All Levels
HSK 1
HSK 2
HSK 3
HSK 4
HSK 5
HSK 6
HSK 5
“Face-Giving” Applause | 给面子的掌声
This HSK 5 culture reader explores the unique Chinese social concept of “giving face” (面子)…
HSK 4
1% Battery Panic | 手机没电的恐慌
In a society where you use your phone to pay for food, ride the subway,…
HSK 2
A New Job | 新工作
Today is an important day for finding a new job. Dressed in their best clothes,…
HSK 4
A Rainy Day Lifesaver | 下雨天的救星
China’s food delivery network is nothing short of magic. Whether you are craving spicy hot…
HSK 2
A Sick Day | 生病的一天
Waking up with a headache and fever, a worker decides to take a sick day.…
HSK 5
A Successful Business Negotiation | 一次成功的商务谈判
A manager travels to Shanghai for a high-stakes contract negotiation. When the discussion hits a…
HSK 3
A Trip to the Great Wall | 长城之旅
A traveler wakes up late and misses the bus to the Great Wall. Desperate not…
HSK 3
An Old Photo | 一张旧照片
While cleaning their room, the narrator stumbles upon a photo from 10 years ago. Memories…
HSK 4
An Unforgettable Interview | 一次难忘的面试
Feeling stuck in a job with no growth, the narrator applies for a challenging new…
HSK 2
Buying a Train Ticket | 买火车票
Planning a trip to Beijing, a traveler arrives at the station only to find all…
HSK 1
Buying Clothes | 买衣服
Finding a pretty piece of clothing that is just too big. Asking the shopkeeper for…
HSK 6
Challenges and Opportunities in the Era of Artificial Intelligence | 人工智能时代的挑战与机遇
A family gathering sparks a debate between an older engineer worried about job loss and…
HSK 5
Debate Over Job Performance | 业绩的争论
Facing severe criticism from Manager Zhang regarding falling profits, the narrator uses objective data to…
HSK 4
Did I Miss My Stop? | 我坐过站了吗？
Traveling at 300 km/h is relaxing, but getting off the train requires a bit of…
HSK 3
Don’t Waste | 不要浪费
After ordering too much food at a restaurant, the narrator decides to "dabao" (pack) the…
HSK 3
Finding the Noodle Shop | 寻找面馆
In this HSK 3 narrative, a hungry resident wanders through their neighborhood and is lured…
HSK 2
Finding the Way | 找路
Lost on the way to visit a friend, a traveler stops to ask for directions.…
HSK 4
Flash Delivery to the Rescue | 闪购救急
In this short story, the narrator finds themselves stranded at the office during a sudden…
HSK 1
Going to the Train Station | 去火车站
A very short conversation inside a taxi. Stating the destination (train station), asking the time,…
HSK 1
I Like Fruit | 我喜欢水果
A quick trip to the store to look at fruit. The apples are big and…
HSK 1
In the Restaurant | 在饭馆
A very simple dining experience. Ordering rice and water, and finding the food very good.
HSK 1
It Rained | 下雨了
The weather is cold and rainy, so it's a perfect day to stay inside. A…
HSK 3
Late | 迟到了
On the day of a big interview, bad weather causes the candidate to arrive 20…
HSK 2
Living Together | 一起住
Living with a roommate can be difficult when schedules clash. One wants to sleep early,…
HSK 1
Making a Phone Call | 打电话
Looking for Mr. Wang. A brief phone conversation finding out that he isn't home, but…
HSK 3
Meeting Parents for the First Time | 第一次见父母
A young man prepares to meet his girlfriend's Chinese parents for the first time. Filled…
HSK 5
Mini KTV Booths | 商场里的迷你KTV
While waiting for a movie to start at a modern shopping mall, the narrator and…
HSK 4
Misunderstanding in the Coffee Shop | 咖啡馆里的误会
Seeing her boyfriend at a coffee shop with a beautiful young woman, the protagonist is…
HSK 6
Modern Revelations of “Pulling Up Seedlings” | 揠苗助长的现代启示
The story begins with the classic fable of an impatient farmer who pulled his seedlings…
HSK 1
My Day | 我的一天
A simple timeline of a morning routine. Eating at 7, going to school at 8,…
HSK 1
My Family | 我的家
Meet a simple family of three: a doctor dad, a teacher mom, and me. Oh,…
HSK 1
My Friend | 我的朋友
Introducing Mary, a good friend from America. She is a student, she is beautiful, and…
HSK 1
My Table | 我的桌子
A description of a study area. Locating items in relation to the table: computer on…
HSK 2
Playing Basketball | 打篮球
On a beautiful sunny day, a group of friends heads to school to play basketball.…
HSK 2
Preparing Lunch | 准备午饭
Friends are coming over, so it's time to prepare a feast. A trip to the…
HSK 4
Protecting the Earth Starts with Me | 保护地球，从我做起
Concerned about the waste created by takeout containers, the narrator decides to start bringing their…
HSK 4
Put Down the Phone, Return to Life | 放下手机，回归生活
A reunion with old classmates turns awkward when everyone stays glued to their phones. Disappointed…
HSK 5
Reciprocity and Red Envelopes | 礼尚往来：红包的潜规则
Discover the cultural heartbeat behind the money: the ancient concept of 礼尚往来 (reciprocity). In this…
HSK 5
Seeking Life’s Balance | 寻找生活的平衡
Li Qiang, a wealthy general manager, sacrifices his health and family time for his career.…
HSK 4
The 300 km/h Bullet | 体验三百公里的时速
China’s High-Speed Rail network is nothing short of an engineering marvel. Gone are the days…
HSK 2
The Birthday Gift | 生日礼物
It's his wife's birthday, but he has no idea what to buy. After looking at…
HSK 4
The Crazy “Double 11” | 疯狂的“双十一”
Like many young people in China, the narrator prepares for the massive "Double 11" shopping…
HSK 2
The Exam | 考试
A student stays up all night preparing for a difficult exam. After a few anxious…
HSK 3
The Last Mile | 最后一公里
Step out of any subway station in China, and you will see rows of yellow,…
HSK 3
The Lost Passport | 丢了护照
Arriving at the airport for a trip to Beijing, a traveler realizes their passport is…
HSK 4
The Missing Boba Tea | 找不到的奶茶
Food delivery in China is incredibly efficient, but mistakes still happen. One of the most…
HSK 4
The Red Envelope Snatching War | 抢红包大战
Dive into the high-speed thrill of China’s modern New Year tradition—snatching digital red envelopes on…
HSK 3
The Scary Hotpot | 可怕的火锅
Confident in their ability to handle spicy food, the main character orders the "Extra Spicy"…
HSK 3
The Sound Upstairs | 楼上的声音
Kept awake by loud music from upstairs late at night, a neighbor angrily goes to…
HSK 3
The Story of Giving a Clock | 送钟的故事
Wanting to give a special birthday gift, the main character buys a beautiful clock for…
HSK 3
The Ultimate Cure: Drink Hot Water! | 多喝热水
In this culturally focused reader, our narrator arrives at work slightly damp from the morning…
HSK 5
The Way of Tea and Calming the Heart | 茶道与静心
Visiting a traditional tea house reveals that tea is more than just a drink—it's a…
HSK 2
The Wrong Color | 颜色错了
Buying a phone online can be convenient, but mistakes happen. After ordering a beautiful red…
HSK 3
Two Cities | 两个城市
Having lived in both Shanghai and a small town, the narrator compares the fast, expensive…
HSK 4
What Should I Choose? | 选什么好呢？
In Part 2, the narrator enters the noodle shop and faces the ultimate dilemma: too…
HSK 3
Where Did My Wallet Go? | 我的钱包去哪儿了？
Have you ever left the house without your wallet? In many parts of the world,…