Just Friends Mandarin Companion Breakthrough Level by Jared Turner John Pasden

Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
Breakthrough Level: 150 characters
我们是朋友吗？
Wǒmen Shì Péngyou ma?
Just Friends?
by Jared Turner & John Pasden
Mind Spark Press LLC
SHANGHAI
Mandarin Companion Graded
Readers
Mandarin Companion creates books you can read! This series offers
Chinese learners enjoyable and interesting reading materials to
accelerate language learning. Each book uses characters, words,
and grammar that a learner is most likely to know at each level
based on in-depth analysis of textbooks, education programs, and
natural Chinese language. Every story is written in a style that is
easy for a learner to understand and enjoyable to read.
Mandarin Companion Breakthrough Level
The Breakthrough Level is intended for Chinese learners who have

obtained a low elementary or novice level of Chinese. Most students
will be able to approach this book after one year of traditional formal
study, depending on the learner and program. In creating this story,
we have carefully balanced the need for level-appropriate simplicity
against the needs of the story’s plot.
Writing our stories for beginner readers, we have paid close attention
to both Chinese characters and vocabulary words. The Breakthrough
Level is written using a core set of 150 characters, a subset of the
300 characters used in Mandarin Companion Level 1. This ensures
that the vocabulary will be limited to simple, everyday words,
composed of characters that the learner is most likely to know. Any
new characters used outside of the 150 Breakthrough Level
characters are exclusively borrowed from the Level 1 character set,
meaning that with each new story, the reader is systematically
building toward Level 1.
Key words are added gradually over the course of the story. A
numbered footnote indicates the first time a new word or character is
introduced and the corresponding hyperlink references the glossary
with pinyin and an English definition. Each additional instance of a
new word is indicated by a hyperlink. All proper nouns have been
underlined to help the reader distinguish between names and words.
What level is right for me?
If you are able to read this book with a high level of comprehension,
then this book is likely at your level. It is ideal to have at most only
one unknown word or character for every 40-50 words or characters
that are read.
Once you are able to read fluidly and quickly without interruption you
are ready for the next level. Even if you are able to understand all of
the words in the book, we recommend that readers build fluidity and
reading speed before moving to higher levels.
How will this help my Chinese?
Reading extensively in a language you are learning is one of the

most effective ways to build fluency. However, the key is to read at a
high level of comprehension. Reading at the appropriate level in
Chinese will increase the speed of character recognition, help
acquire vocabulary faster, allow readers to naturally learn grammar,
and train the brain to think in Chinese. It also makes learning
Chinese more fun and enjoyable. Readers will experience the sense
of accomplishment and confidence that only comes from reading
entire books in Chinese.
For more information, please see Extensive Reading and Graded
Readers
About Mandarin Companion
Mandarin Companion was started by Jared Turner and John Pasden

who met one fateful day on a bus in Shanghai when the only
remaining seat left them sitting next to each other. A year later, Jared
had greatly improved his Chinese using extensive reading but was
frustrated at the lack of suitable reading materials. He approached
John with the prospect of creating their own series. Having worked in
Chinese education for nearly a decade, John was intrigued with the
idea and thus began the Mandarin Companion series.
John majored in Japanese in college, but started learning Mandarin

and later moved to China where his learning accelerated. After
developing language proficiency, he was admitted into an all-
Chinese masters program in applied linguistics at East China Normal
University in Shanghai. Throughout his learning process, John
developed an open mind to different learning styles and a tendency
to challenge conventional wisdom in the field of teaching Chinese.
He has since worked at ChinesePod as academic director and host,
and opened his own consultancy, AllSet Learning, in Shanghai to
help individuals acquire Chinese language proficiency. He lives in
Shanghai with his wife and children.
After graduate school and with no Chinese language skills, Jared

decided to move to China with his young family in search of career
opportunities. Later while working on an investment project, Jared
learned about extensive reading and decided that if it was as
effective as it claimed to be, it could help him learn Chinese. In three
months, he read 10 Chinese graded readers and his language ability
quickly improved from speaking words and phrases to a
conversational level. Jared has an MBA from Purdue University and
a bachelor in Economics from the University of Utah. He lives in
Shanghai with his wife and children.
Credits
Story Authors: John Pasden, Jared Turner
Editor-in-Chief: John Pasden
Content Editor: Chen Shishuang
Editors: Ma Lihua, Li Jiong
Illustrator: Hu Sheng
Producer: Jared Turner
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Ma Lihua, Li Jiong, Song Shen, Tan Rong, Chen

Shishuang, and the entire team at AllSet Learning for working on this
project and contributing the perfect mix of talent to produce this
series.
Special thanks to Jake Liu, Paris Yamamoto, and Rory O’Neill for
being our test readers.
Table of Contents
Story Adaptation Notes

Characters and Locations
1. 两个好朋友
2. 好看的女生
3. 去书店
4. 很生气
5. 是不是好朋友？
6. 去饭店
7. 吃饭
8. 女朋友？
9. 不是女朋友？
10. 没有男朋友
11. 有话要说
12. 是好朋友？
Key Words
Discussion Questions
Extensive Reading and Graded Readers
Appendix A: Character Comparison Reference
Appendix B: Grammar Point Index
Credits and Acknowledgements
About Mandarin Companion
Other Stories from Mandarin Companion
Story Adaption Notes
Any learner that has managed to learn 150 Chinese characters

knows it is not an easy task, and the prospect of reading a real text
in Chinese seems discouragingly far-off. Typically textbook dialogs
are the only reading material available for years on end. That's why
being able to read an actual story with only 150 Chinese characters
is a very big deal, and a huge help to the fluency development of
early-stage learners.
The stories told at this 150-character Breakthrough Level are

special, however. Nouns, verbs and adjectives at this level are in
short supply, and the stories revolve around the limited vocabulary
by necessity. This is why Breakthrough Level stories are not
adaptations of western classics. They are original stories co-written
by John Pasden and Jared Turner, specifically designed to be
engaging to readers despite the limitations.
Since the limited vocabulary of the Breakthrough Level does include

quite a few words relating to students and school, this gave birth to
the idea of a simple love triangle story. Set within a new corner of the
“Mandarin Companion Universe,” these are all new characters,
although you might find one or two familiar faces if you look hard
enough.
Finally, a note about the title. The English title Just Friends? is not an
exact translation of the Chinese title 我们是朋友吗？ (Wǒmen Shì
Péngyou ma?), and yet each title is relevant to the story in its own
way. We don't want to give any spoilers here, but after finishing the
story, you should see how the two titles work together to frame the
story.
Cast of Characters
Locations
中山大学 (Zhōngshān Dàxué) Zhongshan University is a real

university in the city of Guangzhou, known as Sun Yat-sen
University in English.
广州 (Guǎngzhōu) Guangzhou is a first-tier city in southern

China, one of China’s largest cities, and a hub of Cantonese
culture.
1
两个好朋友
钱大朋和谢文东都是中山大学的大学生
[1] ，今年是他们大学的第二年[2] 。他们天天 [3]
一起[4]去吃饭，一起去看书[5]，两个人是很好
的朋友。
谢文东的爸爸妈妈开饭店 [6] 。谢文东有时
候[7]会带[8] 钱大朋去饭店[9] 吃饭。谢文东的爸
爸妈妈都见过[10]钱大朋。钱大朋有时候也会开
车[11]带谢文东回家[12]。
钱大朋不喜欢[13]吃大学的饭，天天都出去
[14] 吃。钱大朋的爸爸妈妈很有钱[15]，每个月都
给儿子[16]很多钱。
“大朋，你有车，天天开车来大学。你很
开心[17]吧！”文东和大朋说。
“我一点也不[18]开心！我从小到大[19]都跟
我爸妈在一起 [20] ，我做什么他们都要问。 ”
钱大朋不开心[21]地说，“我一点也不喜欢这样
[22] 的家[23]。”
“他们关心[24]你。那样[25]不好吗？”谢文
东问。
“我知道他们关心我。可是 [26] ，有时

候‘太关心了’，我不知道怎么 [27] 跟他们
说。”钱大朋说，“我回家的时候[28]，我妈天
天问我有没有女朋友[29]。”
“你怎么说？”
“我不知道怎么说。说有，我妈会马上[30]
想和我的女朋友见面[31]。说没有，我妈会叫[32]
我去见一个女生 [33] ，跟那个女生去吃饭什么
的。可是，我一点也不喜欢那个女生。我也不
想和她见面。”
“那，你妈知不知道你不喜欢那个女
生？”
“她知道，我说过很多次[34]，可是，那个
女生是一个大学生，她是我爸的一个好朋友的
女儿。我爸很喜欢。我一点也不喜欢。”
谢文东听[35]了笑[36]笑，不知道说什么。
2
好看的女生
“ 大朋，我们大学那么 [37] 多好看 [38] 的女
生，你没有喜欢的吗？”吃饭的时候，谢文东
问。
大朋看看[39]文东，笑了笑：“你看到[40]什
么了？”
“这几天[41]，我看你都在看周子心。上次
[42] ，我跟你说话[43]你都没有听见 [44] 。你是不
是喜欢她？”
“我喜欢她，那又怎么样[45]？”钱大朋笑
了。
文东看看大朋，没有笑：“我也喜欢
她。”
大朋一下子[46]不笑了，也不吃了：“不是
吧？从什么时候 [47] …… 我怎么一点也不知
道？”
“我和她都喜欢看书，我在书店[48]见过她
很多次。她是一个好女生，也很好看 …… 谁会
不喜欢？”
“ 那，你跟她说了吗？ ” 大朋小心地 [49]
问。
“没有，她不知道我喜欢她……”文东不说
了。
“我也没跟她说。”大朋说。
“大朋，我们是不是好朋友？”谢文东
问。
“是，那又怎么样？周子心不是你的女朋
友，对不对？”大朋小心地问。
文东生气地 [50] 看大朋： “ 你怎么能这样
说？”
大朋知道文东生气 [51] 了。大朋跟他说：
“好了好了[52]，我知道你要说什么。我们是好
朋友，我是不会跟你喜欢的女生一起出去
的。”
文东笑了：“好！我也是不会跟她一起出
去的！”
3
去书店
星期四 [53] 晚上 [54] ，很多学生都在一起说
话。谢文东不在。
两个男生[55]问钱大朋：“大朋，你是不是
喜欢周子心?”
“没有……你们听谁说的？”大朋说。
“没有人说，可是，大家[56]都知道了。”
两个男生笑了。
“好了好了，不要笑了。对，我是喜欢
她。那又怎么样？ ” 钱大朋也笑了一下 [57] ，
“我出去走走。”
这时候[58]，钱大朋看到了周子心。
“周子心，这么[59]晚[60]了，你一个人[61]去
哪儿？”钱大朋问她。
周子心看了看：“钱大朋？”她笑了一
下，“我要去书店。”
“那个很大的书店？”钱大朋问。
“对，这里有车可以去那个很大的书
店。”周子心笑了笑。
“你回来[62]的时候都要9点[63]多了。你一
个人回来不行[64]……我开车带你去吧。”钱大
朋笑笑说，“周子心，我们走吧。车在那
里。”
4
很生气
谢文东晚上在外面[65]和朋友吃饭，回来的
时候，他看到了钱大朋在车里，车里还[66]有周
子心。
“钱大朋，你不是我的朋友！”文东大叫
[67] 。
可是，大朋什么也没听到[68]，开车走了。
文东很生气，他马上叫了车，也去了那个
书店。
到了书店，周子心跟钱大朋说：“你去哪
里？”
“我去外面走走吧。”钱大朋说。“过一
会儿[69]，我开车带你回去[70]。”
周子心说：“你和我一起去吧。你可以看
看有没有你喜欢的书。”
钱大朋想了想 [71] ，和周子心一起去书店
了。
谢文东看到他们去了书店，谢文东也去了
书店。
过了一会儿，周子心跟钱大朋说：“大
朋，我们出去吃一点东西[72]吧。”
他看了看周子心，说：“好。”
说完[73]，大朋和周子心去了书店外面的小
吃店[74]。
5
是不是好朋友？
在小吃店里,人不多。钱大朋说：“点你喜
欢吃的 [75] 小吃 [76] 吧。这里的小吃都很好吃
[77] 。”周子心笑了笑说：“谢谢你开车带我过
来[78]，你点吧。”
这时候，钱大朋听到一个男生叫他：“钱
大朋！”
“谢文东？你怎么在这里……”钱大朋说。
谢文东生气地看了看钱大朋：“你和周子
心怎么会[79]在一起……我们不是好朋友吗？”
“不是你想的那样。她要来书店，我开车
带她来书店。”
“我都看到了！”谢文东说，“你们两个
在一起多长时间[80]了？”
“谢文东，你在说什么？”周子心马上
说，“我没和钱大朋在一起，他也不是我男朋
友[81]。”
“钱大朋，谢文东为什么那样说？”周子
心问。
钱大朋不知道对周子心说什么。他看谢文
东不说话，他也不说话。
周子心说：“好吧，要是[82]你们都没什么
要说的，那我走了。”
她走了。谢文东说：“钱大朋，你怎么能
这样做？我们不是好朋友吗？”
“我做什么了？我什么也没做！”钱大朋
又[83]说：“你为什么要来这里？”
谢文东小心地说：“要是我没有来这里，
谁知道你们会做什么……”
“谢文东，你听我说，我和周子心不是男
朋友和女朋友！”说完，钱大朋生气地走了。
6
去饭店
第二天 [84] ，钱大朋和谢文东还是 [85] 不说
话。
吃饭的时候，周子心看到谢文东一个人在
吃饭。她问谢文东：“谢文东，昨天[86]你们怎
么了[87]？”
“对不起[88]，昨天我有一点[89]......我和钱
大朋…… 有一点生气。” 谢文东不知道要怎么
说，“可是我们是朋友，这没什么。”
周子心说：“我知道了。”
“我们不说这个了。”谢文东说，“你今
天晚上有时间[90]吗？”
“我……我今天晚上有时间。”
“你知道我们家开饭店，对吧？上个月[91]
又开了一个饭店。我爸妈叫我去这个饭店吃
饭。”
“那你去过了吗？”
“还没。我今天过去 [92] 。你也一起来

吧。”谢文东说。
“行[93]，那我再[94]叫几个女生吧。”
“下次[95]吧。要是你喜欢我家饭店的菜，
再带你的朋友去。”
“也行。好，那晚上见。”周子心开心地
[96] 说。
7
吃饭
晚上7点，周子心来到了饭店。她看到了谢
文东。
“周子心，你来了。”谢文东马上开心地
说。
周子心笑了笑说，“文东，你今天为什么
不跟我一起来？”
“钱大朋看见[97]了会生气的。”文东小心
地说。
“他为什么要生气？”周子心问。
“不说他了，我们点菜[98]吧。”谢文东又
笑了，“喜欢吃什么都可以，不要看多少
钱。”
“不行。我不能这样做。”周子心也笑
了，“我们两个人，点两个菜可以了。”
“那不行，你是我朋友，我带你来我家饭
店吃饭，不能点那么少！要是你不点，我来
点。”
说完，谢文东一下子点了五个菜。
“你点太多了，我们两个人吃不完 [99]
的。”周子心说。
“一点也不多。”谢文东说。
8
女朋友？
谢文东和周子心还在饭店吃饭的时候，钱
大朋也到了饭店。钱大朋看到了谢文东的爸
妈。
“大朋，很长时间没见你了。”谢爸爸和
谢妈妈说，“今天没跟文东一起过来？”
“文东没来吗？我听说[100]他今天带女朋友
一起过来的。”钱大朋笑了笑。
“文东有女朋友了？”谢爸爸问，“我怎
么没听他说过.......”
“我也没听他说过。”谢妈妈也说。
“我也是听他女朋友的一个朋友说的。”
钱大朋说。
“行，我们知道了。我问问他。”谢爸爸
说。
“文东来了吗？他在哪里？”谢妈妈开心
地说。“我怎么没看到他......”
“在那里，你看！”钱大朋对谢妈妈说，
“文东！”钱大朋叫。
饭店里有很多人在说话，谢文东没听见。
“他没听见。我们还是过去看看吧。”谢
妈妈说。
9
不是女朋友？
“文东。”谢爸爸叫，“你什么时候来
的，也不跟我们说？”
“爸？”谢文东说，“你们今天怎么在店
里……”
“这是我们的饭店！我们来看看。”谢妈
妈说。“文东，这是你女朋友吗？”
文东不知道说什么。
“我叫周子心，是文东的朋友。”周子心
说，“可是，我不是他女朋友。”
“文东，你妈问你，你为什么不说话？”
谢爸爸问。
“对……不是女朋友……”文东说。
“文东，那你知不知道她有没有男朋
友？”谢妈妈又问。
“妈，你第一次 [101] 和她见面，问这么
多？”文东有一点不开心。
“我问一下不行吗？我很关心你。”谢妈
妈没有生气。
“你过来也不跟我们说一下。”谢爸爸听
起来[102] 有一点不开心， “ 你能不能多回来看
看我们？”
“爸，妈，我知道了……”文东说。
“大朋不说，我们都不知道你今天过来
了。”谢爸爸又说。
“大朋？大朋怎么会知道我过来了……”文
东看了一下周子心。
“你在问我吗？”周子心说，“我一点也
不知道，可是我跟我的两个朋友说了晚上要出
去吃饭。可能[103]大朋问过她们……”
文东看起来[104]一点也不开心。“大朋还在
店里吧？”他问爸爸。
“还在，在那里。”
“我有话要跟他说。”说完，谢文东走了
过去。
“你们也吃。”周子心对谢爸爸谢妈妈笑
了笑。
10
没有男朋友
谢文东走了。
谢妈妈马上问周子心：“你这么好看，怎
么没有男朋友？”
“我有过男朋友，可是，我们不在一起
了。”周子心说。
谢妈妈问：“那你说说，你喜欢什么样的
男生？”
周子心笑了一下，不说话。
谢妈妈看她不说话，又问：“你看我儿子
文东怎么样？”
周子心笑了一下，对谢爸爸和谢妈妈说：
“文东对他的朋友都很好。可是他不是我喜欢
的男生，不是你们想的那样。”
“那钱大朋呢？你喜不喜欢钱大朋呢？”
谢妈妈笑了笑，又问。
“钱大朋？”周子心问。
谢妈妈笑了笑，没说什么。她知道，自己
的儿子喜欢这个女生。可是钱大朋，她儿子的
好朋友，也喜欢这个女生。
周子心看了一下谢妈妈，说：“钱大朋也
是我的朋友。可是，他也不是我喜欢的男
生。”
谢妈妈笑了：“那他们知道吗？”
“我们没有说过，他们也没问过我。”周
子心说得很小心[105]。
谢妈妈笑了笑，没说什么。
11
有话要说
“钱大朋！”谢文东很生气，“你跟我去
外面，我有话要跟你说！”
“你有话要说？我也有话要说！”到了外
面，钱大朋大叫。
“我问你，你跟我爸妈说了什么？”
“我说了你做的。”大朋说。
“我什么也没做！”谢文东大叫，“我跟
周子心是朋友！朋友！”
“那你为什么要带她来饭店吃饭？！”
“我和周子心是朋友，你知道吗？我和她
一起吃个饭，那又怎么样？”文东大叫。
“朋友？今天是朋友，明天是什么？”大
朋还是很生气，“女朋友！我什么都不知道
吗？我们是朋友吗？！”
“你那天[106]还带她去书店和小吃店了！要
是我没看到你们，过几天 [107] 她可能是你女朋
友了吧？”谢文东说。
“我们看书，没什么！”钱大朋说。
“那我们吃饭，也没什么！”谢文东说。
两个人都很生气，也都不说话了。
过了一会儿，谢文东问大朋：“我们是朋
友吗?”
大朋看了看谢文东，说：“文东，我们都
喜欢这个女生。可是，我们是那么好的朋
友……”大朋不说了。
“我喜欢她，可是，我做得一点也不
对。”文东看看大朋，说：“我也要你这个朋
友。”
“这也是我要说的。”
两个人都笑了。
12
是好朋友？
星期天[108]，谢文东回家吃饭，谢妈妈问：
“ 儿子，你跟大朋还好 [109] 吧？那天看你们两
个一点也不开心。”
“ 没什么。都好了 [110] 。 ” 谢文东笑了一
下。“对了，那天你和周子心都说什么了？”
“你想听吗？那你不要生气。”谢妈妈笑
了一下，说：“那天她说，你不是她喜欢的男
生。”
谢文东听了，看了看妈妈。谢妈妈笑了笑
说：“儿子，周子心说她也不喜欢大朋。”
“我不生气。”文东笑了笑说，“我昨天
看到她跟一个男生走在一起，两个人笑得很开
心。”
过了几天[111]，钱大朋对谢文东说：“周子
心的男朋友，你知道是谁吗？”他们很长时间
都没有说过周子心的名字[112]了。
“他也是我们中山大学的大学生。老师们
都很喜欢他。听说，他下个月 [113] 要出国 [114]
了。”文东说。
“不会吧？那周子心呢？”钱大朋问。
“不知道，可能也一起去吧。”谢文东
说。
“你……是不是还喜欢她？”谢文东问。
“我不喜欢周子心了，我有喜欢的女生
了。你呢？你问这个，你是不是还喜欢周子
心？”钱大朋笑了笑，和文东说。
“我也有喜欢的女生了。”谢文东也笑
了。
谢文东又说：“那个女生做的小吃很好
吃，你也吃过。她也喜欢……”
钱大朋一下子想到了什么：“你说的那个
女生是 …… 上次我们和朋友一起吃饭的时
候……？”
“那个朋友的女朋友的朋友？”谢文东不
笑了，“ 你也喜欢？”
钱大朋看了看谢文东，谢文东看了看钱大
朋。谢文东说：“大朋，我们是不是好朋
友？”
Key Words
关键词 (Guānjiàncí)
1. 大学生 dàxuéshēng n. university student
2. 第二年 dì-èr nián phrase second year
3. 天天 tiāntiān adv. every day
4. 一起 yīqǐ adv. together
5. 看书 kànshū vo. to read, to study
6. 开饭店 kāi fàndiàn vo. to open a restaurant
7. 有时候 yǒu shíhou phrase sometimes
8. 带 dài v. to take
9. 饭店 fàndiàn n. restaurant
10. 见过 jiàn guo phrase have met before
11. 开车 kāichē vo. to drive a car
12. 回家 huíjiā vo. to go home
13. 喜欢 xǐhuan v. to like
14. 出去 chūqu vc. to go out

15. 有钱 yǒuqián vo. to be rich
16. 儿子 érzi n. son
17. 开心 kāixīn adj. happy
18. 一点也不 yī diān yě bù phrase not at all
19. 从小到大 cóng xiǎo dào dà phrase from a young age until adulthood
20. 在一起 zài yīqǐ phrase to be together
21. 不开心 bù kāixīn phrase not happy, to be unhappy
22. 这样 zhèyàng pr. like this
23. 家 jiā n. home, family
24. 关心 guānxīn v. to be concerned for
25. 那样 nàyàng adv. like that
26. 可是 kěshì conj. but
27. 怎么 zěnme adv. how
28. 的时候 de shíhou phrase when…
29. 女朋友 nǚpéngyou n. girlfriend
30. 马上 mǎshàng adv. right away
31. 见面 jiànmiàn vo. to meet
32. 叫 jiào v. to be called, to call; to tell (someone to do something)

33. 女生 nǚshēng n. girl, female student
34. 次 cì mw. time(s)
35. 听 tīng v. to listen (to)
36. 笑 xiào v. to laugh, to smile
37. 那么 nàme adv. so…
38. 好看 hǎokàn adj. good-looking
39. 看看 kànkan v. to take a look
40. 看到 kàndào vc. to see
41. 几天 jǐ tiān phrase several days
42. 上次 shàng cì phrase last time
43. 说话 shuōhuà vo. to speak (words), to talk
44. 听见 tīngjiàn vc. to hear
45. 那又怎么样 nà yòu zěnmeyàng phrase so what?
46. 一下子 yīxiàzi adv. all of a sudden; all at once
47. 时候 shíhou n. when
48. 书店 shūdiàn n. bookstore
49. 小心地 xiǎoxīn de phrase carefully
50. 生气地 shēngqì de phrase angrily

51. 生气 shēngqì vo., adj. to get angry; angry
52. 好了好了 hǎole hǎole phrase all right, all right
53. 星期四 Xīngqīsì tn. Thursday
54. 晚上 wǎnshang tn. evening
55. 男生 nánshēng n. boy, male student
56. 大家 dàjiā n. everyone
57. 一下 yīxià adv. briefly, for a second
58. 这时候 zhè shíhou phrase at this time
59. 这么 zhème adv. so…
60. 晚 wǎn adj. late
61. 一个人 yī gè rén phrase alone
62. 回来 huílai vc. to come back
63. 点 diǎn v. to order (food)
64. 不行 bù xíng phrase not OK
65. 外面 wàimian n. outside
66. 还 hái adv. still
67. 大叫 dà jiào v. to call out loudly
68. 听到 tīngdào vc. to hear

69. 一会儿 yīhuìr tn. a little while
70. 回去 huíqu vc. to go back
71. 想了想 xiǎng le xiǎng phrase thought about it for a second
72. 东西 dōngxi n. thing(s), stuff
73. 说完 shuō wán vc. to finish speaking
74. 小吃店 xiǎochī diàn n. snack shop
75. 吃的 chī de n. food
76. 小吃 xiǎochī n. snack
77. 好吃 hǎochī adj. tasty
78. 过来 guòlai vc. to come over
79. 怎么会 zěnme huì phrase how could
80. 多长时间 duō cháng shíjiān phrase how long (of a time)
81. 男朋友 nánpéngyou n. boyfriend
82. 要是 yàoshi conj. if
83. 又 yòu adv. again
84. 第二天 dì-èr tiān phrase the next day
85. 还是 háishi conj., adv. still; had better
86. 昨天 zuótiān tn. yesterday

87. 怎么了 zěnme le phrase what happened, what’s the matter
88. 对不起 duìbuqǐ phrase I'm sorry
89. 有一点 yǒu yīdiǎn phrase to be a little (too)
90. 时间 shíjiān n. time
91. 上个月 shàng ge yuè tn. last month
92. 过去 guòqu vc. to go over
93. 行 xíng adj. all right
94. 再 zài adv. again (in the future)
95. 下次 xià cì tn. next time
96. 开心地 kāixīn de phrase happily
97. 看见 kànjian vc. to see
98. 点菜 diǎncài vo. to order food
99. 吃不完 chī bu wán vc. to be unable to finish eating
100. 听说 tīngshuō v. to hear tell, to hear said (that)
101. 第一次 dì-yī cì phrase first time
102. 听起来 tīng qǐlai vc. to sound…
103. 可能 kěnéng adv.; aux maybe, possibly; possible
104. 看起来 kàn qǐlai vc. to look...

105. 小心 xiǎoxīn v. to be careful
106. 那天 nà tiān tn. that day
107. 过几天 guò jǐ tiān phrase after a few days
108. 星期天 Xīngqītiān tn. Sunday
109. 还好 hái hǎo phrase not bad; tolerable; fortunately
110. 都好了 dōu hǎo le phrase everything is fine
111. 过了几天 guò le jǐ tiān phrase after a few days had passed
112. 名字 míngzi n. name
113. 下个月 xià ge yuè tn. next month
114. 出国 chūguó vo. to leave the country
Part of Speech Key
adj. Adjective
adv. Adverb
aux. Auxiliary Verb
conj. Conjunction
cov. Coverb
mw. Measure word

n. Noun
on. Onomatopoeia
part. Particle
prep. Preposition
pr. Pronoun
pn. Proper noun
tn. Time Noun
v. Verb
vc. Verb plus complement
vo. Verb plus object

Discussion Questions
讨论问题 (Tǎolùn Wèntí)
Chapter 1: 两个好朋友
1. 你可以说说钱大朋吗？他是什么样的人?
2. 你可以说说你的好朋友吗？
3. 爸爸妈妈太“关心”你吗？他们做什么？
Chapter 2: 好看的女生
1. 谢文东和钱大朋怎么了？
2. 谢文东为什么喜欢周子心？
3. 你觉得什么样的女生好看？男生呢？
Chapter 3: 去书店
1. 大家知道钱大朋喜欢周子心了吗？
2. 钱大朋为什么要和周子心一起去书店？
3. 你觉得周子心喜欢钱大朋吗？
Chapter 4: 很生气
1. 谢文东为什么大叫？
2. 钱大朋怎么不和周子心一起去书店？
3. 谢文东为什么也去了书店？
Chapter 5: 是不是好朋友？
1. 周子心为什么要带钱大朋去小吃店？
2. 钱大朋是周子心的男朋友吗？为什么？
3. 你觉得钱大朋和谢文东还是好朋友吗？
Chapter 6: 去饭店
1. 你觉得谢文东为什么带周子心去饭店？
2. 周子心知道谢文东喜欢她吗？
3. 周子心为什么要再叫几个女生？
Chapter 7: 吃饭
1. 周子心什么时候去饭店的？
2. 你觉得钱大朋为什么会生气？
3. 他们点了多少菜？你出去吃饭的时候，会
点很多菜吗？
Chapter 8: 女朋友？
1. 钱大朋为什么来饭店？
2. 谢爸爸和谢妈妈知道谢文东喜欢周子心
吗？
3. 钱大朋这时候生气了吗?
Chapter 9: 不是女朋友？
1. 谢爸爸知道谢文东在饭店里吗？
2. 谢妈妈见到周子心问了什么？她是什么样
的人？
3. 谢文东为什么不开心？
Chapter 10: 没有男朋友
1. 周子心有男朋友吗？
2. 周子心喜欢谢文东吗？她喜欢钱大朋吗？
3. 谢妈妈为什么笑了？
Chapter 11: 有话要说
1. 谢文东和钱大朋说了什么？
2. 谢文东和钱大朋还是朋友吗？
3. 你和朋友生气了，会怎么做？
Chapter 12: 是好朋友？
1. 谢文东和钱大朋还喜欢周子心吗？
2. 周子心的男朋友是做什么的？
3. 谢文东和钱大朋都有喜欢的人了吗？
Extensive Reading
After years of studying Chinese, many people ask, “why can’t I

become fluent in Chinese?” Fluency can only happen when the
language enters our “comfort zone.” This comfort comes after
significant exposure to and experience with the language. The more
times you meet a word, phrase, or grammar point the more readily it
will enter your comfort zone.
In the world of language research, experts agree that learners can

acquire new vocabulary through reading only if the overall text can
be understood. Decades of research indicate that if we know
approximately 98% of the words in a book, we can comfortably “pick
up” the 2% that is unfamiliar. Reading at this 98% comprehension
level is referred to as “extensive reading.”
Research in extensive reading has shown that it accelerates

vocabulary learning and helps the learner to naturally understand
grammar. Perhaps most importantly, it trains the brain to
automatically recognize familiar language, thereby freeing up mental
energy to focus on meaning and ideas. As they build reading speed
and fluency, learners will move from reading “word by word” to
processing “chunks of language.” A defining feature is that it’s less
painful than the “intensive reading” commonly used in textbooks. In
fact, extensive reading can be downright fun.
Graded Readers
Graded readers are the best books for learners to “extensively”

read. Research has taught us that learners need to “encounter” a
word 10-30 times before truly learning it, and often many more times
for particularly complicated or abstract words. Graded readers are
appropriate for learners because the language is controlled and
simplified, as opposed to the language in native texts, which is
inevitably difficult and often demotivating. Reading extensively with
graded readers allows learners to bring together all of the language
they have studied and absorb how the words naturally work together.
To become fluent, learners must not only understand the meaning of

a word, but also understand its nuances, how to use it in
conversation, how to pair it with other words, where it fits into natural
word order, and how it is used in grammar structures. No textbook
could ever be written to teach all of this explicitly. When used
properly, a textbook introduces the language and provides the basic
meanings, while graded readers consolidate, strengthen, and
deepen understanding.
Without graded readers, learners would have to study dictionaries,

textbooks, sample dialogs, and simple conversations until they have
randomly encountered enough Chinese for it to enter their comfort
zones. With proper use of graded readers, learners can tackle this
issue and develop greater fluency now, at their current levels,
instead of waiting until some period in the distant future. With a
stronger foundation and greater confidence at their current levels,
learners are encouraged and motivated to continue their Chinese
studies to even greater heights. Plus, they’ll quickly learn that
reading Chinese is fun!
Appendix A: Character Comparison
Reference
This appendix is designed to help Chinese teachers and learners use

the Mandarin Companion graded readers as a companion to the most
popular university textbooks and the HSK word lists.
The tables below compare the characters and vocabulary used in other
study materials with those found in this Mandarin Companion graded
reader. The tables below will display the exact characters and
vocabulary used in this book and not covered by these sources. A
learner who has studied these textbooks will likely find it easier to read
this graded reader by focusing on these characters and words.
Integrated Chinese Level 1, Part 1 (3rd Ed.)
Words and characters in this story not covered by these textbooks:
Character Pinyin Word(s) Pinyin

山 shān 中山大学 Zhōngshān Dàxué
带 dài 带 dài
心 xīn 周子心 Zhōu Zǐxīn
开心 kāixīn
关心 guānxīn
心 xīn
小心 xiǎoxīn
从 cóng 从小到大 cóng xiǎo dào dà
从 cóng
关 guān 关心 guānxīn
马 mǎ 马上 mǎshàng
次 cì 上次 shàngcì
下次 xiàcì
第一次 dì-yī cì
又 yòu 又 yòu
完 wán 说完 shuō wán
吃不完 chī bu wán
New Practical Chinese Reader, Book 1 (1st Ed.)
Words and characters in this story not covered by these textbooks:

带 dài 带 dài
从 cóng 从小到大 cóng xiǎo dào dà
从 cóng
地 de 地 de
笑 xiào 笑 xiào
周 zhōu 周子心 Zhōu Zǐxīn
又 yòu 又 yòu
走 zǒu 走 zǒu
完 wán 说完 shuō wán
吃不完 chī bu wán
长 cháng 多长时间 duōcháng shíjiān
长 cháng
菜 cài 菜 cài
点菜 diǎncài
自 zì 自己 zìjǐ
己 jǐ 自己 zìjǐ
Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) Levels 1-2
Words and characters in this story not covered by these levels:

文 Wén 谢文东 Xiè Wéndōng
带 dài 带 dài
心 xīn 周子心 Zhōu Zǐxīn
开心 kāixīn
关心 guānxīn
心 xīn
小心 xiǎoxīn
跟 gēn 跟 gēn
地 de 地 de
马 mǎ 马上 mǎshàng
周 zhōu 周子心 Zhōu Zǐxīn
又 yòu 又 yòu
行 xíng 不行 bù xíng
行 xíng
自 zì 自己 zìjǐ
己 jǐ 自己 zìjǐ
Appendix B: Grammar Point Index
For learners new to reading Chinese, an understanding of grammar

points can be extremely helpful for learners and teachers. The following
is a list of the most challenging grammar points used in this graded
reader.
These grammar points correspond to the Common European

Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A2 or above. The
full list with explanations and examples of each grammar point can be
found on the Chinese Grammar Wiki, the definitive source of
information on Chinese grammar online.
Chapter 1
The "all" adverb "dou" 都 + Verb / Adj.
Ordinal numbers with "di" 第 + Number (+ Measure
Word)
Expressing "together" with "yiqi" 一起 + Verb
Expressing "and" with "he" Noun 1 + 和 + Noun 2
Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu" Subj. + 一点 + 也 / 都 + 不 +
Adj.
Expressing "from… to…" with "cong… 从⋯⋯到⋯⋯
dao…"
Expressing "with" with "gen" 跟⋯⋯ + Verb
The "also" adverb "ye" 也 + Verb / Adj.
Expressing "excessively" with "tai" 太 + Adj. + 了
Expressing "when" with "de shihou" ⋯⋯的时候
Affirmative-negative question Verb + 不 + Verb / Adj. + 不
+ Adj.
Expressing "will" with "hui" 会 + Verb
Expressing experiences with "guo" Verb + 过
Reduplication of verbs Verb + Verb
How to do something with "zenme" 怎么 + Verb ?
Chapter 2
Change of state with "le" ⋯⋯了
Expressing "all at once" with "yixiazi" Subj. + 一下子 + Verb + 了
Expressing existence in a place with "zai" 在 + Place
Expressing actions in progress with "zai" (正)在 + Verb
Expressing "then…" with "name" 那么⋯⋯
Asking how something is with ⋯⋯怎么样？
"zenmeyang"
The "shi... de" construction for 是⋯⋯ 的
emphasizing details
Expressing ability or possibility with "neng" 能 + Verb
Expressing "be going to" with "yao" Subj. + 要 + Verb (+ 了)
Emphasizing negation with "you" 又 + 不 / 没 + Verb
Chapter 3
Using the verb "qu" 去 + Place
Comparing "er" and "liang" 二 vs 两
A softer "but" with "buguo" ⋯⋯ ，不过 ⋯⋯
Verbing briefly with "yixia" Verb + 一下
Expressing "already" with "dou" 都 + Time + 了
Wanting to do something with "yao" 要 + Verb
Tag questions with "bu" ⋯⋯是不是 / 对不对 / 好不好
?
Chapter 4
Expressing permission with "keyi" 可以 + Verb
Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia 在 + Place + 上 / 下 / 里 / 旁
/ li" 边
Expressing "everything" with "shenme 什么 + 都 / 也⋯⋯
dou"
Expressing "had better" with "haishi" 还是 + Verb
Chapter 5
Modifying nouns with adjective + "de" Adj. + 的 + Noun
Direction complement Verb (+ Direction) + 来 / 去
Asking why with "zenme" 怎么⋯⋯？
Expressing "if… then…" with "yaoshi" 要是⋯⋯，就⋯⋯
Expressing "then…" with "name" 那么⋯⋯
Suggestions with "ba" Command + 吧
Chapter 6
Continuation with "hai" Subj. + 还 + Verb Phrase /
Adj.
Expressing "a little too" with “you yidian" 有一点 + Adj.
Expressing "again" in the past with "you" 又 + Verb + 了
Expressing "again" in the future with "zai" 再 + Verb
Chapter 9
Using the verb "jiao" 叫 + Name
Direction complement "-qilai" Verb / Adj.+ 起来
Doing something more with "duo" 多 + Verb
Chapter 12
Questions with "ne" ⋯⋯呢 ?
Other Stories from Mandarin
Companion
Breakthrough Readers: 150 Characters
The Misadventures of Zhou Haisheng《周海生》

by John Pasden, Jared Turner
Zhou Haisheng is a fun-loving and determined young boy whose

life revolves around school and his family’s Chinese restaurant.
Always well-intentioned, he finds ways to help out his hard-
working parents with the family business. Whether it's inventing
his own noodle recipe, delivering the wrong order to a customer,
or resorting to extremes when a competing noodle shop opens
across the street, Zhou Haisheng manages to combine his
mischief and wit to save the day.
My Teacher Is a Martian《我的老师是火星人》
Two students are fascinated by outer space, but when their new
teacher seems to know more about Mars than anyone could
possibly know, they start to suspect that something is unusual. As
they encounter inexplicable events, they become convinced their
teacher is actually from Mars. How can they prove it and who will
believe them? They may be the only ones who can discover the
truth!
Xiao Ming, Boy Sherlock《小明》
A thief at school, fires starting out of nowhere, and an elusive

admirer bringing flowers are all mysteries that test the budding
skills of Xiao Ming (boy Sherlock Holmes). With the help of his
older brother, Xiao Ming cracks the cases and reveals the truth
hidden behind the mysteries.
In Search of Hua Ma《花马》

As a young boy is walking through the mountains in search of a

gift for his mother’s birthday, he comes across an ancient house.
An old lady beckons him inside and asks him to find “Hua Ma”. As
he leaves, he finds himself inexplicably transported to the distant
island of Hainan while the old lady and the house have
disappeared. Unsure of who or what Hua Ma is, he sets out on a
quest to find him, realizing this mysterious Hua Ma may be his
only chance to find his way back home!
Level 1 Readers: 300 Characters
The Secret Garden《秘密花园》

by Frances Hodgson Burnett
After an epidemic leaves her an orphan, Li Ye is sent off to live

with her reclusive uncle in his sprawling estate in Nanjing. She
learns of a secret garden where no one has set foot in ten years.
With the help of new friends, she brings the garden back to life
and learns the healing power of friendship and love.
The Sixty Year Dream《六十年的梦》
based on "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving
Zhou Xuefa (Rip Van Winkle) is well loved by everyone in his

town, except his nagging wife. One day after a bad scolding from
his wife, he goes for a walk into the mountains and meets a
mysterious old man. After drinking some wine offered by the old
man, Zhou Xuefa falls into a deep sleep. He awakes to a time
very different than what he once knew.
The Monkey's Paw《猴爪》

by W. W. Jacobs
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang live with their grown son. One day an old
friend comes to visit and tells of a monkey’s paw that has magical
powers to grant three wishes to the holder. Against his better
judgment, he reluctantly gives the monkey paw to the Zhang
family, with a warning that the wishes come with a great price for
trying to change fate.
The Country of the Blind《盲人国》

by H. G. Wells
Chen Fangyuan finds himself trapped in a valley with a people for

whom a disease has eliminated their vision and no longer have a
concept of sight. His insistence that he can see causes the entire
community to think he is crazy. Then one day the village doctors
propose a disturbing cure for his insanity.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Curly-Haired

Company《卷发公司的案子》
based on "The Red Headed League" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Mr. Xie was recently hired by the Curly Haired Company to copy
articles from a book. He was selected from hundreds of
applicants because of his very curly hair. When the company
unexpectedly closes, Mr. Xie visits Gao Ming (Sherlock Holmes)
with his strange story. Gao Ming is certain something is not right,
but will he solve the mystery in time?
The Prince and the Pauper《王子和穷孩子》

by Mark Twain
During a chance encounter, two nearly identical boys, one a poor

beggar and the other a prince, exchange places. Both children
soon discover that neither life is as carefree as they expected.
Emma《安末》
by Jane Austen
Clever, rich, and single, the beautiful An Mo (Emma Woodhouse)

is focused on her career as fashion designer in the glamor of
21st-century Shanghai. She sees no need for romance in her life,
but when she tries to find a boyfriend for her new friend Fangfang
(Harriet), her carefully laid plans being to unravel. As she ignores
the warnings of her good friend Shi Wenzheng (Mr. Knightley),
her decisions bring consequences that she never expected. With
its witty and charming characters, Emma is often seen as Jane
Austen’s most flawless work.
The Ransom of Red Chief《红猴的价格》

by O. Henry
Trying to get some fast cash, two bumbling crooks devise a plan
to kidnap the son of a wealthy family in a village and hold him for
ransom. When their ransom notes remain unanswered, the two
crooks find out for themselves how naughty a child can be.
Level 2 Readers: 450 Characters
Great Expectations: Part 1《美好的前途（上）》

by Charles Dickens
In Part 1, Xiaomao is raised by his short-tempered older sister

and her husband outside of Shanghai. After meeting the beautiful
Bingbing (Estella), Xiaomao dreams of leaving his life of poverty
behind. His prospects for the future are bleak, until one day a
mysterious benefactor gives Xiaomao the opportunity of a
lifetime.
Great Expectations: Part 2《美好的前途（下）》

by Charles Dickens
In Part 2, Xiaomao (Pip) leaves his life of poverty behind to seek

his fortunes in Shanghai and win the heart of the beautiful yet
cold-hearted Bingbing (Estella). Xiaomao's world is turned upside
down when his mysterious benefactor is revealed and his
deepest secrets are brought into the light of day.
Journey to the Center of the Earth《地心游记》

by Jules Verne
Join Professor Luo and his niece Xiaojing in their daring quest
down the mouth of a volcano to reach the center of the earth.
Guided by a mysterious passage on an ancient parchment and
accompanied by their faithful guide Lao Xu, the three explorers
encounter subterranean phenomena, prehistoric animals, and
vast underground seas.
Mandarin Companion is producing a growing library of graded

readers for Chinese language learners. For the newest releases,
visit www.MandarinCompanion.com
Mandarin Companion is a trademark of Mind Spark Press LLC.
www.MandarinCompanion.com
Design and Illustrations contained herein are © Mind Spark Press

LLC, 2019.
First published 2019. 2nd edition, April 2020.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Just Friends? : Mandarin Companion Graded Readers:

Breakthrough Level, Simplified Chinese Edition / John Pasden and
Jared Turner; [edited by] John Pasden, Ma Lihua, Li Jiong, Chen
Shishuang.
Shanghai, China / Salt Lake City, UT: Mind Spark Press LLC, 2019
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019955712
ISBN: 9781941875612 (Paperback)
ISBN: 9781941875636 (Paperback/traditional ch)
ISBN: 9781941875629 (ebook)
ISBN: 9781941875643 (ebook/traditional ch)
MCID: SFS20200418T140626
All rights are held by Mind Spark Press LLC.
All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form, or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.

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Mandarin Companion Graded Readers

Breakthrough Level: 150 characters

Mind Spark Press LLC

Mandarin Companion Breakthrough Level

The Breakthrough Level is intended for Chinese learners who have

What level is right for me?

How will this help my Chinese?

Reading extensively in a language you are learning is one of the

Mandarin Companion was started by Jared Turner and John Pasden

John majored in Japanese in college, but started learning Mandarin

After graduate school and with no Chinese language skills, Jared

Story Authors: John Pasden, Jared Turner

Editor-in-Chief: John Pasden

Content Editor: Chen Shishuang

Editors: Ma Lihua, Li Jiong

Producer: Jared Turner

We are grateful to Ma Lihua, Li Jiong, Song Shen, Tan Rong, Chen

Story Adaptation Notes

Any learner that has managed to learn 150 Chinese characters

The stories told at this 150-character Breakthrough Level are

Since the limited vocabulary of the Breakthrough Level does include

中山大学 (Zhōngshān Dàxué) Zhongshan University is a real

广州 (Guǎngzhōu) Guangzhou is a first-tier city in southern

“我知道他们关心我。可是 [26] ，有时

“还没。我今天过去 [92] 。你也一起来

1. 大学生 dàxuéshēng n. university student

2. 第二年 dì-èr nián phrase second year

3. 天天 tiāntiān adv. every day

4. 一起 yīqǐ adv. together

5. 看书 kànshū vo. to read, to study

6. 开饭店 kāi fàndiàn vo. to open a restaurant

7. 有时候 yǒu shíhou phrase sometimes

10. 见过 jiàn guo phrase have met before

11. 开车 kāichē vo. to drive a car

12. 回家 huíjiā vo. to go home

13. 喜欢 xǐhuan v. to like

14. 出去 chūqu vc. to go out

16. 儿子 érzi n. son

17. 开心 kāixīn adj. happy

18. 一点也不 yī diān yě bù phrase not at all

20. 在一起 zài yīqǐ phrase to be together

21. 不开心 bù kāixīn phrase not happy, to be unhappy

22. 这样 zhèyàng pr. like this

23. 家 jiā n. home, family

24. 关心 guānxīn v. to be concerned for

25. 那样 nàyàng adv. like that

26. 可是 kěshì conj. but

27. 怎么 zěnme adv. how

28. 的时候 de shíhou phrase when…

29. 女朋友 nǚpéngyou n. girlfriend

30. 马上 mǎshàng adv. right away

31. 见面 jiànmiàn vo. to meet

32. 叫 jiào v. to be called, to call; to tell (someone to do something)

34. 次 cì mw. time(s)

35. 听 tīng v. to listen (to)

36. 笑 xiào v. to laugh, to smile

37. 那么 nàme adv. so…

38. 好看 hǎokàn adj. good-looking

39. 看看 kànkan v. to take a look

40. 看到 kàndào vc. to see

41. 几天 jǐ tiān phrase several days

42. 上次 shàng cì phrase last time

43. 说话 shuōhuà vo. to speak (words), to talk