Mandarin Minutes

Podcasts Worksheets Reader
三
Podcasts Worksheets Reader
wàipó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
tóngnián
童年
childhood
-
：
:
xìshǔ
细数
recount
nàxiē nián
那些年
those years
tā
她
she
chīguò
吃过
endured
de
的
's
kǔ
苦
hardships
Grandma's Childhood: Recounting her Hardships
2025年5月4日
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Show word translation
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dàjiā
大家
everyone
hǎo
好
hello
-
，
,
huānyíng
欢迎
welcome
shōutīng
收听
listen
-
Mandarin
Mandarin
-
-
Minutes
Minutes
zhōngwén
中文
Chinese
shífēn
时分
minutes
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
shì
是
am
zhǔchírén
主持人
host
Chǔ Yùn
楚韵
Chuyun
-
。
.
Hello everyone, welcome to Mandarin Minutes. I am your host, Chuyun.


wǒ
我
I
xiān
先
first
lái
来
come
jièshào
介绍
introduce
yíxià
一下
a bit
wǒ
我
myself
zìjǐ
自己
myself
-
：
:
wǒ
我
I
rénshēng
人生
life
de
的
of
qián
前
first
shí liù
16
16
nián
年
years
shì
是
was
zài
在
at
Zhèjiāng
浙江
Zhejiang
Yúyáo
余姚
Yuyao
dùguò
度过
spent
de
的
of
-
，
,
zhīhòu
之后
after
bāndào
搬到
moved to
le
了
(completion)
jiānádà
加拿大
Canada
Duōlúnduō
多伦多
Toronto
dúshū
读书
study
-
，
,
gōngzuò
工作
work
-
。
.
xiànzài
现在
now
cóngshì
从事
engaged in
chéngxùyuán
程序员
programmer
de
的
of
gōngzuò
工作
work
-
。
.
jǐ nián qián
几年前
a few years ago
wǒ de
我的
my
duìxiàng
对象
partner
xiǎng
想
wanted
xué
学
learn
zhōngwén
中文
Chinese
-
，
,
suǒyǐ
所以
so
wǒ
我
I
zuòle
做了
made
yígè
一个
a
zìdòng
自动
automatic
shēngchéng
生成
generate
zìtiè
字帖
copybook
de
的
of
wǎngzhàn
网站
website
-
，
,
bāng
帮
help
tā
他
him
liànxí
练习
practice
xiězì
写字
writing characters
-
。
.
jǐ nián hòu
几年后
a few years later
-
，
,
suīrán
虽然
although
tā
他
he
méiyǒu
没有
didn't
jiānchí
坚持
persist
xué
学
learn
zhōngwén
中文
Chinese
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
yǒushí
有时
sometimes
huì
会
would
shōudào
收到
receive
yònghù
用户
user
de
的
of
láixìn
来信
messages
-
，
,
gàosù
告诉
tell
wǒ
我
me
zìtiè
字帖
copybook
wǎngzhàn
网站
website
hěn
很
very
yǒuyòng
有用
useful
-
。
.
yònghù
用户
user
de
的
of
láixìn
来信
messages
-
，
,
ràng
让
make
wǒ
我
me
gǎnjué
感觉
feel
wǒ
我
I
zài
在
am
gěi
给
give
zhège
这个
this
shìjiè
世界
world
gòngxiàn
贡献
contribute
wǒ
我
my
de
的
of
yí fèn
一份
a share
lìliàng
力量
strength
-
。
.
suǒyǐ
所以
so
-
，
,
jīnnián
今年
this year
wǒ
我
I
kāishǐ
开始
started
zuò
做
do
zhège
这个
this
xué
学
learn
zhōngwén
中文
Chinese
de
的
of
bōkè
播客
podcast
-
，
,
xīwàng
希望
hope
néng
能
can
chuánbō
传播
spread
zhōngguó
中国
China
yǔyán
语言
language
hé
和
and
zhōngguó
中国
Chinese
wénhuà
文化
culture
-
，
,
gěi
给
give
zhōngjí
中级
intermediate
de
的
of
zhōngwén
中文
Chinese
xuéshēng
学生
student
tígōng
提供
provide
yìxiē
一些
some
yǒuqù
有趣
interesting
de
的
of
tīnglì
听力
listening
liànxí
练习
practice
-
，
,
ràng
让
make
yǔyán
语言
language
xuéxí
学习
study
bú nàme
不那么
not so
kūzào
枯燥
dull
wúliáo
无聊
boring
-
。
.
tóngshí
同时
at the same time
-
，
,
zhège
这个
this
bōkè
播客
podcast
de
的
of
yǔ sù
语速
speech speed
bǐjiào
比较
relatively
màn
慢
slow
-
，
,
gěi
给
give
nǐ
你
you
sīkǎo
思考
think
de
的
of
shíjiān
时间
time
-
。
.
yùdào
遇到
come across
bǐjiào
比较
relatively
nán
难
difficult
de
的
of
cíyǔ
词语
words
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
yě
也
also
huì
会
will
jiěshì
解释
explain
yíxià
一下
a bit
-
。
.
Let me introduce myself first: I spent the first 16 years of my life in Yuyao, Zhejiang. After that, I moved to Toronto, Canada, to study and work. I currently work as a software developer. A few years ago, my partner wanted to learn Mandarin, so I made a website for automatically generating worksheets to help him practice writing characters. A few years later, although he did not persist in learning Chinese, I sometimes receive messages from users telling me that the worksheets are very useful. The users' messages make me feel that I am contributing my part to the world. So this year, I started making this Mandarin-learning podcast, with the hope to spread the Chinese language and culture and provide some interesting listening practice for intermediate Mandarin students, and make language learning less dull and boring. At the same time, the speed of this podcast is relatively slow, giving you time to think. When there are difficult words, I will also give explanations.


rúguǒ
如果
if
nǐ
你
you
zài
在
at
tīng
听
listen
zhège
这个
this
bōkè
播客
podcast
de
的
of
shíhou
时候
when
juéde
觉得
feel
bú tài
不太
not quite
míngbai
明白
understand
-
，
,
nǐ
你
you
kěyǐ
可以
can
shàng
上
go to
zhège
这个
this
bōkè
播客
podcast
de
的
of
wǎngzhàn
网站
website
-
mandarinminutes.com
mandarinminutes.com
-
，
,
zài
在
at
zhège
这个
this
wǎngzhàn
网站
website
shàng
上
on
wǒ
我
I
fàngle
放了
put
měi
每
each
jí
集
episode
bōkè
播客
podcast
de
的
of
wéngǎo
文稿
transcript
-
。
.
zhège
这个
this
wéngǎo
文稿
transcript
yǒu
有
has
zhúzì
逐字
word-by-word
de
的
of
pīnyīn
拼音
pinyin
hé
和
and
yīngwén
英文
English
fānyì
翻译
translation
-
。
.
-
mandarinminutes.com
mandarinminutes.com
shàng
上
on
hái
还
also
pèiyǒu
配有
comes with
yígè
一个
a
yuèdúqì
阅读器
reader
gōngnéng
功能
function
-
，
,
nǐ
你
you
kěyǐ
可以
can
shūrù
输入
enter
nǐ
你
you
xiǎng
想
want
yándú
研读
study
de
的
of
wénzì
文字
text
-
，
,
yuèdúqì
阅读器
reader
jiù
就
then
kěyǐ
可以
can
shēngchéng
生成
generate
pīnyīn
拼音
pinyin
hé
和
and
fānyì
翻译
translation
-
，
,
jiāshēn
加深
deepen
nǐ
你
your
de
的
of
lǐjiě
理解
understanding
-
。
.
If you don't quite understand this podcast, you can visit the podcast's website mandarinminutes.com, where I post the transcripts for each episode. The transcript includes word-by-word pinyin and English translations. There's also a reader function on mandarinminutes.com, where you can enter the text you want to study, and the reader will generate pinyin and translation to deepen your understanding.
zài
在
in
zhè yì jí
这一集
this episode
bōkè
播客
podcast
hé
和
and
zhīhòu
之后
after
jǐ
几
several
jí
集
episode
bōkè
播客
podcast
lǐ
里
in
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
xiǎng
想
want
jiǎng
讲
talk about
de
的
of
shì
是
is
wǒ
我
my
jiā
家
family
jǐ dài rén
几代人
several generations
bù tóng
不同
different
de
的
of
tóngnián
童年
childhood
-
。
.
xiān
先
first
jiǎng
讲
talk about
wǒ
我
my
de
的
of
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
-
，
,
zài
再
then
jiǎng
讲
talk about
wǒ
我
my
de
的
of
māma
妈妈
mother
-
，
,
wǒ
我
my
de
的
of
biǎojiě
表姐
older female cousin
-
，
,
háiyǒu
还有
and also
wǒ
我
I
zìjǐ
自己
self
-
。
.
wǒ de
我的
my
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
shì
是
is
wǔ líng
50
fifty
hòu
后
after (generation)
-
，
,
tā
她
she
shì
是
is
yī jiǔ wǔ líng
1950
1950
nián
年
year
hé
和
and
yī jiǔ liù líng
1960
1960
nián
年
year
zhījiān
之间
between
chūshēng
出生
born
de
的
of
-
。
.
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mother
shì
是
is
qī líng
70
seventy
hòu
后
after (generation)
-
，
,
wǒ
我
my
biǎojiě
表姐
cousin (older female)
shì
是
is
bā líng
80
eighty
hòu
后
after (generation)
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
shì
是
am
jiǔ líng
90
ninety
hòu
后
after (generation)
-
。
.
In this episode and the next few episodes of the podcast, I will talk about the childhoods among different generations in my family. I'll first talk about my grandmother, then my mother, my cousin, and myself. My grandmother is from the '50s generation; she was born between 1950 and 1960. My mother is from the '70s, my cousin is from the '80s, and I am from the '90s.
wèi le
为了
for
zuò
做
make
zhè jí
这集
this episode
bōkè
播客
podcast
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
bōtōng le
拨通了
called
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
de
的
of
diànhuà
电话
phone
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
xiān
先
first
shǔluò
数落
criticize
wǒ
我
me
sān shí
30
thirty
suì
岁
years old
le
了
already
jūrán
居然
actually
hái
还
still
méi
没
not yet
jiéhūn
结婚
married
-
。
.
dànshì
但是
but
wǒ
我
I
míngmíng
明明
clearly
cái
才
only
èr bā
28
twenty-eight
suì
岁
years old
-
。
.
wǒmen
我们
we
nàlǐ
那里
there
rén
人
people
xǐhuān
喜欢
like
yòng
用
to use
xūsuì
虚岁
xu sui age
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
gěi
给
give/to
bù dǒng
不懂
don't understand
xūsuì
虚岁
xu sui
de
的
of
péngyǒu men
朋友们
friends
jiěshì yíxià
解释一下
explain
-
。
.
xūsuì
虚岁
xu sui
de
的
of
fāngfǎ
方法
method
shì
是
is
cóng
从
from
mǔqīn
母亲
mother
de
的
of
dùzili
肚子里
womb
chūshēng
出生
to be born
jiù
就
then
suàn
算
count as
yí
一
one
suì
岁
year old
-
，
,
zhīhòu
之后
after
měi dào
每到
every
nónglì xīnnián
农历新年
Lunisolar New Year
jiā
加
add
yí
一
one
suì
岁
year
-
。
.
suǒyǐ
所以
so
xūsuì
虚岁
xu sui
huì
会
will
bǐ
比
than
zhōusuì
周岁
actual age
dà
大
larger
yī dào liǎng
一到两
one to two
suì
岁
years
-
。
.
àn
按
according to
zhōusuì
周岁
actual age
suàn
算
count
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
shì
是
am
èrshíbā
28
twenty-eight
suì
岁
years old
-
。
.
To make this episode, I called my grandmother. My grandmother first criticized me for not being married at 30. But I'm actually only 28. People from where I'm from like to use "xu sui" for age. Let me explain "xu sui" to whom don't know already know it. With "xu sui", babies are one year old as soon as they are born, and then you would add a year for every Lunisolar New Year. So "xu sui" could be either one or two years older than your actual age. By actual age, I'm 28.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
jiēzhe
接着
then
shuō
说
said
wǒ
我
me
qìsè
气色
complexion
chà
差
bad
-
，
,
miànsè
面色
face color
làhuáng
蜡黄
wax yellow
-
，
,
wèn
问
asked
wǒ
我
me
shì bú shì
是不是
is it
tiāntiān
天天
every day
áoyè
熬夜
stay up late
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
xīnxiǎng
心想
think
wǒ
我
I
míngmíng
明明
clearly
shì
是
am
huáng zhǒng rén
黄种人
Asian (yellow race)
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
bù
不
not
huáng
黄
yellow
-
，
,
shéi
谁
who
huáng
黄
yellow
-
。
.
Grandma then said I looked unhealthy, my face was wax yellow, and asked if I stayed up late every day. I thought to myself, as an Asian person, if I'm not yellow, who is?
ránhòu
然后
then
wàipó
外婆
grandma
yòu
又
again
jiàoyù
教育
educated
yào
要
should
gěi
给
give
wǒ
我
my
de
的
of
liǎng zhī
两只
two
māo
猫
cats
yí gè yuè
一个月
a month
xǐ yí cì zǎo
洗一次澡
bathe once
-
，
,
bùrán
不然
otherwise
māo māo
猫猫
cats
tài
太
too
zāng
脏
dirty
-
。
.
Then Grandma instructed me to bathe my two cats once a month, otherwise they would be too dirty.
shuō wán le
说完了
after speaking
zhèxiē
这些
these
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
zhōngyú
终于
finally
tóngyì
同意
agreed
jiǎng jiǎng
讲讲
talk
tā
她
her
xiǎoshíhou
小时候
childhood
de
的
of
gùshì
故事
story
-
。
.
After all this, Grandma finally agreed to talk about her childhood stories.


wǒ de
我的
my
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
yī jiǔ wǔ líng
1950
1950
nián
年
year
chūshēng
出生
born
zài
在
in
Jiāngsū
江苏
Jiangsu
yí gè
一个
a
fēicháng
非常
very
pínqióng
贫穷
poor
de
的
of
nóngmín
农民
farmer
jiātíng
家庭
family
-
。
.
jiā zhōng
家中
in the family
yǒu
有
have
liù
六
six
gè
个
(classifier)
xiǎohái
小孩
child
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
shì
是
is
lǎosān
老三
the third child
-
。
.
My grandmother was born in 1950 into a very poor farming family in Jiangsu. There were six children in the family, with my grandmother being the third child.
yì jiā
一家
a family
bā kǒu rén
八口人
eight people
zhù zài
住在
live in
yí gè
一个
a
máocǎowū
茅草屋
thatched house
lǐ
里
inside
-
。
.
wàipó de
外婆的
grandmother's
bàba
爸爸
father
māma
妈妈
mother
méi qián
没钱
no money
mǎi
买
buy
wǎpiàn
瓦片
tile
zuò
做
make
wūdǐng
屋顶
roof
-
，
,
suǒyǐ
所以
so
wūdǐng
屋顶
roof
shì
是
is
dàocǎo
稻草
straw
zuò de
做的
made of
-
。
.
yǒushíhou
有时候
sometimes
-
，
,
wàimiàn
外面
outside
xià dàyǔ
下大雨
rain heavily
-
，
,
wū lǐmiàn
屋里面
inside the house
jiù
就
then
xià xiǎoyǔ
下小雨
rained a little
-
。
.
qiáng
墙
wall
shì
是
is
zhúbǎn
竹板
bamboo board
húzhe
糊着
cover
ní
泥
mud
-
。
.
liǎng cì
两次
two times
tiānqì
天气
weather
bù hǎo
不好
not good
-
，
,
guā dàfēng
刮大风
blow strong wind
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
fángzi
房子
house
bù
不
not
láogù
牢固
stable
-
，
,
dǎo le
倒了
collapsed
liǎng cì
两次
two times
-
。
.
jiālǐ
家里
at home
yě
也
also
méiyǒu
没有
no
chuáng
床
bed
-
，
,
dàjiā
大家
everyone
jiù
就
then
shuì zài
睡在
sleep on
dàocǎo
稻草
straw
hé
和
and
yùmǐ gǎnzi
玉米杆子
corn stalk
shàng
上
on
-
。
.
The family of eight lived in a thatched house. My grandmother’s parents didn’t have money to buy roof tiles, so the roof was made of straw. Sometimes, when it rained heavily outside, it would rain lightly inside. The walls were bamboo boards covered with mud. Twice, when the weather was bad and the wind was strong, the unstable house collapsed. There were no beds at home either, so everyone slept on straw and corn stalks.
wàipó de
外婆的
grandmother's
bàba māma
爸爸妈妈
parents
dōu
都
all
méiyǒu
没有
not
shàng guò
上过
gone to
xué
学
school
-
。
.
zài
在
in
Zhōngguó
中国
China
-
，
,
méi shàng guò xué
没上过学
not gone to school
de
的
of
rén
人
people
bù
不
not
shízì
识字
literate
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
sì suì
四岁
four years old
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
tā
她
she
bàba
爸爸
father
zài
在
at
shítáng
食堂
cafeteria
dāng
当
work as
chúzi
厨子
cook
-
。
.
yīnwèi
因为
because
jiālǐ
家里
at home
lǎopó
老婆
wife
háizi
孩子
children
dōu
都
all
chī bù bǎo
吃不饱
not full
-
，
,
dāng chúzi de
当厨子的
as a cook
bàba
爸爸
father
zài
在
in
shítáng
食堂
cafeteria
shāo
烧
cook
wǎnfàn
晚饭
dinner
hòu
后
after
-
，
,
dàguō lǐ
大锅里
in the big pot
huì shèngxià
会剩下
would be left
yìxiē
一些
some
màihú
麦糊
wheat porridge
-
，
,
tā
他
he
tōutōude
偷偷地
secretly
bǎ
把
take
màihú
麦糊
wheat porridge
bāo qǐlái
包起来
wrap up
-
，
,
dài huíjiā
带回家
bring home
-
。
.
Both of my grandmother’s parents never went to school. In China, people who have never gone to school can’t read. When my grandmother was four, her father worked as a cook in a cafeteria. Because his wife and children at home were all hungry, after cooking dinner in the cafeteria, the father would secretly pack some leftover wheat porridge and bring it home.
yī jiǔ wǔ bā nián
1958年
1958
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
bā suì
八岁
eight years old
le
了
-
-
，
,
dà yuè jìn
大跃进
Great Leap Forward
yě
也
also
kāishǐ
开始
began
le
了
-
-
。
.
yīngwén
英文
English
lǐ
里
in
zhè ge
这个
this
yùndòng
运动
movement
jiàozuò
叫做
called
-
The Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap Forward
-
。
.
gòngchǎndǎng
共产党
Communist Party
bǎ
把
take
rénmen de
人们的
people's
tián
田
field
hé
和
and
jiālǐ
家里
at home
suǒyǒu
所有
all
zhíqián
值钱
valuable
de
的
of
dōngxi
东西
things
dōu
都
all
shōu zǒu le
收走了
took away
-
，
,
lián
连
even
jiālǐ de
家里的
family's
liángshi
粮食
grain
yě
也
also
dōu
都
all
mòshōu le
没收了
confiscated
-
。
.
zhèngfǔ
政府
government
xīwàng
希望
hope
guójiā
国家
country
hěn kuài
很快
quickly
fùqiáng
富强
prosperous
qǐlái
起来
become
-
，
,
tèbié shì
特别是
especially
xiǎng
想
want
zài
在
in
nóngyè
农业
agriculture
hé
和
and
gōngyè
工业
industry
fāngmiàn
方面
aspect
chāoguò
超过
surpass
xīfāng guójiā
西方国家
Western countries
-
。
.
wèile
为了
for
zhè ge
这个
this
mùbiāo
目标
goal
-
，
,
zhèngfǔ
政府
government
ràng
让
let
nóngmín
农民
farmers
yìqǐ
一起
together
shēnghuó
生活
live
hé
和
and
gōngzuò
工作
work
-
，
,
jiànlì le
建立了
set up
hěn duō
很多
many
-
“
“
rénmín gōngshè
人民公社
People’s Commune
-
”
”
lái
来
to
guǎnlǐ
管理
manage
nóngmín
农民
farmers
-
。
.
yǐhòu
以后
after
-
，
,
rénmen
人们
people
chī de
吃的
eat
shíwù
食物
food
yě
也
also
yào
要
need
kào
靠
depend on
rénmín gōngshè
人民公社
People’s Commune
fēnpèi
分配
distribute
-
。
.
In 1958, when my grandmother was eight, the Great Leap Forward began. In English, this movement is called The Great Leap Forward. The Communist Party took people’s fields and confiscated all valuable things at home, even families’ food. The government hoped that the country would become prosperous quickly, especially hoping to surpass Western countries in agriculture and industry. For this goal, the government made farmers live and work together, and set up many 'People’s Communes' to manage them. After that, the food people ate was also distributed by the People’s Communes.


wàipó
外婆
grandma
cóngméi
从没
never
shàngguò
上过
attended
xué
学
school
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
wèn
问
ask
tā
她
her
dà yuè jìn
大跃进
Great Leap Forward
de
的
's
yìxiē
一些
some
xìjié
细节
details
-
，
,
tā
她
she
yě
也
also
dá bú shàng lái
答不上来
couldn't answer
-
。
.
tā
她
she
xiǎo shí hòu
小时候
when was little
tīng
听
heard
dà rén
大人
adults
de
的
of
shuō fǎ
说法
saying
-
，
,
zhǐ
只
only
zhī dào
知道
knew
-
“
'
jiě fàng
解放
liberation
-
”
'
le
了
(particle)
-
，
,
cóng cǐ
从此
from then on
yì jiā rén
一家人
the whole family
dōu
都
all
yào
要
must
wèi
为
for
nóng cūn
农村
countryside
lǐ
里
in
de
的
of
shēng chǎn duì
生产队
production team
gàn huó
干活
work
-
。
.
měi gè rén
每个人
everyone
gēn jù
根据
according to
néng gàn
能干
can work
duōshǎo
多少
how much
huó
活
(work)
-
、
,
gàn de hǎo bù hǎo
干得好不好
how well
-
，
,
huì
会
would
dé dào
得到
get
yídìng de
一定的
certain
-
“
'
gōng fēn
工分
work points
-
”
'
-
，
,
děng yú
等于
equals
yí gè
一个
a
-
credit system
credit system
-
。
.
gōng fēn duō
工分多
more work points
de
的
(person)
rén
人
person
-
，
,
fēn dào
分到
assigned
de
的
of
liáng shí
粮食
grain
hé
和
and
dōng xī
东西
things
jiù
就
then
duō
多
more
-
；
;
gōng fēn shǎo
工分少
fewer work points
de
的
(person)
rén
人
person
-
，
,
fēn dào de
分到的
assigned
jiù
就
then
shǎo
少
less
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
bā suì
八岁
eight
de
的
's
shí hòu
时候
when
-
，
,
gàn huó
干活
working
gàn yì tiān
干一天
whole day
zhǐ yǒu
只有
only
liǎng fēn
两分
two points
-
。
.
liǎng fēn gōng
两分工
two points
dà gài
大概
about
zhuǎn huàn chéng
转换成
converted to
bú dào
不到
less than
yì jiǎo rén mín bì
一角人民币
a dime in RMB
-
。
.
tā de
她的
her
bà ba
爸爸
father
gàn yì tiān
干一天
work a day
nóng huó
农活
farm work
néng
能
could
fēn dào
分到
earn
shí fēn
十分
ten points
-
。
.
shí fēn
十分
ten points
shì
是
is
sān jiǎo wǔ fēn rén mín bì
3角5分人民币
35 cents RMB
-
。
.
lǎo rén
老人
elderly
yì tiān
一天
one day
liù fēn
六分
six points
-
。
.
Grandma never attended school. When I asked her about some details of the Great Leap Forward, she couldn't answer. When she was little, she only knew from what adults said that after 'liberation', everyone in her family had to work for the production team in the countryside. Everyone would earn certain 'work points', depending on how much and how well they worked—like a credit system. Those with more work points got more food and things; those with fewer got less. When Grandma was eight, she got only two points for a full day’s work. Two points converted to less than a dime in RMB. Her father would earn ten points for a day of farm work. Ten points were 35 cents RMB. The elderly got six points a day.
zài tián lǐ
在田里
in the field
de
的
's
rì zi
日子
days
-
，
,
wài pó
外婆
grandma
měi tiān
每天
every day
zǎo shàng
早上
morning
liù diǎn duō
6点多
after 6
qǐ chuáng
起床
get up
-
，
,
bàng wǎn
傍晚
evening
qī diǎn
7点
seven
huí dào jiā
回到家
return home
-
。
.
suí zhe
随着
with
jì jié
季节
season
biàn huà
变化
change
-
，
,
wài pó
外婆
grandma
fān tǔ
翻土
plow
-
，
,
bō zhǒng
播种
sow
yù mǐ
玉米
corn
-
，
,
fān shǔ
番薯
sweet potatoes
-
，
,
qiáo mài
荞麦
buckwheat
-
，
,
xiǎo mài
小麦
wheat
-
，
,
yóu mài
油麦
lettuce
-
，
,
dà mài
大麦
barley
-
，
,
huā shēng
花生
peanut
-
，
,
dà dòu
大豆
soybeans
-
，
,
cán dòu
蚕豆
broad beans
-
，
,
děng děng
等等
etc.
-
。
.
dāng shí
当时
at that time
de
的
's
rén men
人们
people
méi yǒu
没有
did not have
mǎ tǒng
马桶
toilets
-
，
,
shàng cè suǒ
上厕所
go to bathroom
yòng
用
use
de
的
was
shì
是
is
gōng gòng
公共
public
fèn gāng
粪缸
manure vat
-
。
.
zhè gè
这个
this
gāng
缸
vat
shì
是
is
zài
在
at
yí gè
一个
a
lù tiān
露天
open air
de
的
's
péng zi
棚子
shed
lǐ
里
in
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
chū zhōng
初中
middle school
de
的
's
shí hòu
时候
when
kàn guò
看过
read
yì běn
一本
a
shū
书
book
jiào zuò
叫做
called
-
《
'
huó zhe
活着
To Live
-
》
'
-
，
,
shū
书
book
de
的
's
qíng jié
情节
plot
wǒ
我
I
dōu
都
all
bú jì dé
不记得
don't remember
le
了
(particle)
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
zhǐ jì dé
只记得
only remember
shū zhōng
书中
in the book
yí gè
一个
a
rén wù
人物
character
zài
在
while
shàng cè suǒ
上厕所
using the toilet
de
的
's
shí hòu
时候
when
-
，
,
diào jìn le
掉进了
fell into
fèn gāng
粪缸
manure vat
-
，
,
yān sǐ le
淹死了
drowned
-
。
.
měi gè yuè
每个月
every month
liǎng cì
两次
twice
-
，
,
wài pó
外婆
grandma
cóng
从
from
fèn gāng
粪缸
manure vat
lǐ
里
inside
tiāo chū
挑出
carry out
yǒu jī féi liào
有机肥料
organic fertilizer
-
，
,
zǒu
走
walk
hěn yuǎn de lù
很远的路
long way
-
，
,
zài
再
then
bǎ
把
take
féi liào
肥料
fertilizer
dào dào
倒到
dump
tián lǐ
田里
field
-
，
,
ràng
让
let
tǔ rǎng
土壤
soil
gèng jiā
更加
more
yǒu yíng yǎng
有营养
nutritious
-
。
.
chú le
除了
besides
zhè gè
这个
this
yǐ wài
以外
except
-
，
,
rén men
人们
people
jiā lǐ
家里
in home
shāo chái
烧柴
burn wood
shèng xià de
剩下的
left over
huī
灰
ashes
yě
也
also
kě yǐ
可以
can
yòng lái
用来
be used
shī féi
施肥
fertilize
-
。
.
During her days in the field, Grandma got up a bit after 6 am and returned home at 7 pm. As seasons changed, she plowed and sowed corn, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, wheat, lettuce, barley, peanuts, soybeans, broad beans, and more. People didn’t have toilets back then; for bathrooms, they used public outhouse vats. These vats were under open shed roofs. When I was in middle school, I read a book called 'To Live." I don’t remember any plot, only that a character drowned in a vat while using the toilet. Twice a month, Grandma would carry out organic fertilizer from the toilet vat, walk a long way, then dump it in the fields to enrich the soil. Besides this, the ashes left over from burning wood at home were also be used as fertilizer.
nà duàn shí jiān
那段时间
that period
-
，
,
wèi le
为了
to
zēng jiā
增加
increase
gēng dì
耕地
arable land
miàn jī
面积
area
-
，
,
kě yǐ
可以
can
zhòng zhí
种植
plant
gèng duō de
更多的
more
zhuāng jia
庄稼
crops
-
，
,
shēng chǎn duì
生产队
production team
jué dìng
决定
decided
bǎ
把
take
hé biān
河边
river side
de
的
's
làn ní dì
烂泥地
muddy ground
yě
也
also
kāi fā
开发
develop
lái
来
for
zhòng zhuāng jia
种庄稼
growing crops
-
。
.
yīn wèi
因为
because
làn ní dì
烂泥地
muddy ground
tài
太
too
cháo shī
潮湿
wet
-
，
,
zhí wù
植物
plants
róng yì
容易
easily
làn diào
烂掉
rot
-
，
,
suǒ yǐ
所以
so
shēng chǎn duì
生产队
production team
ān pái
安排
assigned
nóng mín
农民
farmers
bǎ
把
take
làn ní
烂泥
mud
dōu
都
all
wā diào
挖掉
dig out
-
。
.
shēng chǎn duì lǐ
生产队里
in the team
de
的
's
nǚ rén
女人
women
tiāo bú dòng
挑不动
couldn't carry
làn ní
烂泥
mud
-
，
,
zhǐ hǎo
只好
could only
pái chéng duì
排成队
line up
-
，
,
bǎ
把
take
làn ní
烂泥
mud
chuán gěi
传给
hand to
xià yí gè rén
下一个人
next
-
。
.
During that time, to increase arable land for more crops, the production team decided to use even the muddy ground by the river. Because the muddy ground was too wet, resulting in plants rotting, the production team assigned farmers to remove the mud. Women in the team couldn't carry the heavy mud, so they lined up and handed the mud down from one to the next.
wǒ wèn
我问
I ask
wài pó
外婆
grandma
xiǎo shí hòu
小时候
when young
yǒu
有
have
méi yǒu
没有
no
jī huì
机会
chance
chī ròu
吃肉
eat meat
-
，
,
tā huí dá
她回答
she replied
shuō
说
say
yǒu shí
有时
sometimes
guò nián
过年
New Year
kě yǐ
可以
can
chī yí cì
吃一次
eat once
zhū ròu
猪肉
pork
-
。
.
I asked if Grandma had a chance to eat meat as a child. She said sometimes they could have pork once a year on Chinese New Year.
yǒu
有
have
yí cì
一次
once
guò nián
过年
New Year
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
māma
妈妈
mother
bǎ
把
put
zhūròu
猪肉
pork
hé
和
and
yóudòufu
油豆腐
fried tofu
shāo
烧
cook
zài
在
at
yìqǐ
一起
together
-
。
.
yīnwèi
因为
because
tāmen
他们
they
bù shěde
不舍得
couldn't bear
yì
一
one
cān fàn
餐饭
meal
jiù
就
just
bǎ
把
put
ròu
肉
meat
dōu
都
all
chī
吃
eat
wánle
完了
finish
-
，
,
suǒyǐ
所以
so
wǎnfàn
晚饭
dinner
hòu
后
after
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
māma
妈妈
mother
yòng
用
use
shéngzi
绳子
rope
bǎ
把
put
wǎn
碗
bowl
diào
吊
hang
zài
在
at
wūliáng
屋梁
roof beam
shàng
上
on
-
，
,
jiùshì
就是
that is
tiānhuābǎn
天花板
ceiling
shàng
上
on
-
，
,
xiǎohái
小孩
children
hé
和
and
lǎoshǔ
老鼠
mouse
jiù
就
just
bùnéng
不能
cannot
tōuchī
偷吃
steal eat
le
了
.
dànshì
但是
but
jiālǐ
家里
at home
de
的
's
xiǎohái
小孩
children
chán de hěn
馋得很
greedy
-
。
.
nà tiān
那天
that day
wǎnshàng
晚上
night
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
hé
和
and
tā
她
her
de
的
's
xiōngdì
兄弟
brother
jiěmèi men
姐妹们
siblings
cǎizhe
踩着
stepped
dèngzi
凳子
stool
-
，
,
mō dào le
摸到了
reached
wǎn
碗
bowl
-
，
,
měi rén
每人
each
dōu
都
all
tōu chī le
偷吃了
stole
yí kuài
一块
one piece
ròu
肉
meat
-
。
.
dànshì
但是
but
cóng
从
from
dèngzi
凳子
stool
shàng
上
on
xià lái de
下来的
getting down
shíhou
时候
time
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
shuāi le
摔了
fell
yì jiāo
一跤
one fall
-
，
,
lā dào le
拉到了
pulled
wǎn
碗
bowl
-
。
.
jiéjú shì
结局是
the result was
shéngzi
绳子
rope
duàn le
断了
broke
-
，
,
wǎn
碗
bowl
yě
也
also
qiāo suì le
敲碎了
shattered
-
，
,
ròu
肉
meat
hé
和
and
yóudòufu
油豆腐
fried tofu
dōu
都
all
dào zài le
倒在了
fell on
dì shàng
地上
ground
-
。
.
tāmen
他们
they
měi gè rén
每个人
everyone
dōu
都
all
bèi
被
by
māma
妈妈
mother
dǎ le
打了
beat
yí dùn
一顿
once
-
。
.
Once, during Chinese New Year, my grandma’s mother cooked pork and fried tofu together. Because they couldn't bring themselves to eat all the meat at once, after dinner, my grandma’s mother tied the bowl to the roof beam, that is, the ceiling, so that children and mice couldn’t steal it. But the children at home were craving it. That night, my grandma and her siblings stood on a stool, reached for the bowl, each stealing a piece of meat. But when getting off the stool, my grandma fell down and pulled the bowl. In the end, the rope broke, the bowl shattered, and the meat and fried tofu all fell to the ground. Every one of them got a beating from their mother.
zài
在
at
dàduì
大队
commune
lǐ
里
in
gàn huó
干活
work
de
的
's
rén
人
people
-
，
,
měitiān
每天
every day
kěyǐ
可以
can
zài
在
at
shítáng
食堂
canteen
chī fàn
吃饭
eat
-
。
.
wǔcān
午餐
lunch
chī
吃
eat
miàn
面
noodle
hé
和
and
mài hú
麦糊
wheat paste
-
，
,
wǎncān
晚餐
dinner
chī
吃
eat
zhōu
粥
porridge
-
。
.
zhuāngjia
庄稼
crop
yì nián
一年
one year
fēngshōu
丰收
harvest
sì cì
四次
four times
-
，
,
gōngfēn
工分
work point
duō de rénjiā
多的人家
more family
duō
多
give more
fēn dào
分到
receive
yìxiē
一些
some
liángshi
粮食
grain
-
，
,
gōngfēn
工分
work point
shǎo de rénjiā
少的人家
fewer family
shǎo
少
less
yìxiē
一些
some
-
。
.
dàdòu
大豆
soybean
shú le
熟了
ripe
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
wàipó jiā
外婆家
grandma's family
huì
会
would
fēndào
分到
receive
yì lán
一篮
one basket
dòu
豆
beans
-
。
.
yùmǐ
玉米
corn
fēngshōu
丰收
harvest
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
wàipó jiā
外婆家
grandma's family
shōudào
收到
received
yì lán
一篮
one basket
yùmǐ
玉米
corn
-
。
.
dàyuèjìn
大跃进
Great Leap Forward
yì kāishǐ
一开始
at first
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
shítáng
食堂
canteen
bú yòng
不用
not required
fùfèi
付费
pay
-
。
.
suīrán
虽然
although
wèi
为
for
shēngchǎn duì
生产队
production team
gànhuó de rén
干活的人
workers
kěyǐ
可以
can
zài
在
at
shítáng
食堂
canteen
chī fàn
吃饭
eat
-
，
,
lǎorén
老人
old people
-
，
,
xiǎohái
小孩
children
-
，
,
bìngrén
病人
sick people
-
，
,
jiù
就
just
méi nàme xìngyùn le
没那么幸运了
not so lucky
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
bàba
爸爸
father
zài
在
at
dàyuèjìn
大跃进
Great Leap Forward
zhīhòu
之后
after
jǐ nián
几年
several years
shēng bìng le
生病了
got sick
-
，
,
zài
再
again
méiyǒu
没有
not
lìqi
力气
strength
zhòng tián
种田
farm
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
mèimei
妹妹
younger sister
hái
还
still
xiǎo
小
small
-
，
,
tiánlǐ
田里
in the field
hái
还
still
bāng bú shàng máng
帮不上忙
cannot help
-
。
.
shítáng lǐ
食堂里
in the canteen
de
的
's
mài hú
麦糊
wheat paste
hé
和
and
zhōu
粥
congee
hěn
很
very
xī
稀
thin
-
，
,
dōu shì
都是
all
shuǐ
水
water
-
，
,
gēnběn
根本
at all
chī bù bǎo
吃不饱
can't get full
-
。
.
jiālǐ
家里
at home
de
的
's
gōngfēn
工分
work points
shǎo
少
few
-
，
,
liángshi
粮食
grain
fēndào
分到
share
yě
也
also
shǎo
少
little
-
。
.
People who worked in the commune could eat in the canteen every day. For lunch they ate noodles and wheat porridge, for dinner they had rice porridge. Crops were harvested four times a year, households with more work points received more food, those with fewer received less. When the soybeans ripened, Grandma’s family got a basket of soybeans. When corn was harvested, Grandma’s family got a basket of corn. When the Great Leap Forward started, the canteen was free. Although those who worked for the production team could eat in the canteen, old people, children, and the sick were not so lucky. Grandma's father became sick a few years after the Great Leap Forward and lost the strength to farm. Grandma’s younger sister was still young so she couldn’t help in the fields. The wheat porridge and rice porridge in the canteen were very thin, mostly water, and one could not get full. With few work points at home, little food was dispensed.
suīrán
虽然
although
zài
在
at
shítáng
食堂
canteen
de
的
's
jiārén
家人
family member
huì
会
will
jǐnliàng
尽量
as much as possible
shěngzhe chī
省着吃
save some
-
，
,
cángzhe
藏着
hide
dài huí jiā
带回家
bring home
yìxiē
一些
some
-
，
,
gěi
给
give
jiālǐ
家里
home
bù néng
不能
cannot
láodòng
劳动
work
de
的
's
bàba
爸爸
father
hé
和
and
niánjì hái hěn xiǎo
年纪还很小
very young
de
的
's
mèimei
妹妹
sister
chī
吃
eat
-
，
,
dàn
但
but
rìzi
日子
days
háishi
还是
still
hěn nán áo
很难熬
hard to bear
-
。
.
Although family members in the canteen tried their best to save and bring back some food home to give to their father who could not work and the very young sister, life was still hard to bear.
zài
在
at
wàipó
外婆
grandma
shí jǐ suì
十几岁
teens
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
tā
她
her
liù suì
六岁
six year old
de
的
's
mèimei
妹妹
sister
è sǐ le
饿死了
starved to death
-
。
.
When my grandma was in her teens, her six-year-old sister starved to death.
nà duàn shíjiān
那段时间
that time
-
，
,
quánguó
全国
the whole country
nóngyè shēngchǎn
农业生产
agricultural production
xiàjiàng
下降
declined
-
，
,
xiàng
像
like
wǒ de
我的
my
wàipó jiā
外婆家
grandma's family
yíyàng
一样
the same
-
，
,
zhōngguó gè dì
中国各地
all over China
dōu
都
all
méiyǒu
没有
not have
zúgòu de
足够的
enough
shíwù
食物
food
-
，
,
zài jiā shàng
再加上
plus
zìrán zāihài
自然灾害
natural disaster
-
，
,
rénmen
人们
people
dōu
都
all
chī bù bǎo
吃不饱
not have enough to eat
-
，
,
zhōngguó
中国
China
chūxiàn le
出现了
appeared
yánzhòng de
严重的
serious
jīhuāng
饥荒
famine
-
，
,
è sǐ le
饿死了
starved
jǐ qiān wàn rén
几千万人
tens of millions
-
。
.
During that time, agricultural production across the country declined, and just like my grandma’s family, there wasn’t enough food in many places in China. Combined with natural disasters, people didn’t have enough to eat, and China suffered a severe famine which killed tens of millions.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
zài
在
at
tiánlǐ
田里
in field
gàn huó
干活
worked
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
shì
是
was
yóu
由
by
shēngchǎn duì
生产队
production team
lǐ
里
in
de
的
's
gànbù
干部
cadre
guǎnzhe
管着
supervise
de
的
.
dà gànbù
大干部
big cadre
kāihuì
开会
meeting
-
，
,
xiǎo gànbù
小干部
small cadre
guǎn
管
manage
nóngcūn lǐ
农村里
in the countryside
de
的
's
rén
人
people
láodòng
劳动
work
-
。
.
suīrán
虽然
although
rénrén
人人
everyone
dōu
都
all
hěn qióng
很穷
poor
-
，
,
dànshì
但是
but
shēngchǎn duì
生产队
production team
lǐ
里
in
de
的
's
gànbù
干部
cadre
kěyǐ
可以
can
nádào
拿到
get
zúgòu de
足够的
enough
gōngfēn
工分
work point
-
，
,
kěyǐ
可以
can
bǎ
把
let
tāmen
他们
their
de
的
's
xiǎohái
小孩
children
sòng qù
送去
send
dúshū
读书
study
-
。
.
When grandma worked in the fields, she was under the supervision of the production team cadres. The senior cadres held meetings, whereas the junior cadres managed the villagers’ work. Even though everyone was poor, the cadres could get enough work points to send their children to school.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
shísān suì
十三岁
thirteen years old
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
tā de
她的
her
bàba
爸爸
father
shēntǐ
身体
body
tài chà
太差
too weak
-
，
,
bùnéng
不能
can't
zài
在
at
shēngchǎn duì
生产队
production team
zhuàn gōngfēn
赚工分
earn work points
-
，
,
dànshì
但是
but
jiālǐ
家里
at home
yòu
又
again
hěn quē qián
很缺钱
short of money
-
，
,
suǒyǐ
所以
so
kāishǐ
开始
began
mài lāji
卖垃圾
sell junk
-
。
.
tā
他
he
huíshōu
回收
collect
biéren
别人
other people
bú yào de
不要的
don't want
dōngxi
东西
thing
-
，
,
zài
再
again
bǎ
把
put
zhèxiē
这些
these
pò dōngxi
破东西
broken things
xiū xiū bǔ bǔ
修修补补
patch
-
，
,
dījià
低价
low price
màichū
卖出
sell
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
bàba
爸爸
father
bǎ
把
put
shōu lái
收来
collected
de
的
's
pòlàn
破烂
ragged
yīfu
衣服
clothes
dǎ shàng bǔdīng
打上补丁
patch
-
，
,
wǒ de
我的
my
wàipó
外婆
grandma
jiù néng
就能
can
bǎ
把
put
zhè jiàn
这件
this
yīfu
衣服
clothes
duō chuān jǐ nián
多穿几年
wear more years
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
chuān de xié
穿的鞋
wore shoes
-
，
,
yěshì
也是
also
tā de
她的
her
bàba
爸爸
father
shōu pòlàn
收破烂
collect junk
dé lái
得来
got
-
，
,
zài yóu
再由
then by
wàipó de
外婆的
grandma's
māma
妈妈
mother
dǎ hǎo bǔdīng
打好补丁
patch
-
，
,
xiū hǎo le xiédǐ
修好了鞋底
repair sole
-
。
.
liǎng zhī xiézi
两只鞋子
two shoes
yíyàng
一样
the same
yòu
又
again
bù yíyàng
不一样
different
-
：
:
liǎng zhī dōu
两只都
both
hěn pò
很破
ragged
-
，
,
dànshì
但是
but
yì zhī
一只
one
shì
是
is
fāng tóu
方头
square toe
-
，
,
yì zhī
一只
one
shì
是
is
yuán tóu
圆头
round toe
-
；
;
yì zhī
一只
one
shì
是
is
hóngsè
红色
red
-
，
,
yì zhī
一只
one
shì
是
is
lǜsè
绿色
green
-
；
;
yì zhī
一只
one
dà
大
big
-
，
,
yì zhī
一只
one
xiǎo
小
small
-
。
.
When Grandma was thirteen, her father was too weak to earn work points for the production team. The family was short on money so he began to sell junk. He collected things that others no longer wanted, fixed them up, and sold them cheaply. My grandma’s father collected and patched ragged clothes so my grandma could wear them for a few more years. The shoes my grandma wore were also collected by her father as junk and then mended by her mother. The two shoes were alike but not the same: both were ragged, but one was square-toed, the other was round-toed; one red, the other green; one big, one small.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
shíwǔ suì
十五岁
fifteen years old
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
tā de
她的
her
bàba māma
爸爸妈妈
parents
kāishǐ
开始
began
wèi
为
for
tā
她
her
xúnzhǎo
寻找
look for
jiéhūn duìxiàng
结婚对象
marriage partner
-
。
.
tāmen
他们
they
de
的
's
shǒuyào tiáojiàn
首要条件
main requirement
shì
是
is
xīwàng
希望
hope
wàipó
外婆
grandma
chūjià yǐhòu
出嫁以后
after marrying
kěyǐ
可以
can
chī de hǎo
吃得好
eat well
-
，
,
chuān de hǎo
穿得好
wear well
-
。
.
dāngshí
当时
at that time
de
的
's
hūnyīn
婚姻
marriage
dà duōshù
大多数
most
shì
是
is
yóu
由
by
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
jièshào de
介绍的
arranged
-
。
.
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
cóng
从
from
wǒ de
我的
my
wàigōng jiā
外公家
grandpa's family
shōuqǔ fèiyòng
收取费用
charge fee
-
，
,
bǎ
把
let
wàipó
外婆
grandma
jièshào gěi
介绍给
introduce to
wǒ de
我的
my
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
shíqī suì
十七岁
seventeen years old
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
yǔ
与
with
tā
她
her
bàba
爸爸
father
-
，
,
hái yǒu
还有
and
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
tà shàng le
踏上了
set foot on
qù
去
go to
wǒ wàigōng jiā
我外公家
grandpa's home
de
的
's
lù
路
way
-
。
.
When my grandma was fifteen, her parents began to look for her a marriage partner. Their main wish was that after marriage, my grandma could have enough to eat and wear. At that time, most marriages were arranged by matchmakers. The matchmaker took a fee from my grandpa’s family and introduced my grandma to my grandpa. When Grandma was seventeen, with her father and the matchmaker, she set out for my grandpa’s home.


tāmen
他们
they
xiān
先
first
cóng
从
from
Jiāngsū shěng
江苏省
Jiangsu Province
Tàixīng shì
泰兴市
Taixing City
chéng
乘
take
dàbāchē
大巴车
coach
dào
到
to
Chángjiāng
长江
Yangtze River
běimiàn
北面
north
-
，
,
jiēzhe
接着
then
zuò
坐
take
chuán
船
boat
guò
过
cross
jiāng
江
river
-
。
.
guòle
过了
after crossing
Chángjiāng
长江
Yangtze River
zhīhòu
之后
after
-
，
,
pǎodào
跑到
ran to
qìchēzhàn
汽车站
bus station
-
，
,
gǎnzhe
赶着
hurried
zuò
坐
catch
qiánwǎng
前往
heading to
Wúxī
无锡
Wuxi
de
的
of
dàbāchē
大巴车
coach
-
。
.
dàole
到了
at
Wúxī
无锡
Wuxi
qìchēzhàn
汽车站
bus station
lǐ
里
in
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
de
的
's
bàba
爸爸
father
mǎile
买了
bought
dì èr tiān
第二天
next day
qù
去
to
Zhèjiāng shěng
浙江省
Zhejiang Province
Yúyáo shì
余姚市
Yuyao City
de
的
of
huǒchēpiào
火车票
train ticket
-
。
.
ránhòu
然后
then
zài
在
at
Wúxī
无锡
Wuxi
de
的
of
qìchēzhàn
汽车站
bus station
lǐ
里
in
kàozhe
靠着
leaning
qiáng
墙
wall
zuòle
坐了
sat
yì wǎn
一晚
a night
-
。
.
nàhuìr
那会儿
then
gāng
刚
just
guò
过
after
Chūnjié
春节
Spring Festival
-
，
,
tiān
天
weather
hěn
很
very
lěng
冷
cold
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
hé
和
and
tā
她
her
bàba
爸爸
father
lúnzhe
轮着
taking turns
gài
盖
cover
tā bàba
她爸爸
her father's
de
的
of
dà mián'ǎo
大棉袄
big cotton coat
-
，
,
yì wǎnshàng
一晚上
all night
xǐng
醒
wake
huìr
会儿
for a while
-
，
,
shuì
睡
sleep
huìr
会儿
for a while
-
。
.
dì èr tiān
第二天
the next day
-
，
,
tāmen
他们
they
de
的
's
huǒchē
火车
train
cóng
从
from
Wúxī
无锡
Wuxi
chūfā
出发
depart
-
，
,
zài
在
at
Shànghǎi
上海
Shanghai
zhuǎnchē
转车
change train
-
。
.
Shànghǎi
上海
Shanghai
zhuǎnchē
转车
change train
yào
要
need to
cóng
从
from
dìxià
地下
underground
tōngdào
通道
passage
zǒu
走
walk
-
，
,
dìxià tōngdào
地下通道
underground passage
hēiqīqī de
黑漆漆的
dark
-
，
,
tāmen
他们
they
yì xíngrén
一行人
group
dōu
都
all
méiyǒu
没有
not have
wénhuà
文化
literacy
-
，
,
kànbùdǒng
看不懂
cannot read
zì
字
characters
-
，
,
zhǐnéng
只能
can only
gēnzhe
跟着
follow
chēzhàn
车站
station
lǐ
里
in
de
的
of
mòshēngrén
陌生人
stranger
zǒu
走
walk
-
。
.
kuài
快
almost
dào
到
arrive
bàngwǎn
傍晚
evening
de shíhou
的时候
when
-
，
,
huǒchē
火车
train
dàole
到了
arrived
Yúyáo
余姚
Yuyao
-
。
.
liǎng tiān
两天
two days
xiàlái
下来
during
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
zhǐ
只
only
chīle
吃了
ate
yì zhī
一只
one
mántou
馒头
steamed bun
hé
和
and
yì zhī
一只
one
zòngzi
粽子
zongzi
-
。
.
è huàile
饿坏了
extremely hungry
de
的
(possessive)
tā
她
she
-
，
,
bēizhe
背着
carrying
xínglǐ
行李
luggage
-
，
,
zài
再
again
zǒule
走了
walked
yí gè
一个
one
xiǎoshí
小时
hour
-
，
,
cái
才
only
zhōngyú
终于
finally
dàole
到了
arrived at
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
de
的
's
jiā
家
house
-
。
.
They first took a coach bus from Taixing City, Jiangsu Province to the north of the Yangtze River, then took a boat across the river. After crossing the Yangtze River, they ran to the bus station and hurried to catch another coach heading to Wuxi. At the Wuxi bus station, Grandmother’s father bought a train ticket for the next day to Yuyao City, Zhejiang Province. Then they sat leaning against the wall for a night at the Wuxi bus station. It was just after the Spring Festival then, it was very cold, and Grandmother and her father took turns sharing his big cotton coat, drifting in and out of sleep all night. The next day, they left Wuxi by train and connected through Shanghai. In Shanghai, to change trains, they had to go through dark underground passage. None of their group could read, so they could only follow strangers in the station. By evening, their train arrived in Yuyao. In two days, Grandmother only ate one steamed bun and one zongzi. Exhausted and starving, she lugged her bags for another hour before finally reaching the matchmaker's house.
jīntiān
今天
today
de
的
's
gùshi
故事
story
jiù
就
just
jiǎng dào
讲到
tell until
zhèlǐ
这里
here
le
了
.
-
，
,
jiē xiàlái de
接下来的
next
gùshì
故事
story
-
，
,
qǐng tīng
请听
please listen
xià yì jí
下一集
next episode
-
。
.
rúguǒ
如果
if
nǐ
你
you
yǒu wèntí
有问题
have questions
xiǎng wèn
想问
want to ask
wǒ wàipó
我外婆
my grandma
-
，
,
huòzhě
或者
or
xiǎng
想
want
fēnxiǎng
分享
share
nǐ jiārén de gùshi
你家人的故事
your family’s story
-
，
,
qǐng zài
请在
please at
zhè piān bōkè
这篇播客
this podcast
yǐxià
以下
below
liúyán
留言
leave comment
-
。
.
This is the end of today’s story. For the next part, please listen to the next episode. If you have questions for my grandma, or want to share your family’s stories, please leave a comment below this podcast episode.
tīng le
听了
after hearing
wǒ wàipó
我外婆
my grandma
pínkǔ de
贫苦的
poor
tóngnián
童年
childhood
-
，
,
nǐ
你
you
yě kěyǐ
也可以
can also
kàn kan shū
看看书
read books
-
，
,
liǎojiě
了解
understand
bié de háizi
别的孩子
other children
bù yíyàng de tóngnián
不一样的童年
different childhood
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
tuījiàn
推荐
recommend
chéng nán jiù shì
《城南旧事》
Memories of Peking: South Side Stories
zhè běn shū
这本书
this book
-
。
.
zuòzhě
作者
author
lín hǎiyīn
林海音
Lin Haiyin
jìlù le
记录了
recorded
tā zài běijīng
她在北京
her in Beijing
yí gè sìhéyuàn lǐ
一个四合院里
in a siheyuan
chéngzhǎng de
成长的
growing up
gùshi
故事
story
-
。
.
zhè běn shū
这本书
this book
shì
是
is
zuòzhě
作者
author
cóng xiǎohái de shìjiǎo
从小孩的视角
from child's view
xiě chéng
写成
written
-
，
,
yòng de
用的
uses
cíhuì
词汇
vocabulary
hé
和
and
gàiniàn
概念
concept
dōu
都
all
bǐjiào jiǎndān
比较简单
quite simple
-
，
,
hěn shìhé
很适合
very suitable
zhōngjí
中级
intermediate
de
的
's
zhōngwén xuéshēng
中文学生
Chinese student
-
。
.
After hearing about my grandma’s miserable childhood, you can also read books to learn about other children’s different childhoods. I recommend the book "Memories of Peking: South Side Stories." The author, Lin Haiyin, recorded her story of growing up in a siheyuan (courtyard) in Beijing. Written from a child's perspective, with simple vocabulary and concepts, this book is well suited for intermediate Mandarin students.


hǎole
好了
alright
-
，
,
wǒmen
我们
we
xiàqī
下期
next time
zàijiàn
再见
see you
-
！
!
Alright, see you in the next episode!
Please log in first to leave a comment.
Wendy Purdie 11 months ago

Loved hearing and reading about your Grandma's childhood. Cheers Wendy Purdie Thank you so very much appreciated.

Daizy Chung about 1 year ago

Thank you for making this site! It is super useful! Please keep up. Looking forward to hear more podcast from you. We are from Montreal.

Larry null
Larry null over 1 year ago

謝謝你(外婆)分享的故事，文字透露出真實的情感