 2–3-4.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, check your inbox for the Advanced version or click here!

Not interested in the Easy worksheets? No problem, you can opt out and receive only the Advanced version by clicking here.

In CGG #118, we explored the traditional Chinese calendar and the vocabulary that comes with it: the lunar months, the special prefix for early days, the zodiac, and the festivals tied to all of them.

Today’s exercises will help you put this vocabulary into real sentences. You’ll practice talking about festival dates, asking about the lunar calendar, and describing zodiac signs the natural way. With a little practice, these calendar words will start feeling like second nature in your Mandarin.

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. Spring Festival is on the first day of the first lunar month, every year the date is different.

2. Excuse me, is today the 15th of the lunar calendar? I heard tonight’s moon will be especially round.

3. People born in the Year of the Horse are said to especially love to travel, they don’t like to stay at home.

4. Dragon Boat Festival is on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, on this day Chinese people eat zongzi and watch dragon boat races.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

Spring Festival is on the first day of the first lunar month, every year the date is different.

In this sentence, we’re naming when Spring Festival falls and noting that its actual date shifts every year on the regular calendar. The tricky part is the date itself: “the first day of the first lunar month.” The first month has its own special name in Chinese, 正月 (zhēngyuè), reserved exclusively for the first month of the lunar year. And for the first ten days of any lunar month, you can’t simply say “one” or “first”; you must add the prefix 初 (chū) before the number. Put together, 正月初一 is the standard way to express “the first day of the first lunar month.”

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 春节 [春節] (chūnjié) means “Spring Festival.”

  • 春 (chūn) means “spring.”

  • 节 [節] (jié) means “festival.”

• 是 (shì) means “is.”

• 正月 (zhēngyuè) means “the first month of the lunar year.”

  • This is a special name, used only for the lunar new year’s opening month. You wouldn’t say 一月 (yīyuè) here, since that refers to January on the Gregorian calendar.

• 初一 (chūyī) means “the first day (of a lunar month).”

  • The prefix 初 (chū) is mandatory for days 1 to 10 of a lunar month.

• 每 (měi) means “every.”

• 年 (nián) means “year.”

• 的 (de) is the possessive particle.

• 日子 (rìzi) means “day” or “date.”

• 都 (dōu) means “all.”

  • This pairs with 每 (měi) to form the 每…都… pattern, which emphasizes “every single one without exception.”

  • 📖 Learn more about expressing “all” in CGG #57 and CGG #58.

• 不 (bù) means “not.”

• 一样 [一樣] (yīyàng) means “the same.”

Notes

• Don’t say 一月一日 (yīyuè yīrì) here, as that refers to January 1st on the Gregorian calendar, which is New Year’s Day, not Spring Festival.

• Don’t drop the 初 (chū) prefix. Saying 正月一 would sound off; the 初 is required for the first ten days of any lunar month.

• The 每…都… (měi…dōu…) pattern is very common when you want to stress that something applies to every instance: 每年都不一样 [每年都不一樣] literally reads “every year all not the same,” meaning “every year is different.”

• 日子 (rìzi) is more conversational than 日期 (rìqī); both can mean “date,” but 日子 also carries the broader sense of “day” in everyday speech.

Recap

• 春节是正月初一，每年的日子都不一样。

• 春節是正月初一，每年的日子都不一樣。

• 春节 / 是 / 正月 / 初一 / ， / 每 / 年 / 的 / 日子 / 都 / 不 / 一样 / 。

• chūnjié shì zhēngyuè chūyī, měi nián de rìzi dōu bù yīyàng.

• Spring Festival is on the first day of the first lunar month, every year the date is different.

• Spring Festival / is / first lunar month / first day / every / year / (possessive particle 的) / date / all / not / the same.

🌱 Translation #2

Excuse me, is today the 15th of the lunar calendar? I heard tonight’s moon will be especially round.

Read more

Quick note before we begin: today’s comprehension worksheet is fully open to all as part of the Spring Promotion. That means the slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, learning notes, and vocabulary lists are all yours, just like for paid subscribers.

If you worked through yesterday’s translation exercises, today brings the listening half of the practice. Translation trained you to produce Mandarin sentences. Comprehension trains you to understand real Mandarin spoken at real speed. Two skills, two practices, both essential.

One more thing: the bonus 了 chapter from my upcoming grammar book is yours if you subscribe before tonight at 23:59 PT. After tonight, the chapter is gone, though the Spring Promotion itself continues until Tuesday.

I went to the Great Wall in 2011 and could barely move through the crowds, so this time I drove two hours from Beijing to hike up to an unrestored section where I had the broken, grass-covered stones entirely to myself.

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Today, everyone gets everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, learning notes, vocabulary lists. The whole worksheet, free for all subscribers, as part of the Spring Promotion.

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我为什么这次想去不一样的地方？
   我為什麼這次想去不一樣的地方？

   1. 因为同事说那里更好
      因為同事說那裡更好

   2. 因为以前去的时候人太多了
      因為以前去的時候人太多了

   3. 因为那里不要买门票
      因為那裡不要買門票

   4. 因为那里离北京很近
      因為那裡離北京很近

2. 我觉得这次去长城“太值了”，主要是因为什么？
   我覺得這次去長城「太值了」，主要是因為什麼？

   1. 爬山很容易，不太累
      爬山很容易，不太累

   2. 那里很安静，感觉很真实
      那裡很安靜，感覺很真實

   3. 天气很好，不太热
      天氣很好，不太熱

   4. 村子里的旅馆很便宜
      村子裡的旅館很便宜

3. “野长城”是什么意思？
   「野長城」是什麼意思？

   1. 最长的一段长城
      最長的一段長城

   2. 在野外的新长城
      在野外的新長城

   3. 很老的、没有人修过的长城
      很老的、沒有人修過的長城

   4. 有很多动物的地方
      有很多動物的地方

4. 我对这个周末的感觉是什么？
   我對這個週末的感覺是什麼？

   1. 虽然累，但是很值得
      雖然累，但是很值得

   2. 有点儿失望，因为长城坏了
      有點兒失望，因為長城壞了

   3. 很轻松，一点都不累
      很輕鬆，一點都不累

   4. 太累了，不想再去了
      太累了，不想再去了

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

我去了野长城

两个星期以前，我去了长城。2011年我来中国旅游的时候去过一次，但那次人太多了。这次，我想去一个不一样的地方。

我的同事知道一个特别的地方，离北京大概两个小时。那里有一段“野长城”。什么是野长城？就是很老的城墙，没有人修过，还是很多年以前的样子。

我们星期六早上出发，到了一个小村子。村子里有一家小旅馆，老板是那里的人，人很好。我们先放下东西，然后开始爬山。

那条路真的很难走！那天也很热，我走了十分钟就开始出汗了。但是，当我看到长城的时候，我觉得太值了！

这段长城没有人修过。石头上面长了很多草，有的地方已经坏了。但是因为这样，感觉特别真实。站在城墙上看远处，到处都是山，一个游客都没有，非常安静。

离开北京，在山里走一走，让人觉得很放松。这个周末虽然累，但是太值得了。

🀄 繁體全文 | Full Traditional Transcript

我去了野長城

兩個星期以前，我去了長城。2011年我來中國旅遊的時候去過一次，但那次人太多了。這次，我想去一個不一樣的地方。

我的同事知道一個特別的地方，離北京大概兩個小時。那裡有一段「野長城」。什麼是野長城？就是很老的城牆，沒有人修過，還是很多年以前的樣子。

我們星期六早上出發，到了一個小村子。村子裡有一家小旅館，老闆是那裡的人，人很好。我們先放下東西，然後開始爬山。

那條路真的很難走！那天也很熱，我走了十分鐘就開始出汗了。但是，當我看到長城的時候，我覺得太值了！

這段長城沒有人修過。石頭上面長了很多草，有的地方已經壞了。但是因為這樣，感覺特別真實。站在城牆上看遠處，到處都是山，一個遊客都沒有，非常安靜。

離開北京，在山裡走一走，讓人覺得很放鬆。這個週末雖然累，但是太值得了。

🔤 中英对照 | Chinese-English Parallel Text

• 我去了野长城
  我去了野長城
  Wǒ qù le yě chángchéng
  I Went to the Wild Great Wall

• 两个星期以前，我去了长城。
  兩個星期以前，我去了長城。
  Liǎng gè xīngqī yǐqián, wǒ qù le chángchéng.
  Two weeks ago, I went to the Great Wall.

• 2011年我来中国旅游的时候去过一次，但那次人太多了。
  2011年我來中國旅遊的時候去過一次，但那次人太多了。
  Èr líng yī yī nián wǒ lái Zhōngguó lǚyóu de shíhou qùguo yí cì, dàn nà cì rén tài duō le.
  When I came to China to travel in 2011, I went once, but there were too many people that time.

• 这次，我想去一个不一样的地方。
  這次，我想去一個不一樣的地方。
  Zhè cì, wǒ xiǎng qù yí gè bù yíyàng de dìfang.
  This time, I wanted to go to a different place.

• 我的同事知道一个特别的地方，离北京大概两个小时。
  我的同事知道一個特別的地方，離北京大概兩個小時。
  Wǒ de tóngshì zhīdào yí gè tèbié de dìfang, lí Běijīng dàgài liǎng gè xiǎoshí.
  My colleague knew a special place, about two hours from Beijing.

• 那里有一段“野长城”。
  那裡有一段「野長城」。
  Nàlǐ yǒu yí duàn “yě chángchéng”.
  There is a section of “wild Great Wall” there.

• 什么是野长城？
  什麼是野長城？
  Shénme shì yě chángchéng?
  What is the wild Great Wall?

• 就是很老的城墙，没有人修过，还是很多年以前的样子。
  就是很老的城牆，沒有人修過，還是很多年以前的樣子。
  Jiùshì hěn lǎo de chéngqiáng, méiyǒu rén xiūguo,háishì hěn duō nián yǐqián de yàngzi.
  It’s very old walls that no one has repaired, still looking like they did many years ago.

• 我们星期六早上出发，到了一个小村子。
  我們星期六早上出發，到了一個小村子。
  Wǒmen xīngqīliù zǎoshang chūfā, dào le yí gè xiǎo cūnzi.
  We set out Saturday morning and arrived at a small village.

• 村子里有一家小旅馆，老板是那里的人，人很好。
  村子裡有一家小旅館，老闆是那裡的人，人很好。
  Cūnzi lǐ yǒu yì jiā xiǎo lǚguǎn, lǎobǎn shì nàlǐ de rén, rén hěn hǎo.
  In the village there was a small inn; the owner was a local person and very nice.

• 我们先放下东西，然后开始爬山。
  我們先放下東西，然後開始爬山。
  Wǒmen xiān fàngxià dōngxi, ránhòu kāishǐ páshān.
  We first put down our things, then started climbing the mountain.

• 那条路真的很难走！
  那條路真的很難走！
  Nà tiáo lù zhēn de hěn nán zǒu!
  That path was really difficult to walk!

• 那天也很热，我走了十分钟就开始出汗了。
  那天也很熱，我走了十分鐘就開始出汗了。
  Nà tiān yě hěn rè, wǒ zǒu le shí fēn zhōng jiù kāishǐ chūhàn le.
  It was also very hot that day. After walking for ten minutes, I started sweating.

• 但是，当我看到长城的时候，我觉得太值了！
  但是，當我看到長城的時候，我覺得太值了！
  Dànshì, dāng wǒ kàndào chángchéng de shíhou, wǒ juéde tài zhí le!
  But when I saw the Great Wall, I felt it was so worth it!

• 这段长城没有人修过。
  這段長城沒有人修過。
  Zhè duàn chángchéng méiyǒu rén xiūguo.
  This section of the Great Wall has not been repaired by anyone.

• 石头上面长了很多草，有的地方已经坏了。
  石頭上面長了很多草，有的地方已經壞了。
  Shítou shàngmian zhǎng le hěn duō cǎo, yǒu de dìfang yǐjīng huài le.
  A lot of grass has grown on the stones, and some places are already broken.

• 但是因为这样，感觉特别真实。
  但是因為這樣，感覺特別真實。
  Dànshì yīnwèi zhèyàng, gǎnjué tèbié zhēnshí.
  But because of this, it feels especially authentic.

• 站在城墙上看远处，到处都是山，一个游客都没有，非常安静。
  站在城牆上看遠處，到處都是山，一個遊客都沒有，非常安靜。
  Zhàn zài chéngqiáng shang kàn yuǎnchù, dàochù dōu shì shān, yí gè yóukè dōu méiyǒu, fēicháng ānjìng.
  Standing on the city wall and looking into the distance, there were mountains everywhere, not a single tourist, very quiet.

• 离开北京，在山里走一走，让人觉得很放松。
  離開北京，在山裡走一走，讓人覺得很放鬆。
  Líkāi Běijīng, zài shān lǐ zǒu yi zǒu, ràng rén juéde hěn fàngsōng.
  Leaving Beijing and taking a walk in the mountains makes one feel very relaxed.

• 这个周末虽然累，但是太值得了。
  這個週末雖然累，但是太值得了。
  Zhège zhōumò suīrán lèi, dànshì tài zhíde le.
  Although this weekend was tiring, it was so worth it.

🎯 正确答案 | Correct Answers

1. Why did I want to go to a different place this time?

   1. Because my colleague said that place was better ❌

   2. Because there were too many people when I went before ✅ — I explicitly state “但那次人太多了” about my 2011 visit, which is why “这次，我想去一个不一样的地方.”

   3. Because you don’t need to buy tickets there ❌

   4. Because it’s close to Beijing ❌

2. What is the main reason I think this trip to the Great Wall was “totally worth it”?

   1. The climb was easy, not too tiring ❌

   2. It was very quiet and felt very authentic ✅ — I emphasize that “感觉特别真实” and “一个游客都没有，非常安静,” which made the difficult hike worthwhile.

   3. The weather was good, not too hot ❌

   4. The inn in the village was cheap ❌

3. What does “Wild Great Wall” mean?

   1. The longest section of the Great Wall ❌

   2. New Great Wall in the wilderness ❌

   3. Very old Great Wall that no one has repaired ✅ — I directly define it: “就是很老的城墙，没有人修过，还是很多年以前的样子.”

   4. A place with many animals ❌

4. What is my feeling about this weekend?

   1. Although tiring, it was very worthwhile ✅ — I conclude by saying “这个周末虽然累，但是太值得了,” capturing both the physical challenge and the rewarding experience.

   2. A bit disappointed because the Great Wall was damaged ❌

   3. Very relaxing, not tiring at all ❌

   4. Too tiring, don’t want to go again ❌

🧩 语法点 | Grammar Points

1. 过 (guò) + 一次 (yī cì)

• Usage: This pattern shows you’ve had a specific experience once before. The experience marker 过 after the verb tells us the action happened in the past as an experience, while 一次 specifies it happened one time.

• 📚 Structure: [Subject] + [Verb] + 过 + 一次

• 📖 Learn more about experience marker 过 in CGG #60

• Example:

  • 2011年我来中国旅游的时候去过一次。

  • 2011年我來中國旅遊的時候去過一次。

  • 2011 nián wǒ lái Zhōngguó lǚyóu de shíhou qù guò yī cì.

  • I went once in 2011 when I came to China to travel.

2. 大概 (dàgài) + [Quantity]

• Meaning: Approximately / About / Around

• Usage: Use this word to give rough estimates for numbers, distances, or time. It makes your statement less precise and more natural.

• 📚 Structure: 大概 + [Number/Time/Duration]

• 📖 Learn more about expressing approximate numbers in CGG #50

• Example:

  • 离北京大概两个小时。

  • 離北京大概兩個小時。

  • Lí Běijīng dàgài liǎng ge xiǎoshí.

  • About two hours from Beijing.

3. 离 [離] (lí) + [Place] + [Duration/Distance]

• Usage: This pattern expresses how far something is from a reference point in terms of time or physical distance.

• 📚 Structure: 离 [離] + [Place] + [Duration/Distance]

• Example:

  • 离北京大概两个小时。

  • 離北京大概兩個小時。

  • Lí Běijīng dàgài liǎng ge xiǎoshí.

  • About two hours from Beijing.

4. 还是 [還是] (háishì) + [State/Condition]

• Meaning: Still / Remains

• Usage: Shows that something continues in its original state without change. Different from 还 (hái) which means “still” for ongoing actions, 还是 emphasizes that the state remains unchanged over time.

• 📚 Structure: 还是 [還是] + [Original State/Condition]

• Example:

  • 没有人修过，还是很多年以前的样子。

  • 沒有人修過，還是很多年以前的樣子。

  • Méiyǒu rén xiū guò, háishì hěn duō nián yǐqián de yàngzi.

  • No one has repaired it, it still looks like it did many years ago.

5. 先 (xiān)...然后 [然後] (ránhòu)...

• Usage: This pattern sequences two actions, showing what you do first and what follows after. It’s essential for explaining step-by-step processes clearly.

• 📚 Structure: [Subject] + 先 + [Action 1]，然后 [然後] + [Action 2]

• 📖 Learn more about expressing sequence in CGG #38

• Example:

  • 我们先放下东西，然后开始爬山。

  • 我們先放下東西，然後開始爬山。

  • Wǒmen xiān fàngxià dōngxi, ránhòu kāishǐ páshān.

  • We first put down our things, then started climbing the mountain.

6. [Verb] + 下 (xià) + [Object]

• Usage: The directional complement 下 after a verb indicates a downward motion or, in abstract uses like 放下, suggests putting something down or letting go of it.

• 📚 Structure: [Verb] + 下 + [Object]

• Example:

  • 我们先放下东西。

  • 我們先放下東西。

  • Wǒmen xiān fàng*xià dōngxi.*

  • We first put down our things.

7. 一个 [一個] (yí ge) + [Noun] + 都 (dōu) + 没有 [沒有] (méiyǒu)

• Usage: This emphatic pattern stresses the complete absence of even a single instance of something. The combination of 一个 (not even one) with 都没有 (none at all) creates strong emphasis on the total lack.

• 📚 Structure: 一个 [一個] + [Noun] + 都没有 [都沒有]

• 📖 Learn more about emphatic negation with measure words in CGG #105

• Example:

  • 一个游客都没有。

  • 一個遊客都沒有。

  • Yí ge yóukè dōu méiyǒu.

  • There wasn’t a single tourist.

8. 让 [讓] (ràng) + [Person] + 觉得 [覺得] (juéde)

• Usage: This pivotal construction shows how something causes someone to feel or think a certain way. The 让 introduces the causer, and 觉得 introduces the resulting feeling or opinion.

• 📚 Structure: [Subject/Situation] + 让 [讓] + [Person] + 觉得 [覺得] + [Feeling/Opinion]

• 📖 Learn more about pivotal sentences with 让 in CGG #84

• Example:

  • 在山里走一走，让人觉得很放松。

  • 在山裡走一走，讓人覺得很放鬆。

  • Zài shān lǐ zǒu yī zǒu, ràng rén juéde hěn fàngsōng.

  • Walking in the mountains makes people feel very relaxed.

💡 学习要点 | Learning Notes

• What 野长城 means: 野 (yě) usually means “wild,” but 野长城 (yě chángchéng) refers to sections of the Great Wall that haven’t been restored or developed for tourism. These sections look old and natural, which is why I described them as 很老的城墙，没有人修过 (hěn lǎo de chéngqiáng, méi yǒu rén xiū guo).

• 太值了 and 太值得了 both appear: I used both in this text. 值 (zhí) is shorter and more casual, like saying “so worth it!” 值得 (zhídé) is the full form and sounds slightly more complete. Both mean the same thing here, and you can use either in conversation.

• 长 is pronounced zhǎng when plants grow: In 石头上面长了很多草 (shítou shàngmiàn zhǎng le hěn duō cǎo), the character 长 means “to grow” and is pronounced zhǎng. Don’t confuse this with 长 (cháng) meaning “long.” If grass or plants are involved, it’s always zhǎng.

• 一段 for sections of walls or roads: I wrote 一段野长城 (yī duàn yě chángchéng) using 段 (duàn), the measure word for sections or stretches of something long. You’ll also see it with roads: 这段路 (zhè duàn lù, “this stretch of road”).

  • 📖 Learn more about measure words in CGG #104

• 真的 adds genuine emphasis: When I wrote 那条路真的很难走 (nà tiáo lù zhēnde hěn nán zǒu), the 真的 (zhēnde) makes it feel more personal and sincere, like “that road was really hard to walk!” Without 真的, the sentence would feel more neutral.

• Using 人 to describe someone’s character: I wrote 老板是那里的人，人很好 (lǎobǎn shì nàlǐ de rén, rén hěn hǎo) in the text. This second 人 (rén) isn’t redundant. It’s a common way to comment on someone’s character or personality, like saying “as a person, [they are]...” So 人很好 means “they’re a nice person” or “they’re really kind.” You’ll hear this pattern often: 他人很热情 (tā rén hěn rèqíng) means “he’s very warm and welcoming,” and 她人很聪明 (tā rén hěn cōngming) means “she’s very smart.” It’s a natural way to share your impression of someone after introducing them.

• 当...的时候 for “when” with emphasis: I used 当我看到长城的时候 (dāng wǒ kàndào chángchéng de shíhòu) to highlight that exact moment. 当 (dāng) adds a sense of drama compared to just 我看到长城的时候 (wǒ kàndào chángchéng de shíhòu).

• 到处都是 means “everywhere is”: In 到处都是山 (dàochù dōu shì shān), 到处 (dàochù) means “everywhere” and 都 (dōu) emphasizes “all.” Together they create a vivid picture: mountains in every direction. This is a very common pattern in Chinese.

• Exploring unrestored sections of the Great Wall: Many tourists only visit famous restored sections like Badaling. But some travelers, especially those living in Beijing, prefer 野长城 (yě chángchéng) because these sections are quieter and feel more authentic. They often require hiking through villages and mountains, which is why I mentioned 爬山 (páshān, “climbing mountains”).

📚 生词列表 | Vocabulary List

🌟 核心词汇 | Core Vocabulary

• 野 (yě) - wild, uncultivated

• 长城 [長城] (Chángchéng) - Great Wall

• 旅游 [旅遊] (lǚyóu) - to travel, tourism

• 同事 (tóngshì) - colleague

• 段 (duàn) - section, segment (measure word)

• 城墙 [城牆] (chéngqiáng) - city wall

• 修 (xiū) - to repair, to fix

• 样子 [樣子] (yàngzi) - appearance, look

• 出发 [出發] (chūfā) - to set off, to depart

• 村子 (cūnzi) - village

• 旅馆 [旅館] (lǚguǎn) - hotel, inn

• 老板 [老闆] (lǎobǎn) - boss, owner

• 爬山 (páshān) - to climb a mountain, to hike

• 出汗 (chūhàn) - to sweat

• 值 (zhí) - worth

• 石头 [石頭] (shítou) - stone, rock

• 坏 [壞] (huài) - broken, bad

• 真实 [真實] (zhēnshí) - real, authentic

• 远处 [遠處] (yuǎnchù) - distance, far away

• 游客 [遊客] (yóukè) - tourist

• 安静 [安靜] (ānjìng) - quiet, peaceful

• 放松 [放鬆] (fàngsōng) - to relax

• 值得 (zhíde) - worthwhile

📖 全文词汇 | Full Text Vocabulary

• 两 [兩] (liǎng) - two

• 星期 (xīngqī) - week

• 以前 (yǐqián) - before, ago

• 去 (qù) - to go

• 来 [來] (lái) - to come

• 中国 [中國] (Zhōngguó) - China

• 时候 [時候] (shíhou) - time, when

• 去过 [去過] (qùguo) - to have been to

• 次 (cì) - time, occasion (measure word)

• 但 (dàn) - but

• 人 (rén) - people

• 太 (tài) - too, extremely

• 多 (duō) - many, much

• 想 (xiǎng) - to want

• 不一样 [不一樣] (bù yīyàng) - different

• 地方 (dìfang) - place

• 知道 (zhīdào) - to know

• 特别 [特別] (tèbié) - special, especially

• 离 [離] (lí) - from, away from

• 北京 (Běijīng) - Beijing

• 大概 (dàgài) - approximately

• 小时 [小時] (xiǎoshí) - hour

• 什么 [什麼] (shénme) - what

• 就是 (jiùshì) - that is, precisely

• 老 (lǎo) - old

• 没有 [沒有] (méiyǒu) - to not have, there isn’t

• 过 [過] (guo) - particle indicating experience or completion

• 还是 [還是] (háishì) - still

• 年 (nián) - year

• 星期六 (xīngqīliù) - Saturday

• 早上 (zǎoshang) - morning

• 到 (dào) - to arrive

• 小 (xiǎo) - small

• 里 [裡] (lǐ) - in, inside

• 家 (jiā) - measure word for businesses, families

• 先 (xiān) - first

• 放下 (fàngxià) - to put down

• 东西 [東西] (dōngxi) - things, stuff

• 然后 [然後] (ránhòu) - then, afterwards

• 开始 [開始] (kāishǐ) - to start, to begin

• 条 [條] (tiáo) - measure word for roads, rivers, etc.

• 路 (lù) - road, path

• 真的 (zhēnde) - really

• 难 [難] (nán) - difficult

• 走 (zǒu) - to walk

• 天 (tiān) - day

• 也 (yě) - also

• 热 [熱] (rè) - hot

• 十 (shí) - ten

• 分钟 [分鐘] (fēnzhōng) - minute

• 就 (jiù) - then, just

• 但是 (dànshì) - but, however

• 当 [當] (dāng) - when

• 看到 (kàndào) - to see

• 觉得 [覺得] (juéde) - to feel, to think

• 上面 (shàngmiàn) - on top of, above

• 长 [長] (zhǎng) - to grow

• 草 (cǎo) - grass

• 已经 [已經] (yǐjīng) - already

• 因为 [因為] (yīnwèi) - because

• 感觉 [感覺] (gǎnjué) - to feel, feeling

• 站 (zhàn) - to stand

• 上 (shàng) - on

• 看 (kàn) - to look at

• 到处 [到處] (dàochù) - everywhere

• 都 (dōu) - all

• 山 (shān) - mountain

• 非常 (fēicháng) - very, extremely

• 离开 [離開] (líkāi) - to leave

• 走一走 (zǒu yī zǒu) - to take a walk

• 让 [讓] (ràng) - to let, to make, to allow

• 周末 [週末] (zhōumò) - weekend

• 虽然 [雖然] (suīrán) - although

• 累 (lèi) - tired

I made it ten minutes before the sweating started, which seems generous.

If today’s practice gave you what you’ve been looking for, this is what every Sunday looks like for paid subscribers, alongside Saturday’s translation worksheets and Wednesday’s grammar lessons.

The Spring Promotion is open until Tuesday May 5 at 23:59 PT. The bonus 了 chapter from my upcoming grammar book is included for anyone who subscribes before tonight at 23:59 PT.

• €98/year ($116/year), locked in forever. Save €42 every year, for as long as you stay subscribed.

  Get 30% off forever

• €70 ($83) for your first year (half price). Then renews at €140/year.

  Get 50% off for 1 year

See you next week,
Pierre 🐼

This worksheet you’re reading right now is the 🌱 Easy version, specifically designed for learners around HSK levels 2–3-4.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, check your inbox for the Advanced version or click here!

Not interested in the Easy worksheets? No problem, you can opt out and receive only the Advanced version by clicking here.

A small not…

Read more

Level: HSK 2-3-4 (want more of a challenge? HSK 4-5 version here)

Only interested in the Advanced worksheets? You can opt out of Easy lessons here.

Free subscribers: you get the natural speed audio and comprehension test.
Paid subscribers: you get everything. Slow audio, full transcripts, grammar breakdowns, vocabulary lists.

Subscribe Now

Click play above and let’s get into it.

Written from Beijing

🎯 HSK Comprehension Test

1. 我觉得，奶奶们的视频为什么这么红？
   我覺得，奶奶們的視頻為什麼這麼紅？

   1. 因为这些歌都是老歌
      因為這些歌都是老歌

   2. 因为奶奶们很会跳舞
      因為奶奶們很會跳舞

   3. 因为奶奶们唱得很好听
      因為奶奶們唱得很好聽

   4. 因为视频很简单、很真实
      因為視頻很簡單、很真實

2. 《越来越好》这首歌主要说的是什么？
   《越來越好》這首歌主要說的是什麼？

   1. 说的是人们觉得生活越来越好的心情
      說的是人們覺得生活越來越好的心情

   2. 说的是怎么唱山歌
      說的是怎麼唱山歌

   3. 说的是在山里工作的人
      說的是在山裡工作的人

   4. 说的是一个爱情故事
      說的是一個愛情故事

3. 我说这些视频“不完美”，我想说什么？
   我說這些視頻「不完美」，我想說什麼？

   1. 奶奶们应该去舞台上唱
      奶奶們應該去舞台上唱

   2. 视频很简单，但是让人觉得舒服
      視頻很簡單，但是讓人覺得舒服

   3. 视频里的人太少了
      視頻裡的人太少了

   4. 奶奶们唱得不太好
      奶奶們唱得不太好

4. 世界各地的人看了奶奶的视频以后做了什么？
   世界各地的人看了奶奶的視頻以後做了什麼？

   1. 都去学唱中国歌
      都去學唱中國歌

   2. 给奶奶们写信
      給奶奶們寫信

   3. 开始跟奶奶们一起做视频
      開始跟奶奶們一起做視頻

   4. 都去云南旅游了
      都去雲南旅遊了

Curious how you did?

Subscribers get the answer key, plus slow audio, full transcripts, grammar explanations, learning notes, and vocabulary lists for every lesson.

It’s one lesson a week. The kind of consistent practice that actually adds up.

Subscribe Now

🀄 全文记录 | Full Chinese Transcript

Read more

This worksheet you’re reading right now is the 🌱 Easy version, specifically designed for learners around HSK levels 2–3-4.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, check your inbox for the Advanced version or click here!

Not interested in the Easy worksheets? No problem, you can opt out and receive only the Advanced version by clicking here.

In CGG #116, we explored how Mandarin talks about multiples and doubling.

Today’s exercises will help you practice choosing the right words when one amount is a few times bigger than another. A few small rules make a big difference in how clearly your sentences land.

With a bit of practice, these patterns will start to feel second nature. Let’s dig in and make these multiples click!

🌱 Today’s Easy Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

1. This cat is twice as heavy as that one.

2. This year’s rain is double last year’s.

3. Working weekends gets you double pay.

4. She visits her grandma three times a year, and grandma’s house is twice as big as hers.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🌱 Translation #1

This cat is twice as heavy as that one.

When you want to say one thing is a certain number of times bigger or heavier than another, you need a structure that states the total multiple directly. Mandarin offers 是……的……倍 (shì…de…bèi), with 有 (yǒu) as a casual alternative to 是. In this pattern, the number before 倍 is the full multiple: 两倍 means ×2, 三倍 means ×3, and so on. It’s a clean way of saying “A equals B times N,” which is exactly what we need for a simple weight comparison.

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 这 [這] (zhè) means “this.”

• 只 [隻] (zhī) is the measure word for animals like cats.

  • 📖 Learn more about measure words in CGG #104 and CGG #105.

• 猫 [貓] (māo) means “cat.”

• 有 (yǒu) works like “is” in multiple comparisons, a slightly more casual alternative to 是.

• 那 (nà) means “that.”

• 只 [隻] (zhī) repeats as a measure word for “that one,” with the noun 猫 [貓] implied by context.

• 的 (de) is the possessive particle.

• 两 [兩] (liǎng) means “two.”

  • Before measure words and nouns, Mandarin uses 两 [兩], not 二 (èr).

• 倍 (bèi) means “times” as a multiplier, and acts as a measure word.

• 重 (zhòng) means “heavy.”

Notes

• Don’t confuse 倍 (bèi) with 次 (cì). 倍 counts multiples (how much bigger), while 次 counts occurrences (how many times something happens).

• In the 是 / 有……的……倍 pattern, the number before 倍 is the total multiple, not the extra amount on top. So 两倍 [兩倍] (liǎng bèi) means ×2, full stop.

• 是 (shì) and 有 (yǒu) are interchangeable here. 这只猫是那只的两倍重 works just as naturally; 有 simply sounds a touch more conversational.

• 📖 Learn more about comparison sentences in CGG #11.

Recap

• 这只猫有那只的两倍重。

• 這隻貓有那隻的兩倍重。

• 这 / 只 / 猫 / 有 / 那 / 只 / 的 / 两 / 倍 / 重 。

• zhè zhī māo yǒu nà zhī de liǎng bèi zhòng.

• This cat is twice as heavy as that one.

• this / (measure word 只) / cat / have / that / (measure word 只) / (possessive 的) / two / times / heavy.

🌱 Translation #2

This year’s rain is double last year’s.

Read more