Key HSK Vocabulary
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 就读 | jiù dú | take a course, to attend school | HSK 7 | |
| 没意思 | méi yì si | boring | HSK 7 | |
| 在线 | zài xiàn | online | HSK 7 | |
| 次数 | cì shù | frequency, number of times | HSK 6 | |
| 有没有 | yǒu méi yǒu | Did you...?, Have you ever...? | HSK 6 | |
| 厨师 | chú shī | chef, cook | HSK 6 | |
| 就是说 | jiù shì shuō | namely, that is to say | HSK 6 | |
| 屏幕 | píng mù | screen | HSK 6 | |
| 当作 | dàng zuò | to treat as, to regard as | HSK 6 | |
| 番茄 | fān qié | tomato | HSK 6 | |
| 消耗 | xiāo hào | expend, deplete | HSK 6 | |
| 学会 | xué huì | society, institute | HSK 6 | |
| 厨房 | chú fáng | kitchen | HSK 5 | |
| 蔬菜 | shū cài | greens, vegetables | HSK 5 | |
| 用来 | yòng lái | to be used for | HSK 5 | |
| 社区 | shè qū | neighborhood, residential community | HSK 5 | |
| 控制 | kòng zhì | to control, to restrict | HSK 5 | |
| 熟悉 | shú xī | be familiar with, know sth. or sb. well | HSK 5 | |
| 视频 | shì pín | video clip | HSK 5 | |
| 豆制品 | dòu zhì pǐn | bean products, soy products | HSK 5 |
Grammar Notes
我每隔两三天就要去一趟超市。
Wǒ měi gé liǎng sān tiān jiù yào qù yī tàng chāoshì.
I go to the supermarket every two or three days.
我非常喜欢逛街，有时候一逛就是半天。
Wǒ fēicháng xǐhuān guàngjiē, yǒushíhou yī guàng jiùshì bàntiān.
I love window shopping; sometimes once I start, I'm at it for half a day.
番茄既是蔬菜，又是水果。
Fānqié jìshì shūcài, yòu shì shuǐguǒ.
Tomatoes are both a vegetable and a fruit.
Ever found yourself standing in front of a mountain of bok choy, wondering if you’re about to pay "tourist prices" or if you’ve actually mastered the art of the deal? We’ve all been there. This relatable and witty skit, "买菜" (Mǎi cài), perfectly captures the chaotic, high-energy atmosphere of a local market while providing a front-row seat to some of the most practical vocabulary you’ll ever use in real life.
Whether you are looking to sharpen your vegetable names or finally decode the rapid-fire banter of a seasoned vendor, this video is a goldmine for conversational Chinese. It moves beyond dry textbook phrases to show you the authentic rhythm, humor, and cultural nuances of daily life, making it an essential watch for any student looking to sound like a local.
Video Overview
In this intimate daily vlog, the speaker takes viewers along on a nighttime trip to 'Hema,' a popular Chinese supermarket. She explains her transition from online shopping to physical stores, shares her tips for finding discounted food, and discusses her daily routine. The video concludes with a reflection on finding a sense of community and human connection within the modern city landscape at her favorite local restaurant.
✨ Dialogue Highlights
老板，送两根葱呗！
Lǎobǎn, sòng liǎng gēn cōng bei!
Boss, throw in a couple of green onions!This is the ultimate, culturally essential bargaining phrase in Chinese wet markets. Instead of asking for a direct discount, shoppers use this lighthearted request for free garnishes (usually scallions or cilantro) to seal the deal. It signals to the seller that you are a savvy local who knows how the market works, often yielding a small freebie and a smile.
老板，抹个零呗！
Lǎobǎn, mǒ ge líng bei!
Boss, round down the price!"抹零" (mǒlíng) literally means "to wipe away the zero/fraction." In daily Chinese commerce, this is a highly practical and socially acceptable way to ask a vendor to drop the change (e.g., paying 15 RMB instead of 15.6 RMB). Adding the soft modal particle "呗" (bei) makes the request sound casual, friendly, and persuasive rather than demanding.