Fluentide · Chinese Listening — HSK 2
You know the basics — now start understanding the real world in Chinese. Every day, Fluentide rewrites today's top news stories in HSK 2 Mandarin. Clear pronunciation, natural pace, and just enough new words to push you forward. Follow along with free interactive transcripts at fluentide.com: • Tap any word for instant pinyin + translation • Key vocabulary list with example sentences • Grammar patterns explained in English • Full English translation available Perfect for your commute, workout, or study break. New episodes every day. This podcast uses AI text-to-speech to deliver clear, consistent pronunciation for language learners.
德国领导访问中国讨论买卖问题 — German Leader Visits China to Discuss Trade Issues
German chancellor lands in Beijing for inaugural China trip
German Leader Visits China to Discuss Trade Issues
HSK 2 level · 7:32
Key Vocabulary
买卖 (mǎi mài) — buying and selling; business旅游 (lǚyóu) — tourism; travel握手 (wòshǒu) — to shake hands便宜 (piányi) — cheap担心 (dānxīn) — to worry; worried汽车 (qìchē) — car; automobile解决 (jiějué) — to solve; to resolve公平 (gōngpíng) — fair; impartialGrammar Patterns
是……的 — Used to emphasize details of a past action, such as time, place, manner, or agent. In this script, it emphasizes the mode of transport.为了…… — Indicates purpose or reason, meaning 'for the sake of' or 'in order to'.比 — Used for...谷爱凌的故事 — Gu Ailing's Story
What’s Up With Eileen Gu: The Bicultural Freestyle Skier Phenom
Gu Ailing's Story
HSK 2 level · 6:42
Key Vocabulary
特别 (tèbié) — special / especially清楚 (qīngchu) — clear努力 (nǔlì) — hardworking / to strive爱好 (àihào) — hobby声音 (shēngyīn) — sound / voice结束 (jiéshù) — to end / to finish成绩 (chéngjì) — grades / achievement聪明 (cōngming) — smart / cleverGrammar Patterns
虽然...但是... — Although... but... (Conjunction pair expressing contrast)除了...还... — Besides... also... (Inclusive addition)Verb + 得 + Complement — Degree Complement: Describes how an action is performed.Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read the full interactive transcript — tap any word for instant pinyin + definitionToggle pinyin on/off above the Chinese textSee th...韩国前总统被判无期徒刑 — Former South Korean President Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
South Korean ex president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for life for leading insurrection
Former South Korean President Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
HSK 2 level · 6:41
Key Vocabulary
新闻 (xīnwén) — news生气 (shēngqì) — angry担心 (dānxīn) — worried决定 (juédìng) — to decide / decision必须 (bìxū) — must历史 (lìshǐ) — history总统 (zǒngtǒng) — president军队 (jūnduì) — army / troopsGrammar Patterns
让 (ràng) + Person + Verb — This is a causative structure meaning 'to let', 'to make', or 'to allow' someone to do something.只要...就... (zhǐyào... jiù...) — A conditional structure meaning 'as long as... then...'. It introduces a sufficient condition.不管...还是...都... (bùguǎn... háishì...电脑让我们变得没意思 — Computers Make Us Boring
AI makes you boring
Computers Make Us Boring
HSK 2 level · 5:33
Key Vocabulary
决定 (juédìng) — to decide; decision饭馆 (fànguǎn) — restaurant聪明 (cōngming) — smart / clever有名 (yǒumíng) — famous / well-known总是 (zǒngshì) — always应该 (yīnggāi) — should / ought to发现 (fāxiàn) — to discover / to find机会 (jīhuì) — opportunity / chanceGrammar Patterns
让 (ràng) + Person/Object + Verb/Adj — A causative structure meaning 'to let', 'to make', or 'to allow' someone/something to do something or reach a state.虽然 ... 但是 ... (suīrán ... dànshì ...) — A conjunction pair meaning 'Although ... but ...'. In Chinese, both parts are usually spoken, whereas in English 'but' is omitted i...扎克的梦想与冬奥会决赛 — Zach's Dream and the Winter Olympics Final
Nearly 50 Years After the ‘Miracle on Ice,’ Team USA Is Striving for Olympic History
Zach's Dream and the Winter Olympics Final
HSK 2 level · 6:10
Key Vocabulary
比赛 (bǐsài) — match / competition参加 (cānjiā) — to participate / to join历史 (lìshǐ) — history邻居 (línjū) — neighbor机会 (jīhuì) — opportunity / chance结束 (jiéshù) — to end / to finish运动员 (yùndòngyuán) — athlete赢 (yíng) — to winGrammar Patterns
因为 ... 所以 ... — Cause and effect structure meaning 'Because ..., therefore ...'.虽然 ... 但是 ... — Conjunction pair meaning 'Although ..., (but) ...'. Note that unlike English, Chinese requires 'but' (但是) in the second clause.如果 ... 就 ... — Conditional structure meaning 'If ..., then ...'.Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read the full interacti...金智秀的新电视剧《定制男友》 — Kim Jisoo's New TV Drama "Custom-made Boyfriend"
Blackpink’s Jisoo Navigates Virtual Romance and Real-Life Sparks in Netflix’s ‘Boyfriend on Demand’ Trailer
Kim Jisoo's New TV Drama "Custom-made Boyfriend"
HSK 2 level · 8:57
Key Vocabulary
电视剧 (diànshìjù) — TV drama / TV series总是 (zǒngshì) — always累 (lèi) — tired散步 (sànbù) — to take a walk同事 (tóngshì) — colleague / co-worker告诉 (gàosu) — to tell孤单 (gūdān) — lonely性格 (xìnggé) — personality / characterGrammar Patterns
虽然……但是…… — Conjunction pair meaning 'Although..., (but)...'. It introduces a concession followed by a contrast.只要……就…… — Conditional pattern meaning 'As long as..., then...'. It indicates that the first part is the necessary condition for the second part.Verb + 出来 — Directional complement indicating th...人工智能做视频的新问题 — New Problems with AI Making Videos
AI Gone Wild: How Seedance 2.0 Turned Celebs Into Digital Puppets
New Problems with AI Making Videos
HSK 2 level · 8:27
Key Vocabulary
聪明 (cōngming) — smart / clever简单 (jiǎndān) — simple奇怪 (qíguài) — strange / weird只要 (zhǐyào) — as long as / only need to以后 (yǐhòu) — after / later软件 (ruǎnjiàn) — software厉害 (lìhai) — awesome / impressive / severe明星 (míngxīng) — celebrity / starGrammar Patterns
是...的 — This structure is used to emphasize a specific detail of a past event or a fact, such as who did it, how it was done, or where it happened.像...一样 — Simile structure meaning 'looks like' or 'is the...维尼修斯和被遗忘的进球 — Vinicius and the Forgotten Goal
Vinicius: Eight years at Real Madrid, 20 cases of alleged racist abuse
Vinicius and the Forgotten Goal
HSK 2 level · 3:34
Key Vocabulary
比赛 (bǐsài) — match / competition新闻 (xīnwén) — news生气 (shēngqì) — to get angry奇怪 (qíguài) — strange / odd习惯 (xíguàn) — habit / to be used to应该 (yīnggāi) — should / ought to本来 (běnlái) — originally / at first教练 (jiàoliàn) — coachGrammar Patterns
Verb + 得 + Adjective/Complement — The 'Complement of Degree' describes how an action is performed. It connects a verb to an adjective using '得'.虽然 ... 但是 ... — A conjunction pair meaning 'Although... but...'. It connects two contrasting clauses.让 + Person...春节晚会上的机器人表演 — Robot Performances at the Spring Festival Gala
Year of the Robot: Humanoids Lead a Tech-Heavy Spring Festival Gala
Robot Performances at the Spring Festival Gala
HSK 2 level · 6:37
Key Vocabulary
节日 (jiérì) — festival / holiday节目 (jiémù) — program / show聪明 (cōngming) — smart / clever担心 (dānxīn) — to worry照顾 (zhàogù) — to take care of奇怪 (qíguài) — strange / odd声音 (shēngyīn) — voice / sound机器人 (jīqìrén) — robotGrammar Patterns
除了 ... (以外)，还/也 ... — A structure meaning 'Besides... also...'. It introduces an additional item or action.Verb + 得 + Complement of Degree — Used to describe how an action is performed. The adjective after '得' comments on the verb.Verb + 来 + Verb + 去 — Indicates a repetitive action back and f...为什么这个美国商店在中国很受欢迎？ — Why is this American store very popular in China?
Walmart’s Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop
Why is this American store very popular in China?
HSK 2 level · 7:34
Key Vocabulary
新鲜 (xīnxiān) — fresh; novel; new聪明 (cōngming) — smart; clever愿意 (yuànyì) — to be willing; to wish方便 (fāngbiàn) — convenient担心 (dānxīn) — to worry; anxious干净 (gānjìng) — clean节日 (jiérì) — festival; holiday礼物 (lǐwù) — gift; presentGrammar Patterns
虽然……但是…… — Although... but... (Conjunction pair used to express contrast).A + 和 + B + 不一样 — A is different from B (Used to compare two things).如果…… — If... (Used to introduce a conditional clause).Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read the full i...以前好用的软件，现在怎么了？ — What Happened to the App That Used to Be So Good?
Is Grindr Dead?
What Happened to the App That Used to Be So Good?
HSK 2 level · 7:11
Key Vocabulary
附近 (fùjìn) — nearby / vicinity方便 (fāngbiàn) — convenient聊天 (liáotiān) — to chat照片 (zhàopiàn) — photo / picture容易 (róngyì) — easy清楚 (qīngchu) — clear / clearly旅游 (lǚyóu) — to travel / tourism声音 (shēngyīn) — voice / soundGrammar Patterns
如果...就... (rúguǒ... jiù...) — A conditional structure meaning 'If [condition], then [result]'. The '就' emphasizes the consequence.离 (lí) — Used to express distance between two places or people. Structure: A + 离 + B + Distance/Adjective.把 (bǎ) Sentence — A structure used to emphasize the result of an action on a specific obj...2026年NBA全明星周末：新老球星的聚会 — 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend: A Gathering of New and Veteran Stars
Slam dunks, global games, emerging stars: The biggest takeaways from All-Star Weekend
2026 NBA All-Star Weekend: A Gathering of New and Veteran Stars
HSK 2 level · 5:18
Key Vocabulary
举行 (jǔxíng) — to hold (an event)城市 (chéngshì) — city比赛 (bǐsài) — competition / match年轻 (niánqīng) — young赢 (yíng) — to win全明星 (quánmíngxīng) — All-Star投篮 (tóulán) — to shoot (a basket)三分球 (sānfēnqiú) — three-pointerGrammar Patterns
虽然……但是…… — Although... but... (Conjunction pair expressing concession)Verb + 得 + Adjective — Complement of Degree/State. Describes how an action is performed.Verb + 不 + Complement — Potential Complement (Negative). Indicates inability to do something.Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read th...为什么我们喜欢玩游戏 — Why We Like Playing Games
The real reasons people love playing games
Why We Like Playing Games
HSK 2 level · 6:04
Key Vocabulary
努力 (nǔlì) — hardworking / to strive清楚 (qīngchu) — clear / to understand容易 (róngyì) — easy成绩 (chéngjì) — grades / achievement决定 (juédìng) — to decide / decision关心 (guānxīn) — to care about / to be concerned with必须 (bìxū) — must / have to规则 (guīzé) — rule / regulationGrammar Patterns
虽然……但是…… — Although... but... (Conjunction pair used to express contrast)把 + Object + Verb + Result — The 'Ba' construction is used to indicate how an action affects or handles a specific object.为了 + Purpose — Indicates the purpose or reason for an action ('for the sake of', 'in order to').Get more from this epi...
中国让英国和加拿大人更容易来旅游 — China Makes It Easier for British and Canadian People to Travel Here
China allows visa-free entry to British, Canadian nationals
China Makes It Easier for British and Canadian People to Travel Here
HSK 2 level · 5:55
Key Vocabulary
旅游 (lǚyóu) — to travel / tourism希望 (xīwàng) — to hope / hope宾馆 (bīnguǎn) — hotel准备 (zhǔnbèi) — to prepare / preparation机场 (jīchǎng) — airport同意 (tóngyì) — to agree / consent简单 (jiǎndān) — simple / uncomplicated护照 (hùzhào) — passportGrammar Patterns
对...来说 — This pattern means "for [someone], as far as [someone] is concerned". It introduces the person whose perspective is being stated.比 — The basic comparison structure: A + 比 + B + Adjective (+ Degree). It means A is more [Adjective] than B.除了...是爱情还是电脑骗局？ — Is it Love or a Computer Scam?
Is it love? Or is it an AI romance scam?
Is it Love or a Computer Scam?
HSK 2 level · 6:32
Key Vocabulary
相信 (xiāngxìn) — to believe; to trust关心 (guānxīn) — to care for; to be concerned about遇到 (yùdào) — to meet; to encounter聪明 (cōngming) — smart; clever照片 (zhàopiàn) — photo; picture决定 (juédìng) — to decide; decision明白 (míngbai) — to understand; clear骗局 (piànjú) — scam; fraud; hoaxGrammar Patterns
如果……就…… — A common conditional structure meaning 'If [condition], then [result]'.比 — Used for making comparisons: A + 比 + B + Adjective (A is more [adj] than B).把 — The 'ba' construction is used to indicate how an action aff...跨国看病：一个小宝宝的故事 — Cross-border Medical Care: A Story of a Little Baby
As Services Expand, More Foreigners Seek Treatment in China
Cross-border Medical Care: A Story of a Little Baby
HSK 2 level · 5:25
Key Vocabulary
医生 (yīshēng) — doctor医院 (yīyuàn) — hospital身体 (shēntǐ) — body; health舒服 (shūfu) — comfortable疼 (téng) — pain; ache药 (yào) — medicine便宜 (piányi) — cheap方便 (fāngbiàn) — convenientGrammar Patterns
如果…… — Used to express a condition ('If...'). Often paired with 就 (then), though not always explicitly required in colloquial speech.虽然……但是…… — A conjunction pair meaning 'Although... but...'. It expresses a contrast or concession.把 + Object + Verb + Result — The 'Ba' construction is used to emphasize the manipulation of an object. The subject does something...中国年轻人的新式婚礼 — New-Style Weddings for Young Chinese People
How Chinese Millennials Are Reimagining Weddings
New-Style Weddings for Young Chinese People
HSK 2 level · 6:05
Key Vocabulary
结婚 (jiéhūn) — to get married年轻 (niánqīng) — young简单 (jiǎndān) — simple重要 (zhòngyào) — important决定 (juédìng) — to decide; decision快乐 (kuàilè) — happy照片 (zhàopiàn) — photo / picture环境 (huánjìng) — environmentGrammar Patterns
虽然 (suīrán) ... 但是 (dànshì) ... — A conjunction pair meaning 'Although..., but...'. It expresses a concession or contrast. Note that in Chinese, both conjunctions are often present, whereas in English you usually only use one.A + 比 (bǐ) + B + Adjective (+ Complement) — The standard structure for making comparison...今年春节电影票卖得不好 — Movie Tickets Are Not Selling Well This Spring Festival
China’s box office presales fall over 60% from last year in crucial Lunar New Year window
Movie Tickets Are Not Selling Well This Spring Festival
HSK 2 level · 4:40
Key Vocabulary
春节 (Chūnjié) — Spring Festival准备 (zhǔnbèi) — to prepare习惯 (xíguàn) — habit / to be used to旅游 (lǚyóu) — to travel / tourism便宜 (piányi) — cheap / inexpensive新闻 (xīnwén) — news年轻人 (niánqīngrén) — young people预售 (yùshòu) — presale / advance saleGrammar Patterns
虽然……但是…… — Although... but... (Conjunction pair expressing concession)A 比 B + Adjective — Comparison structure indicating A is more [Adjective] than B.如果……就…… — If... then... (Conditional structure)Get more from this episode at flue...
人才去不了美国，美国公司就去人才那里 — If Talent Can't Go to the US, US Companies Will Go to the Talent
Silicon Valley can’t import talent like before. So it’s exporting jobs
If Talent Can't Go to the US, US Companies Will Go to the Talent
HSK 2 level · 6:51
Key Vocabulary
变化 (biànhuà) — change有名 (yǒumíng) — famous聪明 (cōngming) — smart / clever同意 (tóngyì) — to agree / to consent机会 (jīhuì) — opportunity / chance拒绝 (jùjué) — to refuse / to reject软件 (ruǎnjiàn) — software专家 (zhuānjiā) — expertGrammar Patterns
为了... (wèile...) — Indicates purpose, meaning 'in order to' or 'for the sake of'. It usually appears at the beginning of the sentence.变得 + Adjective (biànde...) — Used to describe a change in state, meaning 'to become' or 'to tur...电脑软件里的新广告 — New Advertisements in Computer Software
ChatGPT’s cheapest options now show you ads
New Advertisements in Computer Software
HSK 2 level · 6:12
Key Vocabulary
广告 (guǎnggào) — advertisement软件 (ruǎnjiàn) — software免费 (miǎnfèi) — free of charge赚钱 (zhuànqián) — to make money聪明 (cōngming) — smart / clever链接 (liànjiē) — link常见 (chángjiàn) — common担心 (dānxīn) — to worryGrammar Patterns
...的时候 (de shíhou) — Indicates the time when an action takes place, translating to 'When...'. It is placed after the time phrase or clause.虽然...但是... (suīrán... dànshì...) — A conjunction pair meaning 'Although... but...'. It expresses a contrast.如果...就... (rúguǒ... jiù...) — A conditional pattern meaning 'I...中国和日本的买卖与旅游 — Business and Tourism Between China and Japan
China, Japan dispute: what next for businesses after Takaichi’s election sweep?
Business and Tourism Between China and Japan
HSK 2 level · 1:24
Key Vocabulary
买卖 (mǎi mai) — buying and selling / business / trade担心 (dān xīn) — to worry / worried小心 (xiǎo xīn) — careful / cautious虽然 (suī rán) — although / even though新闻 (xīn wén) — news年轻 (nián qīng) — young雪 (xuě) — snow没关系 (méi guān xi) — it doesn't matter / no problemGrammar Patterns
因为 ... 所以 ... — The standard structure for cause and effect: 'Because [cause], so [result]'.虽然 ... 但是 ... — A conjunction pair meaning 'Although ..., but ...'. Unlike English, Chinese often uses both connectors in the sa...字节跳动的新 AI 让做视频变得很简单 — ByteDance's new AI makes creating videos very simple
ByteDance’s new model sparks stock rally as China’s AI video battle escalates
ByteDance's new AI makes creating videos very simple
HSK 2 level · 2:37
Key Vocabulary
视频 (shìpín) — video字节跳动 (Zìjié Tiàodòng) — ByteDance聪明 (cōngming) — smart / clever摄像机 (shèxiàngjī) — video camera演员 (yǎnyuán) — actor / actress真的 (zhēnde) — real / true假的 (jiǎde) — fake股票 (gǔpiào) — stock / shareGrammar Patterns
因为... 所以... — Cause and effect structure: 'Because... so...'只要... 就... — Conditional structure: 'As long as... then...'Subject + 在 + Verb — Present continuous tense marker '在' indicating an action is currently happening.Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read the full interactive transcript —...坏痞兔创造历史 — Bad Bunny Makes History
Bad Bunny makes history as Trump criticises 'terrible' Super Bowl show
Bad Bunny Makes History
HSK 2 level · 3:08
Key Vocabulary
歌手 (gēshǒu) — singer表演 (biǎoyǎn) — performance / to perform语言 (yǔyán) — language家乡 (jiāxiāng) — hometown特别 (tèbié) — special骄傲 (jiāo'ào) — proud国旗 (guóqí) — national flag团结 (tuánjié) — to unite / unityGrammar Patterns
虽然...但是... — Although... but... (Conjunction pair expressing contrast)因为...所以... — Because... therefore... (Cause and effect relationship)是...的 — Used to emphasize a specific detail (time, place, manner) of a past event.Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read the full interactive transcript — tap any word for instant pinyin + definitionToggle p...读书与人性：我们是好人吗？ — Reading and Human Nature: Are We Good People?
How selfish are we?
Reading and Human Nature: Are We Good People?
HSK 2 level · 3:48
Key Vocabulary
生物学 (shēngwùxué) — biology自私 (zìsī) — selfish竞争 (jìngzhēng) — to compete / competition悲观 (bēiguān) — pessimistic合作 (hézuò) — to cooperate / cooperation真相 (zhēnxiàng) — truth / real situation伪装 (wěizhuāng) — to disguise / camouflage欺骗 (qīpiàn) — to cheat / to deceiveGrammar Patterns
既...也/又... — Expressing 'both... and...'. Used to list two qualities or actions that exist simultaneously.为了... (Subject) + Verb — Indicates purpose, meaning 'in order to...' or 'for the sake of...'.如果...就... — Standard conditional construction: 'If..., then...'.Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read the...环保局减少了执法 — The EPA Reduced Enforcement
Under Trump, EPA’s enforcement of environmental laws collapses, report finds
The EPA Reduced Enforcement
HSK 2 level · 1:10
Key Vocabulary
环保局 (huánbǎojú) — Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)污染 (wūrǎn) — pollution / to pollute保护 (bǎohù) — to protect案子 (ànzi) — legal case / lawsuit政策 (zhèngcè) — policy合规 (héguī) — compliance罚款 (fákuǎn) — to fine / fine律师 (lǜshī) — lawyerGrammar Patterns
A + 比 + B + Adjective — Used to compare two things. It means 'A is more [adjective] than B'.如果...就... — A conditional structure meaning 'If [condition], then [result]'.会 + Verb — Indicates a future possibility or something that is likely to happen.Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read the full...英国首相访问中国 — British Prime Minister Visits China
How Hong Kong can bring China and Britain closer: it’s not just finance
British Prime Minister Visits China
HSK 2 level · 2:23
Key Vocabulary
首相 (shǒu xiàng) — Prime Minister访问 (fǎng wèn) — to visit / visit商业 (shāng yè) — business / commerce代表团 (dài biǎo tuán) — delegation投资 (tóu zī) — to invest / investment免签 (miǎn qiān) — visa-free关税 (guān shuì) — tariff / customs duty气候变化 (qì hòu biàn huà) — climate changeGrammar Patterns
Subject + 刚刚 + Verb — Indicates that an action has happened very recently (just now).Subject + 打算 + Verb — Expresses an intention or plan to do something.从 + A + 降到 + B — Expresses a decrease in value or n...AI太火了，别的东西短缺了 — AI is too hot, other things are in shortage
The AI boom is causing shortages everywhere else
AI is too hot, other things are in shortage
HSK 2 level · 1:25
Key Vocabulary
播客 (bōkè) — podcast流行 (liúxíng) — popular / trendy美元 (měiyuán) — US Dollar短缺 (duǎnquē) — shortage电工 (diàngōng) — electrician停 (tíng) — to stop手机 (shǒujī) — mobile phone芯片 (xīnpiàn) — computer chipGrammar Patterns
Subject + 在 + Verb — Indicates an action in progress (Present Continuous). similar to '-ing' in English.Subject + 变 + Adjective + 了 — Indicates a change of state. 'To become' + adjective.因为 ... 所以 ... — Cause and effect pattern. 'Because ... therefore ...'. In spoken Chinese, '所以' is sometimes omitted if the context is clear, or used alone.Get more from...
摩洛哥：古老的人类与新的友谊 — Morocco: Ancient Humans and New Friendship
摩洛哥
Morocco: Ancient Humans and New Friendship
HSK 2 level · 3:27
Key Vocabulary
摩洛哥 (Móluògē) — Morocco化石 (huàshí) — fossil人类 (rénlèi) — humanity / human race进化 (jìnhuà) — evolution / to evolve祖先 (zǔxiān) — ancestor贝壳 (bèiké) — seashell / shell仪式 (yíshì) — ritual / ceremony大使 (dàshǐ) — ambassadorGrammar Patterns
Place + 有 + Object — Expressing existence, similar to 'there is/are' in English.是...的 — Used to emphasize a detail (time, place, manner) of a past event.从...到... — From [Point A] to [Point B] (can be time or place).Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:
Read the full interactive transcript — tap any word for instant pinyin + definitionToggle pinyi...
