HSK · Listening
40 HSK listening killer sentences, replayed with the browser voice. Pick what each one means exactly from three options. The two distractors are real listening traps (paraphrase, opposite meaning, number/time, tone/homophone), and the explanation unpacks both the answer and the traps.
HSK11 / 8
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
会议不是三点开始,是三点半开始。
Huìyì bú shì sān diǎn kāishǐ, shì sān diǎn bàn kāishǐ.
Meaning
The meeting starts at 3:30, not at 3:00.
Chunk by chunk
会议
huìyì
The meeting
不是三点开始,
bú shì sān diǎn kāishǐ,
does not start at 3:00,
The 不是 (is not) negation; catching only 三点 is the number/time trap.
是三点半开始。
shì sān diǎn bàn kāishǐ.
it starts at 3:30
Hearing 开始 (start) as 结束 (end) is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我买了五个苹果,不是三个。
Wǒ mǎi le wǔ ge píngguǒ, bú shì sān ge.
Meaning
I bought five apples, not three.
Chunk by chunk
我买了
wǒ mǎi le
I bought
买 (mǎi, buy) and 卖 (mài, sell) differ only in tone, the homophone/tone trap.
五个苹果,
wǔ ge píngguǒ,
five apples,
不是三个。
bú shì sān ge.
not three
Missing the final 不是三个 is the number trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
这个太贵了,我不想买。
Zhège tài guì le, wǒ bù xiǎng mǎi.
Meaning
This is too expensive, I do not want to buy it.
Chunk by chunk
这个太贵了,
zhège tài guì le,
This is too expensive,
Hearing 贵 (expensive) as 便宜 (cheap) is the opposite trap.
我不想买。
wǒ bù xiǎng mǎi.
I do not want to buy it
The negative 不想 (do not want); missing it is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
她是我姐姐,不是我妹妹。
Tā shì wǒ jiějie, bú shì wǒ mèimei.
Meaning
She is my older sister, not my younger sister.
Chunk by chunk
她是我姐姐,
tā shì wǒ jiějie,
She is my older sister,
姐姐 (older) and 妹妹 (younger) are opposites; listen to the end.
不是我妹妹。
bú shì wǒ mèimei.
not my younger sister
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我们今天去,不是明天。
Wǒmen jīntiān qù, bú shì míngtiān.
Meaning
We are going today, not tomorrow.
Chunk by chunk
我们今天去,
wǒmen jīntiān qù,
We are going today,
Hearing 今天 (today) as 明天 (tomorrow) is the number/time trap.
不是明天。
bú shì míngtiān.
not tomorrow
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我家有一只猫,没有狗。
Wǒ jiā yǒu yì zhī māo, méiyǒu gǒu.
Meaning
My home has a cat, and no dog.
Chunk by chunk
我家有一只猫,
wǒ jiā yǒu yì zhī māo,
My home has a cat,
没有狗。
méiyǒu gǒu.
and no dog
Missing the 没有 (does not have) negation gives "has both", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我想吃米饭,不想吃面条。
Wǒ xiǎng chī mǐfàn, bù xiǎng chī miàntiáo.
Meaning
I want to eat rice, not noodles.
Chunk by chunk
我想吃米饭,
wǒ xiǎng chī mǐfàn,
I want to eat rice,
不想吃面条。
bù xiǎng chī miàntiáo.
do not want noodles
Swapping 米饭 (rice) and 面条 (noodles) is a paraphrase trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
这本书十块钱,不是四块。
Zhè běn shū shí kuài qián, bú shì sì kuài.
Meaning
This book is ten yuan, not four.
Chunk by chunk
这本书十块钱,
zhè běn shū shí kuài qián,
This book is ten yuan,
十 (shí, 10) and 四 (sì, 4) are the key confusable sound pair.
不是四块。
bú shì sì kuài.
not four
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
作业我已经做完了,不用担心。
Zuòyè wǒ yǐjīng zuò wán le, búyòng dānxīn.
Meaning
I have already finished the homework, no need to worry.
Chunk by chunk
作业我已经做完了,
zuòyè wǒ yǐjīng zuò wán le,
I have already finished the homework,
Missing 已经…完了 (already…done) gives "not done yet", the opposite trap.
不用担心。
búyòng dānxīn.
no need to worry
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
如果明天下雨,我们就不去了。
Rúguǒ míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù bú qù le.
Meaning
If it rains tomorrow, we will not go.
Chunk by chunk
如果明天下雨,
rúguǒ míngtiān xià yǔ,
If it rains tomorrow,
Condition 如果 (if); "when rain stops" is a paraphrase trap.
我们就不去了。
wǒmen jiù bú qù le,
we will not go
The 不去 (will not go) negation; missing it is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
从这儿走路到车站大概要十分钟。
Cóng zhèr zǒulù dào chēzhàn dàgài yào shí fēnzhōng.
Meaning
From here it takes about ten minutes to walk to the station.
Chunk by chunk
从这儿走路到车站
cóng zhèr zǒulù dào chēzhàn
walking from here to the station
Swapping 走路 (walk) for 坐车 (by vehicle) is a paraphrase trap.
大概要十分钟。
dàgài yào shí fēnzhōng.
takes about ten minutes
Beware confusing 十 (shí, 10) and 四 (sì, 4) tones.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我今天太忙了,没有时间休息。
Wǒ jīntiān tài máng le, méiyǒu shíjiān xiūxi.
Meaning
I am too busy today, I have no time to rest.
Chunk by chunk
我今天太忙了,
wǒ jīntiān tài máng le,
I am too busy today,
Hearing 忙 (busy) as 闲 (free) is the opposite trap.
没有时间休息。
méiyǒu shíjiān xiūxi.
have no time to rest
The 没有时间 (no time) negation; missing it is a paraphrase trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我哥哥比我高,可是他比我小。
Wǒ gēge bǐ wǒ gāo, kěshì tā bǐ wǒ xiǎo.
Meaning
My older brother is taller than me, but he is younger than me.
Chunk by chunk
我哥哥比我高,
wǒ gēge bǐ wǒ gāo,
My older brother is taller than me,
比 (comparison) + 高 (tall); hearing 高 as 矮 (short) is the opposite trap.
可是他比我小。
kěshì tā bǐ wǒ xiǎo.
but he is younger than me
The 可是 (but) reversal; missing it merges both comparisons the same way.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我今天身体不舒服,想早点儿回家。
Wǒ jīntiān shēntǐ bù shūfu, xiǎng zǎo diǎnr huí jiā.
Meaning
I do not feel well today, I want to go home early.
Chunk by chunk
我今天身体不舒服,
wǒ jīntiān shēntǐ bù shūfu,
I do not feel well today,
Missing the 不 in 不舒服 gives "feels well", the opposite trap.
想早点儿回家。
xiǎng zǎo diǎnr huí jiā.
wants to go home early
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
虽然今天很累,但是我觉得很开心。
Suīrán jīntiān hěn lèi, dànshì wǒ juéde hěn kāixīn.
Meaning
Although I am tired today, I feel very happy.
Chunk by chunk
虽然今天很累,
suīrán jīntiān hěn lèi,
Although I am tired today,
虽然 (although) signals a 但是 to come; stopping here is the opposite trap.
但是我觉得很开心。
dànshì wǒ juéde hěn kāixīn.
but I feel very happy
开心 (happy) is the conclusion; hearing only the first half misses it.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
他不但会说汉语,而且说得非常流利。
Tā búdàn huì shuō Hànyǔ, érqiě shuō de fēicháng liúlì.
Meaning
He not only can speak Chinese, but also speaks it very fluently.
Chunk by chunk
他不但会说汉语,
tā búdàn huì shuō Hànyǔ,
He not only can speak Chinese,
不但 (not only) signals an 而且 to come; hear the addition to the end.
而且说得非常流利。
érqiě shuō de fēicháng liúlì.
but also speaks very fluently
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
只要你努力,就一定能学好汉语。
Zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì, jiù yídìng néng xué hǎo Hànyǔ.
Meaning
As long as you work hard, you will surely be able to master Chinese.
Chunk by chunk
只要你努力,
zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì,
As long as you work hard,
Condition 只要 (as long as); "without effort" breaks the condition.
就一定能学好汉语。
jiù yídìng néng xué hǎo Hànyǔ.
you will surely master Chinese
一定能 (surely can) is positive; hearing "hard" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我把雨伞忘在出租车上了。
Wǒ bǎ yǔsǎn wàng zài chūzūchē shàng le.
Meaning
I left my umbrella in the taxi.
Chunk by chunk
我把雨伞
wǒ bǎ yǔsǎn
I (took) the umbrella
忘在出租车上了。
wàng zài chūzūchē shàng le.
left it in the taxi
Hearing 忘 (forget) as 找到 (find) is the opposite trap; 出租车 (taxi) vs 公共汽车 (bus) is the place trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
会议的时间从星期三改到了星期五。
Huìyì de shíjiān cóng xīngqīsān gǎi dào le xīngqīwǔ.
Meaning
The meeting time was changed from Wednesday to Friday.
Chunk by chunk
会议的时间
huìyì de shíjiān
The meeting time
从星期三
cóng xīngqīsān
from Wednesday
从 (from) is the start; swapping with the end day is the number/time trap.
改到了星期五。
gǎi dào le xīngqīwǔ.
was changed to Friday
Missing 改 (change) gives "stays the same", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
你应该早点儿告诉我,我就不会买错了。
Nǐ yīnggāi zǎo diǎnr gàosu wǒ, wǒ jiù bú huì mǎi cuò le.
Meaning
You should have told me earlier, then I would not have bought the wrong one.
Chunk by chunk
你应该早点儿告诉我,
nǐ yīnggāi zǎo diǎnr gàosu wǒ,
You should have told me earlier,
应该… (should have) implies it did not actually happen, a regret/hypothesis.
我就不会买错了。
wǒ jiù bú huì mǎi cuò le.
then I would not have bought the wrong one
Hypothetical result; actually bought wrong. "Bought correctly" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
虽然下雨了,但是我们还是去了公园。
Suīrán xià yǔ le, dànshì wǒmen háishì qù le gōngyuán.
Meaning
Although it rained, we still went to the park.
Chunk by chunk
虽然下雨了,
suīrán xià yǔ le,
Although it rained,
虽然 (although) signals a contrast to come; stopping here is the trap.
但是我们还是去了公园。
dànshì wǒmen háishì qù le gōngyuán.
we still went to the park
还是去了 (still went) is the conclusion; hearing only the first half misses it.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
他不但会做饭,而且做得特别好。
Tā búdàn huì zuò fàn, érqiě zuò de tèbié hǎo.
Meaning
He not only can cook but also cooks especially well.
Chunk by chunk
他不但会做饭,
tā búdàn huì zuò fàn,
He not only can cook,
不但 signals an 而且 to come.
而且做得特别好。
érqiě zuò de tèbié hǎo.
but also cooks very well
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
最近天气越来越冷了,要多穿衣服。
Zuìjìn tiānqì yuèláiyuè lěng le, yào duō chuān yīfu.
Meaning
The weather is getting colder and colder lately, so dress warmly.
Chunk by chunk
最近天气越来越冷了,
zuìjìn tiānqì yuèláiyuè lěng le,
The weather is getting colder lately,
Hearing 冷 (cold) as 暖 (warm) is the opposite trap.
要多穿衣服。
yào duō chuān yīfu.
you should dress warmly
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
我的自行车昨天被偷了。
Wǒ de zìxíngchē zuótiān bèi tōu le.
Meaning
My bicycle was stolen yesterday.
Chunk by chunk
我的自行车昨天
wǒ de zìxíngchē zuótiān
My bicycle yesterday
被偷了。
bèi tōu le.
was stolen.
Missing the passive 被 gives "he stole it", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
除了小王以外,大家都来了。
Chúle Xiǎo Wáng yǐwài, dàjiā dōu lái le.
Meaning
Everyone came except Xiao Wang.
Chunk by chunk
除了小王以外,
chúle Xiǎo Wáng yǐwài,
Except for Xiao Wang,
除了…以外 = except; turning it into "including" is a paraphrase trap.
大家都来了。
dàjiā dōu lái le.
everyone came
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
末班车已经走了,我只好走路回家。
Mòbānchē yǐjīng zǒu le, wǒ zhǐhǎo zǒulù huí jiā.
Meaning
The last bus had already left, so I had no choice but to walk home.
Chunk by chunk
末班车已经走了,
mòbānchē yǐjīng zǒu le,
The last bus had already left,
我只好走路回家。
wǒ zhǐhǎo zǒulù huí jiā.
so I had to walk home
只好 (had no choice) marks necessity; "took the bus" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
今天比昨天更热,差不多三十五度。
Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān gèng rè, chàbuduō sānshíwǔ dù.
Meaning
Today is even hotter than yesterday, about 35 degrees.
Chunk by chunk
今天比昨天更热,
jīntiān bǐ zuótiān gèng rè,
Today is hotter than yesterday,
Swapping the 比 comparison direction is a paraphrase trap.
差不多三十五度。
chàbuduō sānshíwǔ dù.
about 35 degrees
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
会议推迟到下午四点,不是十点。
Huìyì tuīchí dào xiàwǔ sì diǎn, bú shì shí diǎn.
Meaning
The meeting was pushed to 4 p.m., not 10.
Chunk by chunk
会议推迟到下午四点,
huìyì tuīchí dào xiàwǔ sì diǎn,
The meeting was pushed to 4 p.m.,
四 (sì) vs 十 (shí) confusion + 推迟 (postpone) vs 提前 (advance) trap.
不是十点。
bú shì shí diǎn.
not 10.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
尽管困难重重,他还是坚持把项目完成了。
Jǐnguǎn kùnnán chóngchóng, tā háishì jiānchí bǎ xiàngmù wánchéng le.
Meaning
Despite many difficulties, he persisted and finished the project.
Chunk by chunk
尽管困难重重,
jǐnguǎn kùnnán chóngchóng,
Despite many difficulties,
尽管 (despite) signals a contrast; stopping here is the trap.
他还是坚持把项目完成了。
tā háishì jiānchí bǎ xiàngmù wánchéng le.
he still persisted and finished the project
Hearing 完成了 (finished) as 放弃 (gave up) is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
吃了药以后,病情反而更严重了。
Chī le yào yǐhòu, bìngqíng fǎn'ér gèng yánzhòng le.
Meaning
After taking the medicine, the condition got worse instead.
Chunk by chunk
吃了药以后,
chī le yào yǐhòu,
After taking the medicine,
病情反而更严重了。
bìngqíng fǎn'ér gèng yánzhòng le.
the condition got worse instead
反而 (instead) + 更严重 (worse); "got better" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
贵的东西不见得就比便宜的好。
Guì de dōngxi bújiàndé jiù bǐ piányi de hǎo.
Meaning
Expensive things are not necessarily better than cheap ones.
Chunk by chunk
贵的东西
guì de dōngxi
Expensive things
不见得就比便宜的好。
bújiàndé jiù bǐ piányi de hǎo.
are not necessarily better than cheap ones
不见得 (not necessarily) is partial negation; missing it gives "always better", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
他一旦做出决定,就绝不会轻易改变。
Tā yídàn zuòchū juédìng, jiù jué bú huì qīngyì gǎibiàn.
Meaning
Once he makes a decision, he never changes it easily.
Chunk by chunk
他一旦做出决定,
tā yídàn zuòchū juédìng,
Once he makes a decision,
一旦…就 = once … then; "has not decided" flips the condition.
就绝不会轻易改变。
jiù jué bú huì qīngyì gǎibiàn.
he never changes it easily
绝不会 (never) is a strong negative; "changes often" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
他毕竟还是个孩子,我们别对他太严厉。
Tā bìjìng háishì ge háizi, wǒmen bié duì tā tài yánlì.
Meaning
After all, he is still a child, so let us not be too strict with him.
Chunk by chunk
他毕竟还是个孩子,
tā bìjìng háishì ge háizi,
After all, he is still a child,
毕竟 (after all) cites a basic fact; hearing "adult" is the opposite trap.
我们别对他太严厉。
wǒmen bié duì tā tài yánlì.
let us not be too strict with him
别 (do not) is prohibitive; "should scold" is a paraphrase trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
无论遇到什么困难,我们都不会轻易放弃。
Wúlùn yùdào shénme kùnnan, wǒmen dōu bú huì qīngyì fàngqì.
Meaning
No matter what difficulties we run into, we will not give up easily.
Chunk by chunk
无论遇到什么困难,
wúlùn yùdào shénme kùnnan,
No matter what difficulties we run into,
无论…都 = same result regardless of condition; hearing it as conditional is a paraphrase trap.
我们都不会轻易放弃。
wǒmen dōu bú huì qīngyì fàngqì.
we will not give up easily
不会 (will not) negates; hearing "give up" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
做事不能半途而废,贵在坚持到底。
Zuòshì bùnéng bàntú'érfèi, guì zài jiānchí dàodǐ.
Meaning
You should not give up halfway; what matters is persevering to the end.
Chunk by chunk
做事不能半途而废,
zuòshì bùnéng bàntú'érfèi,
You should not give up halfway,
Idiom 半途而废 (quit halfway) + 不能 (must not); missing the negation is the opposite trap.
贵在坚持到底。
guì zài jiānchí dàodǐ.
what matters is persevering to the end
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
这次失败未尝不是一件好事。
Zhè cì shībài wèicháng bú shì yí jiàn hǎoshì.
Meaning
This failure may well be a good thing.
Chunk by chunk
这次失败
zhè cì shībài
This failure
未尝不是一件好事。
wèicháng bú shì yí jiàn hǎoshì.
may well be a good thing
未尝不是 (it is not that it is not) is a double negative = soft affirmation; "definitely bad" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
与其在那儿抱怨,不如想办法解决问题。
Yǔqí zài nàr bàoyuàn, bùrú xiǎng bànfǎ jiějué wèntí.
Meaning
Rather than complaining there, it is better to find a way to solve the problem.
Chunk by chunk
与其在那儿抱怨,
yǔqí zài nàr bàoyuàn,
Rather than complaining there,
与其A,不如B = B is better than A; swapping A and B is the opposite trap.
不如想办法解决问题。
bùrú xiǎng bànfǎ jiějué wèntí.
it is better to find a way to solve the problem
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
这个方案恐怕行不通,我们再商量商量吧。
Zhège fāng'àn kǒngpà xíngbutōng, wǒmen zài shāngliang shāngliang ba.
Meaning
I am afraid this plan will not work; let us discuss it again.
Chunk by chunk
这个方案恐怕行不通,
zhège fāng'àn kǒngpà xíngbutōng,
I am afraid this plan will not work,
恐怕…行不通 (probably will not work) is a soft negative forecast; "will work" is the opposite trap.
我们再商量商量吧。
wǒmen zài shāngliang shāngliang ba.
let us discuss it again
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
在场的观众无不为他的精彩表演鼓掌。
Zàichǎng de guānzhòng wúbù wèi tā de jīngcǎi biǎoyǎn gǔzhǎng.
Meaning
Every member of the audience applauded his brilliant performance.
Chunk by chunk
在场的观众无不
zàichǎng de guānzhòng wúbù
Every audience member
无不 (none who does not) is a double negative = all; "no one" is the opposite trap.
为他的精彩表演鼓掌。
wèi tā de jīngcǎi biǎoyǎn gǔzhǎng.
applauded his brilliant performance
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
只要方法得当,做起事来就能事半功倍。
Zhǐyào fāngfǎ dédàng, zuò qǐ shì lái jiù néng shìbàngōngbèi.
Meaning
As long as the method is right, you can get twice the result with half the effort.
Chunk by chunk
只要方法得当,
zhǐyào fāngfǎ dédàng,
As long as the method is right,
只要 (as long as) sets a condition; hearing it as a negative premise flips the meaning.
做起事来就能事半功倍。
zuò qǐ shì lái jiù néng shìbàngōngbèi.
you can get twice the result with half the effort
事半功倍 (half effort, double result); swapping effort and result is the 事倍功半 paraphrase trap.