我的手机是五年前买的，太旧了。
I bought my phone five years ago — it's really old.
它非常慢，我等它的时候，可以喝完一杯茶。
It's so slow that while I wait for it, I can finish a whole cup of tea.
所以昨天下午我去商店看新手机。
So yesterday afternoon I went to the shop to look at new phones.
服务员说：“这个手机是今年最新的，白色的和黑色的都有。”
The shop assistant said: "This is this year's newest phone — we have it in white and in black."
我问：“它比我的旧手机快吗？”
I asked: "Is it faster than my old phone?"
服务员笑着说：“快得多，也不贵！”
The assistant said with a smile: "Much faster — and it's not expensive!"
我买了一个黑色的，虽然我的钱少了，但是我非常高兴！
I bought a black one — my wallet is lighter now, but I'm really happy!
🔊 Audio uses your device's Chinese voice for now —
teacher recordings are coming. Tap any word to see its meaning.
Key words 生词
手机shǒujīcell phone
旧jiùold (of things)
慢mànslow
比bǐthan (comparison)
服务员fúwùyuánshop assistant; server
黑色hēisèblack
Grammar note 语法点
A 比 B + adjective
比 compares two things: A 比 B 快 means 'A is faster than B'. Don't add 很 before the adjective in a 比 sentence.
它比我的旧手机快吗？ — Is it faster than my old phone?
是…的 (emphasizing time/place/manner of a past event)
Use 是…的 to highlight when, where, or how something already happened, e.g. 我是坐飞机来的 (I came by plane).
我的手机是五年前买的。 — I bought my phone five years ago.
虽然…，但是…
This pair means 'although… , (but)…'. Chinese keeps both words in the sentence, e.g. 虽然很贵，但是很好.
虽然我的钱少了，但是我非常高兴！ — Although I have less money now, I'm really happy!
Check yourself 小测验
1. Why did the writer want a new phone?
2. What colors did the shop have?
3. How did the writer feel after buying the phone?
After this reading
Reading is the easy part. Speaking is where you get stuck.
I'm Fei, and I teach Mandarin one-on-one on Preply. Bring this text to a trial lesson — we'll fix your tones and turn it into a real conversation.
Book a trial lesson →More HSK 2 reading practice
有点儿A Little Bit in Chinese买咖啡Buying Coffee in Chinese便宜还是贵Cheap or Expensive真好吃Delicious in Chinese有没有Do You Have It in Chinese几位How Many People in Chinese
All HSK 2 readings →