8:01
他跑得太快了
Sebastian Sabbe Runs a Marathon in Under 2 Hours — A New World Record in London
HSK 1 Chinese listening practice. Sebastian Sabbe from Kenya runs a marathon in under 2 hours at London — the fastest time ever.
This is an HSK 1 Chinese listening episode that runs about 8 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 跑、快、时间 and walks through 6 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.
The main verb of the episode. Walking is 走 (zǒu); running 跑 is faster. Common patterns: 跑得快 (run fast), 跑完 (finish running). Often used with 步: 跑步 = jogging.
Adjective for speed. Opposite is 慢 (slow). Used as 跑得快 (runs fast), 很快 (very fast), 快了 (became faster). Also means 'soon/almost' as in 快到了 (almost there).
Refers to a span of time. 用了多少时间? = How much time did it take? Pair with 小时 (hour), 分钟 (minute), 秒 (second).
Measure word for time duration. 一个小时 = one hour, 两个小时 = two hours. Note: must use 个 between number and 小时.
60 分 = 1 小时. In times like 三十分 = 30 minutes. Also means 'point/score' or to divide. The full form is 分钟 (the listener will also hear 分钟 used).
Common HSK 1-2 noun. 我们的国家 = our country. China = 中国, England = 英国. The literal meaning is 'state' + 'family.'
Used both as a verb (比一比 = let's compare) and a comparison particle. A 比 B 快 = A is faster than B. Crucial for the structure 萨维比基普图姆快.
Very general HSK 1 verb. 做工作 = do work, 做到了 = managed to do it / accomplished it. 做到 carries the sense of 'achieving.'
HSK 1 emotion word. 我很高兴 = I am very happy. 更高兴 = even happier. Often paired with 看到/见到 (happy to see).
Two senses. 想跑 = want to run. 想一想 = think about (it). Reduplicated 想一想 softens the verb to 'think for a moment.'
Ordinal number. 第一个 = the first one, 第一名 = first place. The prefix 第 turns a cardinal number into an ordinal: 第二 = second, 第三 = third.
Noun and verb. The 比 here is the same character as 比较 (compare). 一场比赛 = one match (measure word 场).
Phonetic loanword from English. The race is 42.195 km. The episode also uses it metaphorically for 'something very long and tough.'
Casual praise word. 你太厉害了 = you're amazing! Originally 厉害 meant 'severe/fierce,' but the modern colloquial usage is overwhelmingly positive.
Time word. 以前 + verb = in the past did X. Opposite is 以后 (after). Often paired with 现在 (now) for past/present contrast.
Modal of possibility. 不可能 = impossible — a key phrase repeated in the episode. As a noun: 一个可能 = one possibility.
Common connector. Often paired with 因为 (because): 因为...所以... Even when 因为 is dropped, 所以 alone introduces a result.
Refers to one's physical body, but very often used to mean 'health.' 身体好 = healthy. 身体不好 = in poor health.
* beyond level超纲词
Subject + 是 + Noun
The most basic 'A is B' sentence in Mandarin. 是 connects two nouns to identify or define.
他是一个外国人。
这个国家叫肯尼亚。
他叫萨维。
Verb + 得 + Adverbial
The 得 (de) complement describes how an action is performed. 跑得很快 = runs very fast. The complement comes after the verb, not before.
萨维跑得很快很快。
他用了很少的时间跑完。
他跑得最快。
A 比 B + Adjective
The comparison structure. The thing being compared comes after 比, then the adjective. No need for a 'than' word — 比 already does that work.
萨维比基普图姆还快。
比一般的人都快。
一个小时五十九分三十秒比两个小时少。
Verb + 完
完 attached to a verb means 'finish doing it.' 跑完 = finish running, 说完 = finish speaking. A common HSK 1-2 resultative.
他跑完了。
他还没跑完。
今天的事情说完了。
X 就是 Y (definitional)
Used to define or explain a word. Literally 'X just is Y.' This is the workhorse pattern for in-line glossing of new vocabulary in this episode.
跑就是用脚很快地走。
比一比就是看谁第一。
不可能就是不能做。
也 (also)
Adverb meaning 'also/too.' Comes BEFORE the verb, not before the noun. 我也喜欢 = I also like (it), not 也我喜欢.
他也是肯尼亚人。
她也跑得很快。
老人也来看。