The four-hour balloon

Preview version — Chinese review in progress.

HSK 7–9 · Level 9 About 16 minutes

四小时的气球

Sì xiǎoshí de qìqiú

Story

，：“，。”
sānshísì suì de kuàijì Yīn Yuè dì-yī cì bàomíng cānjiā mǎlāsōng, shì yīnwèi tǐjiǎn bàogào shàng de yì háng zì:“ chángqī yālì guò dà, jiànyì guīlǜ yùndòng.”
Yin Yue, a thirty-four-year-old accountant, signed up for her first marathon because of one line in her health-check report: "Long-term excessive stress; regular exercise recommended."
Words in this sentence
三十四 sānshísì
thirty-four
岁 suì
years old Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
会计 kuàijì
accountant Dictionary
殷悦 Yīn Yuè
Yin Yue (name)
第一 dì-yī
first Dictionary
次 cì
time (occurrence) Dictionary
报名 bàomíng
to sign up Dictionary
参加 cānjiā
to attend Dictionary
马拉松 mǎlāsōng
marathon Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
因为 yīnwèi
because Dictionary
体检 tǐjiǎn
health check Dictionary
报告 bàogào
to report Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
行 háng
line (of text) Dictionary
字 zì
character, word Dictionary
长期 chángqī
long-term Dictionary
压力 yālì
stress, pressure Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
大 dà
big, loud Dictionary
建议 jiànyì
to suggest Dictionary
规律 guīlǜ
regular Dictionary
运动 yùndòng
to exercise; sport Dictionary
，：，，，。
tā zài wǎngshang xiàzài le yí fèn shíliù zhōu de xùnliàn jìhuà, tiē zài bīngxiāng shàng: zhōu'èr jiànxiēpǎo, zhōusì jiézòupǎo, zhōuliù chángjùlí mànpǎo, qíyú shíjiān xiūxi huòzhě lāshēn.
She downloaded a sixteen-week training plan and stuck it on the fridge: intervals on Tuesdays, tempo runs on Thursdays, long slow runs on Saturdays, and rest or stretching the rest of the time.
Words in this sentence
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
网上 wǎngshang
online Dictionary
下载 xiàzài
to download Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
份 fèn
(measure word for jobs) Dictionary
十六 shíliù
sixteen Dictionary
周 zhōu
week Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
训练 xùnliàn
training Dictionary
计划 jìhuà
plan Dictionary
贴 tiē
to stick, to put up Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
冰箱 bīngxiāng
fridge Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
周二 zhōu'èr
Tuesday Dictionary
间歇跑 jiànxiēpǎo
interval run
周四 zhōusì
Thursday Dictionary
节奏跑 jiézòupǎo
tempo run
周六 zhōuliù
Saturday Dictionary
长距离 chángjùlí
long-distance Dictionary
慢跑 mànpǎo
slow run, jog Dictionary
其余 qíyú
the rest Dictionary
时间 shíjiān
time Dictionary
休息 xiūxi
to rest Dictionary
或者 huòzhě
or Dictionary
拉伸 lāshēn
to stretch Dictionary
，，，。
dì-yī zhōu, tā lián wǔ gōnglǐ dōu pǎo bú xiàlai, pǎo dào yíbàn jiù chuǎn de shuō bù chū huà, zhǐhǎo zǒu huí jiā.
In the first week she couldn't even manage five kilometres; halfway she was too breathless to speak and had to walk home.
Words in this sentence
第一 dì-yī
first Dictionary
周 zhōu
week Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
连 lián
even (连……都……) Dictionary
五 wǔ
five Dictionary
公里 gōnglǐ
kilometre Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
下来 xiàlai
down (becoming) Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
一半 yíbàn
half Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
喘 chuǎn
to breathe hard, to gasp Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
出 chū
out Dictionary
话 huà
words, what is said Dictionary
只好 zhǐhǎo
have no choice but to Dictionary
走 zǒu
to walk, to go; to leave Dictionary
回 huí
to return, to go back Dictionary
家 jiā
home, family Dictionary
：“。，。”
pǎobù qún lǐ yí wèi lǎo pǎoyǒu gàosu tā:“ xīnshǒu zuì chángjiàn de cuòwù shì pǎo de tài kuài. zhǐyǒu màn xiàlai, shēntǐ cái néng mànmàn shìyìng.”
An experienced runner in her running group told her: "The commonest beginner's mistake is running too fast. Only when you slow down can your body gradually adapt."
Words in this sentence
跑步 pǎobù
to run, to jog Dictionary
群 qún
group (chat) Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
位 wèi
(polite measure word for people) Dictionary
老 lǎo
old Dictionary
跑友 pǎoyǒu
running friend
告诉 gàosu
to tell Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
新手 xīnshǒu
beginner Dictionary
最 zuì
most Dictionary
常见 chángjiàn
common Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
错误 cuòwù
mistake Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
太 tài
too, excessively Dictionary
快 kuài
fast Dictionary
只有 zhǐyǒu
only (只有……才……) Dictionary
慢 màn
slow Dictionary
下来 xiàlai
down (becoming) Dictionary
身体 shēntǐ
body; health Dictionary
才 cái
only then Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
慢慢 mànmàn
slowly Dictionary
适应 shìyìng
to adapt Dictionary
，。
tā bànxìnbànyí de bǎ sùdù jiàng dào le měi gōnglǐ qī fēnzhōng, màn de lián pángbiān liùgǒu de dàye dōu néng gēn shàng.
Half doubting, she dropped her pace to seven minutes a kilometre—so slow that even an old man walking his dog beside her could keep up.
Words in this sentence
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
半信半疑 bànxìnbànyí
half believing, half doubting Dictionary
地 de
(turns a description into how something is done) Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
速度 sùdù
speed, pace Dictionary
降 jiàng
to lower Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
每 měi
every, each Dictionary
公里 gōnglǐ
kilometre Dictionary
七 qī
seven Dictionary
分钟 fēnzhōng
minute(s) Dictionary
慢 màn
slow Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
连 lián
even (连……都……) Dictionary
旁边 pángbiān
next to, beside Dictionary
遛狗 liùgǒu
to walk a dog Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
大爷 dàye
old man, uncle Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
跟 gēn
with; as Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
，，，。
kě qíguài de shì, liǎng gè yuè yǐhòu, tā néng yìkǒuqì pǎo shíwǔ gōnglǐ le, érqiě wǎnshang shuì de bǐ yǐqián xiāng duō le.
Yet strangely, two months later she could run fifteen kilometres in one go, and she slept far better than before.
Words in this sentence
可 kě
(adds emphasis); but Dictionary
奇怪 qíguài
strange Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
月 yuè
month Dictionary
以后 yǐhòu
after, later Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
一口气 yìkǒuqì
in one go Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
十五 shíwǔ
fifteen Dictionary
公里 gōnglǐ
kilometre Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
而且 érqiě
and moreover Dictionary
晚上 wǎnshang
evening Dictionary
睡 shuì
to sleep Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
比 bǐ
than Dictionary
以前 yǐqián
before, ago Dictionary
香 xiāng
fragrant, tasty Dictionary
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，。，“”。
bǐsài nà tiān zǎoshang, qǐdiǎn jǐmǎn le liǎngwàn duō míng xuǎnshǒu. rénqún zhōng yǒu yí wèi tóufa huābái de pèisùyuán, bèi shàng jì zhe yí gè xiě zhe“ sì xiǎoshí” de hóng qìqiú.
On race morning more than twenty thousand runners were packed at the start. In the crowd was a grey-haired pacer with a red balloon tied to his back that read "four hours".
Words in this sentence
比赛 bǐsài
to compete; competition Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
早上 zǎoshang
morning Dictionary
起点 qǐdiǎn
start (line) Dictionary
挤满 jǐmǎn
to be packed with Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
两万 liǎngwàn
twenty thousand
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
名 míng
place (in a ranking) Dictionary
选手 xuǎnshǒu
competitor, runner Dictionary
人群 rénqún
crowd Dictionary
中 zhōng
in, among Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
位 wèi
(polite measure word for people) Dictionary
头发 tóufa
hair Dictionary
花白 huābái
grey (hair) Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
配速员 pèisùyuán
pacer Dictionary
背 bèi
back Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
系 jì
to tie Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
写 xiě
to write Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
四 sì
four Dictionary
小时 xiǎoshí
hour Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
红 hóng
red Dictionary
气球 qìqiú
balloon Dictionary
，，，。
tā jiào Lǎo Lǔ, tuìxiū qián shì zhōngxué tǐyù lǎoshī, jīnnián liùshí'èr suì, yǐjīng pǎo le bāshí duō gè mǎlāsōng.
He was called Old Lu, a retired secondary-school PE teacher, sixty-two this year, who had run more than eighty marathons.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
叫 jiào
to be called; to call Dictionary
老鲁 Lǎo Lǔ
Old Lu (name)
退休 tuìxiū
to retire Dictionary
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
中学 zhōngxué
secondary school Dictionary
体育 tǐyù
PE, sport Dictionary
老师 lǎoshī
teacher Dictionary
今年 jīnnián
this year Dictionary
六十二 liùshí'èr
sixty-two
岁 suì
years old Dictionary
已经 yǐjīng
already Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
八十 bāshí
eighty Dictionary
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
马拉松 mǎlāsōng
marathon Dictionary
“，”，“，。”
“ gēn zhe qìqiú pǎo jiù xíng,” Lǎo Lǔ xiàozhe duì shēnbiān de xīnshǒu men shuō,“ qián èrshí gōnglǐ, shéi yě bù xǔ chāoguò wǒ.”
"Just follow the balloon," Old Lu said with a smile to the beginners around him. "For the first twenty kilometres nobody is allowed to pass me."
Words in this sentence
跟 gēn
with; as Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
气球 qìqiú
balloon Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
行 xíng
OK, fine Dictionary
老鲁 Lǎo Lǔ
Old Lu (name)
笑着 xiàozhe
smiling
对 duì
correct, right Dictionary
身边 shēnbiān
at one's side Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
新手 xīnshǒu
beginner Dictionary
们 men
(plural for people) Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
二十 èrshí
twenty Dictionary
公里 gōnglǐ
kilometre Dictionary
谁 shéi
who Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
许 xǔ
to allow Dictionary
超过 chāoguò
to pass, to overtake Dictionary
我 wǒ
I, me Dictionary
，，，。
qián bànchéng, Yīn Yuè pǎo de hěn qīngsōng, shènzhì yǒu xīnqíng kàn lùbiān de fēngjǐng, gēn jiāyóu de xiǎopéngyou jīzhǎng.
In the first half Yin Yue ran easily, even finding time to enjoy the scenery and high-five the children cheering by the road.
Words in this sentence
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
半程 bànchéng
half (of a race)
殷悦 Yīn Yuè
Yin Yue (name)
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
很 hěn
very Dictionary
轻松 qīngsōng
light, easy Dictionary
甚至 shènzhì
even Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
心情 xīnqíng
mood Dictionary
看 kàn
to look, to watch, to read Dictionary
路边 lùbiān
roadside Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
风景 fēngjǐng
scenery Dictionary
跟 gēn
with; as Dictionary
加油 jiāyóu
to cheer on Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
小朋友 xiǎopéngyou
child Dictionary
击掌 jīzhǎng
to high-five Dictionary
，，。“”。
kěshì dào le sānshí gōnglǐ, tā de tuǐ tūrán biànde xiàng guàn le qiān yíyàng chén, xiǎotuǐ kāishǐ chōujīn. pǎoyǒu men guǎn zhè jiào“ zhuàngqiáng”.
But at thirty kilometres her legs suddenly felt as heavy as lead and her calves began to cramp. Runners call this "hitting the wall".
Words in this sentence
可是 kěshì
but Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
三十 sānshí
thirty Dictionary
公里 gōnglǐ
kilometre Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
腿 tuǐ
leg Dictionary
突然 tūrán
suddenly Dictionary
变得 biànde
to become Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
灌 guàn
to fill (with) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
铅 qiān
lead Dictionary
一样 yíyàng
the same Dictionary
沉 chén
to sink Dictionary
小腿 xiǎotuǐ
calf Dictionary
开始 kāishǐ
to start Dictionary
抽筋 chōujīn
to cramp Dictionary
跑友 pǎoyǒu
running friend
们 men
(plural for people) Dictionary
管 guǎn
to look after, to bother about Dictionary
这 zhè
this Dictionary
叫 jiào
to be called; to call Dictionary
撞墙 zhuàngqiáng
to hit the wall
，：，。
tā mànmàn luò dào le qìqiú hòumiàn, nǎozi lǐ zhǐ yǒu yí gè niàntou: fàngqì ba, fǎnzhèng yě méiyǒu rén zàihu.
She slowly fell behind the balloon, with only one thought in her head: give up, nobody cares anyway.
Words in this sentence
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
慢慢 mànmàn
slowly Dictionary
落 luò
to set, to fall Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
气球 qìqiú
balloon Dictionary
后面 hòumiàn
behind Dictionary
脑子 nǎozi
head, mind Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
只 zhǐ
only Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
念头 niàntou
thought Dictionary
放弃 fàngqì
to give up Dictionary
吧 ba
(suggests or softens: "let's …", "OK") Dictionary
反正 fǎnzhèng
anyway Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
在乎 zàihu
to care Dictionary
，，：“，。，。”
jiù zài zhèshí, Lǎo Lǔ fàngmàn jiǎobù, tuì dào tā shēnbiān:“ bié xiǎng hái shèng shí'èr gōnglǐ, zhǐ xiǎng xià yì gēn lùdēng. pǎo dào nàr, zài xiǎng xià yì gēn.”
Just then Old Lu slowed and dropped back beside her: "Don't think about the twelve kilometres left. Think only about the next lamp post. When you get there, think about the next one."
Words in this sentence
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
这时 zhèshí
at this moment Dictionary
老鲁 Lǎo Lǔ
Old Lu (name)
放慢 fàngmàn
to slow down Dictionary
脚步 jiǎobù
pace, steps Dictionary
退 tuì
to recede Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
身边 shēnbiān
at one's side Dictionary
别 bié
don't Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
还 hái
also, in addition Dictionary
剩 shèng
to be left over Dictionary
十二 shí'èr
twelve Dictionary
公里 gōnglǐ
kilometre Dictionary
只 zhǐ
only Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
根 gēn
(measure word for pipes, long things) Dictionary
路灯 lùdēng
street lamp Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
那儿 nàr
there Dictionary
再 zài
again, any more Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
根 gēn
(measure word for pipes, long things) Dictionary
，，。
tā jiù zhèyàng yì gēn lùdēng yì gēn lùdēng de wǎngqián nuó, zài bǔjǐzhàn hē le liǎng bēi diànjiězhì shuǐ, tuǐ jūrán mànmàn huǎn le guòlai.
So she edged forward one lamp post at a time, drank two cups of electrolyte drink at the aid station, and to her surprise her legs gradually recovered.
Words in this sentence
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
这样 zhèyàng
this way, like this Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
根 gēn
(measure word for pipes, long things) Dictionary
路灯 lùdēng
street lamp Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
根 gēn
(measure word for pipes, long things) Dictionary
路灯 lùdēng
street lamp Dictionary
地 de
(turns a description into how something is done) Dictionary
往前 wǎngqián
forward Dictionary
挪 nuó
to shuffle, to edge Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
补给站 bǔjǐzhàn
aid station Dictionary
喝 hē
to drink Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
杯 bēi
cup, glass Dictionary
电解质 diànjiězhì
electrolyte Dictionary
水 shuǐ
water Dictionary
腿 tuǐ
leg Dictionary
居然 jūrán
to one's surprise Dictionary
慢慢 mànmàn
slowly Dictionary
缓 huǎn
to delay Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
过来 guòlai
to come over Dictionary
，。，。
chōng guò zhōngdiǎn de shíhou, dà píngmù shàng xiǎnshì de chéngjì shì sān xiǎoshí wǔshíbā fēn. tā dūn zài dì shàng, yòu kū yòu xiào.
When she dashed across the finish line, the big screen showed her time: three hours fifty-eight minutes. She crouched on the ground, crying and laughing at once.
Words in this sentence
冲 chōng
to dash Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
终点 zhōngdiǎn
finish (line) Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
时候 shíhou
time, moment (……的时候: when …) Dictionary
大 dà
big, loud Dictionary
屏幕 píngmù
screen Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
显示 xiǎnshì
to show Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
成绩 chéngjì
results, grades Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
三 sān
three Dictionary
小时 xiǎoshí
hour Dictionary
五十八 wǔshíbā
fifty-eight
分 fēn
to share, to divide Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
蹲 dūn
to crouch Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
地 dì
ground, earth Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
哭 kū
to cry, to weep Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
笑 xiào
to laugh, to smile Dictionary
，，，。
tā dàochù zhǎo Lǎo Lǔ, xiǎng dāngmiàn shuō shēng xièxie, què kànjiàn tā zuò zài yīliáo zhàngpeng lǐ, xīgài shàng fū zhe bīngdài.
She looked everywhere for Old Lu to thank him in person, and found him sitting in the medical tent with an ice pack on his knee.
Words in this sentence
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
到处 dàochù
everywhere Dictionary
找 zhǎo
to look for Dictionary
老鲁 Lǎo Lǔ
Old Lu (name)
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
当面 dāngmiàn
in person Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
声 shēng
sound, noise Dictionary
谢谢 xièxie
thank you Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
看见 kànjiàn
to see Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
坐 zuò
to sit; to travel by Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
医疗 yīliáo
medical Dictionary
帐篷 zhàngpeng
tent Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
膝盖 xīgài
knee Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
敷 fū
to apply (a compress) Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
冰袋 bīngdài
ice pack Dictionary
，，，。
yuánlái tā de xīgài shàng gè yuè jiù shòu le shāng, yīshēng quàn tā xiūxi, kě tā zǎojiù dāying le zǔwěihuì, bù xiǎng ràng gēn zhe qìqiú de rén zhǎo bú dào fāngxiàng.
It turned out he had hurt his knee the month before and the doctor had told him to rest, but he had long since promised the organisers and didn't want the runners following his balloon to lose their way.
Words in this sentence
原来 yuánlái
so it turns out Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
膝盖 xīgài
knee Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
月 yuè
month Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
受 shòu
to receive, to be (loved) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
伤 shāng
to hurt Dictionary
医生 yīshēng
doctor Dictionary
劝 quàn
to urge Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
休息 xiūxi
to rest Dictionary
可 kě
(adds emphasis); but Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
早就 zǎojiù
long since Dictionary
答应 dāying
to agree Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
组委会 zǔwěihuì
organising committee Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
跟 gēn
with; as Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
气球 qìqiú
balloon Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
找 zhǎo
to look for Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
方向 fāngxiàng
direction Dictionary
“，”，“，。”
“ pèisùyuán de gōngzuò,” Lǎo Lǔ shuō,“ yǔqíshuō shì dài rén pǎo de kuài, bùrúshuō shì ràng rén bú fàngqì.”
"A pacer's job," said Old Lu, "is less about making people run fast than about keeping them from giving up."
Words in this sentence
配速员 pèisùyuán
pacer Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
工作 gōngzuò
to work; job Dictionary
老鲁 Lǎo Lǔ
Old Lu (name)
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
与其说 yǔqíshuō
less (…than …)
是 shì
to be Dictionary
带 dài
to take (someone), to bring Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
快 kuài
fast Dictionary
不如说 bùrúshuō
rather (…)
是 shì
to be Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
放弃 fàngqì
to give up Dictionary
，，。“”，。
dì-èr nián, tóng yì chǎng bǐsài de qǐdiǎn shàng, duō le yí gè niánqīng de pèisùyuán. tā bèi shàng de qìqiú xiě zhe“ sì xiǎoshí sānshí fēn”, zhuānmén péi dì-yī cì pǎo quánchéng de xīnshǒu.
The next year, at the start of the same race, there was one more young pacer. The balloon on her back read "four hours thirty", for beginners running their first full marathon.
Words in this sentence
第二 dì-èr
second Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
同 tóng
same Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
场 chǎng
(measure word for events) Dictionary
比赛 bǐsài
to compete; competition Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
起点 qǐdiǎn
start (line) Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
年轻 niánqīng
young Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
配速员 pèisùyuán
pacer Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
背 bèi
back Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
气球 qìqiú
balloon Dictionary
写 xiě
to write Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
四 sì
four Dictionary
小时 xiǎoshí
hour Dictionary
三十 sānshí
thirty Dictionary
分 fēn
to share, to divide Dictionary
专门 zhuānmén
specially Dictionary
陪 péi
to keep company Dictionary
第一 dì-yī
first Dictionary
次 cì
time (occurrence) Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
全程 quánchéng
the full distance Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
新手 xīnshǒu
beginner Dictionary

Grammar focus

只有……才…… "only if … (then)"
与其说……不如说…… "it is less … than …"

Vocabulary

适应shìyìngto adapt Dictionary
配速员pèisùyuánpacer Dictionary
抽筋chōujīnto cramp Dictionary

Questions

Speaking task

说一件你差点儿放弃、最后坚持下来的事。你是怎么坚持的？

Shuō yí jiàn nǐ chàdiǎnr fàngqì, zuìhòu jiānchí xiàlai de shì. Nǐ shì zěnme jiānchí de?

Talk about something you nearly gave up on but stuck with. How did you keep going?

Tips

不再……只…… shows a change of focus.

Try it yourself first, then show the model answer

学中文的第二年，我差点儿放弃了，因为汉字太难记。后来我不再想还有几千个字要学，只想今天的十个，慢慢就坚持下来了。

Xué Zhōngwén de dì-èr nián, wǒ chàdiǎnr fàngqì le, yīnwèi Hànzì tài nán jì. Hòulái wǒ bú zài xiǎng hái yǒu jǐqiān gè zì yào xué, zhǐ xiǎng jīntiān de shí gè, mànmàn jiù jiānchí xiàlai le.

In my second year of Chinese I nearly gave up because characters were so hard to remember. Then I stopped thinking about the thousands still to learn and thought only about today's ten, and gradually I kept going.

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