ChineseGradedReader.com offers a collection of Chinese graded reader stories tailored specifically for learners at different HSK levels. Each story exclusively contains only vocabulary words from the HSK level it's written for. Unlike other graded readers, we strictly exclude any vocabulary from higher HSK levels, ensuring that you focus only on the words appropriate for your current level. All the stories are free, providing a fun and easy way to practice reading Mandarin.

How to Use Our Graded Reader Stories to Learn Chinese

  1. Read with Pinyin and Translation: Begin by reading the story with the pinyin and English translations (bottom of the page). Read aloud to help with memorization of the vocabulary. Your primary focus at this stage is to become more proficient with recognizing and reading Chinese words and building your vocabulary.
  2. Read Chinese without Pinyin: Next, read aloud the Chinese section at the top of the page without pinyin and English assistance. As you progress with your reading proficiency focus on getting the tones right and reading/speaking sentences with a good flow.
  3. Listen: For listening practice, focus on one line at a time. Play the audio version repeatedly until you can clearly understand each word. Start out by following the audio by reading the text. Once you have mastered that line, move on to the next one in the story. Your goal is to be able to listen to and understand each line without reading the Chinese words.
  4. Practice Speaking: Practice speaking using mirroring (also called parroting). As you play each line speak that line aloud afterwards. This will build confidence in speaking what you're learning. Your goal should be to mirror the audio, line by line, without looking at the Chinese characters.

At the Store (在 商店)- An HSK 1 Graded Reader Story

At the Store (在 商店)

This beginner-friendly story is ideal for Mandarin learners focusing on HSK 1 vocabulary. It features a simple scenario at a store, utilizing key words such as 商店 (shāngdiàn), 买 (mǎi), and 苹果 (píngguǒ). The story’s straightforward dialogue and common phrases make it perfect for reinforcing essential vocabulary. Reading this will help you build confidence in using Mandarin for everyday shopping interactions, all while sticking to HSK 1 level words, ensuring a frustration-free learning experience.

My Chinese Teacher (我的 中国 老师) - An HSK 1 Story

My Chinese Teacher (我的 中国 老师)

This HSK 1 graded reader story uses many of the first words Chinese students learn, such as 老师 (lǎoshī), 学生 (xuéshēng), 你好 (nǐ hǎo), and 汉语 (Hànyǔ). It is an easy read for beginners, using only HSK 1 vocabulary and no words outside this level. The narrative centers on classroom interactions, showcasing practical and common phrases. By reading this story, you will enhance your HSK 1 vocabulary and gain confidence in using essential words and expressions in everyday settings.

Once (one time). HSK 2 Graded Reader Story.

Once (一次)

Chinese language students, understanding the meaning of the word 一次 (yí cì) is essential. The term 一次 translates directly to “one time” and means “once.” It applies to any event that occurs a single time. This word is commonly used in daily conversations, making it a key part of improving your Chinese proficiency. This graded reader story is written at the HSK 2 level, utilizing only HSK 2 vocabulary.

I Have No Money - HSK 1 Graded Reader Story

I Have No Money (我没有钱)

This story is an easy read for beginner Mandarin students because it uses only basic words from the HSK 1 vocabulary. 没有 钱 (no money) is a good phrase to become familiar with as it’s a helpful phrase which you can bring into your Chinese conversations. The plot revolves around a simple scenario of wanting to buy a book but not having enough money, which highlights the use of this phrase. By practicing reading this story, you will improve your proficiency with HSK 1 vocabulary and gain confidence in using fundamental words and phrases in everyday situations.

My Watch - HSK 2 Graded Reader Story

My Watch (我的 手表)

Practice reading the Chinese word 手表 (shǒubiǎo), which means “watch.” By reading this simple story, which uses only HSK 2 vocabulary, you’ll learn to recognize the word for “watch” and how to use it in daily life. The story talks about how I use my watch every day, like checking the time, going to work, and running. This practice can help you get better at reading and understanding Chinese.

Many Things - A HSK 2 Graded Reader Story

Many Things (很多 事情)

This story is designed to help you learn and practice the Chinese phrase 很多 事情 (hěn duō shì qíng), which means “many things” or “a lot of things.” By following a busy day in the life of a family, you will see how “很多事情” is used to describe numerous tasks and activities. Through this engaging narrative, you’ll become more familiar with the phrase and how to use it in various contexts, enhancing your Mandarin vocabulary and making you more comfortable with everyday conversations.

Although (虽然) - An HSK 2 Story

Although (虽然)

This story is designed to help you practice and learn the word 虽然 (suī rán), which means “although” in Chinese. “虽然” introduces a contrast between two clauses. In this story, you’ll encounter various examples showing how “虽然” contrasts different situations and outcomes. By reading and recognizing the characters for “虽然,” you’ll add it to your vocabulary and become more comfortable using it in daily conversations, enhancing your Mandarin fluency.

My Classmate - HSK 1 Graded Reader Story

My Classmate (我的 同学)

This story is an easy read for beginner Mandarin students because it uses only basic words from the HSK 1 vocabulary. Here, you’ll practice reading basic sentence structures and vocabulary like “我们” (we), “学校” (school), “老师” (teacher), “同学” (classmate), and “学习” (to learn). The plot involves classmates going to school, finding their teacher, and learning to write Chinese characters, showing how fundamental words are used in conversation and building confidence in Mandarin skills.

Why Not? An HSK 2 Graded Reader Story

Why Not? (为什么 不)

In this story, 为什么 不 (wèishénme bù) is used as a way to ask “why not” in Mandarin Chinese. This phrase is versatile and can express curiosity or suggest an action. Through simple dialogues, you can see practical examples of how to incorporate “为什么 不” into everyday conversations. The story demonstrates its role in both questioning and making suggestions, enhancing your understanding and usage of this common expression. This story is written using HSK 2 level vocabulary.

What Time? A Chinese HSK 2 Graded Reader Story

What Time (什么 时候)

This HSK 2 short story features the phrase 什么 时候 (shénme shíhòu), which is commonly used to ask “what time”. This is a commonly used phrase in conversational Chinese and is extremely useful for asking about the timing of events. Understanding and practicing this phrase can greatly enhance your ability to handle everyday interactions in Chinese, making it an essential component of your language learning journey.

Many Questions (很多 问题) - HSK 2 Graded Reader Story

Many Questions (很多 问题)

In this dialogue, the word 对 (duì) is used in various ways to convey different meanings. Initially, it’s used as a preposition to express interest and direction, while later functioning as an adjective meaning “correct” when confirming plans or answers. This story explores the versatility of 对, showing how it can ask for agreement, affirm correctness, and structure thoughtful questions around topics like education and decision-making.

Beautiful Day - An HSK 2 Graded Reader Story.

Beautiful Day (漂亮 的 一天)

Many students struggle with “出去” (chūqù, go out) because “出” (chū, out) and “去” (qù, go) sound so similar. Regular practice with “出去” can help with pronunciation, build confidence, and make it easier to use naturally. This story, written with HSK 2 vocabulary, is ideal for practicing “出去” along with 朋友 (péngyǒu, friend) and 一起 (yīqǐ, together). Follow five friends on their day of fun, enjoying outdoor activities and dining out, while reinforcing foundational vocabulary.

After You - HSK 3 Graded Reader Story Dialog

After You (您 先)

In Chinese, you don’t say “after you”; you say “您先” (nín xiān), a polite phrase to invite someone to proceed first. It’s a typical courtesy in Mandarin, embodying the culture’s respect and politeness. The following dialogue, using HSK 3 level vocabulary, illustrates practical uses of “您先” and other expressions. Regularly incorporating phrases like “您先” into your conversations is an excellent way to improve your Chinese proficiency.

Happy Weekend (快乐 周末)! A HSK 3 Graded Reader Story (Mandarin)

Happy Weekend (快乐 周末)

In this story, we include three popular HSK 3 words: “周末” (weekend), “打算” (plan), “游戏” (game), and “一直” (always). Using mostly HSK 2 vocabulary, this story is perfect for those just starting to study at the HSK 3 level. Join 小李 and his friends as they spend the weekend playing games and chatting, providing a natural context to practice these key words while building confidence in everyday conversation.

I'm Home! (我 到 家了!) Chinese Graded Reader HSK 2

I’m Home! (我 到 家了!)

In this story, we practice common Mandarin Chinese phrases suitable for daily conversation, such as “我 到 家 了!” (I’m home!), “你 在 做 什么? ” (What are you doing?), and “想不想 看 电视? ” (Do you want to watch TV?). These expressions are fundamental for engaging with native speakers and are presented here using only HSK 2 vocabulary. Practice these phrases and try incorporating them into your daily interactions to enhance your conversational skills.

Enjoy your meal (好好 吃 吧) - HSK 2 graded reader

Enjoy your meal (好好 吃 吧)

In Chinese, the phrase “好好” (hǎohāo) followed by a verb is used to emphasize doing something well, properly, or thoroughly. This construct encourages the listener to put in a good effort or to pay special attention to the action described by the verb. It is frequently used in daily conversation. Below are some examples to help you learn, practice, and incorporate this structure into your everyday interactions.

I'm taller than him - HSK 2 graded reader story

I’m Taller Than Him (我 比 他 高)

This story will assist you in using the word “比” (bǐ), meaning “than”. Understanding “比” is crucial in Chinese because it’s used for comparisons in daily conversations, allowing you to express differences and preferences more effectively, thus improving your overall language skills. This HSK 2 graded reader story presents various examples of the Chinese comparative word 比to illustrate its practical application in everyday situations.

所以 HSK 2 Graded Reader Story

So… (所以)

The word “所以” (suǒyǐ) translates to “so” or “therefore” and is a crucial connector in Mandarin Chinese, used to link cause and effect. It appears frequently in simple sentences such as “我 累 了,所以 我 要 睡觉” (I am tired, so I want to sleep) and “他 要 吃饭,所以 他 吃饭” (He is hungry, so he is eating). Mastering the use of “所以” can greatly enhance your ability to construct coherent and logical sentences in Mandarin, illustrating how actions and outcomes are related.

Time (shihou) - an HSK 1 dialog for graded readers.

When (Beijing)? (什么 时候?)

The word ‘时候‘ means time or moment and is commonly used in phrases such as ‘什么 时候‘ (when?), ‘那个时候’ (that time), and ‘这个时候’ (this time). Practicing these phrases will enhance your ability to discuss timings and specific moments in Mandarin, as demonstrated in the dialogue. Read through this conversation until you’re able to understand and speak it at normal conversational speed.

Chinese Graded Reader - I Like to Cook

I Like to Cook (我 喜欢 做饭)

In this story, we focus on the verb “to cook” (做), a key HSK 2 verb. It highlights daily cooking activities using terms like “cook” (做饭), “rice” (米饭), and “noodles” (面条). Other vocabulary includes “like” (喜欢), “fruit” (水果), and “eat” (吃). The narrative emphasizes the protagonist’s enjoyment from cooking, helping learners understand and use the verb 做 effectively. This Chinese graded reader story includes only words from the HSK 1 and HSK 2 vocabulary. You will not find any words included above the HSK 2 level.

Day of Rest - HSK 2 Chinese Graded Reader Story

Xiao Ming’s Day of Rest (小明的休息日)

In this story, the focus is on the verb “rest” (休息) from the HSK 2 vocabulary list. Through Xiao Ming’s journey from sickness to recovery, the story introduces and reinforces health-related terms such as “sick” (生病), “medicine” (吃药), and “hospital” (医院). This narrative is crafted to help learners understand and apply the concept of rest in practical, everyday contexts, enhancing their familiarity and fluency with this essential vocabulary.

Play Soccer Together - HSK 2 Graded Reader Story

Play Soccer Together (一起 踢足球)

In this story, we concentrate on the activity of playing soccer (踢足球), a prominent HSK 2 verb. It underlines outdoor sports using terms like “play soccer” (踢足球), “together” (一起), and “feel” (觉得). Other vocabulary includes “why” (为什么), “also” (也), and “very” (非常). The narrative showcases the characters’ enjoyment from engaging in sports together, helping learners understand and use the verb 踢足球 effectively.

Interesting Learning - An HSK 2 Graded Reader Story

Interesting Learning (有 意思 的 学习)

In this HSK 2 dialogue, we focus on the word 意思 (yìsi) meaning “meaning,” and its related terms 有意思 (yǒuyìsi) meaning “interesting,” and 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) used to apologize or express embarrassment. Xiao Ming describes a school activity as 有意思, showing his enthusiasm. He uses 不好意思 when he fails to understand his teacher. Additionally, 意思 is directly applied when Xiao Ming discusses learning the meanings of Chinese characters, illustrating the base use of the word in understanding and conveying “meaning” in conversation.

Chinese Graded Reader - My China Trip

My China Trip (我的 中国 旅游)

Here we practice reading some common HSK 2 words in a dialogue format, focusing on travel-related topics. Key terms include ‘travel’ (旅游), ‘airplane’ (飞机), and ‘Beijing’ (北京). The story also incorporates frequently used words such as ‘happy’ (高兴), ‘like’ (喜欢), and ‘thing’ (东西), enhancing vocabulary through engaging conversation.

Chinese Graded Reader - I Like to Exercise

I Like to Exercise (我 喜欢 运动)

This story offers practice with HSK 2 vocabulary focused on the word for ‘exercise’ (运动, yùndòng). It includes other words such as ‘run’ (跑步), ‘rest’ (休息), ‘friends’ (朋友们), ‘school’ (学校), and ‘soccer’ (踢足球), helping learners to understand simple sentences about daily routines and physical activities.

My Family - An HSK 1 Chinese Graded Reader Story

A Day in the Family (一天 和 家人)

This story provides practice in reading basic HSK 1 words related to family members and common pronouns. The vocabulary focus includes ‘dad’ (爸爸), ‘son’ (儿子), ‘mom’ (妈妈), ‘daughter’ (女儿), ‘people’ (人), and pronouns such as ‘you’ (你), ‘he’ (他), ‘she’ (她), ‘I/me’ (我), ‘you (plural)’ (你们), ‘they (male or mixed)’ (他们), ‘they (female)’ (她们), and ‘we/us’ (我们).

Chinese Graded Reader - Why is This Man Running?

Why is This Man Running? (这个 男人 为什么 要跑)

In the HSK 2 story “Why is This Man Running?” (这个 男人 为什么 要跑), a woman in a park follows a man who is running. She discovers that he is searching for his lost keys. This story uses simple vocabulary and sentence structures, focusing on words related to actions, locations, and emotions, making it ideal for beginners to practice and improve their Mandarin reading skills.

Happy Day (快乐 的 一天)

This engaging narrative is crafted specifically for readers at the HSK 2 level and focuses extensively on time-related vocabulary such as “时间” (time), “小时” (hour), “现在” (now), and “中午” (noon), among others. By embedding these essential words in a daily context, the story offers a practical and immersive way to enhance reading skills and reinforce understanding of common time expressions used in everyday Chinese conversation. Following Xiaoming as he plans and enjoys activities with his friends from morning to afternoon, the story is structured around various time checkpoints, introducing learners to the usage of time words in multiple contexts. This approach not only boosts vocabulary related to time but also solidifies language skills, making the learning process both educational and enjoyable.

Li Lei and His New Friend (李雷 和 他的 新 朋友)

This engaging story is tailored for learners at the HSK 2 level, making it perfect for beginners. The story follows a young boy, Li Lei, as he enjoys simple adventures with his dog, Heihei, and a new cat friend. The narrative integrates basic sentence structures and common phrases, enhancing reading fluency, grammar comprehension, and vocabulary retention in a meaningful context, providing an enjoyable learning experience.