💬 LEVEL 1 · DUNHUANG 敦煌 · FREE FOREVER
Original Dialogues, Unit by Unit
Original Dialogues, Unit by Unit
第一级原创对话 — 边听边学
Real conversations you'll actually have in China — meeting people, mastering tones, paying, ordering tea, bargaining, taking taxis, making plans and making friends — plus getting around and seeing a doctor: airports, metro, trains, buses, clinics, pharmacies and the emergency room. Every line: characters, pinyin, English and audio.
💬 32 dialogues🧭 16 units🔊 204 lines with tap-to-hear audio✍️ 100% original
Unit 1 · Hello, China 你好中国
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Meeting Wang Lin初见王林
Mark
你好！我叫 Mark。
Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ jiào Mark.
Hello! My name is Mark.
王林
你好，Mark！我姓王，叫王林。
Nǐ hǎo, Mark! Wǒ xìng Wáng, jiào Wáng Lín.
Hi, Mark! My surname is Wang — Wang Lin.
Mark
认识你很高兴！
Rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng!
Very nice to meet you!
王林
我也很高兴。你是哪国人？
Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng. Nǐ shì nǎ guó rén?
Nice to meet you too. Where are you from?
Mark
我是美国人。你是老师吗？
Wǒ shì Měiguó rén. Nǐ shì lǎoshī ma?
I'm American. Are you a teacher?
王林
对，我是中文老师。你会说中文吗？
Duì, wǒ shì Zhōngwén lǎoshī. Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?
Yes, I'm a Chinese teacher. Can you speak Chinese?
Mark
我会说一点儿。
Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎnr.
I can speak a little.
王林
说得好！欢迎来中国！
Shuō de hǎo! Huānyíng lái Zhōngguó!
Well said! Welcome to China!
Dialog B · Why Learn Chinese为什么学中文
王林
Mark，你为什么学中文？
Mark, nǐ wèishénme xué Zhōngwén?
Mark, why are you learning Chinese?
Mark
因为我喜欢中国文化，也想去西安旅游。
Yīnwèi wǒ xǐhuan Zhōngguó wénhuà, yě xiǎng qù Xī'ān lǚyóu.
Because I like Chinese culture, and I want to travel to Xi'an.
王林
中文难吗？
Zhōngwén nán ma?
Is Chinese difficult?
Mark
有一点儿难，但是很有意思。
Yǒu yìdiǎnr nán, dànshì hěn yǒu yìsi.
A little difficult, but very interesting.
王林
你每天学习多长时间？
Nǐ měitiān xuéxí duō cháng shíjiān?
How long do you study every day?
Mark
三十分钟。
Sānshí fēnzhōng.
Thirty minutes.
王林
很好！加油！
Hěn hǎo! Jiāyóu!
Great! Keep it up!
Mark
谢谢老师！
Xièxie lǎoshī!
Thank you, teacher!
Unit 2 · Tones Bootcamp 拼音四声闯关
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Tone Practice跟老师读四声
老师
跟我读：mā，妈妈的妈。
Gēn wǒ dú: mā, māma de mā.
Read after me: mā, the mā in 'mother'.
Mark
mā。
mā.
mā.
老师
很好！má，麻。
Hěn hǎo! má, má.
Very good! má, hemp.
Mark
má。
má.
má.
老师
mǎ，马。
mǎ, mǎ.
mǎ, horse.
Mark
mǎ。
mǎ.
mǎ.
老师
mà，骂。注意，第四声要往下。
mà, mà. Zhùyì, dì-sì shēng yào wǎng xià.
mà, to scold. Careful — the 4th tone falls.
Mark
mà！我会了！
mà! Wǒ huì le!
mà! I got it!
Dialog B · A Tone Joke声调笑话
Mark
老师，四声太难了！
Lǎoshī, sì shēng tài nán le!
Teacher, the four tones are so hard!
王林
别担心。有一个笑话：我想“问”你，不说“吻”你。
Bié dānxīn. Yǒu yí gè xiàohuà: wǒ xiǎng "wèn" nǐ, bù shuō "wěn" nǐ.
Don't worry. Here's a joke: I want to ASK (wèn) you, not KISS (wěn) you.
Mark
哈哈！第四声和第三声。
Hāhā! Dì-sì shēng hé dì-sān shēng.
Haha! 4th tone and 3rd tone.
王林
对。声调不对，意思就不一样。
Duì. Shēngdiào bú duì, yìsi jiù bù yíyàng.
Right. Wrong tone, different meaning.
Mark
买 mǎi 和卖 mài 也不一样。
Mǎi hé mài yě bù yíyàng.
'Buy' (mǎi) and 'sell' (mài) are different too.
王林
没错！你进步很快。
Méi cuò! Nǐ jìnbù hěn kuài.
Exactly! You're improving fast.
Unit 3 · Numbers & Money 数字与钱
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Paying at the Store便利店付钱
Mark
你好，一瓶水多少钱？
Nǐ hǎo, yì píng shuǐ duōshao qián?
Hi, how much is a bottle of water?
店员
两块。
Liǎng kuài.
Two yuan.
Mark
也要一杯咖啡。
Yě yào yì bēi kāfēi.
I'd also like a cup of coffee.
店员
一共八块。
Yígòng bā kuài.
Eight yuan altogether.
Mark
可以扫码吗？
Kěyǐ sǎo mǎ ma?
Can I scan the QR code?
店员
可以，微信、支付宝都行。
Kěyǐ, Wēixìn, Zhīfùbǎo dōu xíng.
Sure — WeChat or Alipay both work.
Mark
好的……付了。
Hǎo de... fù le.
OK... paid.
店员
收到了。要小票吗？
Shōu dào le. Yào xiǎopiào ma?
Got it. Do you want the receipt?
Mark
不用了，谢谢！
Bú yòng le, xièxie!
No thanks!
Dialog B · Mobile-Phone Life手机生活
王林
在中国，你用现金还是手机付钱？
Zài Zhōngguó, nǐ yòng xiànjīn háishì shǒujī fù qián?
In China, do you pay with cash or your phone?
Mark
都是手机，太方便了！
Dōu shì shǒujī, tài fāngbiàn le!
Always my phone — so convenient!
王林
对，很多店不喜欢收现金。
Duì, hěn duō diàn bù xǐhuan shōu xiànjīn.
Right, many shops don't like taking cash.
Mark
一块钱也能扫码吗？
Yí kuài qián yě néng sǎo mǎ ma?
Can you scan even for one yuan?
王林
可以！还能扫码骑车。
Kěyǐ! Hái néng sǎo mǎ qí chē.
Yes! You can even scan to unlock a shared bike.
Mark
中国真的是“手机生活”。
Zhōngguó zhēn de shì "shǒujī shēnghuó".
China really is 'mobile-phone life'.
Unit 4 · Order a Tea 点一杯茶
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Ordering at the Teahouse茶馆点单
服务员
你好！请坐。想喝什么？
Nǐ hǎo! Qǐng zuò. Xiǎng hē shénme?
Hello! Please have a seat. What would you like to drink?
Mark
有绿茶吗？
Yǒu lǜchá ma?
Do you have green tea?
服务员
有，绿茶、红茶都有。
Yǒu, lǜchá, hóngchá dōu yǒu.
Yes — we have green tea and black tea.
Mark
一杯绿茶，谢谢。不要太烫。
Yì bēi lǜchá, xièxie. Bú yào tài tàng.
A cup of green tea, please. Not too hot.
服务员
好的。要吃的吗？我们有小笼包。
Hǎo de. Yào chī de ma? Wǒmen yǒu xiǎolóngbāo.
OK. Anything to eat? We have soup dumplings.
Mark
好，一份小笼包。
Hǎo, yí fèn xiǎolóngbāo.
Sure — one portion of xiaolongbao.
服务员
一共三十五块，马上来！
Yígòng sānshíwǔ kuài, mǎshàng lái!
Thirty-five yuan in total — coming right up!
Dialog B · Tea, the Old Friend茶与新朋友
Mark
中国人每天都喝茶吗？
Zhōngguórén měitiān dōu hē chá ma?
Do Chinese people drink tea every day?
王林
很多人是。我爷爷一天三杯茶。
Hěn duō rén shì. Wǒ yéye yì tiān sān bēi chá.
Many do. My grandpa has three cups a day.
Mark
咖啡呢？现在很多年轻人喝咖啡。
Kāfēi ne? Xiànzài hěn duō niánqīngrén hē kāfēi.
What about coffee? Lots of young people drink coffee now.
王林
对，城市里咖啡店很多。但是请客的时候，还是茶。
Duì, chéngshì lǐ kāfēidiàn hěn duō. Dànshì qǐng kè de shíhou, háishì chá.
True, cafés are everywhere in the cities. But when hosting guests, it's still tea.
Mark
为什么？
Wèishénme?
Why?
王林
茶是老朋友，咖啡是新朋友。
Chá shì lǎo péngyou, kāfēi shì xīn péngyou.
Tea is an old friend; coffee is a new friend.
Unit 5 · How Much Is This? 这个市场多少钱
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Bargaining at the Night Market夜市砍价
Mark
老板，这个包多少钱？
Lǎobǎn, zhège bāo duōshao qián?
Boss, how much is this bag?
老板
一百五，真皮的！
Yìbǎi wǔ, zhēn pí de!
150 — real leather!
Mark
太贵了！八十可以吗？
Tài guì le! Bāshí kěyǐ ma?
Too expensive! Can you do 80?
老板
不行不行。一百二，最低了。
Bùxíng bùxíng. Yìbǎi èr, zuì dī le.
No way. 120 — that's my lowest.
Mark
一百，我买两个。
Yìbǎi, wǒ mǎi liǎng gè.
100, and I'll buy two.
老板
好好好，成交！你会砍价！
Hǎo hǎo hǎo, chéngjiāo! Nǐ huì kǎnjià!
Fine, deal! You know how to bargain!
Mark
谢谢老板！
Xièxie lǎobǎn!
Thanks, boss!
Dialog B · Bargaining Is Chatting砍价也是聊天
Mark
在中国，哪里可以砍价？
Zài Zhōngguó, nǎlǐ kěyǐ kǎnjià?
In China, where can you bargain?
王林
市场、夜市可以。超市不行，价格是固定的。
Shìchǎng, yèshì kěyǐ. Chāoshì bùxíng, jiàgé shì gùdìng de.
Markets and night markets. Not supermarkets — prices are fixed there.
Mark
砍多少比较好？
Kǎn duōshao bǐjiào hǎo?
How much should I bargain down?
王林
先砍一半，再慢慢谈。
Xiān kǎn yíbàn, zài mànmàn tán.
Start by cutting the price in half, then negotiate slowly.
Mark
老板会不会生气？
Lǎobǎn huì bú huì shēngqì?
Won't the shopkeeper get angry?
王林
不会！砍价也是聊天，大家都很高兴。
Bú huì! Kǎnjià yě shì liáotiān, dàjiā dōu hěn gāoxìng.
No! Bargaining is also chatting — everyone has fun.
Unit 6 · Taxis & Directions 出租车与方向
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Taxi to the Hotel打车去酒店
Mark
师傅，去敦煌大酒店。
Shīfu, qù Dūnhuáng dà jiǔdiàn.
Driver, to Dunhuang Grand Hotel, please.
司机
好，系好安全带。
Hǎo, jì hǎo ānquándài.
OK, buckle up.
Mark
要多长时间？
Yào duō cháng shíjiān?
How long will it take?
司机
大概二十分钟。
Dàgài èrshí fēnzhōng.
About twenty minutes.
Mark
麻烦在红绿灯那儿停一下，我想拍个照。
Máfan zài hónglǜdēng nàr tíng yíxià, wǒ xiǎng pāi zhào.
Could you stop at the traffic light? I want to take a photo.
司机
可以，但我不能停太久。
Kěyǐ, dàn wǒ bù néng tíng tài jiǔ.
Sure, but I can't stop for long.
Mark
没问题，一分钟就好。……到了，多少钱？
Méi wèntí, yì fēnzhōng jiù hǎo. ... Dào le, duōshao qián?
No problem, just a minute. ... Here we are — how much?
司机
三十五块。扫码或者现金都行。
Sānshíwǔ kuài. Sǎo mǎ huòzhě xiànjīn dōu xíng.
Thirty-five yuan. Scan or cash, either works.
Dialog B · The Driver's Tips师傅的建议
Mark
师傅，我是第一次来敦煌，有什么建议？
Shīfu, wǒ shì dì-yī cì lái Dūnhuáng, yǒu shénme jiànyì?
Driver, it's my first time in Dunhuang — any suggestions?
司机
一定要去莫高窟！提前在网上订票。
Yídìng yào qù Mògāo Kū! Tíqián zài wǎngshàng dìng piào.
You must visit the Mogao Caves! Book tickets online in advance.
Mark
沙漠呢？
Shāmò ne?
What about the desert?
司机
鸣沙山，下午去，还能看日落。
Míngshā Shān, xiàwǔ qù, hái néng kàn rìluò.
Mingsha Dunes — go in the afternoon and catch the sunset.
Mark
太好了！谢谢您！
Tài hǎo le! Xièxie nín!
Perfect! Thank you!
司机
不客气，玩得开心！
Bú kèqi, wán de kāixīn!
You're welcome — have fun!
Unit 7 · Time & Today 时间与今天
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Making an Appointment约时间见面
Mark
王老师，明天你有空吗？
Wáng lǎoshī, míngtiān nǐ yǒu kòng ma?
Teacher Wang, are you free tomorrow?
王林
明天上午我要上课，下午三点以后有空。
Míngtiān shàngwǔ wǒ yào shàngkè, xiàwǔ sān diǎn yǐhòu yǒu kòng.
I have class tomorrow morning; I'm free after 3 PM.
Mark
四点在咖啡店见面，可以吗？
Sì diǎn zài kāfēidiàn jiànmiàn, kěyǐ ma?
Shall we meet at the café at four?
王林
可以。哪一家？
Kěyǐ. Nǎ yì jiā?
Sure. Which one?
Mark
酒店旁边那家。我请你喝咖啡。
Jiǔdiàn pángbiān nà jiā. Wǒ qǐng nǐ hē kāfēi.
The one next to my hotel. Coffee's on me.
王林
好，不见不散！
Hǎo, bú jiàn bú sàn!
Great — be there or be square!
Dialog B · What Time Is Dinner?几点吃晚饭
王林
你们国家的人几点吃晚饭？
Nǐmen guójiā de rén jǐ diǎn chī wǎnfàn?
What time do people in your country have dinner?
Mark
六七点。中国人呢？
Liù qī diǎn. Zhōngguórén ne?
Six or seven. And Chinese people?
王林
晚上七八点。夜市十点人最多！
Wǎnshang qī bā diǎn. Yèshì shí diǎn rén zuì duō!
Seven or eight. Night markets are busiest at ten!
Mark
太晚了！我十点已经困了。
Tài wǎn le! Wǒ shí diǎn yǐjing kùn le.
So late! I'm already sleepy at ten.
王林
哈哈，所以要多喝一杯茶！
Hāhā, suǒyǐ yào duō hē yì bēi chá!
Haha — that's why you need another cup of tea!
Unit 8 · New Friends 认识新朋友
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Let's Add WeChat加个微信
Mark
你的电话号码是多少？
Nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ shì duōshao?
What's your phone number?
李娜
我加你微信吧，更方便。
Wǒ jiā nǐ Wēixìn ba, gèng fāngbiàn.
Let me add you on WeChat — it's easier.
Mark
好的！我的二维码在这儿。
Hǎo de! Wǒ de èrwéimǎ zài zhèr.
Great! Here's my QR code.
李娜
加了！你在敦煌待几天？
Jiā le! Nǐ zài Dūnhuáng dāi jǐ tiān?
Added! How many days are you staying in Dunhuang?
Mark
五天。周末你有空吗？
Wǔ tiān. Zhōumò nǐ yǒu kòng ma?
Five days. Are you free on the weekend?
李娜
有空！我们去夜市吧。
Yǒu kòng! Wǒmen qù yèshì ba.
Yes! Let's go to the night market.
Dialog B · What Are Your Hobbies?你的爱好是什么
李娜
你有什么爱好？
Nǐ yǒu shénme àihào?
What are your hobbies?
Mark
我喜欢跑步和看电影。你呢？
Wǒ xǐhuan pǎobù hé kàn diànyǐng. Nǐ ne?
I like running and watching movies. You?
李娜
我喜欢唱歌，但是唱得不好。
Wǒ xǐhuan chàng gē, dànshì chàng de bù hǎo.
I like singing, but I sing badly.
Mark
没关系，开心最重要！
Méi guānxi, kāixīn zuì zhòngyào!
Doesn't matter — having fun is what counts!
李娜
哈哈，谢谢！周末一起唱歌？
Hāhā, xièxie! Zhōumò yìqǐ chàng gē?
Haha, thanks! Sing together this weekend?
Mark
好啊，一言为定！
Hǎo a, yìyán wéidìng!
Sure — it's a deal!
Unit 9 · At the Airport 机场
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Checking in办理登机
You
你好，我要办登机手续。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào bàn dēngjī shǒuxù.
Hello, I'd like to check in.
Agent
好的，请出示护照。
Hǎo de, qǐng chūshì hùzhào.
Certainly. Your passport, please.
You
这是我的护照和机票。
Zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào hé jīpiào.
Here's my passport and ticket.
Agent
有行李要托运吗？
Yǒu xíngli yào tuōyùn ma?
Do you have any bags to check?
You
有一件。
Yǒu yí jiàn.
One bag.
Agent
请放在这里。登机口是 32 号。
Qǐng fàng zài zhèlǐ. Dēngjīkǒu shì sānshí'èr hào.
Put it here, please. Your gate is 32.
Dialog B · The gate changed登机口变了
You
请问，32 号登机口怎么走？
Qǐngwèn, sānshí'èr hào dēngjīkǒu zěnme zǒu?
Excuse me, how do I get to gate 32?
Staff
稍等……32 号改成 18 号了。
Shāo děng…… sānshí'èr hào gǎichéng shíbā hào le.
One moment… gate 32 has been changed to 18.
You
改到 18 号了？在哪里？
Gǎi dào shíbā hào le? Zài nǎlǐ?
Changed to 18? Where is that?
Staff
在二楼，往左走。
Zài èr lóu, wǎng zuǒ zǒu.
Second floor, turn left.
You
谢谢。几点开始登机？
Xièxie. Jǐ diǎn kāishǐ dēngjī?
Thanks. What time does boarding start?
Staff
十点二十。请别走远。
Shí diǎn èrshí. Qǐng bié zǒu yuǎn.
Ten twenty. Please stay close by.
Unit 10 · In the Metro 地铁站
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Buying a ticket买地铁票
You
你好，我要去人民广场。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào qù Rénmín Guǎngchǎng.
Hello, I want to go to People's Square.
Clerk
单程票还是交通卡？
Dānchéng piào háishì jiāotōng kǎ?
Single ticket or a transit card?
You
单程票，多少钱？
Dānchéng piào, duōshao qián?
A single ticket. How much?
Clerk
四块。
Sì kuài.
Four yuan.
You
给你五块。
Gěi nǐ wǔ kuài.
Here's five.
Clerk
找您一块。请从那边进站。
Zhǎo nín yí kuài. Qǐng cóng nàbiān jìn zhàn.
One yuan change. Enter over there, please.
Dialog B · Wrong direction坐反了
You
请问，这趟车去人民广场吗？
Qǐngwèn, zhè tàng chē qù Rénmín Guǎngchǎng ma?
Excuse me, does this train go to People's Square?
Passenger
不去，你坐反了。
Bú qù, nǐ zuò fǎn le.
No — you're going the wrong way.
You
那我在哪一站换乘？
Nà wǒ zài nǎ yí zhàn huànchéng?
Then which stop do I transfer at?
Passenger
下一站南京西路，换二号线。
Xià yí zhàn Nánjīng Xī Lù, huàn èr hào xiàn.
Next stop, West Nanjing Road. Change to Line 2.
You
坐几站能到？
Zuò jǐ zhàn néng dào?
How many stops is it?
Passenger
三站，到终点站。
Sān zhàn, dào zhōngdiǎn zhàn.
Three stops — it's the last stop.
Unit 11 · At the Train Station 火车站
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Buying a train ticket买火车票
You
你好，我要买一张到西安的票。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào mǎi yì zhāng dào Xī'ān de piào.
Hello, I'd like a ticket to Xi'an.
Clerk
哪天的？
Nǎ tiān de?
For which day?
You
今天的，下午的。
Jīntiān de, xiàwǔ de.
Today, in the afternoon.
Clerk
三点十分有一趟，二等座可以吗？
Sān diǎn shí fēn yǒu yí tàng, èr děng zuò kěyǐ ma?
There's one at 3:10. Second class OK?
You
可以，多少钱？
Kěyǐ, duōshao qián?
That's fine. How much?
Clerk
五百三十块。请出示护照。
Wǔ bǎi sānshí kuài. Qǐng chūshì hùzhào.
530 yuan. Your passport, please.
Dialog B · The train is late火车晚点
You
请问，三点十分那趟车在哪个站台？
Qǐngwèn, sān diǎn shí fēn nà tàng chē zài nǎge zhàntái?
Excuse me, which platform is the 3:10?
Staff
那趟车晚点了。
Nà tàng chē wǎndiǎn le.
That train is running late.
You
晚多久？
Wǎn duō jiǔ?
How late?
Staff
大概四十分钟。
Dàgài sìshí fēnzhōng.
About forty minutes.
You
那几点开？
Nà jǐ diǎn kāi?
So what time does it leave?
Staff
四点左右，会广播通知。
Sì diǎn zuǒyòu, huì guǎngbō tōngzhī.
Around four. We'll announce it.
Unit 12 · On the Bus 公交车
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Getting on上公交车
You
师傅，到火车站吗？
Shīfu, dào huǒchē zhàn ma?
Driver, do you go to the train station?
Driver
到，两块。
Dào, liǎng kuài.
Yes. Two yuan.
You
可以扫码吗？
Kěyǐ sǎo mǎ ma?
Can I pay by scanning?
Driver
可以，扫这个。
Kěyǐ, sǎo zhège.
Yes, scan this one.
You
到站请告诉我一下。
Dào zhàn qǐng gàosu wǒ yíxià.
Please tell me when we get there.
Driver
好，坐稳了。
Hǎo, zuò wěn le.
Will do. Hold on.
Dialog B · I missed my stop坐过站了
You
我好像坐过站了。
Wǒ hǎoxiàng zuò guò zhàn le.
I think I missed my stop.
Passenger
你去哪里？
Nǐ qù nǎlǐ?
Where are you going?
You
火车站。刚才没听见报站。
Huǒchē zhàn. Gāngcái méi tīngjiàn bàozhàn.
The train station. I didn't hear the announcement.
Passenger
下一站下车，走回去十分钟。
Xià yí zhàn xià chē, zǒu huíqù shí fēnzhōng.
Get off at the next stop and walk back — ten minutes.
You
下一站叫什么？
Xià yí zhàn jiào shénme?
What's the next stop called?
Passenger
文化路。下车往回走。
Wénhuà Lù. Xià chē wǎng huí zǒu.
Wenhua Road. Get off and walk back.
Unit 13 · Taking a Taxi 出租车
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Taking a taxi打车
You
师傅，去机场。
Shīfu, qù jīchǎng.
Driver, to the airport.
Driver
走高速还是走地面？
Zǒu gāosù háishì zǒu dìmiàn?
Highway or surface streets?
You
哪条快？
Nǎ tiáo kuài?
Which one is faster?
Driver
高速快，不过要加过路费。
Gāosù kuài, búguò yào jiā guòlùfèi.
The highway is faster, but there's a toll on top.
You
没问题，打表就行。
Méi wèntí, dǎ biǎo jiù xíng.
Fine — just use the meter.
Driver
好，大概四十分钟。
Hǎo, dàgài sìshí fēnzhōng.
OK, about forty minutes.
Dialog B · The long way round绕路
You
师傅，这条路好像不是最近的吧？
Shīfu, zhè tiáo lù hǎoxiàng bú shì zuì jìn de ba?
Driver, this doesn't look like the shortest way.
Driver
前面堵车，绕一下快。
Qiánmiàn dǔchē, rào yíxià kuài.
Traffic ahead — going around is faster.
You
可是表上已经六十多了。
Kěshì biǎo shàng yǐjīng liùshí duō le.
But the meter is already over sixty.
Driver
那给你少十块。
Nà gěi nǐ shǎo shí kuài.
I'll knock ten off for you.
You
我按导航的钱付，可以吗？
Wǒ àn dǎoháng de qián fù, kěyǐ ma?
Can I just pay what the map says?
Driver
行，就按导航。
Xíng, jiù àn dǎoháng.
Fine, we'll go by the map.
Unit 14 · At the Clinic 医院门诊
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Registering挂号
You
你好，我要挂号。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào guàhào.
Hello, I'd like to register.
Nurse
有身份证或者护照吗？
Yǒu shēnfènzhèng huòzhě hùzhào ma?
Do you have your ID or your passport?
You
有，这是我的护照。
Yǒu, zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào.
Yes — here's my passport.
Nurse
你要看哪个科？
Nǐ yào kàn nǎ ge kē?
Which department do you need?
You
内科。我发烧，还咳嗽。
Nèikē. Wǒ fāshāo, hái késou.
Internal medicine. I have a fever and a cough.
Nurse
好，内科在三楼。这是你的号。
Hǎo, nèikē zài sān lóu. Zhè shì nǐ de hào.
All right, internal medicine is on the third floor. Here's your number.
Dialog B · The visit isn't over还要做检查
You
医生，我发烧三天了。
Yīshēng, wǒ fāshāo sān tiān le.
Doctor, I've had a fever for three days.
Doctor
咳嗽吗？还有别的症状吗？
Késou ma? Hái yǒu bié de zhèngzhuàng ma?
Any cough? Any other symptoms?
You
咳嗽，晚上睡不好。
Késou, wǎnshang shuì bù hǎo.
A cough, and I sleep badly at night.
Doctor
先验个血，看看有没有感染。
Xiān yàn ge xuè, kànkan yǒu méiyǒu gǎnrǎn.
Let's do a blood test first, to see whether there's an infection.
You
验血？要去哪里？怎么走？
Yàn xuè? Yào qù nǎlǐ? Zěnme zǒu?
A blood test? Where do I go? How do I get there?
Doctor
出门右转，二楼。半小时取结果。
Chūmén yòu zhuǎn, èr lóu. Bàn xiǎoshí qǔ jiéguǒ.
Turn right outside, second floor. Results in half an hour.
Unit 15 · At the Pharmacy 药房取药
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · Collecting the prescription取药
You
你好，我来取药。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ lái qǔ yào.
Hello, I'm here to collect my medicine.
Pharmacist
请给我处方单。
Qǐng gěi wǒ chǔfāngdān.
Your prescription, please.
You
给你。这个怎么吃？
Gěi nǐ. Zhè ge zěnme chī?
Here you are. How do I take this?
Pharmacist
一天三次，饭后吃。
Yì tiān sān cì, fàn hòu chī.
Three times a day, after meals.
You
要吃几天？还吃别的药吗？
Yào chī jǐ tiān? Hái chī bié de yào ma?
For how many days? Should I take anything else?
Pharmacist
五天。别的药先别吃。
Wǔ tiān. Bié de yào xiān bié chī.
Five days. Don't take anything else for now.
Dialog B · What the label doesn't tell you说明书之外
You
这个药有副作用吗？
Zhè ge yào yǒu fùzuòyòng ma?
Does this medicine have side effects?
Pharmacist
会有一点，吃了容易困。
Huì yǒu yìdiǎn, chī le róngyì kùn.
A little — it tends to make you sleepy.
You
那我还能开车吗？
Nà wǒ hái néng kāichē ma?
Can I still drive, then?
Pharmacist
最好别开，也别喝酒。
Zuìhǎo bié kāi, yě bié hē jiǔ.
Better not — and no alcohol either.
You
好的。我什么时候再来？
Hǎo de. Wǒ shénme shíhou zài lái?
All right. When should I come back?
Pharmacist
五天以后，还发烧就来。
Wǔ tiān yǐhòu, hái fāshāo jiù lái.
After five days — come back if you still have a fever.
Unit 16 · At the Emergency Room 急诊
2 original dialogues · click 🔊 on any line to hear it
Dialog A · At the emergency desk挂急诊
You
你好，我朋友受伤了。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ péngyou shòushāng le.
Hello, my friend is injured.
Nurse
哪里受伤了？严重吗？
Nǎlǐ shòushāng le? Yánzhòng ma?
Where is he hurt? Is it serious?
You
腿，流了很多血。
Tuǐ, liú le hěn duō xuè.
His leg — it's bleeding a lot.
Nurse
马上进去，先填这张表。
Mǎshàng jìnqù, xiān tián zhè zhāng biǎo.
Go in right away — fill in this form first.
You
我不会写中文，能帮我吗？
Wǒ bú huì xiě Zhōngwén, néng bāng wǒ ma?
I can't write Chinese — could you help me?
Nurse
可以，你说名字就行。
Kěyǐ, nǐ shuō míngzi jiù xíng.
Of course — just tell me the names.
Dialog B · The X-ray comes first先拍片子
You
医生，他一直说很疼。
Yīshēng, tā yìzhí shuō hěn téng.
Doctor, he keeps saying it hurts a lot.
Doctor
疼得厉害吗？从零到十。
Téng de lìhai ma? Cóng líng dào shí.
How bad is the pain? Zero to ten.
You
八。他很疼，动不了。
Bā. Tā hěn téng, dòng bù liǎo.
Eight. He's in a lot of pain and can't move.
Doctor
需要拍片子，先去交费。
Xūyào pāi piànzi, xiān qù jiāo fèi.
We need an X-ray — go and pay first.
You
请问，交费在哪里？
Qǐngwèn, jiāo fèi zài nǎlǐ?
Excuse me, where do I pay?
Doctor
一楼大厅，右手边。
Yī lóu dàtīng, yòushǒu biān.
Ground-floor hall, on your right.
How to use: listen to a line first, repeat it out loud, then cover the pinyin and read the characters alone. Each dialogue recycles the vocabulary of its unit in the Core 500 wordlist. All dialogues are original The Chinese Path content — written for the Silk Road Path, not copied from any textbook.
Want to be tested on these? Units 9–13 have an interactive version — the transport dialogue simulator — and Units 14–16 have the hospital dialogue simulator. Pick your own lines and find out why the other options are wrong.
Learn the words behind these lines
Every dialogue is built on the free Level 1 Core wordlist. Master the words, and the conversations write themselves.