A Chinese podcast · Same story, 4 levels
Hyrox：一个新的比赛，在亚洲很火
Hyrox: A New Fitness Race Taking Off in Asia
About this story
A simple story about HYROX — a new running and fitness race that friends in Asia are doing together. HSK 1 Chinese listening practice.
This is an HSK 1 Chinese listening episode that runs about 7 minutes. The full Mandarin script is shown with tap-for-pinyin and a line-by-line English translation, so you can listen and read at once — comprehensible input in the sense of Stephen Krashen's i+1 theory. It teaches 18 key vocabulary words such as 运动、跑步、朋友 and walks through 7 grammar patterns, each explained in English with examples. The same news story is retold at 4 difficulty levels — use the level selector above to find the version that is challenging but still understandable for you.
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原文Read the complete story in Chinese. Reveal pinyin and English only when you need them.
English transcript reference
Xiao Ming likes sports.
He often goes running.
He runs every week.
One day, his friend came to see him.
The friend's name is Xiao Hong.
Xiao Hong is a girl.
She also likes sports.
Xiao Hong says: Xiao Ming.
I have an idea.
Xiao Ming says: what idea?
Xiao Hong says: let's do a new race together.
Xiao Ming says: sure.
What race?
Xiao Hong says: it's a new sports race.
It's very popular lately.
Xiao Ming says: what does "very popular" mean?
Xiao Hong says: it means lots of people like it.
Lots of people are doing it.
Now many countries around the world have it.
Xiao Ming says: oh.
I haven't heard of it.
Xiao Hong says: let me tell you.
This race has running.
It also has other movements.
You have to run one kilometer.
Then do one movement.
Then run another kilometer.
Then do another movement.
In total, you have to run eight times.
And do eight movements.
Xiao Ming says: eight times!
That's really a lot.
Xiao Hong says: yes.
But everyone loves it.
Why?
Because you can run with others.
You can also run alone.
You can also take photos.
Xiao Ming says: photos?
Xiao Hong says: yes.
After you finish running,
you stand at the last spot.
Someone takes a photo of you.
It's like you've completed a big thing.
Xiao Ming says: that's nice.
Xiao Hong says: there's another point.
This race isn't only running.
There are also eight movements.
They're all simple movements.
For example: push something.
For example: pull something.
For example: carry something while walking.
You also throw a big ball.
None of it is hard.
Xiao Ming says: sounds interesting.
Xiao Hong says: also.
This race isn't very dangerous.
Unlike other races.
Other races have many movements.
Some people get hurt.
"Get hurt" means the body isn't well anymore.
But this race's movements are simple.
Ordinary people can do them too.
Xiao Ming says: okay.
I want to try.
Xiao Hong says: good.
Let's do it together.
She says again: you know what?
Now lots of people in Asia do it too.
China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand all have it.
In some cities,
the race tickets sell out instantly.
There are no tickets left.
In some cities,
the first day of ticket sales they're already gone.
Sold out.
Xiao Ming says: wow.
That many people.
Xiao Hong says: yes.
Not only young people.
People in their thirties do it.
People in their forties do it.
Women do it.
Men do it.
Everyone does it.
Xiao Ming says: that's great.
Xiao Hong says: but there's one thing.
Before doing this race,
you have to practice.
You can't just go without preparing.
You have to first go to the gym.
You have to first run.
You have to first do some movements.
Once you're ready, then go race.
Xiao Ming says: okay.
I'll start practicing today.
Xiao Hong says: good.
Let's practice together.
Then we'll go race together.
Xiao Ming says: that's great.
Both of them are very happy.
They started today.
They go running together.
They do the movements together.
Practicing slowly.
Learning slowly.
Now let's talk about the real story.
This race is called HYROX.
H-Y-R-O-X.
It's an English name.
HYROX is a new sport.
It started in 2017.
It's not very old.
But it's developing very fast.
Now there are many races in the world.
About one hundred a year.
In over thirty countries.
The number of racers,
about one million a year.
Seventy percent are first-timers.
Lots of newcomers.
You don't have to be very good.
Ordinary people can also try.
In the past year,
Asia has had the most.
More than double the past.
The Bangkok race in Thailand,
ticket sales only took eighteen hours.
Four thousand five hundred tickets,
all sold out.
Very fast.
The US race last year,
the headcount was three times the year before.
A lot more.
So we say,
this is a very popular sport.
So why is it so popular?
There are three reasons.
First, it's simple.
Anyone can do it.
You don't have to learn many new movements.
Second, you can take photos.
After running you have a photo.
You can send it to friends.
Third, you can do it with others.
You can ask friends to come along.
After running you can also eat together.
So everyone likes it.
So this new race,
is more and more popular now.
Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong also want to do it.
They decide to start practicing.
Slowly.
Once everything is ready,
they'll go race together.
Listen again
Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.
What vocabulary does this episode teach?
词汇HSK 2. 喜欢运动 = like sports. 做运动 = do exercise. The whole episode is about a new kind of 运动.
HSK 2. 跑 (run) + 步 (step). 去跑步 = go running. Both verb and noun.
HSK 1. 我的朋友 = my friend. The episode is built around two friends, 小明 and 小红.
HSK 1. 想 + verb = want to V. 我想试试 = I want to try. Also means 'think'.
HSK 1. 做运动 = do exercise. 做动作 = do a movement. Very general verb.
HSK 1. 我们一起做 = let's do it together. The episode's recurring word — HYROX is something to do 一起.
HSK 1. 什么意思 = what does it mean? 什么比赛 = what kind of race? Used a lot for asking.
HSK 1. 好啊 = okay! 好的 = sure. Used as a one-word reply.
HSK 1. we; us.
HSK 3 but introduced inline. The whole episode revolves around a 比赛.
HSK 4. 动 (move) + 作 (make). 做动作 = do a movement. Used for fitness moves.
HSK 3. 都是简单的动作 = all are simple movements. Opposite is 复杂 / 难.
HSK 3. 先练习 = practice first. The mom-and-friend dynamic of the episode is built around 练习.
Beyond. 健身 (fitness) + 房 (room). Where you go to exercise on machines.
HSK 5. 受 (receive) + 伤 (injury). Glossed inline as '身体不好了'.
HSK 3. 比赛的票 = race ticket. 卖完了 = sold out. The episode mentions sell-outs as a sign of popularity.
HSK 4. 卖 (sell) + 完 (finish). Resultative verb. 一下子就卖完了 = sold out in no time.
HSK 3. 他们决定开始练习 = they decided to start practicing. Both verb and noun.
* beyond level超纲词
What grammar patterns appear in this episode?
语法想 + Verb (want to V)
Modal of desire: 想 + verb = want to V. Subject + 想 + verb.
我有一个想法。
我想试试。
他们想做。
X 比 Y + Adj (comparison)
A 比 B + adjective = A is more X than B. To say 'by how much,' add a measure phrase after the adjective.
比以前多了一倍。
比前年多了三倍。
因为 + reason
'Because + reason.' At HSK 1 level often used alone (without 所以).
因为可以一起跑。
因为它简单。
X 也 Y / 也 + Verb
也 = also. Comes BEFORE the verb. Adds a parallel idea.
她也喜欢运动。
也可以拍照片。
三十多岁的人也做。
都 (all)
Adverb meaning 'all'. Comes BEFORE the verb. The subject must already include 'all/multiple' for 都 to refer to.
现在世界上很多国家都有。
都是简单的动作。
大家都做。
先 ... 再 ...
'First ... then ...' Used to sequence two actions clearly.
要先去健身房。
要先跑步。
再做一个动作。
越来越 + Adj
'More and more X.' Describes a state changing in one direction.
越来越火。
Proper Nouns
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