Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Family's Journey Through the Forbidden City
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fluentfiction.org/familys-journey-through-the-forbidden-city

Story Transcript:

Zh: 阳光明媚的一天，小明、丽丽和建国准备去故宫参观。
En: On a sunny day, Xiaoming, Lili, and Jianguo are preparing to visit the Forbidden City.

Zh: 他们从家里出发，乘坐地铁到天安门广场。
En: They set off from home and take the subway to Tiananmen Square.

Zh: 建国是小明和丽丽的爸爸。
En: Jianguo is Xiaoming and Lili's father, and he is a teacher with extensive knowledge of Chinese history.

Zh: 他是一位老师，很懂中国历史。
En: As they enter the Forbidden City, Dad says, "The Forbidden City was the imperial palace of ancient China, built during the Ming Dynasty.

Zh: 走进故宫，爸爸说：“故宫是中国古代的皇宫，建于明朝。
En: It is full of stories and culture."

Zh: 这里有很多故事和文化。
En: Xiaoming curiously looks at the tall red walls and golden rooftops.

Zh: ”小明好奇地看着高高的红墙和金色的屋顶。
En: He asks, "Dad, did emperors live here?"

Zh: 他问：“爸爸，这里住过皇帝吗？
En: Dad nods, "Yes, many emperors lived and worked here."

Zh: ”爸爸点点头：“是的，许多皇帝在这里生活和工作。
En: Their first stop is the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Zh: ”他们首先来到太和殿。
En: Lili sees the ornate dragon throne and excitedly asks, "What is this?"

Zh: 丽丽看到华丽的龙椅，很开心：“这是什么？
En: Dad explains, "This is the emperor's throne, symbolizing power."

Zh: ”爸爸解释说：“这是皇帝的宝座，象征着权力。
En: Xiaoming imagines himself sitting on the dragon throne, feeling very majestic.

Zh: ”小明想象自己坐在龙椅上，非常威风。
En: Next, they visit the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Zh: 接着，他们来到乾清宫。
En: This is the emperor's sleeping quarters and also the place where daily affairs were handled.

Zh: 这里是皇帝的寝宫，也是处理日常事务的地方。
En: Lili exclaims, "This place is huge!"

Zh: 丽丽说：“这里真大啊！
En: Dad laughs, "The Forbidden City has 9,999 and a half rooms."

Zh: ”爸爸笑了：“故宫有九千九百九十九间半房间呢。
En: Suddenly, Xiaoming spots a small bronze object on the ground.

Zh: ”突然，小明发现地上有一个小铜器。
En: He picks it up.

Zh: 他捡起来，爸爸说：“这是古代的一个小玩具。
En: Dad says, "This is a small toy from ancient times."

Zh: ”小明很兴奋，他觉得穿越回古代，自己像个小皇子。
En: Xiaoming is very excited and feels like he has traveled back in time, imagining himself as a little prince.

Zh: 最后，他们来到御花园，爸爸讲了很多关于花园设计的故事。
En: Finally, they arrive at the Imperial Garden, where Dad tells many stories about its design.

Zh: 丽丽跑在前面，说：“这里真美，我喜欢这个花园！
En: Lili runs ahead, saying, "This place is so beautiful, I love this garden!"

Zh: ”一天的参观让他们学到了很多。
En: The day's visit taught them a lot.

Zh: 走出故宫，爸爸对小明和丽丽说：“今天我们不仅看到了故宫的美景，还了解了更多中国的历史和文化。
En: As they leave the Forbidden City, Dad says to Xiaoming and Lili, "Today, we not only saw the beautiful sights of the Forbidden City but also learned more about Chinese history and culture."

Zh: ”丽丽和小明点头，满载而归。
En: Lili and Xiaoming nod, their hearts full.

Zh: 回到家，妈妈已经做好了晚饭。
En: When they get home, Mom has already prepared dinner.

Zh: 小明和丽丽把今天的故事讲给妈妈听。
En: Xiaoming and Lili share the day's stories with her.

Zh: 妈妈笑着说：“明天我们再去别的地方看看吧！
En: Mom smiles and says, "Tomorrow, let's go see another place!"

Zh: ”这一家人在这个阳光明媚的日子里，不仅度过了美好的时光，还收获了知识和快乐。
En: On this sunny day, the family not only had a wonderful time but also gained knowledge and joy.

Zh: 故事结束了，他们期待着更多的探险。
En: The story ends with them looking forward to more adventures.


Vocabulary Words:

• sunny: 阳光明媚
• preparing: 准备
• subway: 地铁
• extensive: 很懂
• imperial: 古代
• palace: 皇宫
• dynasty: 朝代
• stories: 故事
• culture: 文化
• walls: 墙
• rooftops: 屋顶
• emperors: 皇帝
• ornate: 华丽
• throne: 宝座
• symbolizing: 象征
• majestic: 威风
• quarters: 寝宫
• affairs: 事务
• huge: 大
• bronze: 铜
• object: 器
• toy: 玩具
• traveled back: 穿越
• imagine: 想象
• design: 设计
• sights: 美景
• beautiful: 美
• knowledge: 知识
• share: 讲
• looking forward: 期待