Grandma's Childhood: Recounting her Hardships

dàjiā

大家

everyone

hǎo

好

hello

，

huānyíng

欢迎

welcome

shōutīng

收听

listen

Mandarin

Minutes

zhōngwén

中文

Chinese

shífēn

时分

minutes

。

wǒ

我

shì

是

zhǔchírén

主持人

host

Chǔ Yùn

楚韵

Chuyun

。

Hello everyone, welcome to Mandarin Minutes. I am your host, Chuyun.

wǒ

我

xiān

先

first

lái

来

come

jièshào

介绍

introduce

yīxià

一下

a bit

wǒ

我

myself

zìjǐ

自己

myself

：

wǒ

我

rénshēng

人生

life

的

qián

前

first

shí liù

nián

年

years

shì

是

was

zài

在

Zhèjiāng

浙江

Zhejiang

Yúyáo

余姚

Yuyao

dùguò

度过

spent

的

，

zhīhòu

之后

after

bāndào

搬到

moved to

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

的

gōngzuò

工作

work

。

jǐ nián qián

几年前

a few years ago

wǒ de

我的

duìxiàng

对象

partner

xiǎng

想

wanted

xué

学

learn

zhōngwén

中文

Chinese

，

suǒyǐ

所以

wǒ

我

zuòle

做了

made

yīgè

一个

zìdòng

自动

automatic

shēngchéng

生成

generate

zìtiè

字帖

copybook

的

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

méiyǒu

没有

didn't

jiānchí

坚持

persist

xué

学

learn

zhōngwén

中文

Chinese

，

wǒ

我

yǒushí

有时

sometimes

huì

会

would

shōudào

收到

receive

yònghù

用户

user

的

láixìn

来信

messages

，

gàosù

告诉

tell

wǒ

我

zìtiè

字帖

copybook

wǎngzhàn

网站

website

hěn

很

very

yǒuyòng

有用

useful

。

yònghù

用户

user

的

láixìn

来信

messages

，

ràng

让

make

wǒ

我

gǎnjué

感觉

feel

wǒ

我

zài

在

gěi

给

give

zhège

这个

this

shìjiè

世界

world

gòngxiàn

贡献

contribute

wǒ

我

的

yī fèn

一份

a share

lìliàng

力量

strength

。

suǒyǐ

所以

，

jīnnián

今年

this year

wǒ

我

kāishǐ

开始

started

zuò

做

zhège

这个

this

xué

学

learn

zhōngwén

中文

Chinese

的

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

的

zhōngwén

中文

Chinese

xuéshēng

学生

student

tígōng

提供

provide

yīxiē

一些

some

yǒuqù

有趣

interesting

的

tīnglì

听力

listening

liànxí

练习

practice

，

ràng

让

make

yǔyán

语言

language

xuéxí

学习

study

bù 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

的

yǔ sù

语速

speech speed

bǐjiào

比较

relatively

màn

慢

slow

，

gěi

给

give

nǐ

你

you

sīkǎo

思考

think

的

shíjiān

时间

time

。

yùdào

遇到

come across

bǐjiào

比较

relatively

nán

难

difficult

的

cíyǔ

词语

words

，

wǒ

我

yě

也

also

huì

会

will

jiěshì

解释

explain

yīxià

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 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 is very useful. The users' messages make me feel that I am contributing my part to the world. So this year, I started making this Chinese-learning podcast, hoping to spread the Chinese language and culture, provide some interesting listening practice for intermediate Chinese 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

nǐ

你

you

zài

在

tīng

听

listen

zhège

这个

this

bōkè

播客

podcast

的

shíhou

时候

when

juéde

觉得

feel

bù 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

的

wǎngzhàn

网站

website

mandarinminutes.com

，

zài

在

zhège

这个

this

wǎngzhàn

网站

website

shàng

上

wǒ

我

fàngle

放了

put

měi

每

each

jí

集

episode

bōkè

播客

podcast

的

wéngǎo

文稿

transcript

。

zhège

这个

this

wéngǎo

文稿

transcript

yǒu

有

has

zhúzì

逐字

word-by-word

的

pīnyīn

拼音

pinyin

hé

和

and

yīngwén

英文

English

fānyì

翻译

translation

。

mandarinminutes.com

shàng

上

hái

还

also

pèiyǒu

配有

comes with

yīgè

一个

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

的

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

的

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

zhè yī 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

，

wǒ

我

xiǎng

想

want

jiǎng

讲

talk about

的

shì

是

wǒ

我

jiā

家

family

jǐ dài rén

几代人

several generations

bù tóng

不同

different

的

tóngnián

童年

childhood

。

xiān

先

first

jiǎng

讲

talk about

wǒ

我

的

wàipó

外婆

grandmother

，

zài

再

then

jiǎng

讲

talk about

wǒ

我

的

māma

妈妈

mother

，

wǒ

我

的

biǎojiě

表姐

older female cousin

，

háiyǒu

还有

and also

wǒ

我

zìjǐ

自己

self

。

wǒ de

我的

wàipó

外婆

grandmother

shì

是

wǔ líng

fifty

hòu

后

after (generation)

，

tā

她

she

shì

是

yī jiǔ wǔ líng

1950

nián

年

year

hé

和

and

yī jiǔ liù líng

1960

nián

年

year

zhījiān

之间

between

chūshēng

出生

born

的

。

wǒ

我

māma

妈妈

mother

shì

是

qī líng

seventy

hòu

后

after (generation)

，

wǒ

我

biǎojiě

表姐

cousin (older female)

shì

是

bā líng

eighty

hòu

后

after (generation)

，

wǒ

我

shì

是

jiǔ líng

ninety

hòu

后

after (generation)

。

In this episode and the next few episodes of the podcast, I want to talk about the different childhoods among 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

bōtōng le

拨通了

called

wàipó

外婆

grandmother

的

diànhuà

电话

phone

。

wàipó

外婆

grandmother

xiān

先

first

shǔluò

数落

criticize

wǒ

我

sān shí

thirty

suì

岁

years old

了

already

jūrán

居然

actually

hái

还

still

méi

没

not yet

jiéhūn

结婚

married

。

dànshì

但是

but

wǒ

我

míngmíng

明明

clearly

cái

才

only

èr shí bā

twenty-eight

suì

岁

years old

。

wǒmen

我们

nàlǐ

那里

there

rén

人

people

xǐhuān

喜欢

yòng

用

to use

xūsuì

虚岁

xu sui age

。

wǒ

我

gěi

给

give/to

bù dǒng

不懂

don't understand

xūsuì

虚岁

xu sui

的

péngyǒu men

朋友们

friends

jiěshì yíxià

解释一下

explain

。

xūsuì

虚岁

xu sui

的

fāngfǎ

方法

method

shì

是

cóng

从

from

mǔqīn

母亲

mother

的

dùzili

肚子里

womb

chūshēng

出生

to be born

jiù

就

then

suàn

算

count as

yī

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

yī

一

one

suì

岁

year

。

suǒyǐ

所以

xūsuì

虚岁

xu sui

huì

会

will

bǐ

比

than

zhōusuì

周岁

actual age

dà

大

larger

yí 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

shì

是

èr shíbā

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 every Lunisolar New Year. So xu sui is 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

qìsè

气色

complexion

chà

差

bad

，

miànsè

面色

face color

làhuáng

蜡黄

wax yellow

，

wèn

问

asked

wǒ

我

shì bú shì

是不是

is it

tiāntiān

天天

every day

áoyè

熬夜

stay up late

。

wǒ

我

xīnxiǎng

心想

think

wǒ

我

míngmíng

明明

clearly

shì

是

huáng zhǒng rén

黄种人

Asian (yellow race)

，

wǒ

我

bù

不

not

huáng

黄

yellow

，

shéi

谁

who

huáng

黄

yellow

。

Grandma then said I look unhealthy, my face is wax yellow, and asked if I stay up late every day. I thought to myself, as an Asian, 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

的

liǎng zhī

两只

two

māo

猫

cats

yī gè yuè

一个月

a month

xǐ yī 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 educated me to bathe my two cats once a month, otherwise they will 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

的

gùshì

故事

story

。

After all this, grandma finally agreed to talk about her childhood stories.

wǒ de

我的

wàipó

外婆

grandmother

yī jiǔ wǔ líng

1950

nián

年

year

chūshēng

出生

born

zài

在

Jiāngsū

江苏

Jiangsu

yí gè

一个

fēicháng

非常

very

pínqióng

贫穷

poor

的

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

lǎosān

老三

the third child

。

My grandmother was born in 1950 in a very poor farming family in Jiangsu. There were six children in the family, and my grandmother was the third child.

yī jiā

一家

a family

bā kǒu rén

八口人

eight people

zhù zài

住在

live in

yí gè

一个

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

wūdǐng

屋顶

roof

shì

是

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

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

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

。

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 also rained a little inside the house. The walls were bamboo boards covered with mud. Twice, when the weather was bad and the wind was strong, the house wasn’t stable and collapsed twice. 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

Zhōngguó

中国

China

，

méi shàng guò xué

没上过学

not gone to school

的

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

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

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

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 the 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

了

(completion)

，

dà yuè jìn

大跃进

Great Leap Forward

yě

也

also

kāishǐ

开始

began

了

。

yīngwén

英文

English

lǐ

里

zhè ge

这个

this

yùndòng

运动

movement

jiàozuò

叫做

called

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

的

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

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

yīqǐ

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

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 all valuable things at home, even the family’s food. The government hoped that the country would become prosperous quickly, especially wanting 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

wèn

问

ask

tā

她

her

dà yuè jìn

大跃进

Great Leap Forward

的

yīxiē

一些

some

xìjié

细节

details

，

tā

她

she

yě

也

also

dá bù 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

的

shuō fǎ

说法

saying

，

zhǐ

只

only

zhī dào

知道

knew

“

jiě fàng

解放

liberation

”

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

的

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

credit system

。

gōng fēn duō

工分多

more work points

的

(person)

rén

人

person

，

fēn dào

分到

assigned

的

liáng shí

粮食

grain

hé

和

and

dōng xī

东西

things

jiù

就

then

duō

多

；

;

gōng fēn shǎo

工分少

fewer work points

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

的

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

bù 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

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—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 could earn ten points for a day of farm work. Ten points was 35 cents RMB. The elderly got six points a day.

zài tián lǐ

在田里

in the field

的

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

的

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

的

was

shì

是

gōng gòng

公共

public

fèn gāng

粪缸

manure vat

。

zhè gè

这个

this

gāng

缸

vat

shì

是

zài

在

yí gè

一个

lù tiān

露天

open air

的

péng zi

棚子

shed

lǐ

里

。

wǒ

我

chū zhōng

初中

middle school

的

shí hòu

时候

when

kàn guò

看过

read

yì běn

一本

shū

书

book

jiào zuò

叫做

called

《

huó zhe

活着

To Live

》

，

shū

书

book

的

qíng jié

情节

plot

wǒ

我

dōu

都

all

bù jì dé

不记得

don't remember

了

(particle)

，

wǒ

我

zhǐ jì dé

只记得

only remember

shū zhōng

书中

in the book

yí gè

一个

rén wù

人物

character

zài

在

while

shàng cè suǒ

上厕所

using the toilet

的

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

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, 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 was also be used as fertilizer.

nà duàn shí jiān

那段时间

that period

，

wèi le

为了

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

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

的

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

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

的

nǚ rén

女人

women

tiāo bù 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

。

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 plantings rotting, then the production team assigned farmers to remove the mud. Women in the team couldn't carry the mud due to its weight, so they lined up and handed it 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

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 at Chinese New Year.

yǒu

有

have

yī cì

一次

once

guò nián

过年

New Year

，

wàipó

外婆

grandma

的

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

yīqǐ

一起

together

。

yīnwèi

因为

because

tāmen

他们

they

bù shěde

不舍得

couldn't bear

yī

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

wǎnfàn

晚饭

dinner

hòu

后

after

，

wàipó

外婆

grandma

的

māma

妈妈

mother

yòng

用

use

shéngzi

绳子

rope

bǎ

把

put

wǎn

碗

bowl

diào

吊

hang

zài

在

wūliáng

屋梁

roof beam

shàng

上

，

jiùshì

就是

that is

tiānhuābǎn

天花板

ceiling

shàng

上

，

xiǎohái

小孩

children

hé

和

and

lǎoshǔ

老鼠

mouse

jiù

就

just

bùnéng

不能

cannot

tōuchī

偷吃

steal eat

了

dànshì

但是

but

jiālǐ

家里

at home

的

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

的

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

yī kuài

一块

one piece

ròu

肉

meat

。

dànshì

但是

but

cóng

从

from

dèngzi

凳子

stool

shàng

上

xià lái de

下来的

getting down

shíhou

时候

time

，

wàipó

外婆

grandma

shuāi le

摔了

fell

yī 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

māma

妈妈

mother

dǎ le

打了

beat

yī dùn

一顿

once

。

Once, during Chinese New Year, my grandma’s mother cooked pork and fried tofu together. Because they couldn’t bear to eat all the meat in one meal, 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, and each stole 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 on the ground. Every one of them got a beating from their mother.

zài

在

dàduì

大队

commune

lǐ

里

gàn huó

干活

work

的

rén

人

people

，

měitiān

每天

every day

kěyǐ

可以

can

zài

在

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

yī 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

yīxiē

一些

some

liángshi

粮食

grain

，

gōngfēn

工分

work point

shǎo de rénjiā

少的人家

fewer family

shǎo

少

less

yīxiē

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

yī 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

yī lán

一篮

one basket

yùmǐ

玉米

corn

。

dàyuèjìn

大跃进

Great Leap Forward

yī kāishǐ

一开始

at first

de shíhou

的时候

when

，

shítáng

食堂

canteen

bù 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

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

的

bàba

爸爸

father

zài

在

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

的

mèimei

妹妹

younger sister

hái

还

still

xiǎo

小

small

，

tiánlǐ

田里

in the field

hái

还

still

bāng bù shàng máng

帮不上忙

cannot help

。

shítáng lǐ

食堂里

in the canteen

的

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

的

gōngfēn

工分

work points

shǎo

少

few

，

liángshi

粮食

grain

fēndào

分到

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 got sick a few years after the Great Leap Forward and lost the strength to farm. Grandma’s younger sister was still young and 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

shítáng

食堂

canteen

的

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

yīxiē

一些

some

，

gěi

给

give

jiālǐ

家里

home

bù néng

不能

cannot

láodòng

劳动

work

的

bàba

爸爸

father

hé

和

and

niánjì hái hěn xiǎo

年纪还很小

very young

的

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. But life was still hard to bear.

zài

在

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

的

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

wǒ de

我的

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

tiánlǐ

田里

in field

gàn huó

干活

worked

de shíhou

的时候

when

，

shì

是

was

yóu

由

shēngchǎn duì

生产队

production team

lǐ

里

的

gànbù

干部

cadre

guǎnzhe

管着

supervise

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

的

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

的

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

的

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 went to 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

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

kāishǐ

开始

began

mài lāji

卖垃圾

sell junk

。

tā

他

huíshōu

回收

collect

biéren

别人

other people

bù 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

的

bàba

爸爸

father

bǎ

把

put

shōu lái

收来

collected

的

pòlàn

破烂

ragged

yīfu

衣服

clothes

dǎ shàng bǔdīng

打上补丁

patch

，

wǒ de

我的

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

yī zhī

一只

one

shì

是

fāng tóu

方头

square toe

，

yī zhī

一只

one

shì

是

yuán tóu

圆头

round toe

；

;

yī zhī

一只

one

shì

是

hóngsè

红色

red

，

yī zhī

一只

one

shì

是

lǜsè

绿色

green

；

;

yī zhī

一只

one

dà

大

big

，

yī 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

的

shǒuyào tiáojiàn

首要条件

main requirement

shì

是

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

的

hūnyīn

婚姻

marriage

dà duōshù

大多数

most

shì

是

yóu

由

méirén

媒人

matchmaker

jièshào de

介绍的

arranged

。

méirén

媒人

matchmaker

cóng

从

from

wǒ de

我的

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

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

的

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

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

的

dàbāchē

大巴车

coach

。

dàole

到了

Wúxī

无锡

Wuxi

qìchēzhàn

汽车站

bus station

lǐ

里

，

wàipó

外婆

grandmother

的

bàba

爸爸

father

mǎile

买了

bought

dì èr tiān

第二天

next day

qù

去

Zhèjiāng shěng

浙江省

Zhejiang Province

Yúyáo shì

余姚市

Yuyao City

的

huǒchēpiào

火车票

train ticket

。

ránhòu

然后

then

zài

在

Wúxī

无锡

Wuxi

的

qìchēzhàn

汽车站

bus station

lǐ

里

kàozhe

靠着

leaning

qiáng

墙

wall

zuòle

坐了

sat

yī 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

的

dà mián'ǎo

大棉袄

big cotton coat

，

yī 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

的

huǒchē

火车

train

cóng

从

from

Wúxī

无锡

Wuxi

chūfā

出发

depart

，

zài

在

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

pitch dark

，

tāmen

他们

they

yī 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

chēzhàn

车站

station

lǐ

里

的

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

yī zhī

一只

one

mántou

馒头

steamed bun

hé

和

and

yī zhī

一只

one

zòngzi

粽子

zongzi

。

è huàile

饿坏了

extremely hungry

的

(possessive)

tā

她

she

，

bēizhe

背着

carrying

xínglǐ

行李

luggage

，

zài

再

again

zǒule

走了

walked

yī gè

一个

one

xiǎoshí

小时

hour

，

cái

才

only

zhōngyú

终于

finally

dàole

到了

arrived at

méirén

媒人

matchmaker

的

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, the weather was very cold, and grandmother and her father took turns sharing his big cotton coat, waking up and sleeping alternately all night. The next day, their train departed from Wuxi and they changed trains in Shanghai. In Shanghai, to change trains, they had to go through an underground passage; it was pitch dark, none of their group could read, so they could only follow strangers in the station. By evening, the train arrived in Yuyao. In two days, grandmother only ate one steamed bun and one zongzi. She was extremely hungry, carrying her luggage, and only after walking another hour did she finally reach the matchmaker's house.

jīntiān

今天

today

的

gùshi

故事

story

jiù

就

just

jiǎng dào

讲到

tell until

zhèlǐ

这里

here

了

，

jiē xiàlái de

接下来的

gùshì

故事

story

，

qǐng tīng

请听

please listen

xià yì jí

下一集

next episode

。

rúguǒ

如果

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

xiǎng

想

want

fēnxiǎng

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

。

That’s 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 yīyàng de tóngnián

不一样的童年

different childhood

。

wǒ

我

tuījiàn