Key HSK Vocabulary
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 躲避 | duǒ bì | dodge, avoid | HSK 7 | |
| 折磨 | zhé mó | torture, torment | HSK 7 | |
| 全力以赴 | quán lì yǐ fù | to do at all costs, to make an all-out effort | HSK 7 | |
| 倘若 | tǎng ruò | if, in case | HSK 7 | |
| 掩饰 | yǎn shì | mask, conceal | HSK 7 | |
| 天赋 | tiān fù | inborn, innate | HSK 7 | |
| 短暂 | duǎn zàn | brief, transient | HSK 7 | |
| 承诺 | chéng nuò | promise to do sth., promise to undertake | HSK 6 | |
| 浪漫 | làng màn | romantic, poetic | HSK 5 | |
| 回忆 | huí yì | recollect, recall | HSK 5 | |
| 掌握 | zhǎng wò | grasp, master | HSK 5 | |
| 熟悉 | shú xī | be familiar with, know sth. or sb. well | HSK 5 | |
| 放弃 | fàng qì | give up, abandon | HSK 5 | |
| 拥抱 | yōng bào | hug, embrace | HSK 5 | |
| 脱离 | tuō lí | break away from, be divorced from | HSK 5 | |
| 是否 | shì fǒu | if, whether | HSK 4 | |
| 冷静 | lěng jìng | calm, quiet | HSK 4 | |
| 关系 | guān xi | relations, connections | HSK 3 | |
| 年纪 | nián jì | age | HSK 3 | |
| 容易 | róng yì | easy, likely | HSK 3 |
Imagine the quiet comfort of a late-night whisper, or the hazy glow of a memory you can't quite shake. That's the tender space occupied by "hai shi" (还是), a mesmerizing track from the distinctive lo-fi sound designer Ma Ye_Carbbit (马也_Carbbit) and the ethereal vocalist Mao Yi Zhou (猫医粥).
Known for his chill pop artistry, Ma Ye_Carbbit weaves an atmospheric backdrop that perfectly cradles Mao Yi Zhou’s emotive voice, crafting a song that doesn't just play, but truly settles into your soul. Prepare to not only be enchanted by their unique blend but also to uncover the subtle beauty of Chinese through this unforgettable auditory journey.
Quick Info
| Song Name | hai shi (hai shi) |
| Artist | ma ye _ Carbbit / mao yi zhou |
| Original Singer | Original |
| Release Year | 2021 |
| Duration | 02:38 |
The Story Behind the Song
The 2021 collaboration "还是" by 马也_Carbbit and 猫医粥 isn't merely a song; it's an intimate sonic landscape. Carbbit's atmospheric, lo-fi production unfurls as a hazy embrace, a gentle current for Mao Yi Zhou's delicate vocals. This contemporary Chinese indie pop gem quickly resonated, not with fanfare, but as a profound sense of quiet understanding, becoming a whispered touchstone for countless listeners.
At its core, "还是" gracefully navigates the persistent echoes of our deepest decisions and lingering affections. The title, signifying "still" or "nevertheless," encapsulates a quiet defiance – the unchanging essence of self amid life's flux. It’s the silent commitment to a chosen path, a feeling held close, or the bittersweet ache of a quiet longing that simply remains. This introspection speaks to a generation finding solace in understated beauty, where lo-fi textures amplify raw human emotion.
✨ Lyrical Highlights
你微笑的时候 连风都变得柔软
nǐ wēixiào de shíhou lián fēng dōu biàn de róuruǎn
When you smile, even the wind turns soft.This line beautifully uses personification and hyperbole to convey the beloved's profound impact. The image of the wind, an intangible force, softening in response to a smile paints a tender, almost magical scene. It speaks to the transformative power of love, making the world a gentler, more serene place through the beloved's presence.
爱就是这样 不言不语 像海一样
ài jiù shì zhèyàng bù yán bù yǔ xiàng hǎi yīyàng
Love is like this, unspoken, like the sea.This line is deeply poetic, comparing love to the sea—vast, profound, and often silent. "不言不语" suggests a deep, intuitive understanding that transcends words, while "像海一样" evokes love's immense depth, constancy, and perhaps its powerful, unchanging nature. It elegantly captures the quiet yet immense presence of enduring love, mirroring the song's reflective mood.
Grammar Notes
我要努力学习。
Wǒ yào nǔlì xuéxí.
I must study hard.
我学到很晚才睡觉。
Wǒ xué dào hěn wǎn cái shuìjiào.
I studied until very late before going to bed.
老师让学生们多读多练。
Lǎoshī ràng xuéshēngmen duō dú duō liàn.
The teacher made the students read more and practice more.
他努力工作来养家糊口。
Tā nǔlì gōngzuò lái yǎngjiāhúkǒu.
He works hard to support his family.
倘若时光倒流，我是否能改变结局？
Tǎngruò shíguāng dàoliú, wǒ shìfǒu néng gǎibiàn jiéjú?
If time could flow backward, would I be able to change the ending?