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Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese

By: FluentFiction.org
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Are you ready to supercharge your Mandarin Chinese listening comprehension? Our podcast is the perfect tool for you.

Studies show that the key to mastering a second language is through repetition and active processing. That's why each episode of our podcast features a story in Mandarin Chinese, followed by a sentence-by-sentence retelling that alternates between Mandarin Chinese and English.

This approach not only allows you to fully understand and absorb the vocabulary and grammar but also provides a bilingual support to aid your listening comprehension.

But we don't stop there. Research in sociolinguistics highlights the importance of culture in language learning, which is why we provide a list of vocabulary words and a transcript of the audio to help you understand the cultural context of the story. And for your convenience, we also include a transcript of the audio to help you refer back to any parts you may have struggled with.

And our podcast is not just for language learners, it's also for travelers or people who want to connect with their roots. Are you planning a trip to China? Maybe you want to speak Mandarin Chinese with your friends from Beijing or Shanghai? Our podcast will give you the cultural and linguistic background to fully immerse yourself in China.

Our podcast is based on the latest research in linguistics, sociolinguistics, psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and education to provide the most effective method for mastering Mandarin Chinese listening comprehension. Don't miss this opportunity, give our podcast a try and see the results for yourself.

今天开始，借助我们的中文故事来提升你的听力理解能力！Copyright FluentFiction.org Language Learning
Episodes
  • Capturing Chaos: A Spring Festival Family Portrait

    Capturing Chaos: A Spring Festival Family Portrait
    Feb 28 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Capturing Chaos: A Spring Festival Family Portrait Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-02-28-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在寒冷的冬天，红色的灯笼摇曳在风中，家里的每个角落都飘散着热腾腾饺子的香味。En: In the cold winter, red denglong swayed in the wind, and every corner of the house was filled with the aroma of steaming jiaozi.Zh: 今天是春节，魏兴奋地在家里忙碌着，他希望一切顺利，能拍到完美的全家福。En: Today is the Spring Festival, and Wei was excitedly bustling around the house, hoping everything would go smoothly so he could capture the perfect family portrait.Zh: “李梅，让大家尽量靠拢一点，”魏指挥着。En: "Li Mei, have everyone move closer together," Wei instructed.Zh: 李梅是他那爱挑剔的妹妹，总是能找到不足之处。En: Li Mei was his picky sister, always finding something lacking.Zh: “唔，你确定这样会好看吗？”李梅皱着眉头，提出她的建议。En: "Hmm, are you sure this will look good?" Li Mei frowned, offering her suggestions.Zh: 就在魏努力布置相机时，门铃响了。En: Just as Wei was adjusting the camera, the doorbell rang.Zh: 开门一看，是一个远方亲戚，穿着一身气球做的滑稽服装。En: Upon opening the door, he saw a distant relative dressed in a comical costume made of balloons.Zh: “这真是有趣的新年装！”张，一向顽皮的小表弟，捧着肚子笑得前仰后合。En: "This is such an interesting New Year outfit!" exclaimed Zhang, their mischievous little cousin, holding his belly as he laughed.Zh: 亲戚的出现让场面一度混乱，小孩们开心地围着他打转，家人们又是一阵哄笑。En: The arrival of the relative led to a brief commotion, with children happily circling around him and the family breaking into laughter.Zh: 魏尽力组织大家，“好，大家往这里看。”En: Wei tried to organize everyone, "Alright, everyone look this way."Zh: “哎呀，有人来抢镜头了！”只见一只小狗突然窜出来，跳上拍照的椅子。En: "Oh no, someone is trying to steal the spotlight!" Suddenly, a little dog darted out and jumped onto the photo-taking chair.Zh: “这是谁家的狗啊？”魏苦笑着问道。En: "Whose dog is this?" Wei asked with a wry smile.Zh: 不远处，张一脸坏笑地拿出一个鞭炮，在大家猝不及防时点燃了。En: Not far away, Zhang, with a mischievous grin, took out a firecracker and lit it when everyone was caught off guard.Zh: “哇！”一声巨响，红光四射，所有人都被吸引住，大笑声瞬间溢满了整个房间。En: "Wow!" With a loud bang, red light flashed, catching everyone's attention, and laughter instantly filled the room.Zh: 在这瞬间，魏按下了拍照按钮。En: At that moment, Wei pressed the shutter button.Zh: 笑声停下后，大家围到相机前，看到屏幕上那张照片：人们惊喜大笑，背景中红光闪烁，远房亲戚装扮滑稽，小狗抬头看天，这一切竟然在这一刻完整地被记录下来。En: After the laughter subsided, everyone gathered around the camera to see the photo on the screen: people laughing with surprise, red light flickering in the background, the distant relative in a funny costume, and the little dog looking up at the sky—all perfectly captured in that moment.Zh: “虽然不完美，但是好有趣。”李梅想了想，说道。En: "Though not perfect, it's so much fun," Li Mei thought aloud.Zh: 魏看着照片，心中感叹，这正是他们家庭的真实生活：混乱、有趣、满满的欢声笑语。En: Wei looked at the photo and realized this was their true family life: chaotic, fun, and full of laughter.Zh: 魏意识到，拍摄完美的全家福并不重要，重要的是这些笑声以及独特的家庭时光。En: Wei understood that capturing a perfect family portrait wasn't important; what mattered were these moments of laughter and unique family times.Zh: 通过这次经历，他学会珍惜这些不完美的瞬间，因为这正是他们彼此之间最真实的联系。En: Through this experience, he learned to cherish these imperfect moments, as they represented the most genuine connection between them.Zh: 春节的夜空中，烟花绚烂，每个人的脸上都洋溢着幸福的微笑。En: In the night sky of the Spring Festival, fireworks lit up brilliantly, and happiness was evident on everyone's face. Vocabulary Words:swayed: 摇曳aroma: 香味steaming: 热腾腾jiaozi: 饺子bustling: 忙碌portrait: 全家福picky: 挑剔fronwed: 皱眉commotion: 混乱mischievous: 顽皮darted: 窜spotlight: 抢镜头wry: 苦笑firecracker: 鞭炮flickering: 闪烁cherish: 珍惜chaotic: 混乱flickered: 闪烁perfectly: 完整genuine: 真实connection: 联系brilliantly: 绚烂outfit: 装balloons: 气球capture: 拍摄scene: ...
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    13 mins
  • Under Water Lanterns: Yilin's Journey of Courage and Connection

    Under Water Lanterns: Yilin's Journey of Courage and Connection
    Feb 27 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Under Water Lanterns: Yilin's Journey of Courage and Connection Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-02-27-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 冬天的上海，我们随着一群学生走进了繁忙的水族馆。En: In wintery Shanghai, we entered a bustling aquarium with a group of students.Zh: 鱼儿在水中游弋，光影舞动，像是海底的彩灯。En: Fish swam in the water, light and shadows danced, resembling colorful lights beneath the sea.Zh: 外面，节日的灯笼照亮街道，庆祝着即将到来的元宵节。En: Outside, festive lanterns lit up the streets, celebrating the upcoming Yuanxiao Festival.Zh: 依琳是一名好奇但安静的学生，她极爱海洋生物，但对周围的人群有些不安。En: Yilin was a curious yet quiet student who loved marine life but felt uneasy around crowds.Zh: 今天是学校的参观活动，她希望能在水族馆找到灵感，为她的社会研究项目加分。En: Today was a school field trip, and she hoped to find inspiration at the aquarium that would enhance her social studies project.Zh: 走在展馆中，依琳看着各种色彩斑斓的鱼群，鱼儿们似乎在玩捉迷藏。En: As she walked through the exhibits, Yilin watched various vibrantly colored fish, which seemed to be playing hide and seek.Zh: 她喜欢这些生物散发的宁静，但同时，她又感到与同学之间的距离。En: She appreciated the tranquility these creatures exuded, yet sensed a distance between her and her classmates.Zh: 在水母展区，依琳停下脚步。En: In the jellyfish exhibit area, Yilin paused.Zh: 透明的水母在水中漂荡，仿佛舞者般优雅。En: Transparent jellyfish drifted in the water, graceful like dancers.Zh: 但她的目光很快转向了不远处的美和健，他们正在讨论这些生物的奇妙特性。En: But her gaze soon shifted to Mei and Jian, who were discussing the wonderful characteristics of these creatures.Zh: “也许，我可以加入他们的讨论。”依琳心想，心中却仍有一丝迟疑。En: "Maybe I can join their discussion," Yilin thought, though a trace of hesitation lingered in her heart.Zh: 然而她记得，水母在中国文化中象征好运和平安。En: She recalled, however, that in Chinese culture, jellyfish symbolize good luck and peace.Zh: 而元宵节，正是一个庆祝和希望的节日。En: And Yuanxiao Festival is indeed a celebration of hope and good fortune.Zh: 鼓起勇气，她走上前对美和健说：“你知道吗，水母在中国文化中象征好运，就像元宵节的灯笼，可以带来光明和希望。”En: Summoning courage, she approached Mei and Jian and said, "Did you know that in Chinese culture, jellyfish symbolize good luck, just like the lanterns of the 元宵节, bringing light and hope?"Zh: 美和健被依琳的话吸引，眼睛一亮。En: Mei was intrigued by Yilin's words, her eyes lighting up.Zh: 美说：“真的吗？我不知道这个，说得太好了！”En: "Really? I didn't know that, you explained it so well!"Zh: 健也附和道：“这样说起来，水母真的像灯笼一样在水中闪烁呢。”En: Jian agreed: "Thinking about it that way, jellyfish do resemble lanterns flickering in the water."Zh: 从短暂的沉默中，依琳的心跳仿佛漏了一拍。En: In the brief silence, Yilin's heart seemed to skip a beat.Zh: 接下来的对话热烈而自然，三人分享了更多关于海洋和文化的故事。En: The ensuing conversation was lively and natural, with the three sharing more stories about the ocean and culture.Zh: 时间悄然流逝，夜幕降临。走出水族馆，他们被外面的灯火吸引，心中充满温暖。En: Time quietly slipped by, and as night fell, they were drawn to the lights outside, feeling warmth in their hearts.Zh: 这次经历让依琳明白，分享自己的热情可以带来意想不到的友谊。En: This experience made Yilin realize that sharing her passions could lead to unexpected friendships.Zh: 她不仅找到了项目的灵感，也找到了新的友谊和归属感。En: She not only found inspiration for her project but also discovered new friendships and a sense of belonging.Zh: 对依琳来说，这一天，她不仅了解了更多的海洋生物，还发现了勇敢表达自我的快乐。En: To Yilin, on this day, she not only learned more about marine life but also discovered the joy of bravely expressing herself.Zh: 灯笼在夜空中摇曳，仿佛祝愿着她新的开始。En: The lanterns swayed in the night sky, as if wishing her a new beginning. Vocabulary Words:wintery: 冬天的bustling: 繁忙的aquarium: 水族馆festive: 节日的lanterns: 灯笼curious: 好奇social studies: 社会研究exhibits: 展馆vibrantly: 色彩斑斓tranquility: 宁静transparent: 透明的drifted: 漂荡graceful: 优雅hesitation: 迟疑symbolize: 象征flickering: 闪烁...
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    14 mins
  • From Snowy Doubts to Illuminated Dreams at Yiheyuan

    From Snowy Doubts to Illuminated Dreams at Yiheyuan
    Feb 27 2026
    Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: From Snowy Doubts to Illuminated Dreams at Yiheyuan Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-02-27-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在寒冷的冬天，颐和园被皑皑白雪覆盖。En: In the cold winter, the Yiheyuan was covered with a blanket of white snow.Zh: 灯笼节的喜庆气氛让园中每一个角落都散发出温暖的光辉，尤其是在昆明湖的冰面上，灯笼的倒影让夜色显得格外美丽。En: The festive atmosphere of the Lantern Festival spread a warm glow to every corner of the garden, especially on the ice surface of Kunming Lake, where the reflections of the lanterns made the night scene exceptionally beautiful.Zh: 丽华是一位年轻的艺术家，她来到颐和园寻找创作的灵感。En: Lihua is a young artist who came to the Yiheyuan to seek inspiration for her creations.Zh: 她的好友珍是一个热爱历史的导游，知道这里每一个角落和故事。En: Her friend Zhen is a history-loving tour guide who knows every corner and story here.Zh: 丽华有些紧张，因为她即将要举办自己的画展，总觉得还没有准备好。En: Lihua was a bit nervous because she was about to host her own art exhibition and felt that she was not yet ready.Zh: “丽华，别担心，你的画一定会很棒。”珍温柔地安慰道，两人在雪地上缓缓前行。En: “Lihua, don’t worry, your paintings will definitely be great.” Zhen gently comforted her as the two walked slowly through the snow.Zh: 他们在一座古老的石桥上停下，这时，他们遇到了明。En: They stopped at an ancient stone bridge, and it was there they encountered Ming.Zh: 他是一个同样来度假的医生，留心观察四周的他默默融入了这座历史悠久的园林。En: He was a doctor also on vacation, who quietly blended into the historical garden with keen observation of the surroundings.Zh: 然而，一个意外的医疗紧急情况突然发生。En: However, an unexpected medical emergency suddenly occurred.Zh: 明在长廊上滑倒，似乎是脚扭伤了，难以站立。En: Ming slipped in the corridor and appeared to have sprained his ankle, making it difficult for him to stand.Zh: 丽华和珍都吃了一惊，这让丽华的焦虑更加严重。En: Both Lihua and Zhen were taken aback, which intensified Lihua’s anxiety.Zh: 她心跳加速，不知如何应对。En: Her heart raced, unsure of how to respond.Zh: “丽华，我们得帮他。”珍在一旁鼓励她。En: “Lihua, we need to help him,” encouraged Zhen beside her.Zh: 尽管感到不安，丽华强迫自己冷静下来。En: Despite feeling uneasy, Lihua forced herself to remain calm.Zh: 她回忆起画画时的细致观察，立刻寻找周围能提供帮助的人和物。En: She recalled her detailed observations during painting and immediately looked for people and objects around that could help.Zh: 她迅速找到了一名工作人员，并用简单的词语描述了情况，引导工作人员去找急救设备。En: She quickly found a staff member and described the situation with simple words, guiding the staff to fetch emergency equipment.Zh: 随着救护车的到来，明被稳定住，他对两人表达了无尽的感激。En: With the arrival of the ambulance, Ming was stabilized, and he expressed endless gratitude to the two of them.Zh: 那晚，三人一起参加了灯笼节，一盏盏灯笼在夜空中绽放，照亮了他们的脸庞和新建立的友情。En: That night, the three of them attended the Lantern Festival together, as one lantern after another bloomed in the night sky, illuminating their faces and their newly formed friendship.Zh: 丽华意识到，通过面对这个突发事件，她的焦虑反而成为了一种力量，为她的创作注入了新的深度和灵感。En: Lihua realized that by facing this unexpected event, her anxiety had instead become a strength, injecting new depth and inspiration into her creations.Zh: 她不仅证明了自己可以战胜内心的恐惧，还收获了新的友谊和信心。En: She not only proved that she could overcome her inner fears but also gained new friendships and confidence.Zh: 颐和园的夜晚笼罩在灯光与笑声中。En: The night at the Yiheyuan was shrouded in light and laughter.Zh: 丽华望向天空，满怀期待地迎接即将到来的展览。En: Lihua looked up at the sky, full of anticipation for the upcoming exhibition. Vocabulary Words:blanket: 皑皑lantern: 灯笼inspiration: 灵感host: 举办exhibition: 画展ancient: 古老corridor: 长廊sprained: 扭伤emergency: 紧急情况observations: 观察staff member: 工作人员expressed: 表达endless: 无尽blooms: 绽放illuminating: 照亮anticipation: 期待shrouded: 笼罩suddenly: 突然seeking: 寻找festival: 节anxiety: 焦虑overcome: 战胜depth: 深度unfolding: 展开steadily: 缓缓encountered: 遇到strength: 力量...
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    13 mins
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