Reading • Graded Readers
Chinese Graded Readers — Learn Chinese Through Stories
Graded readers are one of the most effective tools for building reading fluency. These short original stories are written at HSK 1–2 level — common characters, simple grammar, and everyday topics. Each comes with Pīnyīn, vocabulary, and comprehension questions.
Series
Echo Chinese Reader
Level
Beginner — HSK 1–2
Stories
9 original stories
Length
~150–200 characters each
Echo Series — All 9 Stories
My Family
Meet a Chinese family and learn to introduce family members — parents, siblings, and grandparents.
My School
A student describes their school day — classrooms, teachers, friends, and favourite subjects.
My Friends
A narrator introduces their best friends, describing personalities and shared activities.
My Hobbies
A young person talks about their hobbies — reading, sport, music, and spending time outdoors.
At the Restaurant
Friends visit a restaurant and practise ordering food, asking for the menu, and paying the bill.
Weekend Plans
Two friends make plans for the weekend — discussing where to go, what to do, and when to meet.
My City
A narrator describes their hometown — landmarks, transport, food, and what makes the city special.
Shopping
A shopper visits a market, asks about prices, and negotiates a purchase in simple Mandarin.
Happy Birthday
Friends surprise a classmate on her birthday with gifts, cake, and warm wishes.
How to Use These Stories
- Read the story once without looking anything up. Note words you don't know.
- Check the Pīnyīn reference for pronunciation. Read aloud if possible.
- Use the vocabulary table to confirm meanings of unfamiliar words.
- Answer the comprehension questions from memory — don't look back at the text.
- Read the story a second time. Notice how much more you understand.