Aleksa (翱磊)'s Study Log

As of today (July 08, 2026)

Character Progression 汉字学习进度

2026-07-08

Level Learned Out Of % Complete Growth
HSK 1 300 300 100% -
HSK 2 300 300 100% -
HSK 3 300 300 100% -
HSK 4 300 300 100% -
HSK 5 300 300 100% -
HSK 6 300 300 100% -
HSK 7-9 1049 1200 87.4% +48
Non-HSK 30 229 13.1% +2

This table includes all of the ones I’ve skipped.

Claude Stories

白鹭渡纪事

白鹭渡纪事

一、镇志·渡口

白鹭渡是江边一座不起眼的小镇。远处(yuǎnchù, a distant place)山峦起伏,云雾缭绕。清晨,码头广播里说着两件事:一是邻岛火山喷发,岩浆(yánjiāng, magma)正沿山坡缓缓流下,提醒渔船绕道而行;二是昨夜一艘外来货船进港时操作不慎,险些(zhào, to cause trouble/an accident)事,幸而只擦伤了船身。连日恶劣(èliè, bad/harsh)天气过后,今日总算放晴,只是空气仍有几分干燥(gānzào, dry)。

河岸边堆着一排排石块(shíkuài, stone block),那是修新船闸(chuánzhá, ship lock)剩下的材料。这座船闸上月刚(jùn, to complete)工,为白鹭渡奠定(diàndìng, to establish/lay a foundation)了水运枢纽的地位,无疑(wúyí, undoubtedly)是这些年镇上最大的喜事。水面被风(lüè, to skim/sweep past)过,轻轻(yàng, to ripple)开一圈圈波纹。岸边老树下升起一(lǚ, a wisp/thread; classifier)炊烟,几个老人坐在石(dūn, mound/stone stool)上闲谈,不慌不忙。

二、市井·晨

日头渐高,集市渐渐热闹起来,人声熙熙(rǎng, bustling/crowded)攘,摊位一个挨着一个。卖干货的摊子上摆着红彤彤的(zǎo, jujube/date);隔壁(Qiáo, surname Qiao)老板支着个花摊,卖着新鲜的玫瑰(méigui, rose),他一边理花一边掐去多余的花(dì, stem/base of a flower or fruit)。乔老板为人潇洒(xiāosǎ, carefree and dashing),手脚麻利。旁边还有个卖(yāng, rice seedling)苗的农人,担子两头沉甸甸的。

几个顽童在摊位间追逐打闹,一个不小心撞翻了篮子,对方举拳作势要(zòu, to hit/beat)他,幸好被大人拦下,一脚(chuài, to kick/stomp)翻了旁边的小凳子,惹得摊主直(dīng, to stare at)着他们。街角(tì, to shave)头的老汉支着摊子,慢悠悠地给客人刮着胡子;再往前是一家小店,锅里正(shuàn, to rinse; hot pot)着羊肉,香气四溢。

"这帮孩子,(jìng, unexpectedly/actually)敢在我摊子前撒野!"卖鱼的老汉嘟囔着。旁边的老(Cáo, surname Cao)却只顾着(tān, overly fond of)杯,笑呵呵地劝架:“小孩子闹着玩罢了。”

三、市井·疑云

市集深处,一个扒手(páshǒu, pickpocket)盯上了个外乡人腰间的钱(fú, wrapping cloth)子。他不仅想偷走里面的银钱,还悄悄传话威胁,要勒索(lèsuǒ, to extort)一笔"封口费"。所幸外乡人机警,诡计并未得逞(déchěng, to succeed in a scheme)。围观的人们纷纷揣摩(chuǎimó, to ponder/surmise)这扒手的来历,几位镇上的长者聚在一处商讨(shāngtǎo, to discuss)对策,又反复(cuō, to consult/deliberate)商了许久。

消息很快传扬(chuányáng, to spread (news))开来,还有个爱多嘴的人趁机煽动(shāndòng, to incite)大伙儿去围堵扒手。所幸镇长出面调解,一番周旋后,气氛才重新融洽(róngqià, harmonious)起来。镇口那只常来讨食的野猫这两日忽然失(zōng, trace/track)了,今早又懒洋洋地蹿了回来,倒把大伙儿逗笑了,冲淡了几分疑云。

近来由于外地商船频繁往来,镇上的粮价飙升(biāoshēng, to soar/skyrocket)不少,倒也从侧面印证了那扒手为何盯上外乡人的钱袋——这年头,人心里那点贪婪(tānlán, greedy)的念头,总是藏不住的。

四、人家·闺女

乔老板的闺女(guīnü, daughter)阿禾,今年十六岁,自幼跟着父亲学打理花铺,闲时爱哼几句小曲。入秋后,乔老板身子渐渐不好,常咳嗽不止。镇上郎中登门诊治,里里外外查看了一遍,包括口腔(kǒuqiāng, oral cavity)和泪腺(lèixiàn, tear gland),神色却越来越凝重——细胞恐已(ái, to become cancerous)变,再拖下去怕是要发展成癌症(áizhèng, cancer)。

阿禾听闻,眼眶一红,泪水登时(biāo, to gush/burst forth)出,她强忍着不敢在父亲面前哭出声,只低头修剪(xiūjiǎn, to trim/prune)手边的花枝,一枝一枝,动作却慢了下来。她心里怀(huái, to harbor/cherish (a feeling))着说不出的忧惧,仿佛揣了个沉甸甸的包袱(bāofu, bundle; burden),压得她喘不过气。

夜里,阿禾翻出父亲年轻时走南闯北留下的旧账本,纸页间还留着当年跑单帮的足迹(zújì, footprint; track)。她一页页翻看,恍惚间竟像丢了(hún, soul)一般坐到天亮。她忽然想起父亲常说的一句话:世上没有什么是永恒(yǒnghéng, eternal)的,唯有人心里那点惦念,才最难放下——那大概就是所谓的灵魂(línghún, soul)吧。

五、戏台·三国轶事

为了给父亲宽心,也为凑些诊金,阿禾报名参加了庙会的戏班。她自幼便展露出登台的天(fù, innate talent),尤其一副唱(qiāng, singing style/tune)清亮婉转,戏班便请她一同排一出历史大戏。

这出戏,从曹操(Cáo Cāo, Cao Cao — historical figure)的故事一直演到北魏(Běi Wèi, Northern Wei dynasty)年间,跨度极大,讲的是乱世里将领们的恩怨纠葛。台上,饰演(Yuán, surname Yuan)绍的老生一亮嗓,便博得满堂彩。

剧情里,守军退守堡垒(bǎolěi, fortress),城外的营房(yíngfáng, barracks)连绵一片。敌将下令部(shǔ, to deploy/arrange)兵力,又暗中乔装(qiáozhuāng, to disguise oneself)打扮,潜入城中打探虚实。守将识破奸计,当即派遣(pàiqiǎn, to dispatch)精兵,要将敌军歼灭(jiānmiè, to annihilate)于城下,又下令要"聚而(jiān, to annihilate)之",不留后患。

台词里还揭露一段丑闻:军中粮官暗中贪污(tānwū, to embezzle)军饷,加征的赋税(fùshuì, taxes)大半落入私囊,气得守将怒不可遏。眼看敌军就要破城,正是千(jūn, unit of weight)一发之际,双方主帅终于坐下和谈,签署(qiānshǔ, to sign)了停战文书,约定各自(qiǎn, to send away/disperse)散残部,不再互相掠夺(lüèduó, to plunder)百姓。城头守军这才卸下重担,回营用(shàn, meal)。全剧终了,台下掌声雷动,这出戏也借此(zhāng, to make evident/manifest)显了忠义与和平的可贵,台侧还立着一座小小的碉(bǎo, fort/bunker)布景,格外醒目。

六、庙会·跤场

戏演罢,庙会的重头戏——摔跤(shuāijiāo, to wrestle)大赛也拉开帷幕。青壮后生们纷纷踊跃(yǒngyuè, enthusiastic)报名,个个摩拳擦掌。裁判开赛前,先领着两名选手向台上供奉的神像(bài, to bow/pay respects)了三拜,才鸣锣开赛。

台下人群看得热血沸腾,不少人(yǒng, to leap up)身而起,大声叫好。一个看得入了迷的小观众,脚下一滑,"扑通"摔了一(jiāo, a fall/tumble),惹得众人哄笑,他也不恼,爬起来拍拍身上的土,继续挤到前排看热闹。

庙会散场时,老人们坐在一处闲话,说起白鹭渡尊师重道、邻里相帮的老规矩,都感慨这传统在镇上根深蒂固(gēnshēndìgù, deeply rooted),任凭世事变迁,总也不曾丢过。

槐树寨纪事

槐树寨纪事·危局

一、寨门内外

村子建在(xiá, gorge)口,背靠陡坡(dǒupō, steep slope),一座古老的(zhài, stockade)矗立其间。清晨,集市早已熙熙攘攘(xīxī rāngrāng, bustling with people),孩童在石阶上蹦跳(bèngtiào, to jump/bounce)嬉戏,鸡群在墙角啄食(zhuóshí, to peck at food)谷粒,几只麻雀单独(zhuó, to peck)着地上的碎屑。桥墩(qiáodūn, bridge pier)下,河水湍急,守夜人已经通宵(tōngxiāo, all night)未眠,望着远处若隐若现的(zhé, rut/track marks)痕——那是昨夜马车留下的印记,他把这一夜的心得(xīndé, insight)记在本子上。

二、通货膨胀与磋商

近来,通货膨胀(tōnghuò péngzhàng, inflation)让寨中百姓叫苦不迭,粮价飞涨,连年的暴雨造成田地(lào, waterlogging)灾,收成大减。寨主决定与邻镇磋商(cuōshāng, to consult/negotiate)对策,双方代表几番(cuō, to consult)谈,才勉强达成共识(gòngshí, consensus)。寨主态度谦逊(qiānxùn, modest),从不对下属施加(shījiā, to exert)过多压力,但对贪污之事绝不(kē, harsh)待宽纵——诸如(zhūrú, such as)克扣口粮、私吞公款这类行为,一经查实,严惩不贷。

三、边境衅端

邻寨近日屡屡寻衅(xúnxìn, to provoke)滋事,双方军队在山口(zhì, to stand facing)立数日,一触即发。有人蓄意挑起(xìn, dispute/rift)端,企图挟持(xiéchí, to hold hostage)寨主之女作为筹码。危急关头,一名勇士(yǒngshì, warrior)挺身而出,武艺绝伦(juélún, unparalleled),硬是从敌营救出人质。事后查明,幕后主使曾试图用重金拉拢(lālǒng, to win over)守卫,又暗中(é, to extort)诈商户钱财。

四、匠人生活

寨中匠人各展所长。老木匠用(xiàng, oak/rubber)木雕刻器具,一(lǚ, thread/strand)阳光洒在他布满老茧的手上。绣娘手持(juàn, silk fabric)帕,飞针走线,绣出的花纹(yùn, charm/rhyme)味悠长。铁匠铺里,炉火升腾起蒸汽(zhēngqì, steam),他把烧红的铁(tǒng, tube)放入水中淬火,又用力(nǐng, to twist)紧一枚(niǔ, knob)扣。少年学徒喜欢(xuàn, to show off)耀自己新学的手艺,常引得众人叫好(jiàohǎo, to cheer)。

五、贿赂案

不料,一桩贿赂(huìlù, to bribe)案震动全寨。粮仓管事收受商人(lù, bribe)款,故意隐瞒仓中粮食畸形(jīxíng, abnormal)短缺的真相,表面上与同僚相处融洽(róngqià, harmonious),暗地里却大肆(liǎn, to collect/hoard)财。此事若不(zhāng, to make evident)显于众,后患无穷。寨主查阅账目,发现其中(ào, profound/mysterious)妙难解之处极多。管事满腹(mǎnfù, full of)心虚,却仍强作镇定,声称自己一向(lǚ, to carry out)行职责,从不逾矩。

六、瘟疫来袭

案子还未了结,一场瘟疫(wēnyì, plague/epidemic)悄然降临。起初只是几个孩子皮肤发(nián, sticky),继而四肢麻痹(mábì, numbness/paralysis),郎中诊断为(wēn, epidemic)病之兆,又见患者神志(bì, numb)钝,反应迟缓。全寨立刻组织筛选(shāixuǎn, to screen)病患,用竹筛子(shāizi, sieve)般细密的方式逐户排查,一遍遍(shāi, to sieve)查疑似病例。井水也需过滤(guòlǜ, to filter)净化,郎中亲自(lǜ, to filter)去杂质才敢饮用。

七、隔离与照护

寨主下令设立临时(línshí, temporary)隔离所,安排专人负责病人的膳食(shànshí, meals),厨娘每日备好(shàn, meal)食送去。她性情和蔼(hé’ǎi, kind),对病人极有耐心,连(ǎi, amiable)然的笑容都从未消失。郎中用钳子(qiánzi, pliers)夹取药材,又用(qián, pincer)住伤口消毒。病床上铺着厚厚的垫子(diànzi, cushion),病人无力地(pā, to lie prone)在(diàn, cushion)上休息。为防传染,郎中还让人给病人(tì, to shave)去头发。晾晒被褥时用炭火烘干(hōnggān, to dry by heat),再单独(hōng, to heat-dry)烤衣物杀菌。

八、追查真相

案发之后,粮仓管事畏罪失踪(shīzōng, to go missing),寨中派人日夜跟踪(gēnzōng, to track)搜寻,循着蛛丝马迹的(zōng, trace)迹追查。有人称在河边石(dūn, pier/mound)附近见过他的身影,消息传开,围观百姓一时(rāng, to push/scramble)挤不堪。寨中一位书法堪称(kǎi, model/standard)模的老先生受托破译管事留下的密信,他从字里行间细细(yì, to deduce/unravel)出线索,终于揭穿了藏身之处。

九、尾声重建

经此一劫,寨中百姓齐心协力重建家园。工匠们用砖块(zhuānkuài, bricks)砌起新墙,先打牢地(chǔ, foundation stone),再(dā, to put up)起一座凉棚供人歇脚。那位曾杜门(dùmén, to seclude oneself)谢客养病的老奶奶终于走出屋子,精神潇洒(xiāosǎ, free and easy),她递给邻家孩子一包用锡纸(xīzhǐ, tin foil)裹好的红(zǎo, jujube)糕。窗外细雨(xiāo, pattering softly)潇而落,寨中的日子,终于又恢复了往日的安宁。

湖畔小镇一周纪事

湖畔小镇一周纪事

一、镇景

青山镇坐落在连绵的丘陵(qiūlíng, hills)之间,湖畔(húpàn, lakeside)风景如画。镇政府去年开辟(kāipì, to open up)了一条环湖步道,亦即(yìjí, namely; that is)居民口中的"九里长堤"。湖面上漂浮(piāofú, to float)着几只白鹅,玩帆板(fānbǎn, windsurfing board)的年轻人乘风滑行,动作富有韵律(yùnlǜ, rhythm)。为了推广低碳(dītàn, low-carbon)出行,码头边新设了自行车租赁(zūlìn, to rent; to lease)点,开业首月租金优惠(yōuhuì, favorable; discounted)。设计步道的工程师颇有巧思(qiǎosī, ingenuity; clever design idea):他沿临水一侧修了一道带顶的(láng, covered corridor; veranda),下雨天遛弯的人也不怕淋湿。

二、医院见闻

镇医院度过了忙(lù, busy)的一周。(Tú, (a surname); to slaughter)大夫为一位老木匠做了扫描(sǎomiáo, to scan),发现他颈部(jǐngbù, neck (region))长了一个小(liú, lump; tumor)。老人先是(lèng, to be stunned; to freeze)了一下,随后摆摆手:"不怕,切了就是。"化验结果出来,确认不是恶性肿瘤(zhǒngliú, tumor),一家人悬着的心瞬间(shùnjiān, in an instant)落了地。住院那几天,女儿白天伺候(cìhou, to wait on; to serve)茶饭,儿子夜里侍候(shìhòu, to attend to; to look after)汤药,老木匠逢人便说自己有福气。

三、商界风波

镇上最大的建材商(Qiáo, (a surname); tall)老板这回(zāi, to tumble; to come a cropper (also: to plant))了。审计组查出他连年贪污(tānwū, to embezzle; corruption)合作社公款,还企图垄断(lǒngduàn, to monopolize)全镇的水泥生意;为了压低成本,他竟在货里掺杂(chānzá, to adulterate; to mix in)沙土。更卑鄙(bēibǐ, despicable; base)的是,他曾哄骗(hǒngpiàn, to deceive; to hoodwink)几位老股东低价转让股份,又(shàn, without authorization (as in 擅自))自动用工程款。东窗事发,他苦心经营的生意一夜就(kuǎ, to collapse)了。他平日沽名钓誉(gūmíng-diàoyù, to fish for fame and praise),逢年过节大张旗鼓地捐款,如今看来不过是遮羞布;小报又翻出他的一桩绯闻(fēiwén, romantic scandal; gossip),他一概隐瞒(yǐnmán, to conceal; to cover up)不认。镇民们说:这种人就是社区的毒瘤(dúliú, malignant growth; cancer (figurative)),早该清除。此前建材价格一路(biāo, to soar; to shoot up)升,如今镇里的采购终于突破了瓶(jǐng, neck (as in 瓶颈: bottleneck)),新任镇长也随即(bān, to promulgate; to issue)布了更严格的招标规定。

四、田间与作坊

入秋之后,空气(zào, dry; parched)得很。李家兄弟在地里翻整出一条条笔直的(lǒng, ridge (in a field)),把挡路的秧盘往田头(nuó, to move; to shift)了挪,又顺手(sǎ, to scatter; to sprinkle)下一把菜籽。兄弟俩商量好了,年底(zǎi, to slaughter; to butcher)一头猪,请全村吃杀猪菜。村西织坊里,老太太们一边(fǎng, to spin (yarn))线一边说笑;今年新棉的纤维(xiānwéi, fiber)又长又白,冬布的成色错不了。

五、运动会

周末的镇运动会热闹非凡。摔跤(shuāijiāo, wrestling; to fall down)比赛最受欢迎:老马擅长(shàncháng, to be good at)下盘功夫,几个回合就把对手掀翻;对手不服,爬起来再冲,谁知脚下一(huàng, to sway; to wobble),又摔了个大(jiāo, a fall; a tumble),看台上笑声一片。有位家长在场边叫嚷(jiàorǎng, to shout; to clamor)裁判偏心,还生拉硬拽(shēnglā-yìngzhuài, to drag by force)地要把孩子拖上场,被工作人员劝住——组委会早有规定,大孩子不许欺侮(qīwǔ, to bully; to mistreat)小选手,家长更不许闹场。少年组的小林游泳考核只评了个丁级(dīngjí, grade D; fourth grade),却坚持游完全程,赢得全场钦佩(qīnpèi, to admire; to esteem)。颁奖(bānjiǎng, to present awards)仪式上,冠军除了奖杯,还得到一条银项链(xiàngliàn, necklace);这份荣誉(róngyù, honor; glory)让他激动得说不出话。傍晚天色(zhòu, suddenly; abruptly)变,眼看一场暴风骤雨(bàofēng-zhòuyǔ, violent storm)将至,湖上一个孩子的皮划艇被风掀翻,千(jūn, ancient unit of weight (as in 千钧一发))一发之际,救生员跃入水中把他拉了回来。

六、纪念日

周五是小镇的和平纪念日。八十多年前,战火波及此地,数百无辜平民惨遭屠杀(túshā, massacre; to slaughter);后人于湖东立起一座纪念碑(jìniànbēi, monument),主碑之侧另有一块小(bēi, stone tablet; stele),刻满逝者的姓名。这一天,不同种族(zhǒngzú, race; ethnicity)、不同口音的居民都聚到广场上默哀,平日里熙熙(rǎng, bustling (as in 熙熙攘攘))攘的广场安静下来,气氛神圣(shénshèng, sacred; solemn)而庄重。老镇长只说了一句:"逝者已矣,记忆永恒(yǒnghéng, eternal; everlasting)。"默哀的那一(shùn, instant; blink),全场只听得见风掠过湖面的声音。仪式结束,人群才缓缓(sàn, to disperse; to break up)去。

上周,镇上刚为一位百岁老兵举行了葬礼(zànglǐ, funeral);按照遗愿,人们把他(zàng, to bury)在北坡的战友身旁。那片(líng, mausoleum; tomb)园今年经过修缮,(huàn, radiant (as in 焕然一新))然一新。镇史馆也另(pì, to open up (as in 另辟蹊径))蹊径,增设了互动展区:走廊(zǒuláng, corridor; hallway)里挂满老照片,展柜里陈列着一份记录清代(qīn, by imperial order (as in 钦差))差大臣路过本镇的旧文书,还有一条旧怀表的(liàn, chain)子。讲解员是位手指(xiān, slender; fine (as in 纤细))细的姑娘,孩子们围着她提出各种疑问(yíwèn, question; doubt),她一一作答。有人担心故事讲多了孩子会听(nì, to be tired of; fed up with),老馆长摇了摇头:"有些事,再讲一百遍也不多。"正因如此,这段历史才历久(mí, all the more; increasingly)新。

云溪村志

云溪村志

一、地理志

云溪村(zhài, stockaded village)坐落在一片(chóng, lofty, towering)山峻(lǐng, mountain ridge)之间,村民口中的"老潭",亦即(yìjí, that is to say)村后那片碧绿的湖畔(húpàn, lakeside)水域。村子占地不过几十公顷(gōngqǐng, hectare),因(wěi, latitude)度偏南,四季少雪,冬日气候干(zào, dry),村民常备着润肤的猪油膏。清晨湖面常漂浮(piāofú, to float)着一层薄雾,天光未亮时,那雾气显得格外(méng, dim, hazy)胧——待日头爬上山头,雾气才渐渐散开。老支书每日拄杖巡村,步(lǚ, gait, steps)蹒跚,倒也乐在其中。

村口那棵百年古(zǎo, jujube date)树下,常有孩子摘果,随手拔去果(dì, stem, calyx of a fruit)。树旁立着一尊石狮子(shīzi, lion),檐下几只鸽子(gēzi, pigeon)咕咕作响,衔着草筑巢。村里的砖房(zhuānfáng, brick house)不多,多数还是老式土屋,窗上挂着蚊帐(wénzhàng, mosquito net)防蚊虫。

去年夏天一场暴雨横扫(héngsǎo, to sweep across)全村,雷鸣(léimíng, thunder)阵阵,仿佛有雷霆万(jūn, unit of weight; here: overwhelming force)之势。河堤年久失修,一夜之间就(kuǎ, to collapse)了半截。老桥被冲得直(huàng, to shake, sway),村民们连夜把粮仓的东西往高处(nuó, to move, shift)。风雨中,湖水(yàng, to ripple)起层层浪花,有人(nì, contrary; here: against the wind)风艰难前行。村后山坡因常年雨水侵蚀(qīnshí, to erode),露出斑驳的岩层。清晨,泥地上留着几行野猪的(zōng, trace, track)迹。桥头那对石(dūn, stone block, pier)倒是稳稳当当,一滴未挪,石墩上凝着几颗晶(yíng, sparkling, glistening)的露珠。后来村里统计雨量,发现今年各处降水明显不均(bùjūn, uneven, unequal),山那边几乎没怎么下。

傍晚时分,天边泛起彩霞(cǎixiá, colorful sunset clouds),家家户户升起一(lǚ, wisp, thread [classifier])炊烟,飘向湖面,那便是云溪村最寻常也最好看的一景。

二、集市志

逢集之日,村口人来人往,熙(rǎng, bustling, crowded)不堪,人人都忙(lù, busy)得脚不沾地。摊主们有的租赁(zūlìn, to rent, lease)桌椅摆摊,有的扯着嗓子叫嚷(jiàorǎng, to shout, yell)“优惠(yōuhuì, discount, preferential)大甩卖”。

粮商说起今年的通货膨胀(tōnghuò péngzhàng, inflation)直摇头:米价一路飙升(biāoshēng, to soar, skyrocket),正所谓物价(yǒng, to leap up; here: to soar [of prices])贵,镇上更是狂(biāo, to speed, surge),一斗米涨了三成,老农们索性屯粮(túnliáng, to stockpile grain)。

卖布的王婶手脚麻利,一边(jiǎn, to pick out, select)布料,一边讨价还价,从不(tān, greedy)心漫天要价。有客人嫌她的布"太(jiàn, cheap, low-value)",她(piě, to purse, curl [the lips])嘴道:"便宜归便宜,可没掺杂(chānzá, to mix in, adulterate)一点次品!"隔壁摊子倒真有几匹(liè, inferior)质布,是外地(fàn, peddler, dealer)子运来贱卖(jiànmài, to sell off cheap)的,凑近一(xiù, to sniff, smell),还有股霉味。

卖枣的(gū, young woman)娘生意最好,她的唇膏(chúngāo, lipstick)颜色鲜亮,说话带着一口软软的沪语(hùyǔ, Shanghai dialect),逗得旁边小贩直笑。剃头匠支起摊子,(tì, to shave)了半天,收摊后把一天挣的铜板存起来储(xù, to save up)。

卖油条的支起锅,油锅里(shuàn, to swish, scald [food in hot oil/liquid])着一把青菜,旁边还有炸得焦香的锅巴(guōbā, crispy rice crust),只是太油,吃多了觉得(nì, greasy; sick of)。有个小贩吹起喇叭(lǎba, horn, trumpet)招揽生意,声音又响又亮。卖饲料的老汉正(sā, to scatter, cast)着一把把饲料(sìliào, feed, fodder)喂鸡,老汉家的母鸡正(fū, to brood, hatch [eggs])蛋,窝里卧着七八只蛋。

集市快散场时,有人慌忙(huāngmáng, in a hurry, flustered)地跑来找丢失的孩子,人群顿时(sàn, to disperse, scatter)开让路。有个年轻人前几年挥霍(huīhuò, to squander)祖上留下的家产,如今只能靠摆摊糊口。

卖日用品的摊子上摆着搓板(cuōbǎn, washboard)和木盆,都是村里妇女最爱买的东西。卖糖人的老汉最会逗趣(dòuqù, to joke around, amuse),几句话就把一群孩子逗得咧嘴(liězuǐ, to grin)大笑,抢着尝糖人。几个男孩在场边摔跤(shuāijiāo, to wrestle),一不小心又跌(jiāo, a fall, tumble),惹得大人直喊小心。一个孩子蹲在墙角抠鼻子(kōu bízi, to pick one’s nose),被他娘一巴掌拍开手。摊主们(páo, to dig)了半天的地基还没搭完新棚子,只好留到明日再干。

三、人物志

村里德高望重的要数(Qiáo, surname)老爷。乔老爷早年行走四方,性情潇洒(xiāosǎ, carefree, dashing),从不摆架子,年纪大了,说话时总爱(yǐ, to lean on)着门框,村里人待他极融洽(róngqià, harmonious)。他相熟的(Cáo, surname)掌柜,家里世代经营杂货铺,为人谦(xùn, modest),从不与人争高低。

村东头住着姓吴的一家,(Wú, surname)先生年轻时闯荡过南洋,一身功勋(gōngxūn, meritorious deeds, achievements)挂在嘴边也不觉得夸张,说起当年的生涯(shēngyá, career, life journey),仍旧眉飞色舞。他年老体弱,家里雇了个丫头侍候(shìhòu, to wait upon, attend to)他饮食起居。他的(guī, boudoir; here: daughter)女如今在镇上教书,是十里八乡出了名的能干姑娘,村里人都觉得她荣誉(róngyù, honor)满身。她教书路上也遇过挫折(cuòzhé, setback, frustration),起初镇上人对这个乡下来的女先生有些冷淡(lěngdàn, cold, indifferent),后来见她认真教学,才渐渐改了看法。

村西头的袁家出过一位乡(shēn, gentry),(Yuán, surname)老先生早年被官府(fù, to grant, bestow)予一块山林,从此家道兴旺,可惜后人染上恶习,家道中落。袁老先生晚年常想弥补(míbǔ, to make up for, remedy)对子孙管教不严的过失,格外用心教导后辈。

村口老槐树下,两位老人常常对弈(duìyì, to play a game [chess/go] against each other),一坐就是一下午。其中一位爱独酌(dúzhuó, to drink alone),棋盘边总摆着一壶酒,自斟自饮,倒也自在。

四、趣闻录

村里最近闹得沸沸扬扬的一桩事,是关于隔壁村一段绯闻(fēiwén, scandal, rumor of a romantic affair)。据说是两家人因为儿女婚事闹翻了,此后各种谣言(yáoyán, rumor)满天飞,越传越离谱,有人存心哄骗(hǒngpiàn, to deceive, coax)旁人,添油加醋。这件事的真相其实并不卑鄙(bēibǐ, despicable, contemptible),只是当事人处理不周,才闹到人尽皆知。

村里的三婶听说了这事,非要拉着邻居去"求证",对方不愿意,她便生拉硬拽(shēnglā-yìngzhuài, to drag by force)地把人拽到门口。邻居又急又气,一脚(chuài, to kick)开院门就走,却又不好当面欺侮(qīwǔ, to bully)长辈,只能忍气吞声。有人想替当事人(yǎn, to cover, conceal)盖真相,却是欲盖(mí, more, all the more)(zhāng, evident, obvious),越描越黑。

有人猜测这背后其实是有人故意煽动(shāndòng, to incite, stir up),想看热闹。谣言渐渐(yùn, to brew, ferment)酿成一场不大不小的风波,闹得当事人觉得十分耻辱(chǐrǔ, humiliation, disgrace)。有人事后想要(xié, to coerce, hold under duress)对方赔钱,被村支书当场喝止,最后把两家人叫到一起当面说清楚,才算平息。

五、医馆手记

村里唯一的郎中姓陈,年轻时学过西医,也懂些中药。前几日,隔壁村一个孩子从树上摔下来,浑身是淤青(yūqīng, bruise),陈郎中检查一番,又给他开了几副扶正(fúzhèng, to strengthen the body’s righteous energy [TCM term])祛邪的汤药,还叮嘱他(shàn, meal, food)食清淡些,少吃油腻。

村里张老汉最近老说自己有幻觉(huànjué, hallucination),看见死去多年的老伴在院子里晃悠。陈郎中细问之下,怀疑是脂肪酸(zhīfángsuān, fatty acid)摄入失衡加上劳累过度所致,建议他多休息。

镇上医院捎信来,说是要给村里做一次扫描(sǎomiáo, to scan)检查,排查(ái, cancer)变的可能——这也是因为前年隔壁村有位老人查出癌症(áizhèng, cancer),村里人这才重视起体检。检查要用到(fú, radiation)射设备,医生再三叮嘱孕妇不要靠近。

小孩子哭闹时,陈郎中总是先看看是不是嗓子或口腔(kǒuqiāng, oral cavity)出了问题。有个孩子哭得厉害,泪腺(lèixiàn, tear gland)都肿了。陈郎中家里还请了个学徒,专门伺候(cìhou, to wait upon, attend to)病重的老人,给发烧的病人盖上一床(tǎn, blanket)子,摸起来柔软(róuruǎn, soft)暖和。

六、学堂杂记

村里的学堂设在旧祠堂里,教书先生姓周。周先生教孩子们念诗,讲究韵律(yùnlǜ, rhythm, rhyme),领着大家一句句吟(yǒng, to chant, recite [poetry])。有个学生写作文讲究巧思(qiǎosī, clever idea, ingenuity),一个段落(duànluò, paragraph)写得又巧又新,周先生特意在班上念给大家听,还给了他一份奖励(jiǎnglì, reward)。

学堂教写字时,周先生特别强调标点,比如括弧(kuòhào, parentheses, brackets)该怎么用,孩子们听得踊跃(yǒngyuè, enthusiastic, eager)举手提问,有孩子举手说自己有个疑问(yíwèn, doubt, question):为什么括弧里的字要小一点?周先生笑着解释了一番。

周先生还讲世界各地的种族(zhǒngzú, race, ethnicity)与风俗。期末考试放榜,村里最调皮的二狗子这次只得了丁级(dīngjí, grade D),急得直哭,暗自发誓下次要用功。学堂的孩子们还学了些低碳(dītàn, low-carbon)生活的道理,先生说这是外面新兴的说法,教大家少用柴火多种树。

先生说,世上有些道理是神圣(shénshèng, sacred)不可侵犯的,比如敬老爱幼,这样的道理会永恒(yǒnghéng, eternal)流传下去,不会因时代变了就过时。先生教孩子们唱歌,一段旋律(xuánlǜ, melody)反复练习了好几遍才唱整齐。

七、戏台史话

秋收之后,村里请了一个戏班子搭台唱戏,专挑三国和南北朝的老戏文。头一晚唱的是曹操(Cáo Cāo, historical figure, Three Kingdoms-era warlord)点兵的故事,戏台上"曹丞相"一声令下,派遣(pàiqiǎn, to dispatch)大军奔赴边疆(biānjiāng, frontier, border region),又调(qiǎn, to dispatch, deploy)一支奇兵绕道偷袭,要去讨伐敌军。台下老人看得入神,说当年打仗讲究一鼓作气,要全(jiān, to annihilate)敌军才算大胜。

第二晚唱的是北魏(Běi Wèi, Northern Wei dynasty)时期的故事,讲一个地方官贪污(tānwū, corruption, embezzlement)受贿,横征赋税(fùshuì, taxes, levies),逼得百姓家破人亡。戏里那贪官说话总打官(qiāng, tone, accent; here: official/bureaucratic tone),一副贪婪(tānlán, greedy)嘴脸,还收人贿(huì, bribe)赂,仗着权势独霸(dúbà, to dominate, monopolize)一方,纵兵四处(lüè, to plunder, pillage)夺,对百姓的掠夺(lüèduó, to plunder, pillage)从不手软。

最后官逼民反,义军招募(zhāomù, to recruit)乡勇乔装打扮,隐蔽(yǐnbì, concealed, hidden)潜入敌营,一把火烧了贪官的粮仓。贪官吓得躲进城(bǎo, castle, fort),紧闭大门,还想靠这处堡垒(bǎolěi, fortress, stronghold)顽抗到底,怎奈义军士气正旺,一举攻破,贪官仓皇出逃,最终被义军歼灭(jiānmiè, to annihilate)。

戏班班主还擅长乔装(qiáozhuāng, to disguise oneself)之术,演到义军细作乔装潜入敌营那一段,故意压低嗓子,台下叫好声不断。据说那贪官死后灵魂(línghún, soul, spirit)不散,常在废墟附近游荡,老人们说,人的(hún, soul, spirit)一旦有怨气,便难以超生,胆小的孩子都不敢靠近。台下有位老人说,自己就是当年那位义军首领的后(yì, descendant),说完引得众人一阵唏嘘。

八、科技志

去年冬天,镇上派人来村里拉电源(diànyuán, power source, supply)线,说是要通电。施工队长解释这套系统装了个安全阀(ānquánfá, safety valve)防止电压太高烧坏电器,墙角还有个红色按(niǔ, button, knob),一按就能断电。

合作社趁机想上马一个新项目,招人来做部(shǔ, office; here: to deploy, arrange)工作,双方谈了好几轮,反复(cuō, to consult, discuss)商,才把合同签署(qiānshǔ, to sign [a document])下来。合同上写的都是些听着挺深(ào, profound, abstruse)的条款,合作社主任解释这套系统还带点虚拟(xūnǐ, virtual)技术,将来村里账目都能在线上查。合作社还打算办个鸡苗孵化(fūhuà, to hatch, incubate)场,用上新式孵化器。

施工前,还得先(kān, to survey, prospect)探地形,看线路怎么走最合适,工地上装了个小闸门,用来促使(cùshǐ, to prompt, cause)水流转向,免得挖坑时积水。工人们进村干活前,先在村口设了个安检(ānjiǎn, security check)点,检查随身工具。

天色渐晚,村里的灯火头一次亮了起来,远远看去一片朦胧(ménglóng, hazy, blurred)暖光,通电之后,村子仿佛(huàn, radiant, transformed)然一新,村民们都说,这是云溪村头一次这么亮堂。

九、尾声

村志编到这里,执笔人秉持(bǐngchí, to uphold, adhere to)据实记录的原则,把这一年云溪村的大事小情都写了进去。有人说,村里有些老规矩根深蒂固(gēnshēndìgù, deeply rooted),一时半会儿改不了,但年轻人渐渐也(yī, to follow, in accordance with)着自己的想法做事,不再事事都听老一辈的。

不管怎么说,云溪村的日子还要接着过下去,那些鸡毛蒜皮的小事、悲欢离合的大事,终将汇成村志里的一页页文字,如同湖畔的水,年复一年,静静流淌。

3 Likes

As of today (July 09, 2026)

Character Progression 汉字学习进度

2026-07-09

Level Learned Out Of % Complete Growth
HSK 1 300 300 100% -
HSK 2 300 300 100% -
HSK 3 300 300 100% -
HSK 4 300 300 100% -
HSK 5 300 300 100% -
HSK 6 300 300 100% -
HSK 7-9 1074 1200 89.5% +25
Non-HSK 30 229 13.1% -

This table includes all of the ones I’ve skipped.

云溪镇志

云溪镇志

一、地理编

云溪镇坐落在江南丘陵之间,镇界南北相距不过三十里。一条大河绕镇而过,河畔垂柳成行。此地纬度较低,四季降水充沛,夏秋之交常有暴风骤雨骤然而至,老人说那阵势竟不亚于沿海的海啸。镇口的渡口早年曾停泊五艘渔船,岸边偶有海狮误入内河,引得孩童围观。河上架着一座石拱桥,桥身轮廓古朴,边角带着风化的棱角。

镇东有一口池塘,终年藻类丛生,水面浮着点点绿意;镇西则有一片荷塘,夏日荷花盛开,香气袭人。镇北是一片草坪,再往北地势渐低,化为一片水草丰美的草甸。田间垄沟纵横,老农常说田垄要修得笔直,水稻才能长得齐整。

去年镇政府重修石桥,曾请测绘队以厘米为单位精确测量桥墩间距,确保古桥不失原貌。桥头新建的长走廊可供路人避雨小憩。

二、物产与市井编

镇中心的老街两旁种着几株百年槐树,树荫下常有老人下棋。每逢春天,街角花圃里的玫瑰竞相开放,惹得蜂蝶不断。镇外湿地栖息着几只仙鹤,清晨常见它们踱步觅食。早年镇上多是木屋,后来渐渐有人盖起了别墅,山脚下还有一座依山而建的山墅,据说是外地商人的度假居所。

老街尽头开着一家鞋铺,专卖手工靴子。铺子隔壁是纺织作坊,妇人们终日纺线织布,所用棉纤维多购自邻县;织出的布料手感纤细柔软,颇受欢迎。市集上卖豆腐的摊主案头总码着一堆蒜瓣,卖花人筐里则落满了花瓣。镇上一家小馆以炖饭闻名,厨子选料讲究,一年四季食客不绝。

镇东新开了一家小厂,专门加工橡胶制品,烟囱终日排放二氧化碳,镇民颇有微词。厂子隔壁的钢铁铺则打造农具,叮当声不绝于耳。

孩子们放学后爱去河边玩帆板,胆大的还去镇墙边攀石墙取乐。每逢中秋,镇上还会举办歌咏比赛,台下座无虚席。

集市上摊位林立,钟表铺挂着一排时钟,滴答作响。榨油坊角落堆着一些渣子,都是压榨后剩下的豆饼。镇公所立过告示,严禁在街上随地吐痰,违者依规矩罚款。

三、人物编

(一)屠夫老宰

镇南屠行有位老师傅,人称"老宰",杀猪宰羊本是他家祖传的手艺,老宰尤其擅长。老宰性子直,爱炫耀自己刀法利落,砧板边角常被剁得翘了起来。有一回他失手把陶瓶砸了个粉碎,气得跺脚,自己也愣在原地半晌说不出话。妻子在一旁绞着手中的抹布,又好气又好笑。

(二)塾师

私塾先生教书大半辈子,晚年常有感慨,说自己这一生涯都耗竭在几本旧书上了。他常说时光流逝不过是顷刻之事,半点不由人。先生教出的学生中,不少天资聪颖,他讲课常蕴含深意,引经据典,还给孩子们讲解算学原理,深入浅出。先生书房里摆着亡妻的旧物,每每睹物思人,便沉默半晌方才就寝。先生晚年膝下无子,唯有邻家孩童常来问安,他便将孩子揽入怀中,教其古诗。先生教学虽严,却颇具气魄,从不摆架子;他把藏书贮存在阁楼,防潮防蛀。谈及亡妻,先生神情哀戚,久久不语;先生晚年体弱,学生轮流为他煎药。

(三)归乡商人一家

昔年镇上有位商人携夫人出洋经商,数十年后衣锦还乡,自称精通俄语,乡邻半信半疑。商人为人狂妄,说话总带着几分虚荣,偏又爱沽名钓誉,四处拜访乡绅,言辞间字字措辞讲究,实则隐瞒了海外生意早已亏空的事实。他那得逞一时的骗局终究败露,他的儿子却比他更甚,终日奢望一夜暴富,生活愈发奢侈,竟至自甘堕落。乡人对这父子二人从此心生蔑视,背地里没少轻蔑地议论。人心的波澜久久不能平息,都说人不可貌相,海水不可斗量。

四、大事记

政坛向来是镇上茶余饭后的谈资。民国某年,镇长因贪污公款事发,被判入牢狱三年,乡人拍手称快,都说此人是本镇政坛上的一颗毒瘤。继任镇长上任后,雷厉风行,曾擅自砍伐镇口老树修路,引来不少非议,更有人指责他试图杜塞言路,压下反对的声音。

某年匪患猖獗,官府为威慑匪徒,曾在镇口枪毙一名惯匪示众;也有传闻说另有匪首在邻县被官兵击毙。更早以前,一场兵灾曾在镇上酿成屠杀,许多老宅至今仍留着当年的弹痕。

后来局势渐稳,镇公所与邻镇多次协商,终于达成协议,共同开辟了一条通往县城的官道,也算是为本镇的发展开拓出一条新路。造桥修路全靠乡绅凭借多年积累的储蓄捐资,才得以成事。

镇上曾办过一次乡民论坛,商讨修路一事,会上众人各执己见,一度争执不下,反应灵敏的乡绅当场揭示账目细节,才平息了争论。会后镇长酌情减免了修路摊派给贫困人家的部分费用。

造桥期间,乡绅们对时下形势判断不一,有人荣幸地被推举主持工程,也有人因意见过于宽泛,迟迟拿不出方案,惹得众人腻味。那年河水暴涨,幸亏渡船舵手经验老到,才带着满船乡民脱险。纠纷迭起的年月里,乡民全靠彼此激励才渡过难关。

修路协议几经撕毁又重签,反复了好几次。乡绅们前往邻镇商谈时,常撞见对方故意挡住去路,脾气暴躁的几位乡绅几乎当场翻脸。所幸最终双方都不愿再过度倚赖拖延手段,协议才算真正落地。

镇上办颁奖典礼那日,请帖送出后,应者络绎不绝,唯独几位邻镇乡绅因故未到,场面反倒显得寥寥无几几分冷清。镇长亲自到场颁奖,对修路有功之人深表钦佩,据说这做派还是仿效前朝钦差大臣巡视地方的排场。修路一事后来竟也带来商机,有外地商行看中此地交通便利,一度想要垄断当地的货运生意,幸被乡绅们及时察觉,合力抵制才作罢。

五、婚俗记

镇上素来喜欢办新颖的婚礼。去年镇东一户人家嫁女,新人是在镇上的相亲会上偶然碰面相识的。起初两人都有些怯场,相顾无言。迎亲那日正值山花烂漫的时节,一路上春色宜人。

新郎因为紧张,一路上总怕打搅了送亲的队伍,反倒惹得众人嬉笑不已。花轿行至村口小桥,伴郎一个不留神,脚下一跤险些摔跤,惹得围观的孩子们哈哈大笑,场面十分热闹。新娘从轿中俯视桥下流水,一时看发愣了神。

拜堂时新郎为新娘戴上一条项链,链坠正巧垂在颈部,在阳光下闪闪发光。堂前乐队奏起喜乐,韵律悠扬,宾客无不感动得眼眶飙泪。那一瞬间,两位老人也不禁想起自己年轻时的光景。

婚后小两口去邻省度蜜月,归来后人人都说新娘容光焕发,小日子过得蓬勃向上,街坊邻里都替他们高兴。

六、杏林记

镇上唯一的郎中年事渐高,仍坚持每月为老人义诊。他常说人年纪一大,动脉容易硬化,胆固醇也跟着升高,不可不防。有一回他给一位老猎户看诊,发现其颈侧长了个肿瘤,所幸尚属良性,及早切除便无大碍。郎中还懂些西医常识,常跟人解释汗腺与体温调节的关系,又说犬类的嗅觉远比人灵敏,可用于寻人寻物。

七、碑铭

镇上德高望重的老族长去世那年,全镇上下无不哀痛。乡人为缅怀他的功绩,决定为他立碑纪念,常有老者缅想起族长当年治水的情景。葬礼当日,乡邻扶老携幼,亲眼目睹了送葬队伍绵延数里的场面,足见族长生前威望之高、魄力之大。

族长早年兴修水利,深知地下蕴藏着丰富的水源,又主张广建粮仓,贮藏余粮以备荒年,乡人受益至今。

镇公所请来老匠人重新铸了一口铜钟悬于祠堂,以示纪念;族谱修订时也重新铸造了族印。祠堂正殿悬挂着一幅乡贤所撰的颂词,通篇歌颂族长一生功业,末句写道:“公之德泽,惠我乡里,虽死犹生,没世不忘矣!”

碑文落成那日,恰逢族长忌辰,乡人依古礼将其遗物一并葬入祖茔,自此镇志一编,聊记乡土人情,以志不忘。

镇口大道通车后,车流渐多,某年冬天一场大雾中发生车祸,所幸伤者无碍,此后镇公所便在路口设了警示灯。后来镇上又在道路旁立起一座纪念碑,以纪念修路殉职的工匠们。石碑落成那日,附近槐花恰好盛开,阵阵香气散发开来,一阵风过,花瓣也随之散落一地。老族长生前常与外地友人通信,信末总习惯写上"敬颂钧安"以示恭敬,这封旧信如今还夹在祠堂的账本里,成了镇志编纂者最后翻阅的一页。

2 Likes

As of today (July 14, 2026)

Character Progression 汉字学习进度

2026-07-14

Level Learned Out Of % Complete Growth
HSK 1 300 300 100% -
HSK 2 300 300 100% -
HSK 3 300 300 100% -
HSK 4 300 300 100% -
HSK 5 300 300 100% -
HSK 6 300 300 100% -
HSK 7-9 1097 1200 91.4% +23
Non-HSK 32 229 14.0% +2

This table includes all of the ones I’ve skipped.

Remaining Curriculum

Looking at the HH words section, filtering for learned: “unknown” and status: “normal”, it shows I only have 550 words left? I have 300 characters left after today. I know 550 words is a lot (sort of), but I am actually surprised that there isn’t at least double that amount left lol.

Reading: 长安的荔枝 (The Lychee Road)

So, I’m trying to read a more advanced book (again). I’m using Claude to help me prepare for the first chapter. However, the novel is 6 chapters long, which means that each chapter is thick.

It is quite the challenge, but this time I’m feeling pretty confident about it? AI has reached a very very useful state, and I feel like any further development of AI is kind of just plateauing and breaching into excess.

As always, I could go into this in great detail (with corporate shoving AI down everyone’s throats), but I’ll just leave it at “use it wisely”. Additionally, don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re learning anything unless you’re actually ready to face real students on some subject, or that you’re creating anything since you’re essentially claiming to be the chef when you’re just ordering a dish with customization off of the menu.

I’m sharing what I’ve done and received in order to provide examples of leveraging AI as one tool in the massive belt of language learning tools.

Prompt I Gave Claude (after attaching the txt file containing chapter 1)

I’m learning Mandarin, and I want to read a novel in Chinese. From the provided txt file for the first chapter of “The Lychee Road”, please provide in Chinese:

  • a list of character (people) names
  • a list of geographic names (ex: cities, towns, rivers, mountains, etc.)
  • a list of vocabulary that is common, but above an HSK 5 level or non-HSK terms
  • a list of idioms used and easy-to-understand explanations
  • a brief, easy-to-understand for an HSK6-learner summary of the chapter
  • brief, easy-to-understand historical context
Claude Summary of TLR Chapter 1

《长安的荔枝》第一章 · 阅读笔记

作者:马伯庸 | 适合 HSK5–6 读者的阅读辅助


一、人物名称

出场人物

名字 说明
李善德(字良元) 主角。上林署监事,从九品下的小官,五十二岁,华县人,算学出身。
刘署令 上林署的长官("刘"是姓,"署令"是官职),李善德的上司。把荔枝使的差遣骗给了他。
韩承(韩十四) 李善德的朋友,在刑部比部司当主事,家中排行十四。看官场看得最透。
杜甫(字子美 / 杜子美) 诗人,李善德的朋友,刚被授"右卫率府兵曹参军"。用一个老兵的故事鼓励李善德。

文中提到但未出场的人物

名字 说明
圣人 指皇帝(唐玄宗)。唐代口语常用"圣人"称当朝皇帝,不直呼名字。
贵妃(杨贵妃) 皇帝最宠爱的妃子,姓杨。文中说六月初一是她的生辰。
安禄山 手握重兵的胡人将领,很多人怀疑他有反心(此处是"安史之乱"的伏笔)。
杨国忠(卫国公) 权臣,身上兼着四十多个使职。
李白(字太白) 大诗人,写了《清平调》。文中说他此时在宣城一带漂泊。
李龟年 宫廷乐师。
汪伦 李白《赠汪伦》一诗中的人物。
吴道子 唐代著名画家(形容表情难画时提到)。
公孙大娘 唐代著名舞剑者(形容眼神锐利时提到)。
五柳先生(陶渊明) 东晋诗人,"不为五斗米折腰"的典故来自他,杜甫自比不及。

二、地理名称

大地名

  • 长安 —— 唐朝都城(今西安),故事主要发生地。
  • 岭南 —— 南方地区,出产荔枝,距长安五千余里,山水迢迢。
  • 西域 —— 西部边疆,老兵年轻时戍边之地。

长安城内

  • 皇城 —— 官署集中的区域,李善德上班的地方。
  • 归义坊 —— 李善德买房所在的坊,位置偏南、较偏僻。
  • 平康坊 —— 靠近皇城的高级地段(一等一的地段)。
  • 长寿坊 —— 李善德目前居住的坊。
  • 上好坊 —— 城东春明门外的一片乱葬岗(杜甫故事里的地方)。
  • 朱雀门街 —— 长安城的主街。
  • 永安渠 —— 穿过归义坊的水渠。
  • 东市 / 西市 —— 长安两大市场;西市有酒肆。
  • 曲江 —— 长安名胜,杜甫四十岁生日游玩之地。
  • 灞桥、春明门 —— 长安东边的桥与城门。

其他城市与地区

  • 华县 —— 李善德的家乡。
  • 洛阳、扬州 —— 可能有荔枝存货的城市。
  • 江淮 —— 果商所在地区。
  • 奉先 —— 杜甫妻儿所在地。
  • 河西县 —— 杜甫本要被授官之地(他推掉了)。
  • 浙江 / 浙东 —— 进贡淡菜、海蚶的地方(“浙东海货使”)。
  • 平原郡 —— 出产糖蟹之地。
  • 河东 —— 安禄山镇守之地。
  • 宣城、泾县、秋浦 —— 李白漂泊、写诗之地。

三、词汇(HSK5 以上 / 非 HSK 常用词)

A. 一般高级词汇

拼音 意思
轩敞 xuānchǎng 宽敞明亮
惬意 qièyì 舒服、满意
偏僻 piānpì 远离中心、交通不便
权衡 quánhéng 比较、衡量(利弊)
取舍 qǔshě 选择要或不要
积蓄 jīxù 存下来的钱
借贷 jièdài 借钱
尴尬 gāngà 处境难堪、不好意思
蹊跷 qīqiāo 奇怪、可疑
憧憬 chōngjǐng 向往、期待美好未来
丰盛 fēngshèng (食物)丰富
狼狈 lángbèi 处境困窘、样子难看
篡改 cuàngǎi 私自改动(文件)
惶惑 huánghuò 惊慌又困惑
恐慌 kǒnghuāng 害怕慌张
匍匐 púfú 趴在地上(爬)
绝望 juéwàng 完全没有希望
凛然 lǐnrán 严肃可畏、令人敬畏
犀利 xīlì 言辞尖锐有力
透彻 tòuchè 看得很深、很清楚
恻隐 cèyǐn 同情、怜悯
惴惴 zhuìzhuì 又担心又害怕
懵懂 měngdǒng 糊涂、不明白
微茫 wēimáng 模糊、渺茫
侥幸 jiǎoxìng 靠运气得到好结果
势利 shìlì 看人有钱有势才巴结
局促 júcù 拘束、不自在
破费 pòfèi 花钱(多指请客)
豪爽 háoshuǎng 性格大方、直爽
荒唐 huāngtáng 不合情理、离谱
劝谏 quànjiàn 规劝(上级、君主)改正
感慨 gǎnkǎi 因有所感触而叹息
凝重 níngzhòng 神情严肃庄重
嗤笑 chīxiào 讥笑、冷笑
牵挂 qiānguà 挂念、放心不下
油水 yóushuǐ (口语)额外的好处、外快
羡余 xiànyú 多出来、可揩取的钱财
庶务 shùwù 日常杂务

B. 唐代官制与专有名词(读这本书会反复遇到)

拼音 意思
使职 / 差遣 shǐzhí / chāiqiǎn 皇帝临时派的官差,不属正式官序,直接向皇帝负责——权大、油水多,但也可能是苦差。
荔枝使 lìzhīshǐ 专门负责采办荔枝的使职。
敕牒 chìdié 皇帝下达命令的文书。
贴黄 tiēhuáng 文书写错时,贴在错处的同色小纸片(用来改字),正式改动需盖印押缝。
从九品下 cóngjiǔpǐnxià 唐代官阶中最低的一级。
上林署 shànglínshǔ 管理皇家园林、供应果蔬的机构。
司农寺 / 比部 / 度支 各类官署:管农事 / 审查账目 / 编制预算。
应卯 yìngmǎo 按时到官署报到(类似上班点名)。
休沐 xiūmù 官员的休息日。
俸料 / 禄米 / 职田 官员的各种收入:钱、粮、以及职田的租子。
香积钱 xiāngjīqián 寺庙放的贷款;本金叫"功德",利息叫"福报"(因佛门不好直言钱利)。
牙人 yárén 中介、经纪人(这里指房产中介)。
典座 diǎnzuò 寺院里管伙食等事务的和尚。
蹀躞 diéxiè 一种可以挂东西的腰带。
幞头 fútóu 唐代男子戴的头巾。
和离 hélí 夫妻双方同意、和平地离婚。
放妻书 fàngqīshū 离婚文书。

四、成语与四字词

成语 简单解释
赏心悦目 看着让人心里舒服、高兴。
错落有致 高低大小安排得有情趣、不呆板。
皮笑肉不笑 假笑,笑得不真诚。
高枕无忧 垫高枕头安睡,比喻毫无忧虑、很安心。
受宠若惊 受到意外的优待,又惊又喜。
忐忑不安 心神不定,很不安。
双喜临门 两件喜事同时到来。
一步登天 一下子升到很高的地位。
不言而喻 不用说也能明白。
车载斗量 用车装、用斗量,形容数量极多。
触目惊心 看到的情景使人非常震惊。
万劫不复 永远无法挽回、翻不了身。
谨小慎微 过分谨慎小心。
失魂落魄 心神不定、非常慌张的样子。
窃窃私语 小声地私下议论。
蝇营狗苟 像苍蝇、狗一样为小利不顾脸面地钻营(贬义、骂人)。
忧心忡忡 心里非常忧愁。
替罪羔羊 代别人受过、承担责任的人。
时运不济 运气不好、时机不顺。
行尸走肉 没有思想、活着像死人一样。
咄咄逼人 气势逼人,让人难以招架。
前途无量 将来的发展没有限度。
悉听尊便 完全听凭你方便(随你)。
一别两宽 分手后彼此都自在(离婚时的祝愿话)。
一饮而尽 一口喝完。
悲从中来 悲伤从心里涌上来。
风尘仆仆 旅途劳累、一身尘土的样子。

一句难句:韩承评价皇帝"智足以拒谏,言足以饰非"——出自《史记》,意思是"聪明得足以拒绝别人的劝告,能言善辩到足以掩饰自己的过错"。原本形容商纣王,这里暗指唐玄宗听不进劝。


五、本章内容简要(HSK6 版)

天宝十四年二月,长安城的小官李善德终于买下了一座属于自己的小宅子。虽然为此背上了不少债,但一家人总算有了安身之处,他心里非常高兴。

回到官署后,上司刘署令请他吃了一顿特别丰盛的午饭,还交给他一个"荔枝使"的差遣——为宫里采办荔枝。李善德以为要办的是容易保存的"荔枝",又喝醉了酒,就高高兴兴地在文书上签了字,同僚们也纷纷向他道贺。

可是回家路上他摔了一跤,文书里掉出一张小纸片,他这才发现:原来的字不是"煎",而是""——皇帝要的是新鲜荔枝!荔枝三天就会变味,而岭南离长安五千多里,根本不可能按时运到。他去查档案,确认了真相:这个差遣是各个衙署都不敢接、注定完不成的"催命符"。同僚们趁他去看房不在场,把他推出来当了替罪羊,上司还故意用没盖印的假纸片把"鲜"盖成"煎",骗他签字。

绝望中,李善德遇到两位朋友:户部官员韩承和诗人杜甫。韩承点破:这荔枝其实是为贵妃六月初一的生日准备的,所以李善德手握这个使职,这几个月可以横行无忌、大捞油水;但差事终究办不成,人还是要死,最好赶紧和妻子"和离",将来出事才不会连累家人。

正当李善德要写离婚书时,杜甫却拦住了他,讲了一个戍边老兵在绝境中拼死反杀、终于活下来的故事,并当场把自己的诗《前出塞》送给他,鼓励他:“既是退无可退,何不向前拼死一搏?”——先去岭南亲眼看一看,再做决定。


六、历史背景(简明版)

  • 时代:唐朝天宝十四年(公元 755 年),在位的是唐玄宗(文中称"圣人")。这一年年底就爆发了"安史之乱",是唐朝由盛转衰的转折点。文中反复提到、令人担心有反心的安禄山,正是这场大乱的祸首——这是全书的一个大伏笔。

  • 贵妃与荔枝:杨贵妃爱吃荔枝是历史上的名事。晚唐诗人杜牧《过华清宫》有名句"一骑红尘妃子笑,无人知是荔枝来",讲的就是为博贵妃一笑、快马从南方运荔枝。这本小说正是从这句诗生发出的想象——把"运一趟荔枝"当成一个巨大的工程难题来写。(书中把贵妃生辰定在六月初一,是小说的设定。)

  • 使职制度:唐玄宗晚年喜欢跳过正式官府,随口指定各种"使职"直接替自己办事(如糖蟹转运使、花鸟使、海货使)。这些差遣不受财政监督,容易滋生贪腐,也正是本章韩承所批评的。这为理解主角"荔枝使"的处境提供了背景。

  • 杜甫与李白:都是真实的唐代大诗人。文中的杜甫此时还没成名,为生计刚接了个闲散小官(历史上他确实做过右卫率府兵曹参军);李白此时已离开长安,在南方漂泊。《清平调》《前出塞》《赠汪伦》都是真实作品。

  • 香积钱:唐代寺院确实经营放贷,把利息包装成"福报"、本金说成"功德"。这反映了当时的社会经济现象,也顺带点出主角的算学专长。

6 Likes

As of today (July 17, 2026)

Character Progression 汉字学习进度

2026-07-17

Level Learned Out Of % Complete Growth Remaining
HSK 1 300 300 100% - -
HSK 2 300 300 100% - -
HSK 3 300 300 100% - -
HSK 4 300 300 100% - -
HSK 5 300 300 100% - -
HSK 6 300 300 100% - -
HSK 7-9 1168 1200 97.3% +71 32
Non-HSK 42 229 18.3% +10 187

This table includes all of the ones I’ve skipped.

Remainder

If I continue learning 20 characters per day, I could finish the characters curriculum in another 11 days (after today). I think I’ll definitely complete it before the end of the month after accounting for lazy/rest days.

TV Shows & Movies

This year, I’ve watched “How Dare You” (成何体统) (watched on iQiYi), “Lurk” (潜伏) (watched on YouTube), and “Pursuit of Jade” (逐玉) (watching (currently) on Netflix).

I watch Pursuit of Jade with my mom with English subtitles, and then I watch it again with only Chinese subtitles while I’m working lol.

Any recommendations? I’ve also previously watched “The First Half of My Life” (我的前半生) (YouTube), “Romance of Our Parents” (父母爱情) (YouTube), “Empress in the Palace” (后宫·甄嬛传) (YouTube), “To the Wonder” (我的阿勒泰) (YouTube), and I’ve watched a few reality shows. Also in progress!! Blossoms Shanghai 繁花, a show directed by Wong Kar Wai, but we were watching it on MangoTV or Tencent (tengxun), and I’m gonna continue watching it with my husband when we see each other lol.

Movies I’ve Watched and Recommend

  • Jiang Ziya 姜子牙
  • Ne Zha 哪吒之魔童降世
  • Ne Zha 2 哪吒之魔童闹海
  • Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms 封神第一部:朝歌风云
  • Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force 封神第二部:战火西岐
  • Her Story 好东西
  • The Lychee Road 长安的荔枝

Books

So, as mentioned, I’m trying to read The Lychee Road 长安的荔枝 in Chinese, and I have to say, I’m feeling okay about the difficulty level. While there are words that I’m unfamiliar with, I do have my guide on the side to reference, and I’m noting extra words that weren’t caught by Claude.

4 Likes

As of today (July 25, 2026)

Character Progression 汉字学习进度

2026-07-25

Level Learned Out Of % Complete Growth Remaining
HSK 1 300 300 100% - -
HSK 2 300 300 100% - -
HSK 3 300 300 100% - -
HSK 4 300 300 100% - -
HSK 5 300 300 100% - -
HSK 6 300 300 100% - -
HSK 7-9 1200 1200 100% +32 -
Non-HSK 84 229 19.2% +42 145

This table includes all of the ones I’ve skipped.

Remainder

These past seven days, I’ve been so busy and so tired, I haven’t at all kept up with my ambitious goal of finishing by the end of the month lol.

Somewhat bright side, since this last batch of characters don’t have words associated with them (on here), then I can increase the number of characters I learn every day.

I finally finished the HSK characters on here!

I unskipped and reset some characters lately because they were driving me crazy in my personal leech words (like 散 and 撒).

HSK

So, as of this month, the new HSK 3.0 should be official globally, but testing centers may delay in implementation. I don’t really understand that, I’d assume that the test is standardized globally so that testing centers wouldn’t really be able to pick and choose what they’re providing that day lol.

However, I’ve signed up for the HSK 5 for October. I was thinking to do August, but I’m travelling in a week, and I’ll be out for 2 weeks, and when I come back, I’d have like 1-2 more weeks to prepare. For the ONE testing center near me in a 100 mile radius, they are not providing it in September (maybe because of low turnout?). So, I was left with October. Which is fine. I’ll have ample time to practice, and get myself together to prepare for the exam. Honestly, I’m mostly just pushing myself to do it soon to get a feel for what the exam looks and feels like since the new HSK 3.0 has a different emphasis and the HSK 5 now would be harder (in theory) than the previous HSK 5. For reference, I took the HSK 4 and HSKK intermediate last year in August. Nothing like an impending deadline to serve as motivation.

4 Likes

What is your medium of choice for reading this by the way?

Congrats on finishing the HSK characters!

1 Like

As of today (July 27, 2026)

Character Progression 汉字学习进度

2026-07-27

Level Learned Out Of % Complete Growth Remaining
HSK 1 300 300 100% - -
HSK 2 300 300 100% - -
HSK 3 300 300 100% - -
HSK 4 300 300 100% - -
HSK 5 300 300 100% - -
HSK 6 300 300 100% - -
HSK 7-9 1200 1200 100% - -
Non-HSK 143 229 62.4% +59 86

This table includes all of the ones I’ve skipped.

Remainder

What I’ve noticed with the “last” couple of hundred characters on HH is that there aren’t words associated with.. most of them. Which is fine since I’m assuming they’re relatively niche characters, or they’re paired with already “learned” characters that are 多音字.

A lot of them are relatively “easy” to break down components for meaning and pronunciation, just giving it some extra juice to really tie in the true meaning.

Reading

I use 微信读书 (weixin books), it’s actually so good. It’s $3USD/month. You can highlight words, add notes, select a word and search up its meaning (granted it’ll be in Chinese, but still useful) and most of the time it’ll also give the pinyin, it’ll even explain the word in the context of the passage you’re reading. BONUS it even auto generates an audio book to go with it. IDK to what extent it’s AI because I’ve been pretty impressed with the results. But sometimes, it’s really obvious when it’s AI (for example a male’s voice changes to female mid-dialogue when it realizes who’s speaking lmao). Overall, I give the app a 9/10. The subscription is so cheap (compared to so many other apps out there) that it makes it super worth it.

I will say, it definitely takes the “guessing the word from the surrounding context” skill and not stopping to search up the meaning of every word you don’t know along the way. Hence why I recommended the Claude prompts of producing vocabulary and context before reading a chapter, it makes it way easier, even if you do continue to find more words you don’t know. You can also download the books to be offline (I’m pretty sure). Not sure if the audiobook feature would work when offline, but still nice that you can save it.

You’d be surprised how many popular Chinese novels you can find in a 100% .txt file format on Google for free (and thus pair with AI to prep your reading).

So far, every book I’ve looked for exists on there, but I concede that I’m not looking for particularly random books on there lol.

Thank you!!!

2 Likes

As of today (August 17, 2026)

Character Progression 汉字学习进度

2026-08-17

Level Remaining
(not skipped)
HSK 6 5
HSK 7-9 52
Non-HSK 35
Total 92

So, before I went on my trip at the beginning of August, I didn’t know that the new HSK 3.0 update was coming, and so I over ambitiously completed the character curriculum. Buuuuuuuut I learned way too many in the days leading up to my trip that I really don’t remember a lot of it. So, I went back to reset the last 50 characters I’d learned. Come to my surprise, my numbers are completely different lol. Then I saw all of the curriculum update posts!

I’m seeing some wonky numbers, so I’m just not gonna use my original table for now.

China Trip #2

I was in Shanghai for 6 days. I was supposed to be there for 4 days and then go to Hangzhou, but I happened to arrive in Shanghai right when a typhoon was coming for the region lmfao. The typhoon was closer to Hangzhou than Shanghai, so the trains heading south from Shanghai were all cancelled. I stayed in Shanghai an extra 2 days. I then went to Suzhou as planned for 3 nights, but I caught some sort of stomach bacterial infection and went to the hospital. I still got to see most of the things I wanted to see in Suzhou, but I didn’t get to do any tourism shopping lol. I came back to Shanghai for another 2 nights, and that was that! Overall, still a nice trip. I met my husbands friends, I got to see my friends, and got to see at least one new city. The weather was just all over the place. HUMID, RAINY, HOT, RAINY, WINDY, HUMID, WET. Luckily we were in a part of Shanghai that didn’t flood. Parts of Shanghai were knee-deep in water.

Emergency room trip in China cost me a total of maybe 400 rmb, all things included, which is around $60 USD.

Before Shanghai, I was in Belgrade (Serbia) for 3 nights visiting my grandma. Usually, Europe, especially Serbia, is so hot and humid in the summer. This year it was so dry!!! Even the Danube river was almost entirely dry, you could walk across the river because it was literally just sand and a few puddles!! Insane stuff. California is going to have a super wet winter in the coming 6 months. Really bizarre year overall.

HSK

I’ve signed up for the HSK 5 and the HSKK Advanced in October! They should have released the HSKK with HSK corresponding levels, but they have not done so yet.. so idk what to do lol. I’m in contact with the HSK director of that school, but she didn’t have any information on that change.

So now, I begin my 61-day cramming mode! The test is on October 17. It’s a little annoying that “official” new textbooks for HSK 4-6 haven’t been released yet. At the very least the HSK 4. Since the differences between HSK 3 and HSK 5 are pretty large, I would not depend too much on the HSK 3 books. I know that there are a million ways to study for this, and that the HSK is just one standard, but it’s just easier to prepare for the exam with exam-specific material.

The only reason why I’m so fixated on the HSK in the last year and a half is because it gives me a specific goal to work toward. I think studying for the HSK is still really good because knowing your basics can get you really really far in any language.

Language is reading, writing, listening, and speaking. I’m actually surprised that the speaking portion of the HSK was optional until now. I guess you could learn to communicate in a language without ever speaking it. I made many friends in Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese without ever speaking those languages aloud. However, I also lost those language skills way faster than I lost my Spanish speaking skills, most likely because I didn’t have the verbal anchor.

One thing that’s hard about learning Chinese outside of a classroom setting is that you don’t really get constant, regular feedback of teachers, let alone reinforce basics. There are some basic sentence patterns in Chinese that I find I’m not using as much as I should since I don’t really have the “need” to do so. The downside is that my spoken Chinese ends up sounding too simple, and maybe even lacking.

What to do!!!

3 Likes

That challenge of how to reinforce some sentence structures and improve your speaking skills sounds like a great use case for language islands! The basic learning strategy of language islands is to create personalized sentences relevant to your life on a particular topic. That topic then becomes an ‘island’ because it’s easier for you to navigate conversations about that topic. You have sturdy, memorized pathways through the island because of bespoke sentences you’ve already prepped.

So in your case it would be a matter of identifying some of the grammar you’re rusty with and choosing a relevant conversation topic to then memorize a handful of sentences for. For example, creating a few sentences that you could have in your pocket to comfortably talk about Shanghai that uses the grammar you want to reinforce.

3 Likes

As of today (September 12, 2026)

Character Progression 汉字学习进度

2026-09-12

Haven’t learned any new items today (yet!)

Level Remaining
(not skipped)
HSK 6 3
HSK 7-9 107
Non-HSK 77
Total 187

I’ve only learned 7 new characters since my last update on August 17th lol. But I’ll do some lessons later today!

HSK & Life

...
struggling with goals and progress

I’ve been really hot and cold with what I want to do for the HSK. I signed up for the October exam(s), but I was debating recently to just drop it and take it later like February or March. I’ve also lately reached a breaking point with all of my goals in my life. How I’m working a little bit on everything but not actually making any significant progress because I have no concrete plan.

Work has also been low key insane since I got back from my China trip a month ago, and I was really letting a lot of my goals die out. I took a pretty significant break from HH and now I have 1597 review items because I forgot to turn on vacation mode during part of my hiatus.

solution

SO, I made a master goals/plans tracker and schedule. People say it’s usually not the best to have a checkoff list with deadlines, but I’ve broken down my tasks into really small, achievable daily goals (e.g. 15 minutes of review on HH, 45 minutes of working on SuperTest (app for HSK), 25 minutes of reading 长安的荔枝, doing one small aspect of house cleaning for 45 minutes, SHOWERING & no-screen time 45 minutes, actually messaging people back on HelloTalk at least 2 days a week instead of abandoning the app for weeks at a time, practicing Chinese output like writing and speaking, and using tools/partners to correct my output). And the thing is, I’ve left the tasks relatively high-level enough so that it’s fine if I miss a day or two. There’s a good amount of time between tasks, so I could have a catch-up day. The overall point is to make sure I’m covering all of my bases, not letting any methods go forgotten, and making sure that I am indeed making consistent progress on my goals, and that down the line, I start adding in other goals that I’m working on.

the coming exam

I don’t think I’m going to pass the HSK this October, and that’s okay. Maybe by sheer luck I’ll pass. I know that the curriculum exists for what is covered and what’ll be different, etc, but for me, I’d really just rather have the textbook lol. HSK 5 textbooks are supposedly coming out by the end of this year.

HSK 4 (and not 5) official study material

HSK 4 textbook part 1 is available for purchase on purpleculture, and you can pre-order HSK 4 part 2 textbook now, and it’ll be shipped mid-October!! I actually ended up ordering these textbooks because I want to see how the textbook works as well as patch up any knowledge that got moved from the previous HSK level 5 down to the new HSK level 4. It doesn’t look like they’ve published any HSK 4 workbooks yet, but I’ll keep an eye out.

P.S.: Language Learning Outside of the HSK

...
Language Islands

I actually read this and the link the day you replied, and it’s really cool stuff! I’m gonna try to work it into my study plans after the HSK exam passes. I’ve even recommended this method to my friend who’s tutoring English as a second language - she was struggling to make real progress with the kid, and the kid (14-year-old) isn’t really doing the assignments she’s giving him. I think my friend also really like the idea of language islands. THANK YOU for showing me this! My husband even told me that when he was prepping for the TOEFL that he basically did something similar - his prep courses basically told the cohort to prepare a bank of stories, pretty much exactly like language islands. Definitely going to use this with all of the languages I’m learning.

Korean

skrrrrrrt! We’re learning Chinese here!!! However, I’ve learned Korean on and off (mostly off) for literally the last 10 years (since fall 2016). I’m working it into my study plans, and this is more like a learn-and-maintain type of goal. I’m not aiming for deep conversational fluency, though that would be nice. I just feel like I got so excited and into it so many times, that it’s kind of a shame that I let it slip. The last time that I went super hard at learning Korean was like end of 2021 through spring of 2022, and I actually learned so much during that time, that when I went to Korea with my friend for 2 weeks, I was actually pretty okay at holding light conversations, and kind of understanding my friend’s family’s conversations. It’s a good feeling when you get to that spot. So, this is really more about re-realizing this long-term goal.

Cantonese

Honestly, kind of same deal as Korean. On and off, mostly off, since late 2021? You could count parts of 2019 when I was dabbling with the basics.

You’d think that by learning Mandarin, it’d kind of help set a foundation for Cantonese. In some ways, it did! But when we’re talking about colloquial Cantonese, it’s a bit harder for sure. And I hate that there are so few resources for learning Cantonese. Yes, Duolingo does have Cantonese, BUT ONLY FOR MANDARIN SPEAKERS!! It’s not hard to work through it, but it’s definitely not as in-depth as other language courses on Duolingo. I actually got a pretty solid start with Cantonese using Ling (which even has Serbian, which I was shocked to find). Ling, however, will cover grammar points and topics along the way, but each of these lessons and levels are all like samplers to get you started rather than super in-depth. Again, that’s fine, but my goals are kind of beyond the basics at this point. I watch a lot of content (creators) on Instagram and Rednote in Cantonese, and I feel like it has helped my being able to listen and get the gist of what people are saying. I just hardly have the opportunity to practice speaking, and I’m too in-my-head about speaking on HelloTalk

HelloTalk

Part of my goals is actually using HelloTalk more regularly. I bit the bullet, and paid for VIP for 1 year so that I can have Mandarin, Korean, and Cantonese as my target languages. Since I have it in my goal tracking, I really don’t have the excuse of saying I forget about it. If I don’t use it now, it’s because I’m procrastinating out of fear or embarrassment, which is what I’m trying to get over!!! #freeWill am I right?

SuperTest

Honestly, working through SuperTest’s path is so daunting. It doesn’t let you skip ahead, it doesn’t let you test out of a unit. You actually have to work through every single subsection. On one hand that’s probably a good thing so that you really focus and break it down, but right now, I’m on the final sprint of trying to get ready for the exam, and it feels excruciating to go through all of it in that much detail lmao. I’m trying to slot myself to finish 2-4 lessons a day, but again, each lesson can take about 15-25 minutes, and it’s so draining. If I don’t finish it, whatever lmao. Like I said, I’m assuming that I won’t pass the exam this October, so I’ll have even more time to study I guess.

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This is a weird one. I have almost no fear of embarrassment - when in China I’ll talk to random strangers just standing near me me etc without issue. Or walk up to counters and try my luck etc at buying tickets or ordering things. Even when I said 刷牙 instead of 刷卡 at a counter when trying to pay and the assistant started laughing at me I didn’t feel embarrassed at all, I found it hilarious (and he gave me free stuff after lol). Despite the fact I know I suck and make loads of mistakes constantly, it doesn’t bother me.

But the idea of opening hello talk again makes me feel instantly drained, and I haven’t done it in over a year at this point. Something about HelloTalk is just so “ugh, I just don’t want to” (and don’t). If you figure out how to make it enjoyable let me know so I can copy haha!

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