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Podcasts Worksheets Reader
wàipó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
hūnyīn
婚姻
marriage
-
：
:
huànle ge cūn
换了个村
moved to another village
zhòngtián
种田
farm
Grandma's Marriage: Farming in a Different Village
2025年12月14日
Free intermediate Mandarin Chinese Podcast with transcript image
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tīngzhòng
听众
listeners
péngyoumen
朋友们
friends
-
，
,
hǎojiǔ bújiàn
好久不见
long time no see
-
！
!
Dear listeners, long time no see!
zài
在
in
zhè yì qī
这一期
this episode
de
的
of
jiémù lǐ
节目里
program
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
jìxù
继续
continue
hé
和
and
dàjiā
大家
everyone
jiǎng jiǎng
讲讲
tell
wǒ
我
my
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
niánqīng shíhòu
年轻时候
young days
de
的
's
gùshì
故事
story
-
，
,
yǐjí
以及
and
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mother
xiǎoshíhòu
小时候
childhood
de
的
's
shēnghuó
生活
life
-
。
.
In this episode, I continue to tell you stories about my grandmother when she was young, and about my mother's childhood.
shàngcì
上次
last time
wǒmen
我们
we
jiǎng dào
讲到
talked about
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
zhōngyú
终于
finally
bèi
被
was
dài dào
带到
taken to
le
了
(particle)
méirén jiā
媒人家
matchmaker's house
-
。
.
liǎng tiān lǐ
两天里
in two days
tā
她
she
zhǐ
只
only
chī le
吃了
ate
yí gè
一个
one
zòngzi
粽子
zongzi
hé
和
and
yí gè
一个
one
mántou
馒头
steamed bun
-
。
.
zài
在
at
méirén jiā
媒人家
matchmaker's house
-
，
,
tā
她
she
zhōngyú
终于
finally
chī shàng le
吃上了
had
wǎnfàn
晚饭
dinner
-
。
.
Last time we talked about how grandma was finally taken to the matchmaker's house. In two days, she only ate one zongzi and one steamed bun. At the matchmaker's house, she finally had dinner.


dì èr tiān
第二天
the next day
-
，
,
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
dàile
带了
took
wǒ
我
my
de
的
's
wàipó
外婆
maternal grandmother
hé
和
and
wàipó
外婆
maternal grandmother
de
的
's
bàba
爸爸
father
qù
去
went
le
了
-
wǒ
我
my
de
的
's
wàigōng jiā
外公家
maternal grandfather's house
-
。
.
yí dào ménkǒu
一到门口
as soon as arrived at the door
-
，
,
liǎng rén
两人
both
dōu
都
both
shǎ yǎn le
傻眼了
were dumbfounded
—
——
—
wàigōng jiā
外公家
grandfather's home
de
的
's
yàngzi
样子
appearance
hé
和
and
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
suǒ
所
that
chuīxū
吹嘘
boasted
de
的
's
yì diǎn
一点
a bit
dōu
都
at all
bù yíyàng
不一样
different
-
。
.
The next day, the matchmaker took my grandmother and her father to my grandfather's house. As soon as they arrived at the door, both were dumbfounded—the appearance of my grandfather's home was nothing like what the matchmaker had boasted.
wàigōng de bàba
外公的爸爸
grandfather's father
zài
在
during
dì èr cì shìjiè dàzhàn
第二次世界大战
World War II
de shíhòu
的时候
time
bèi
被
was
dāngzuò
当作
treated as
zhuàngdīng
壮丁
conscript
zhuā zǒu le
抓走了
taken away
-
，
,
qù
去
to go
dǎzhàng
打仗
fight in war
-
。
.
nà shí
那时
then
wàigōng
外公
grandfather
zhǐ yǒu
只有
only had
sān suì
三岁
three years old
-
。
.
wàigōng
外公
grandfather
shàng miàn
上面
above
hái yǒu
还有
also had
yí gè
一个
one
gēge
哥哥
older brother
-
，
,
xià miàn
下面
below
hái yǒu
还有
also had
yí gè
一个
one
dìdi
弟弟
younger brother
-
。
.
gēge
哥哥
older brother
zhèngzài
正在
currently
shàng xiǎoxué
上小学
attending elementary school
-
，
,
dìdi
弟弟
younger brother
-
，
,
hái
还
still
zài
在
in
tā
他
his
mǔqīn
母亲
mother
de
的
's
dùzi lǐ
肚子里
womb
-
。
.
wàigōng
外公
grandfather
tā
他
his
bàba
爸爸
father
líkāi yǐhòu
离开以后
after leaving
-
，
,
jiù
就
then
zài yě méiyǒu
再也没有
no more
tā de
他的
his
xiāoxi
消息
news
-
。
.
wàigōng de bàba
外公的爸爸
grandfather's father
xiàluò bùmíng
下落不明
whereabouts unknown
-
，
,
méi rén
没人
no one
zhīdào
知道
knows
tā
他
he
zài nǎlǐ
在哪里
is where
-
，
,
shì
是
is
huózhe
活着
alive
háishì
还是
or
qùshì le
去世了
gone (dead)
-
。
.
My grandfather's father was taken as a conscript to fight in World War II. At that time, my grandfather was only three years old. My grandfather had an older brother above him and a younger brother below. The older brother was in elementary school, and the younger brother was still in his mother's womb. After my grandfather's father left, there was no further news of him. My grandfather's father's whereabouts are unknown; no one knows whether he is alive or dead.


yì jiā rén
一家人
family
zhǐ néng
只能
can only
kào
靠
rely
wàigōng
外公
great-grandfather
tā
他
his
māma
妈妈
mother
shēnghuó
生活
live
le
了
-
-
。
.
wàigōng
外公
great-grandfather
tā
他
his
māma
妈妈
mother
-
，
,
yì gè rén
一个人
alone
yào
要
has to
yǎng huó
养活
support
yì jiā
一家
a family
sì kǒu
四口
four
-
。
.
wàigōng
外公
great-grandfather
de
的
-
māma
妈妈
mother
cóng xiǎo
从小
since childhood
guǒ xiǎo jiǎo
裹小脚
bound feet
-
，
,
zǒu lù
走路
walk
bù fāngbiàn
不方便
not convenient
-
。
.
hěn duō
很多
many
gǔ dài
古代
ancient times
de
的
-
Hàn zú
汉族
Han
fùnǚ
妇女
women
guǒ xiǎo jiǎo
裹小脚
had bound feet
-
。
.
gǔ dài rén
古代人
ancient people
rènwéi
认为
thought
nǚrén
女人
women
de
的
-
jiǎo
脚
feet
yuè xiǎo
越小
smaller
yuè
越
more
hǎokàn
好看
better looking
-
。
.
jiāzhǎng
家长
parents
yòng
用
with
hěn cháng
很长
very long
de
的
-
bù tiáo
布条
strips of cloth
bǎ
把
(grammar particle)
xiǎo nǚhái
小女孩
little girls
de
的
-
jiǎo
脚
feet
yì quān yì quān de
一圈一圈地
in circles
bāo qǐlái
包起来
wrap up
-
。
.
zhèyàng zi
这样子
this way
zuò
做
do
huì
会
will
zǔzhǐ
阻止
prevent
jiǎo
脚
feet
zhèngcháng
正常
normal
zhǎng dà
长大
grow up
-
。
.
shíjiān cháng le
时间长了
over time
-
，
,
jiǎo
脚
foot
de
的
-
xíngzhuàng
形状
shape
jiù xiàng shì
就像是
resembled
yí gè
一个
a
zòngzi
粽子
zongzi
-
，
,
qiánmiàn
前面
front
jiān
尖
pointed
-
，
,
jiǎobèi
脚背
foot arch
gāo
高
high
-
。
.
wǒ māma
我妈妈
my mother
jìdé
记得
remembers
tā
她
her
nǎinai
奶奶
grandmother
de
的
′s
xiǎo jiǎo
小脚
bound feet
-
。
.
nǎinai
奶奶
grandmother
de
的
′s
xiǎo jiǎo
小脚
bound feet
bèi
被
by
cháng cháng de
长长的
long
bái bù tiáo
白布条
white strips of cloth
guǒ dé
裹得
wrapped tight
jié jiē shí shí de
结结实实的
tight
-
，
,
ránhòu
然后
then
chuān zài
穿在
put on
xiézi
鞋子
shoes
lǐ
里
in
-
，
,
xiézi
鞋子
shoes
yě
也
also
hěn xiǎo
很小
very small
-
。
.
zhǐ yǒu
只有
only
xǐ jiǎo
洗脚
wash feet
de
的
-
shíhòu
时候
time
cái
才
then
bǎ
把
take
bái bù
白布
white cloth
jiě xiàlái
解下来
untied
-
。
.
A family can only rely on grandfather's mother to live. Grandfather's mother has to support a family of four alone. Grandfather's mother had bound feet since childhood, making it difficult to walk. Many Han women in ancient times had bound feet. Ancient people thought women's feet looked better the smaller they were. Parents wrapped little girls' feet with long strips of cloth in circles. Doing this prevented feet from growing normally. Over time, the shape of the foot resembled a zongzi, pointed at the front, with a high arch. My mother remembers her grandmother's bound feet. Her grandmother's bound feet were tightly wrapped in long white strips and then put into shoes, which were also very small. The white cloth was only taken off when washing the feet.
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
shēng
生
be born
bù
不
not
féngshí
逢时
right time
-
，
,
chūshēng
出生
be born
de
的
(possessive)
shíhòu
时候
time
méiyǒu
没有
did not
gǎnshàng
赶上
catch
hǎo
好
good
shídài
时代
era
-
，
,
méinéng
没能
could not
shàngxué
上学
attend school
-
。
.
xiōngdì
兄弟
brothers
sān rén
三人
three people
-
，
,
yě
也
also
zhǐyǒu
只有
only
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
méi
没
did not
shàngguòxué
上过学
attend school
-
。
.
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
de
的
′s
yìshēng
一生
whole life
dōu
都
all
zài
在
in
dèlǐ
地里
field
gànhuó
干活
work
-
。
.
Grandpa was born at the wrong time; he missed the good era and couldn't attend school. Among the three brothers, only my grandpa never went to school. Grandpa spent his whole life working in the fields.
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
māma
妈妈
mother
shěng chī jiǎn yòng
省吃俭用
lived frugally
-
，
,
cóng bù
从不
never
làngfèi
浪费
wasting
-
，
,
xīnqín
辛勤
diligent
chí jiā
持家
managing household
-
，
,
nǔlì
努力
working hard
shēnghuó
生活
live
-
，
,
hǎo bù róngyì
好不容易
finally
jī xià le
积下了
saved
yì diǎn qián
一点钱
some money
mǎi le
买了
bought
jǐ mǔ dì
几亩地
a few acres of land
-
，
,
hǎo ràng
好让
so that
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
xiōngdì
兄弟
brothers
sān gè
三个
three
-
，
,
zhǐ yào
只要
as long as
qínláo
勤劳
hardworking
zhòng dì
种地
farming
-
，
,
jiù
就
then
yǒu fàn chī
有饭吃
have food to eat
-
，
,
bù zhìyú
不至于
would not
èsǐ
饿死
starve to death
-
。
.
Grandpa's mother lived frugally, never wasting anything, diligently managing the household, working hard to live. She finally saved some money to buy a few acres of land so that grandpa and his two brothers, as long as they worked hard on the land, would have enough food to eat and would not starve to death.


dànshì
但是
But
zài
在
during
sì wǔ shí niándài
四五十年代
1940s and 1950s
tǔdì gǎigé
土地改革
land reform
de
的
′s
shíhòu
时候
time
-
，
,
wàigōng jiā
外公家
Grandpa's family
de
的
′s
tǔdì
土地
land
dōu
都
all
bèi
被
was
shōu zǒu le
收走了
taken away
-
，
,
jiāchǎn
家产
property
yě
也
also
lù lù xù xù de
陆陆续续地
gradually
bèi
被
was
sōu zǒu le
搜走了
taken
-
，
,
zhǐ shèng xià
只剩下
leaving only
kōng kōng de
空空的
empty
fángzi
房子
houses
-
。
.
děng dào
等到
By the time
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
yào
要
need to
qǔ xífù
娶媳妇
marry a wife
de
的
(possessive)
niánlíng
年龄
age
-
，
,
nà
那
those
kōng kōng de
空空的
empty
fángzi
房子
houses
yě
也
also
hěn jiù
很旧
very old
hěn pò le
很破了
very dilapidated
yǒu ge
有个
There is a
chéngyǔ
成语
idiom
-
“
"
jiā tú sì bì
家徒四壁
jā tú sì bì
-
”，
",
yìsi
意思
meaning
shuō
说
say
-
，
,
jiālǐmiàn
家里面
family
qióng dào
穷到
is so poor that
shénme
什么
nothing
dōu
都
all
méiyǒu
没有
not have
-
，
,
zhǐ shèng xià
只剩下
only left
sì miàn
四面
four sides
qiángbì
墙壁
walls
-
。
.
lún dào
轮到
When it was time

wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
yào
要
to
qǔ xífù
娶媳妇
marry a wife
shí
时
when
-
，
,
méi rén
没人
no one
kàn de shàng
看得上
was interested in
wàigōng jiā
外公家
Grandpa's family
-
。
.
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
zìjǐ
自己
himself
yòu
又
also
lǎoshí
老实
guileless
-
。
.
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
tā
他
his
māma
妈妈
mother
zhǐhǎo
只好
had no choice but to
tuō rén
托人
ask someone
gěi
给
to
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
zhǎo
找
find
wàidì
外地
from another place
de
的
′s
nǚrén
女人
woman
-
。
.
But during the land reform in the 1940s and 1950s, Grandpa's family's land was all taken away, and their property was gradually taken too, leaving only empty houses. By the time Grandpa reached marrying age, those empty houses had become very old and dilapidated. There is an idiom "jā tú sì bì," meaning the family is so poor that nothing is left but the four walls. When it was time for Grandpa to marry, no one was interested in Grandpa's family. Grandpa himself was also guileness. Grandpa's mother had no choice but to ask someone to find a woman from another place for Grandpa.


yīnwèi
因为
because
wàipó
外婆
Grandma
hé
和
and
tā
她
her
bàba
爸爸
father
bù dǒng
不懂
not understand
Yúyáo huà
余姚话
Yuyao dialect
-
，
,
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
yìjiā
一家
family
yě
也
also
bù dǒng
不懂
not understand
Sūběi huà
苏北话
Northern Jiangsu dialect
-
，
,
liǎng jiā rén
两家人
two families
zhǐ néng
只能
could only
kào
靠
rely on
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
fānyì
翻译
translate
-
。
.
wàipó de bàba
外婆的爸爸
Grandma's father
wèn
问
asked
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
wèishéme
为什么
why
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
kàn qǐlái
看起来
looked
bú xiàng
不像
unlike
xiǎohuǒzi
小伙子
young man
-
，
,
kàn qǐlái
看起来
appeared
niánjì
年纪
age
hěn dà
很大
very old
-
。
.
méirén
媒人
The matchmaker
piàn
骗
lied
tā
她
her
shuō
说
saying
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa
zhǐ
只
only
bǐ
比
compared to
wàipó
外婆
Grandma
dà le
大了
older
wǔ suì
五岁
five years
-
，
,
shuō
说
said
Yúyáo
余姚
Yuyao
zhè biān
这边
this side
de
的
of
chuántǒng
传统
tradition
shì
是
is
nánrén
男人
men
gàn huó
干活
work
-
，
,
suǒyǐ
所以
so
xiǎn lǎo
显老
look old
-
，
,
nǚrén
女人
women
shēnghuó
生活
lived
qīngxián
清闲
leisurely
-
，
,
kěyǐ
可以
could
xiǎng fú
享福
enjoy blessings
-
。
.
wàigōng de māma
外公的妈妈
Grandpa's mother
báibái jìngjìng de
白白净净的
fair and clean
-
，
,
hěn piàoliang
很漂亮
very beautiful
-
，
,
wàibiǎo
外表
appearance
kàn qǐlái
看起来
looked
hěn niánqīng
很年轻
very young
-
。
.
Because Grandma and her father did not understand Yuyao dialect, and Grandpa's family also did not understand Northern Jiangsu dialect, the two families could only rely on a matchmaker to translate. Grandma's father asked the matchmaker why Grandpa looked unlike a young man and appeared very old. The matchmaker lied to her saying that Grandpa was only five years older than Grandma, and that the tradition in Yuyao was that men worked hard, so they looked old, while women lived leisurely and could enjoy blessings. Grandpa's mother was fair and beautiful, looking very young.


suǒyǐ
所以
so
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
fùnǚ
父女
father and daughter
liǎ
俩
two
jiù
就
then
xiāngxìn
相信
believe
le
了
(particle)
zhè
这
this
wǔ suì
五岁
five-year
de
的
(possessive)
niánlíng chā
年龄差
age difference
-
。
.
So the grandmother and her daughter-in-law believed in this five-year age difference.


běnlái
本来
originally
wàipó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
bàba
爸爸
father
shì
是
was
xiǎng
想
want
gěi
给
to
nǚ'ér
女儿
daughter
zhǎo
找
find
yí
一
a
hù
户
unit for family
hǎo rén jiā
好人家
good family
-
，
,
zhìshǎo
至少
at least
néng
能
can
chīshàng
吃上
eat
fàn
饭
meal
-
，
,
dànshì
但是
but
kàndào
看到
seeing
wàigōng jiā
外公家
grandpa's home
zhège
这个
this
yàngzi
样子
appearance
-
，
,
jiù
就
then
xiǎng
想
wanted
fǎnhuǐ
反悔
regret
-
，
,
huànge 
换个
change
rén jiā
人家
another family
-
。
.
kěshì
可是
but
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
bú lèyì le
不乐意了
was not happy
-
。
.
rúguǒ
如果
if
wàipó
外婆
grandma
bú
不
not
jià gěi
嫁给
marry
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
-
，
,
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
jiù
就
then
nábúdào
拿不到
will not receive
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
chū de
出的
provided
jièshào fèi
介绍费
introduction fee
le
了
(past)
-
。
.
Originally, grandma's father wanted to find a good family for his daughter, at least a place where she could have meals, but seeing grandpa's home like this, he wanted to regret and choose another family. But the matchmaker was not happy. If grandma does not marry grandpa, the matchmaker will not receive the introduction fee from grandpa.


méirén
媒人
matchmaker
shuō
说
said
yào
要
want
huǐyuē
毁约
break contract
kěyǐ
可以
can
-
，
,
dànshì
但是
but
yào
要
have to
lìngwài
另外
additional
shōu
收
charge
wàipó
外婆
grandma
bàba
爸爸
dad
yībǎi yuán qián
100元钱
100 yuan
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
bàba
爸爸
dad
lián
连
even
huí jiā
回家
go home
de
的
of
lùfèi
路费
travel expense
dōu
都
all
méiyǒu
没有
don't have
-
，
,
zěnme
怎么
how
hái néng
还能
still can
náchū
拿出
take out
lìngwài
另外
additional
de
的
(possessive)
qián
钱
money
ne
呢
(question particle)
-
？
?
wàipó
外婆
grandma
zìrèn
自认
accept
mìngkǔ
命苦
hard fate
-
，
,
jiù zài
就在
just at
Yúyáo
余姚
Yuyao
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
jiā
家
house
liú le xiàlái
留了下来。
stayed
The matchmaker said that if you want to break the contract, it's possible, but you have to pay Grandma's dad an additional 100 yuan. Grandma's dad doesn't even have money for the trip home, how could he possibly take out additional money? Grandma accepted her harsh fate and stayed at Grandpa's house in Yuyao.


nàshí
那时
at that time
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
yǐjīng
已经
already
sān shí liù
36
36
suì
岁
years old
le
了
-
-
。
.
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
shōule
收了
charged
tā
他
him
yì bǎi wǔ shí kuài
150块*
150 yuan*
de
的
-
jièshàofèi
介绍费
introduction fee
-
，
,
wàijiā
外加
plus
yì bǎi
100
100
jīn
斤
jin
de
的
-
liángpiào
粮票
food coupons
-
。
.
zài
在
in
shàng yì qī
上一期
previous episode
de
的
-
jiémù
节目
episode
lǐ
里
in
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
jiǎngguo
讲过
mentioned
-
，
,
dāngshí
当时
at that time
zài
在
in
shēngchǎn duì
生产队
production team
-
，
,
chéngnián nánrén
成年男人
adult men
yì tiān
一天
a day
zhǐ néng
只能
could only
zhuàn
赚
earn
sān jiǎo wǔ fēn
3角5分
35 cents
-
。
.
dào
到
by
sānshíliù suì
36岁
36 years old
-
，
,
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
cái
才
only
zǎnle
攒了
saved
yì diǎn
一点
a little
kělián
可怜
pitiful
de
的
-
jīxù
积蓄
savings
-
，
,
zài
再
then
dōng jiā
东家
east family
jiè yì diǎn
借一点
borrow a little
xī jiā
西家
west family
jiè yì diǎn
借一点
borrow a little
-
，
,
cái
才
then
còu gòu le
凑够了
gathered enough
méirén
媒人
matchmaker
de
的
-
jièshàofèi
介绍费
introduction fee
-
，
,
xiànzài
现在
now
ná tā
拿它
used it
zhǎo le
找了
find
lǎopó
老婆
wife
-
。
.
At that time, grandpa was already 36 years old. The matchmaker charged him 150 yuan* as an introduction fee, plus 100 jin of food coupons. In the previous episode, I mentioned that at that time in the production team, adult men could only earn 35 cents a day. By the age of 36, grandpa had only saved a little pitiful savings; he borrowed a little from neighbours who lived in the east and from the west, then finally gathered enough for the matchmaker's introduction fee, and now used it to find a wife.


nà wǎn
那晚
that night
de
的
's
fàncài
饭菜
food
hěn
很
very
hǎo
好
good
-
。
.
dì èr tiān
第二天
the next day
-
，
,
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
māma
妈妈
mom
dàizhe
带着
took
wàipó
外婆
grandma
qù
去
to
zuòle
做了
make
liǎng jiàn
两件
two (measure word for clothes)
xīn yīfu
新衣服
new clothes
hé
和
and
yì shuāng
一双
a pair of
xīn xié
新鞋
new shoes
-
。
.
sān tiān hòu
三天后
three days later
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
xià dì
下地
go to field
gàn huó le
干活了
work
yì lǐbài hòu
一礼拜后
a week later
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
hé
和
and
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
jiéhūn le
结婚了
got married
-
。
.
The food that night was very good. The next day, Grandpa and Mom took Grandma to make two new clothes and a pair of new shoes. Three days later, Grandma went to work in the field. A week later, Grandma and Grandpa got married.


yīnwèi
因为
because
wàipó
外婆
grandma
méi
没
not
shàng guò xué
上过学
went to school
-
，
,
kàn bù dǒng
看不懂
can't read
zì
字
characters
-
，
,
shì
是
is
gè
个
a
wénmáng
文盲
illiterate
-
。
.
mángrén
盲人
eye blind person
kàn bù jiàn
看不见
can't see
dōngxī
东西
things
-
，
,
wénmáng
文盲
illiterate
kàn bù dǒng
看不懂
can't read
zì
字
characters
-
。
.
suǒyǐ
所以
therefore
xuéxí
学习
learning
yǔyán
语言
language
duì
对
for
tā
她
her
láishuō
来说
is
tèbié
特别
especially
jiānnán
艰难
difficult
-
。
.
xuéxí
学习
learning
Yúyáohuà
余姚话
Yuyao dialect
de
的
's
jiānnán
艰难
difficulty
ràng
让
makes
tā
她
her
gèngjiā
更加
even more
xiǎngjiā
想家
homesick
-
。
.
jiéhūn
结婚
marriage
dì yī nián
第一年
first year
de
的
's
hěn duō
很多
many
rìzi
日子
days
dōu
都
all
shì
是
were
zài
在
in
yǎnlèi zhōng
眼泪中
tears
dùguò
度过
spent
de
的
-
-
。
.
Because grandma never went to school and can't read, she is illiterate. An eye blind person can't see things, an illiterate can't read characters. Therefore, learning a language is especially difficult for her. The difficulty of learning Yuyao dialect makes her even more homesick. Many days in the first year of marriage were spent in tears.
wàigōng
外公
grandfather
de
的
's
māma
妈妈
mother
huì
会
would
zuò
做
make
diǎn
点
some
língshí
零食
snacks
gěi
给
for
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
chī
吃
eat
-
，
,
ānwèi
安慰
comforting
tā
她
her
-
。
.
zhèzhǒng
这种
this kind of
rìzi
日子
days
chíxù
持续
lasted
le
了
-
yì nián bàn
一年半
one and a half years
-
。
.
yì nián hòu
一年后
one year later
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
zhōngyú
终于
finally
néng
能
could
tīng dǒng
听懂
understand
yìxiē
一些
some
le
了
-
-
，
,
mànmàn
慢慢
slowly
yě
也
also
huì
会
can
shuō
说
speak
yìxiē
一些
some
le
了
-
-
。
.
Grandfather's mother would make some snacks for grandmother to eat, comforting her. This kind of days lasted for one and a half years. One year later, grandmother finally could understand some things and slowly could speak some as well.
dàjiā
大家
everyone
yěxǔ
也许
may
tīngguò
听过
have heard
zuìjìn
最近
recent
jǐnián
几年
years
hěn
很
very
liúxíng
流行
popular
de
的
of
yí gè
一个
a
lǐniàn
理念
concept
-
：
:
-
comprehensible
comprehensible
-
-
input
input
-
。
.
zhègè
这个
this
lǐniàn
理念
concept
zài
在
in
zhōngwén
中文
Chinese
lǐ
里
in
fānyì
翻译
translated
wéi
为
as
kě lǐjiě xìng shūrù
可理解性输入
comprehensible input
-
，
,
tōngguò
通过
by
tīng
听
listening
hé
和
and
yuèdú
阅读
reading
dàliàng
大量
a large amount
shìhé
适合
suitable
nǐ
你
your
shuǐpíng
水平
level
de
的
of
nèiróng
内容
content
-
，
,
cóng'ér
从而
thus
lái
来
to
tígāo
提高
improve
nǐ de
你的
your
yǔyán nénglì
语言能力
language ability
-
。
.
yìsi
意思
meaning
jiùshì shuō
就是说
is that
-
，
,
nǐ
你
you
tīng
听
listen
duō le
多了
a lot
-
，
,
kàn duō le
看多了
read a lot
-
，
,
zìrán ér rán
自然而然
naturally
yě jiù
也就
also
huì
会
can
shuō le
说了
speak
-
。
.
wǒ de
我的
my
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
shì
是
is
gè
个
a
kě lǐjiě xìng shūrù
可理解性输入
comprehensible input
yǔyán xuéxí
语言学习
language learning
de
的
of
xiānfēng zhě
先锋者
pioneer
-
。
.
Everyone may have heard of a concept that has been very popular in recent years: comprehensible input. This concept is translated in Chinese as comprehensible input, improving your language ability by listening to and reading a large amount of content suitable for your level. It means that if you listen and read a lot, you will naturally be able to speak as well. My grandmother is a pioneer of comprehensible input language learning.
gāng
刚
just
jiéhūn
结婚
get married
de
的
's
nàduàn
那段
that period
shíjiān
时间
time
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
Grandma
bùjǐn
不仅
not only
bú huì
不会
cannot
shuō
说
speak
Yúyáo huà
余姚话
Yuyao dialect
-
，
,
tā
她
she
yě
也
also
bú huì
不会
cannot
shāo fàn
烧饭
cook
-
。
.
dāngshí
当时
at that time
Yúyáo
余姚
Yuyao
nóngcūn
农村
countryside
lǐ
里
in
shāo fàn
烧饭
cook
yòng
用
use
tǔ zào
土灶
clay stove
-
，
,
zàotái
灶台
stove platform
xiàmiàn
下面
below
shāo
烧
burn
cháihuǒ
柴火
firewood
-
。
.
qíshí
其实
actually
hé
和
and
wǒ
我
I
xiànzài
现在
now
qù
去
go
yěyíng
野营
camping
chàbùduō
差不多
similar
-
：
:
shāo fàn
烧饭
cook
qián
前
before
yào
要
must
xiān
先
first
shōují
收集
gather
gānchái
干柴
dry firewood
-
，
,
dàocǎo
稻草
straw
-
。
.
zào
灶
stove
xiàmiàn
下面
beneath
de
的
's
huǒ
火
fire
diǎnzháo
点着
lit
le
了
indicates completed action
zhīhòu
之后
after
-
，
,
xūyào
需要
need
bǎ
把
(particle)
chái
柴
firewood
yì gēn yì gēn
一根一根
one by one
mànmàn de
慢慢地
slowly
sāi jìnqù
塞进去
push in
-
。
.
During the period just after getting married, Grandma not only couldn't speak the Yuyao dialect, she also couldn't cook. At that time in the countryside of Yuyao, cooking was done with a clay stove, with firewood burned beneath the stove platform. Actually, it is similar to my current camping: before cooking, dry firewood and straw must first be gathered. After the fire beneath the stove is lit, the firewood must be slowly and gradually pushed in one piece at a time.
lǎoshì
老式
old
zào
灶
stove
zài
在
is
shìnèi
室内
indoors
-
，
,
yě
也
also
méiyǒu
没有
no
páiqì xìtǒng
排气系统
ventilation system
-
，
,
yǒushí
有时
sometimes
yòu
又
again
jiāshàng
加上
with
liánxù
连续
continuous
xià yǔ
下雨
rain
-
，
,
dàocǎo
稻草
straw
yòu
又
again
shī
湿
wet
-
。
.
shāo gè fàn de shíjiān
烧个饭的时间
cooking time
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
zǒng shì
总是
always
bèi
被
is
yān xūn
烟熏
smoked
de
得
-
yǎnjing
眼睛
eyes
dōu
都
all
zhāng bù kāi
张不开
barely open
-
。
.
tā
她
she
zhǔ de
煮的
cooked
fàn
饭
rice
dǐxia
底下
bottom
shì
是
is
jiāo de
焦的
burnt
-
，
,
zhōngjiān
中间
middle
shì
是
is
shēng mǐ
生米
raw rice
-
，
,
shàngmiàn
上面
top
shì
是
is
zhōu
粥
porridge
-
。
.
The old stove is indoors, and there is no ventilation system. Sometimes, with continuous rain, the straw becomes wet. During the cooking time, grandmother is always smoked so much that her eyes can barely open. The bottom of the rice she cooks is burnt, the middle is raw rice, and the top is porridge.


jiéhūn
结婚
marry
sānnián hòu
三年后
three years after
-
，
,
wǒ de
我的
my
māma
妈妈
mother
chūshēng le
出生了
was born
-
。
.
děng
等
when
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mother
liǎng suì
两岁
two years old
de shíhòu
的时候
when
-
，
,
wǒ de
我的
my
jiùjiu
舅舅
uncle
chūshēng le
出生了
was born
-
。
.
Three years after getting married, my mother was born. When my mother was two years old, my uncle was born.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
zài
在
at
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mother
wǔsuì
五岁
five years old
de
的
's
shíhou
时候
time
hé
和
with
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
yìqǐ
一起
together
qù
去
go
suànmìng
算命
fortune telling
-
。
.
suànmì shīfu
算命师傅
fortune teller
tōngguò
通过
through
nǐ
你
your
de
的
's
shēngchén bāzì
生辰八字
birth date
-
（
(
jiùshì
就是
is
nǐ
你
your
de
的
's
shēngrì
生日
birthday
-
），
)
hái yǒu
还有
and
nǐ
你
your
de
的
's
xiàngmào
相貌
appearance
lái
来
to
yùcè
预测
predict
nǐ
你
your
yǐhòu
以后
future
de
的
's
rénshēng
人生
life
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
zhècái
这才
only then
zhīdào
知道
know
yuánlái
原来
originally
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
bǐ
比
compare
tā
她
her
búshì
不是
not
dà
大
older
wǔsuì
五岁
five years
-
，
,
érshì
而是
but
bǐ
比
compare
tā
她
her
dà
大
older
shíbā suì
十八岁
eighteen years
-
。
.
Grandma went to fortune telling with grandpa when my mother was five years old. The fortune teller predicts your future life based on your shēngchén bāzì (which is your birthday) and your appearance.  Only then did grandma realize grandpa was not five years older than her, but eighteen years older.


zài
在
when
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mother
qī suì
七岁
seven years old
de
的
's
shíhou
时候
time
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
cái
才
only then
dì yī cì
第一次
first time
huí
回
return
Sūběi
苏北
northern Jiangsu
-
。
.
zhīqián
之前
before
tā
她
she
xiǎng
想
want
huí
回
return
lǎojiā
老家
hometown
-
，
,
zǒngshì
总是
always
bèi
被
by
qiān fāng bǎi jì
千方百计
every possible means
zǔlán zhe
阻拦着
stopped
-
。
.
yīnwèi
因为
because
wàigōng
外公
grandfather
pà
怕
fear
tā
她
she
yī
一
once
huí dào
回到
return to
Sūběi
苏北
northern Jiangsu
jiù
就
just
bù
不
not
huí
回
return
Yúyáo
余姚
Yuyao
le
了
-
-
。
.
When my mother was seven years old, my grandmother returned to northern Jiangsu for the first time. Before, she wanted to return to her hometown, but she was always stopped by every possible means. Because my grandfather was afraid that once she returned to northern Jiangsu, she would not come back to Yuyao.


suīrán
虽然
although
wàipó
外婆
grandma
shuō
说
said
māma
妈妈
mom
xiǎoshíhòu
小时候
childhood
méi
没
not
chīguò
吃过
suffered
shénme
什么
much
kǔ
苦
hardship
-
，
,
dàn
但
but
zài
在
in
wǒ
我
my
kànlái
看来
view
-
，
,
māma
妈妈
mom
xiǎoshíhòu
小时候
childhood
-
，
,
rìzi
日子
days
yīrán
依然
still
fēicháng
非常
very
jiānxīn
艰辛
difficult
-
。
.
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mom
shì
是
is
gè
个
a
qīlínhòu
70后
post-70s generation
-
，
,
cóng
从
since
wǔ liù suì
五六岁
five or six years old
yǒu
有
has
jìyì
记忆
memory
qǐ
起
since
jiù
就
then
chángcháng
常常
often
āi'è
挨饿
hungry
-
。
.
suǒwèide
所谓的
so-called
chīfàn
吃饭
eating
yě jiùshì
也就是
just
hē zhōu
喝粥
drink porridge
-
，
,
zhōu
粥
porridge
yě
也
also
shì
是
is
xīzhōu
稀粥
watery porridge
-
。
.
jiālǐ
家里
at home
jǐnyǒu de
仅有的
only
yīdiǎn
一点
a little
liángshi
粮食
grain
-
，
,
yào
要
must
yījiārén
一家人
whole family
fēn dào
分到
spread
yì nián lǐ
一年里
in a year
chī
吃
eat
-
。
.
suǒyǐ
所以
so
-
，
,
měi yí dùn
每一顿
each meal
zhǐ
只
only
yǔnxǔ
允许
allow
ná
拿
take
yì xiǎo bǎ mǐ
一小把米
a small handful of rice
-
，
,
ránhòu
然后
then
fàng shàng
放上
put in
yí dà guō shuǐ
一大锅水
a big pot of water
-
，
,
zhǔ
煮
cook
yí dà guō xī zhōu
一大锅稀粥
a big pot of watery porridge
-
。
.
zhōu
粥
porridge
yě
也
also
yǐjīng
已经
already
bú shì
不是
not
zhōu le
粥了
porridge any more
-
，
,
shì
是
is
yì guō shuǐ
一锅水
a pot of water
-
，
,
jiā shàng
加上
with
guō dǐ
锅底
bottom of the pot
chén zhe
沉着
settled
yì diǎn diǎn
一点点
a little bit
pào kāi le
泡开了
soaked and opened
de
的
of
fàn lì
饭粒
rice grains
éryǐ
而已
only
-
。
.
yìjiārén
一家人
family
hē
喝
drink
xīzhōu
稀粥
watery porridge
-
，
,
yǐzhìyú
以至于
so that
chángcháng
常常
often
niào kùzi
尿裤子
wet pants
-
。
.
yóuqí shì
尤其是
especially
dōngtiān
冬天
winter
-
，
,
tiānqì
天气
weather
yuè lěng
越冷
the colder
yuè huì
越会
more likely to
niào kùzi
尿裤子
wet pants
-
，
,
yī yǒu
一有
once have
niào yì
尿意
urge to urinate
-
，
,
jiù
就
then
biē bú zhù
憋不住
can't hold it
-
。
.
Although Grandma said Mom didn't suffer much when she was young, in my view, Mom's childhood was still very difficult. My mom was born in the 70s. Since she was five or six years old, she often went hungry. The so-called eating was just drinking porridge, and the porridge was watery. The little grain of food in the house was shared among the whole family to last the whole year. So, each meal only allowed a small handful of rice, then a big pot of water was added to cook a big pot of watery porridge. The porridge was no longer porridge; it was a pot of water with a little bit of rice grains soaked at the bottom. The family drank watery porridge so often that they frequently wet their pants. Especially in winter, the colder the weather, the more they would wet their pants; once they felt the urge, they couldn't hold it.


hòulái
后来
later
shēnghuó
生活
life
mànmàn
慢慢
slowly
yǒuxiē
有些
some
gǎishàn
改善
improve
-
，
,
hē
喝
drink
zhōu
粥
porridge
shí
时
when
kěyǐ
可以
can
pèishàng
配上
with
yìxiǎokuài
一小块
a small piece
dòufǔrǔ
豆腐乳
fermented tofu
chī
吃
eat
-
。
.
dòufǔrǔ
豆腐乳
fermented tofu
shì
是
is
yòng
用
use
fājiàoguò de
发酵过的
fermented
dòufu
豆腐
tofu
zuò de
做的
made
-
，
,
wèidào
味道
taste
xiánxián de
咸咸的
salty
-
。
.
yǒu xìngqù
有兴趣
interested
chángshì
尝试
try
dòufǔrǔ
豆腐乳
fermented tofu
de
的
(particle)
péngyǒumen
朋友们
friends
kěyǐ
可以
can
qù
去
go
Zhōngguó chāoshì
中国超市
Chinese supermarket
mǎi
买
buy
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
zhùzài
住在
live in
Duōlúnduō
多伦多
Toronto
-
。
.
Duōlúnduō
多伦多
Toronto
de
的
′s
Zhōngguó chāoshì
中国超市
Chinese supermarket
lǐ
里
inside
dōu néng
都能
all can
zhǎodào
找到
find
dòufǔrǔ
豆腐乳
fermented tofu
-
。
.
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mom
měitiān
每天
daily
de
的
(particle)
sāncān
三餐
three meals
jiùshì
就是
are
xīzhōu
稀粥
thin porridge
jiā
加
add
yìdiǎndiǎn
一点点
a little
dòufǔrǔ
豆腐乳
fermented tofu
-
。
.
dòufǔrǔ
豆腐乳
fermented tofu
yě
也
also
bùnéng
不能
can't
duō chī
多吃
eat much
-
，
,
měicì
每次
each time
yě jiù
也就
just
yòng
用
use
kuàizi
筷子
chopsticks
zhàn
蘸
dip
yíxià
一下
a little
-
，
,
duō chī le
多吃了
eat too much
yào
要
will
bèi
被
be
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
mà
骂
scold
bàijiāzǐ
败家子
spendthrift
-
，
,
tài
太
too
làngfèi le
浪费了
wasteful
-
。
.
Later, life slowly improved a bit, and when drinking porridge, I could have a small piece of dòufǔrǔ to eat. Dòufǔrǔ is made from fermented tofu and tastes salty. Friends interested in trying fermented tofu can go to Chinese supermarkets to buy it. I live in Toronto. Fermented tofu can be found in Chinese supermarkets in Toronto. My mom's daily three meals are thin porridge with a little fermented tofu added. One isn't allowed eat too much fermented tofu; each time you may dip the chopsticks in a little. If my mom had a little too much, she would get scolded by grandpa for being a spendthrift. How wasteful.


fēntián
分田
land allocation
dàohù
到户
to households
kāishǐ
开始
start
hòu
后
after
-
，
,
tǔdì
土地
land
suīrán
虽然
although
réng
仍
still
shǔyú
属于
belong
guójiā
国家
state
-
，
,
dàn
但
but
zhèngfǔ
政府
government
bǎ
把
take
tǔdì
土地
land
fēn gěi
分给
allocate to
měi jiā měi hù
每家每户
each household
lái
来
to
zhòng
种
farm
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
māma
妈妈
mother
dú
读
study
chūzhōng
初中
middle school
de
的
[possessive]
nà huìr
那会儿
then
-
，
,
jiālǐ
家里
family
fēn dào
分到
allocated
le
了
[completed action]
yí kuài
一块
a piece
yì mǔ
一亩
one mu
èr fēn
二分
two fen
dì
地
land
-
，
,
dàgài
大概
approximately
shì
是
is
qībǎi duō
700多
over 700
píngfāng mǐ
平方米
square meters
-
。
.
tǔdì
土地
land
shì
是
is
gēnjù
根据
based on
jiātíng
家庭
family
rénshù
人数
number of people
fēnpèi
分配
allocate
de
的
[particle]
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
māma
妈妈
mother
jiālǐ
家里
family
sì kǒu rén
四口人
four members
-
，
,
suǒyǐ
所以
so
tāmen
他们
they
fēn dào
分到
received
de
的
[particle]
dì
地
land
shǎo
少
little
-
。
.
After the start of land allocation to households, although the land still belonged to the state, the government allocated land to each household for farming. When my mother was in middle school, her family was allocated a plot of one mu and two fen of land, about 700 square meters. Land is allocated based on the number of family members. My mother's family has four members, so the land they received was small.
suīrán
虽然
although
dì
地
land
shǎo
少
small
-
，
,
dànshì
但是
but
yǒule
有了
having
dì
地
land
hòu
后
after
rìzi
日子
life
jiù
就
then
bù yíyàng
不一样
different
le
了
-
-
。
.
wàigōng wàipó
外公外婆
Grandpa and grandma
yìxīn pū zài
一心扑在
wholeheartedly devoted
nà
那
that
yì mǔ èr fēn dì
一亩二分地
one mu and two fen of land
shàng
上
on
-
，
,
jīngxīn zhàoguǎn
精心照管
carefully tending
-
，
,
chúle
除了
besides
zhòng
种
planting
shuǐdào
水稻
rice
màizi
麦子
wheat
děng
等
etc.
zìjiā
自家
own
chī de
吃的
to eat
liángshí zuòwù
粮食作物
grain crops
-
，
,
hái
还
also
zhòng
种
plant
xiē
些
some
jīngjì zuòwù
经济作物
cash crops
lái
来
to
mài qián
卖钱
sell for money
-
，
,
bǐrú
比如
for example
xīguā
西瓜
watermelon
-
，
,
dìguā
地瓜
sweet potato
hé
和
and
wāndòu
豌豆
peas
-
。
.
māma de
妈妈的
Mom's
yì jiā rén
一家人
family
zhōngyú
终于
finally
néng
能
can
chī bǎo fàn
吃饱饭
eat enough to eat
le
了
-
-
。
.
búdàn
不但
not only
néng
能
can
chī bǎo fàn
吃饱饭
eat enough rice
-
，
,
érqiě
而且
but also
hái néng
还能
still can
chī shàng
吃上
eat
cài
菜
vegetables
-
。
.
Although the land was small, life changed after having land. Grandpa and grandma wholeheartedly devoted themselves to that one mu and two fen of land, carefully tending it. Mom's family finally could have enough to eat. Not only could they eat enough rice, but they could also have vegetables.


měinián
每年
every year
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
wàipó
外婆
grandma
bǎ
把
(indicates object)
yīngjiǎo
应缴
required
de
的
(possessive particle)
liángshi
粮食
grain
shàngjiǎo
上缴
turn in
gěi
给
to
guójiā
国家
country
yǐwài
以外
besides
-
，
,
huì
会
will
liúxià
留下
leave
gòu
够
enough
yì
一
one
jiā
家
family
sì kǒu rén
四口人
four people
chī
吃
eat
de
的
(possessive particle)
liángshi
粮食
grain
-
。
.
zài
再
again
màidiào
卖掉
sell
yíbùfen
一部分
a part
huàn
换
exchange
qián
钱
money
bǔtiē
补贴
subsidize
jiāyòng
家用
household expenses
-
。
.
Every year, besides my grandparents turning in the required grain to the country, they leave enough grain for a family of four to eat. They sell some more to get money to support the household.
měinián
每年
every year
yídào
一到
once
shōu shuǐdào
收水稻
harvest rice
de shíhòu
的时候
time
-
，
,
měitiān
每天
everyday
yí dàzǎo
一大早
very early
-
，
,
tiān
天
sky
hái méi
还没
not yet
liàng
亮
bright
-
，
,
tāmen
他们
they
yì jiā rén
一家人
family
jiù yào
就要
have to
xià dì
下地
go to field
gàn huó
干活
work
-
。
.
nà shíhòu
那时候
at that time
māma
妈妈
mother
cái
才
only
shíyī èr suì
十一二岁
eleven or twelve years old
-
，
,
yě
也
also
yào
要
have to
yìqǐ
一起
together
bāngmáng
帮忙
help
-
。
.
tāmen
他们
they
xiān
先
first
yòng
用
use
yì zhǒng
一种
a kind of
wānwān de
弯弯的
curved
-
、
,
xiǎo xiǎo de
小小的
small
dāo
刀
knife
lái
来
to
gē shuǐdào
割水稻
cut rice
-
。
.
zhè zhǒng
这种
this kind of
dāozi
刀子
knife
jiào zuò
叫做
called
liándāo
镰刀
sickle
-
。
.
shuǐdào
水稻
rice
yào
要
must
yì kē yì kē
一棵一棵
one by one
gē xiàlái
割下来
cut down
-
，
,
ránhòu
然后
then
yì xiǎo bǎ yì xiǎo bǎ
一小把一小把
small bundles
de
地
(adverb marker)
fàng hǎo
放好
place neatly
-
。
.
děng
等
after
zhěng kuài tián lǐ
整块田里
whole field
de
的
(possessive)
shuǐdào
水稻
rice
dōu
都
all
gē wán le
割完了
cut finish
-
，
,
tāmen
他们
they
bǎ
把
(disposal marker)
tuōlìjī
脱粒机
threshing machine
tái dào
抬到
carry to
dì lǐ
地里
field
-
。
.
zhè ge
这个
this
jīqì
机器
machine
yí zhuàn
一转
once turn
-
，
,
jiù néng
就能
can then
bǎ
把
(disposal marker)
gǔzi
谷子
grain
hé
和
and
dàocǎo
稻草
straw
fēnkāi
分开
separate
-
。
.
dǎ xiàlái de
打下来的
harvested
gǔzi
谷子
grain
shàng
上
on
hái yǒu
还有
still have
hěn duō
很多
many
hěn xì
很细
very fine
de
的
(particle)
xiǎo máo
小毛
hairs
-
，
,
zhèxiē
这些
these
xiǎo máo
小毛
hairs
hěn zhā shǒu
很扎手
very prickly
-
，
,
jiào
叫
called
gǔ máng
谷芒
awns
-
。
.
tāmen
他们
they
zài
再
then
tiāo
挑
pick up
gǔzi
谷子
grain
dào
到
to
kōng dì shang
空地上
bare ground
-
，
,
bǎ
把
(disposal marker)
gǔzi
谷子
grain
shuǎi qǐlái
甩起来
toss up
-
，
,
ràng
让
let
fēng
风
wind
bǎ
把
(disposal marker)
gǔ máng
谷芒
awns
chuī zǒu
吹走
blow away
-
。
.
jiē xiàlái de
接下来的
following
rìzi
日子
days
-
，
,
jiù yào
就要
have to
bǎ
把
(disposal marker)
gǔzi
谷子
grain
shài gān
晒干
dry under sun
-
。
.
měitiān
每天
every day
yì jiā rén
一家人
family
cóng
从
from
tiān méng méng liàng
天蒙蒙亮
dawn
máng dào
忙到
busy till
tiān hēi
天黑
dark
-
，
,
lèi de
累得
tired to
bù dé liǎo
不得了
extremely
-
。
.
Every year when it's time to harvest the rice, every morning very early, before dawn, the whole family goes to work in the fields. At that time, mother was only eleven or twelve years old and also had to help. They first use a kind of small, curved knife to cut the rice. This kind of knife is called a sickle. The rice is cut stalk by stalk, then small bundles are neatly arranged. After all the rice in the field is cut, they carry the threshing machine to the field. When this machine turns, it can separate the grain from the straw. The harvested grain still has many fine hairs that are very prickly, called awns. They then sift the grain onto a bare ground, tossing it to let the wind blow away the awns. In the following days, they need to dry the grain in the sun. Every day, the family works from dawn to dusk, extremely tired.


yǒu de
有的
some
shíhòu
时候
time
wàipó
外婆
grandma
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
yě
也
also
huì
会
will
qù
去
go
jíshì
集市
market
bǎitān
摆摊
set up stall
-
，
,
mài diào
卖掉
sell
yìxiē
一些
some
tāmen
他们
their
zhòng de
种的
grown

nóngzuòwù
农作物
crops
-
。
.
qù
去
go
jíshì
集市
market
de
的
-
nà tiān
那天
the day
-
，
,
língchén
凌晨
early morning
liǎng sān diǎn
两三点
two or three o'clock
jiù
就
then
děi
得
must
qǐchuáng
起床
get up
-
，
,
ránhòu
然后
then
tiāo zhe
挑着
carry
biǎndan
扁担
shoulder pole
huòzhě
或者
or
tuī zhe
推着
push
mùchē
木车
wooden cart
zǒu qù
走去
walk to
hěn yuǎn
很远
distant
de
的
-
shìchǎng
市场
market
-
。
.
biǎndan
扁担
shoulder pole
shì
是
is
yì gēn
一根
a (measure word for long thin objects)
hěn cháng
很长
very long
yǒu diǎn
有点
somewhat
ruǎn
软
flexible
de
的
-
zhúgān
竹竿
bamboo pole
-
，
,
rénmen
人们
people
bǎ
把
carry
zhè gēn
这根
this (measure word)
zhúgān
竹竿
bamboo pole
káng zài
扛在
carry on
yí gè
一个
one
jiānbǎng
肩膀
shoulder
shàng
上
on
-
。
.
biǎndan
扁担
shoulder pole
de
的
-
liǎng duān
两端
both ends
gè
各
each
fàng
放
place
yí gè
一个
one
lánzi
篮子
basket
-
，
,
lánzi
篮子
basket
lǐmiàn
里面
inside
kěyǐ
可以
can
zhuāng
装
hold
dōngxi
东西
things
-
。
.
tuīchē
推车
push cart
de
的
-
shíhòu
时候
when
-
，
,
wǒ
我
my
de
的
-
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
zài
在
at
hòumiàn
后面
back
tuī
推
push
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandma
zài
在
at
qiánmiàn
前面
front
lā
拉
pull
-
。
.
Sometimes grandma and grandpa also go to the market to set up stalls and sell some of the crops they have grown. On the day going to the market, one must get up at two or three in the morning, then carry a shoulder pole or push a wooden cart and walk to a distant market. A shoulder pole is a very long, somewhat flexible bamboo pole, which people carry on one shoulder. Each end of the shoulder pole has a basket, and the baskets can hold things inside. When pushing the cart, my grandpa pushes from the back, and grandma pulls from the front.

dànshì
但是
but
kěnéng
可能
maybe
shì
是
is
yīnwèi
因为
because
dàjiā
大家
everyone
dōu
都
all
fēn dào
分到
given
le
了
(particle)
tián
田
field
-
，
,
suīrán
虽然
even though
yì jīn
一斤
a pound
cài
菜
vegetables
zhǐ
只
only
mài
卖
sell
yì fēn
一分
one cent
qián
钱
money
huòzhě
或者
or
liǎng fēn
两分
two cents
qián
钱
money
-
，
,
yě
也
still
mài bù chūqù
卖不出去
can't sell
-
。
.
hěn duō
很多
many
xīnxiān
新鲜
fresh
de
的
(particle)
cài
菜
vegetables
mài dào
卖到
sell until
zhōngwǔ
中午
noon
yě
也
also
mài bú diào
卖不掉
can't sell
-
，
,
ná huí
拿回
take back
jiālǐ
家里
home
qù
去
go
-
，
,
zuìhòu
最后
finally
chī bù liǎo
吃不了
cannot eat
zhème duō
这么多
so much
-
，
,
zhǐ néng
只能
can only
làn diào
烂掉
rot
-
。
.
chúle
除了
besides
mài cài
卖菜
selling vegetables
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
yě
也
also
yǎng le
养了
raised
jī
鸡
chickens
-
，
,
yě
也
also
mài
卖
sell
jīdàn
鸡蛋
eggs
-
。
.
yě
也
also
mài
卖
sell
bǐrú
比如
for example
dàmǐ
大米
rice
-
，
,
xiǎomài
小麦
wheat
de
的
(particle)
gǔwù
谷物
grains
-
。
.
māma
妈妈
mother
jīngcháng
经常
often
gēnzhe
跟着
follow
qù
去
go
mài cài
卖菜
sell vegetables
-
，
,
zài
在
in
shìchǎng
市场
market
zuò shàng
坐上
sit for
dà bàntiān
大半天
most of the day
-
，
,
jiù yīnwèi
就因为
just because
yǒu shíhòu
有时候
sometimes
wàipó
外婆
grandmother
gěi
给
give
tā
她
her
mǎi
买
buy
yí gè
一个
a
sān fēn qián
三分钱
three-cent
de
的
(particle)
shāobǐng
烧饼
pancake
-
。
.
shāobǐng
烧饼
pancake
de
的
(particle)
wàipí
外皮
crust
yǒudiǎn
有点
slightly
wēiwēi
微微
slightly
kǎo jiāo
烤焦
charred
-
，
,
jīn huángsè
金黄色
golden yellow
-
，
,
yòu xiāng yòu cuì
又香又脆
fragrant and crispy
-
。
.
But maybe it's because everyone was given a field; even though one jin (half of a kilo) of vegetables only sells for one or two cents, they still can't be sold. Many fresh vegetables remain unsold by noon, taken back home, and finally, unable to eat so much, they just rot. Besides selling vegetables, grandmother also raised chickens and sold eggs. She also sold grains like rice and wheat. My mom often went to sell vegetables, sitting in the market for most of the day, just because sometimes grandmother bought her a three-cent pancake. The pancake's crust was slightly charred, golden yellow, fragrant and crispy.


jīntiān
今天
today
wǒmen
我们
we
jiù
就
just
jiǎng dào
讲到
talk to
zhèlǐ
这里
here
-
。
.
xièxie
谢谢
thank
nǐ de
你的
your
shōutīng
收听
listening
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
zài
在
at
xià
下
next
yì
一
one
qī
期
episode
jìxù
继续
continue
hé
和
and
dàjiā
大家
everyone
jiǎng jiǎng
讲讲
talk about
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mother
dúshū
读书
studying
shí
时
when
de
的
of
gùshi
故事
stories
-
。
.
That's all for today. Thank you for listening. In the next episode, I will continue to tell everyone stories about from my mother's school days.
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