Learn and improve your Chinese language with these short stories. They’re spoken in clear and slow Mandarin, with Hanzi, Pinyin, and English subtitles. Plus you get to learn a bit about Chinese culture as well!

Scroll down based on Chinese language levels:

• Beginner Chinese
• Elementary Chinese
• Intermediate Chinese
• Advanced Chinese

Beginner Chinese listening practice stories

A chair is cheaper than a table
Little Ming’s Dad wants to buy a new table. But, does Little Ming’s Mom agree?

How old is your dad?
Little Ming in this Chinese listening practice story insists that his dad is 10 years old. Is he right?

Are you really at home?
What’s the best way to test if someone is really at home?

 

Then, you can go out:
Little Ming is asking his mom to go outside. How come?

Whatever you make I’ll eat it:
Little Le is going to make some sandwiches for tomorrow. What kind of sandwich does Paul like?

About to die:
Be careful when saying “kuai si le”, as it has dual meanings.

Dinner with a friend:
This short yet delightful story is from David Gladney. It’s the winner of the Du Chinese & GoEast Chinese Story contest (Beginner level).

Can you lay eggs?
Little Ming is curious if his mother can lay eggs. Why would he think that?

My airplane:
This imaginative story is from Evan, winner of the DuChinese & GoEast Chinese Story contest.

Elementary Chinese listening practice stories

Calling her ‘baby’?
Why call your girlfriend ‘baby’? Paul gives a new explanation.

Learning Chinese characters:
This story with tips for learning Hanzi is from Vivian. It’s the winner of the DuChinese & GoEast Chinese Story contest (Elementary level).

We must bring a power bank with us:
It is important to bring a power bank or cellphone charger when going out.

American-born Chinese:
This personal story on cultures is from 汪如诗Karen. Like she mentions in the story, she was born and grew up in the United States while her parents are from China. It’s the winner of the Du Chinese & GoEast Chinese Story contest.

 

Fried chicken milk tea:
Have you ever tried fried chicken flavored bubble tea?

Apples also sleep:
You know, apples need to sleep as well.

Trying hard to buy a new car:
Your boss works hard so he gets a new car. So, when you try hard…

Trading stocks
Little Zhang’s friend has two million now through trading stocks! Does that mean he’s really successful?

Where is my cellphone?
Where is my cellphone? Who do you call when in need of help? Wang Li relies on her sister.

Intermediate listening practice stories

What to buy? 
Valentine’s Day is coming. But why is Little Zhang worried?

Double-check it:
Little Fang brought a dice to his exam, but why?

My beautiful bestie
In this Chinese listening practice story, Lili is not happy about yesterday, and Ben is making everything even worse.

Flash marriage:
Do you support getting engaged and married in a very short time?

Are we buying a puppy?
Finally, mom is letting me buy a puppy! Or is she?

I just photoshopped a little bit:
Little Le is picking photos to be posted online, but she might have gone a bit overboard with the photoshopping…

The spring festival in Shanghai is so quiet:
The Spring Festival is famous for its lively vibe. But in Shanghai the Spring Festival is really quiet.

Remote work:
Nowadays, remote work has become the choice of many companies and employees. What do you think about it?

Chinese Dinner Table Manners:
How to eat less but still be polite when visiting your Chinese friends?

 

Stiff neck from sleeping:
Little Le is trying to give Paul some advice for curing his stiff neck, but Paul doesn’t want to follow it.

Milk tea culture:
Today is about bubble tea, and how in China, bubble tea has become more than a drink.

 

Good medicine for insomnia:
A good method to fall asleep… Or is it?

Advanced Chinese listening practice stories

The Star of Happiness:
Winner of the Chinese Story Contest! This inspiring story is from 邬乐 (Leigh). Leigh is from Hawaii and has studied Chinese for 4 years (at GoEast!).

Lantern Carnival in Yu Garden:
Yu Garden is a garden in the center of Shanghai. The Lantern Carnival there during the Chinese New Year attracts people from all over the world. (Recorded over a year ago, this year is the Year of the Ox!)

When do you say sorry?
How do you apologize in Chinese? It depends on how sorry you are.

Why practice material arts
This inspiring story about Praying Mantis is from Deogenes Barbosa. It’s the winner of the second DuChinese & GoEast Chinese Story contest (Advanced level).

More Chinese language learning videos from GoEast Mandarin on our YouTube

More videos like this? Search ‘GoEast Language Center’ on YouTube or go to youtube.com/user/goeastmandarin