一门语言，可能会改变你的人生A Language Can Change Your Life
Lesson Overview
In this authentic-speed Chinese listening lesson, Yuli reflects on how learning different languages gradually shaped her choices, relationships, learning methods, and view of life.
Authentic · Native SpeedWhat You’ll Learn
- Follow a native-speed personal narrative.
- Talk about how experiences reshape your view of life.
- Describe your own learning style in nuanced Chinese.
- Use natural expressions for reflection, contrast, and gradual change.
LISTEN
Listening Mission
Listen for the main thread: How did different languages change Yuli in different ways, and what conclusion does she reach about language learning?
Choose the playback speed, transcript display settings, and number of listens that suit your needs. After listening, use Sentence-by-Sentence Study to study each sentence in detail.
1
Watch & Follow
Watch the video with the interactive transcript.
2
Sentence-by-Sentence Study
Open this section when you are ready to replay and study each sentence in detail.
3
Vocabulary & Expressions
Learn key vocabulary from this lesson and use it in common collocations.
生疏
shēngshū
rusty; out of practice
Common collocations
变得生疏
biàn de shēngshū
become rusty
生疏了很多
shēngshū le hěn duō
become much rustier
Example
我考过日语能力考试 N1，不过现在已经生疏了很多。
Wǒ kǎoguo rìyǔ nénglì kǎoshì N1, búguò xiànzài yǐjīng shēngshū le hěn duō.
I passed the JLPT N1, though now I am much rustier.
不知不觉
bùzhī bùjué
without realizing it
Common collocations
在不知不觉中
zài bùzhī bùjué zhōng
without realizing it
不知不觉地
bùzhī bùjué de
unconsciously / gradually
Example
也在不知不觉中把我带到了一个又一个新的世界。
Yězài bùzhī bùjué zhōng bǎ wǒ dàidào le yí ge yòu yí ge xīn de shìjiè.
They also brought me into one new world after another without my realizing it.
正向反馈
zhèngxiàng fǎnkuì
positive feedback
Common collocations
得到正向反馈
dédào zhèngxiàng fǎnkuì
receive positive feedback
形成正向反馈
xíngchéng zhèngxiàng fǎnkuì
create a positive feedback loop
Example
这种正向反馈让我越来越喜欢学英语。
Zhèzhǒng zhèngxiàng fǎnkuì ràng wǒ yuèláiyuè xǐhuan xué yīngyǔ.
This positive feedback made me like learning English more and more.
应试教育
yìngshì jiàoyù
exam-oriented education
Common collocations
应试教育的产物
yìngshì jiàoyù de chǎnwù
a product of exam-oriented education
应试教育模式
yìngshì jiàoyù móshì
exam-oriented education model
Example
那时候我的英语基本上还是应试教育的产物。
Nà shíhou wǒ de yīngyǔ jīběnshàng háishì yìngshì jiàoyù de chǎnwù.
At that time my English was basically still a product of exam-oriented education.
胆怯
dǎnqiè
timid; afraid
Common collocations
感到胆怯
gǎndào dǎnqiè
feel timid
非常胆怯
fēicháng dǎnqiè
very timid
Example
第一次真正开口和别人说英语的时候，我其实非常胆怯。
Dìyīcì zhēnzhèng kāikǒu hé biérén shuō yīngyǔ de shíhou, wǒ qíshí fēicháng dǎnqiè.
I was very timid the first time I truly spoke English with someone.
活法
huófǎ
way of living
Common collocations
不同的活法
bùtóng de huófǎ
different ways of living
选择一种活法
xuǎnzé yì zhǒng huófǎ
choose a way of living
Example
原来人生还可以有很多我以前没有想过的活法。
Yuánlái rénshēng hái kěyǐ yǒu hěn duō wǒ yǐqián méiyǒu xiǎngguo de huófǎ.
Life could have many ways of living I had never thought of before.
埋头苦学
máitóu kǔxué
to bury oneself in hard study
Common collocations
习惯埋头苦学
xíguàn máitóu kǔxué
be used to studying very hard
只会埋头苦学
zhǐ huì máitóu kǔxué
only know how to study hard
Example
刚开始学日语的时候，我还是很习惯埋头苦学。
Gāng kāishǐ xué rìyǔ de shíhou, wǒ háishì hěn xíguàn máitóu kǔxué.
When I first started Japanese, I was still used to burying myself in hard study.
挫败
cuòbài
frustrated; defeated
Common collocations
感到挫败
gǎndào cuòbài
feel frustrated
很挫败
hěn cuòbài
very frustrated
Example
这件事当时让我很挫败。
Zhè jiàn shì dāngshí ràng wǒ hěn cuòbài.
This made me feel very frustrated at the time.
生活所迫
shēnghuó suǒpò
forced by life circumstances
Common collocations
因为生活所迫
yīnwèi shēnghuó suǒpò
because life circumstances force it
并非生活所迫
bìngfēi shēnghuó suǒpò
not forced by life circumstances
Example
我学泰语，并不是因为生活所迫。
Wǒ xué tàiyǔ, bìngbù shì yīnwèi shēnghuó suǒpò.
I studied Thai not because life forced me to.
摸索
mōsuǒ
to explore by trial and error
Common collocations
慢慢摸索
mànmàn mōsuǒ
explore gradually
摸索新的方式
mōsuǒ xīn de fāngshì
explore a new approach
Example
所以我开始摸索新的学习方式。
Suǒyǐ wǒ kāishǐ mōsuǒ xīn de xuéxí fāngshì.
So I began exploring new ways of learning.
Vocabulary Practice
Choose the correct vocabulary item to complete each sentence. Use the collocations above as a guide.
生疏不知不觉正向反馈应试教育胆怯活法埋头苦学挫败生活所迫摸索
法语又是我学过的语言里，我觉得最难的一门。
_____ fǎyǔ yòushì wǒ xuéguo de yǔyán lǐ, wǒ juéde zuì nán de yì mén.
Correct answer
偏偏法语又是我学过的语言里，我觉得最难的一门。
Piānpiān fǎyǔ yòushì wǒ xuéguo de yǔyán lǐ, wǒ juéde zuì nán de yì mén.
As it happens, French is also the language I find the most difficult.
这件事当时让我很。
Zhè jiàn shì dāngshí ràng wǒ hěn _____.
Correct answer
这件事当时让我很挫败。
Zhè jiàn shì dāngshí ràng wǒ hěn cuòbài.
This made me feel very frustrated at the time.
所以我开始新的学习方式。
Suǒyǐ wǒ kāishǐ _____ xīn de xuéxí fāngshì.
Correct answer
所以我开始摸索新的学习方式。
Suǒyǐ wǒ kāishǐ mōsuǒ xīn de xuéxí fāngshì.
So I began exploring new ways of learning.
第一次真正开口和别人说英语的时候，我其实非常。
Dìyīcì zhēnzhèng kāikǒu hé biérén shuō yīngyǔ de shíhou, wǒ qíshí fēicháng _____.
Correct answer
第一次真正开口和别人说英语的时候，我其实非常胆怯。
Dìyīcì zhēnzhèng kāikǒu hé biérén shuō yīngyǔ de shíhou, wǒ qíshí fēicháng dǎnqiè.
I was very timid the first time I truly spoke English with someone.
我考过日语能力考试 N1，不过现在已经了很多。
Wǒ kǎoguo rìyǔ nénglì kǎoshì N1, búguò xiànzài yǐjīng _____ le hěn duō.
Correct answer
我考过日语能力考试 N1，不过现在已经生疏了很多。
Wǒ kǎoguo rìyǔ nénglì kǎoshì N1, búguò xiànzài yǐjīng shēngshū le hěn duō.
I passed the JLPT N1, though now I am much rustier.
所以我学泰语，并不是因为。
Suǒyǐ wǒ xué tàiyǔ, bìngbù shì yīnwèi _____.
Correct answer
所以我学泰语，并不是因为生活所迫。
Suǒyǐ wǒ xué tàiyǔ, bìngbù shì yīnwèi shēnghuó suǒpò.
So I studied Thai, not because life circumstances forced me to.
也在中把我带到了一个又一个新的世界。
Yězài _____ zhōng bǎ wǒ dàidào le yí ge yòu yí ge xīn de shìjiè.
Correct answer
也在不知不觉中把我带到了一个又一个新的世界。
Yězài bùzhī bùjué zhōng bǎ wǒ dàidào le yí ge yòu yí ge xīn de shìjiè.
They also brought me into one new world after another without my realizing it.
那时候我的英语基本上还是的产物。
Nà shíhou wǒ de yīngyǔ jīběnshàng háishì _____ de chǎnwù.
Correct answer
那时候我的英语基本上还是应试教育的产物。
Nà shíhou wǒ de yīngyǔ jīběnshàng háishì yìngshì jiàoyù de chǎnwù.
At that time my English was basically still a product of exam-oriented education.
原来人生还可以有很多我以前没有想过的。
Yuánlái rénshēng hái kěyǐ yǒu hěn duō wǒ yǐqián méiyǒu xiǎngguo de _____.
Correct answer
原来人生还可以有很多我以前没有想过的活法。
Yuánlái rénshēng hái kěyǐ yǒu hěn duō wǒ yǐqián méiyǒu xiǎngguo de huófǎ.
Life could have many ways of living I had never thought of before.
刚开始学日语的时候，我还是很习惯。
Gāng kāishǐ xué rìyǔ de shíhou, wǒ háishì hěn xíguàn _____.
Correct answer
刚开始学日语的时候，我还是很习惯埋头苦学。
Gāng kāishǐ xué rìyǔ de shíhou, wǒ háishì hěn xíguàn máitóu kǔxué.
When I first started Japanese, I was still used to burying myself in hard study.
4
Sentence Practice
Learn how each structure works, then use it to express your own ideas.
远远不只是……
yuǎnyuǎn bùzhǐshì...
far more than just...
Grammar & Usage
- 远远 strengthens the contrast: the real meaning or influence is much greater than it first appears.
- Use it when reflecting on the deeper impact of an experience.
From the lesson
英语带给我的远远不只是考试成绩或者一项技能，它更像是帮我打开了一扇门。
Yīngyǔ dàigěi wǒ de yuǎnyuǎn bùzhǐshì kǎoshì chéngjì huòzhě yí xiàng jìnéng, tā gèngxiàng shì bāng wǒ dǎkāi le yí shàn mén.
What English gave me was far more than exam scores or a skill; it was more like helping me open a door.
Make Your Own Sentence
______带给我的远远不只是______。
这次搬家带给我的远远不只是一个新的地址，它让我重新理解了什么叫“家”。
Zhè cì bānjiā dàigěi wǒ de yuǎnyuǎn bùzhǐshì yí ge xīn de dìzhǐ, tā ràng wǒ chóngxīn lǐjiě le shénme jiào “jiā”.
This move gave me far more than a new address; it made me rethink what “home” means.
这份工作带给我的远远不只是收入，它也改变了我看待时间的方式。
Zhè fèn gōngzuò dàigěi wǒ de yuǎnyuǎn bùzhǐshì shōurù, tā yě gǎibiàn le wǒ kàndài shíjiān de fāngshì.
This job gave me far more than income; it also changed how I think about time.
一次失败带给我的远远不只是挫败感，它也让我看清了自己真正缺少什么。
Yí cì shībài dàigěi wǒ de yuǎnyuǎn bùzhǐshì cuòbàigǎn, tā yě ràng wǒ kànqīng le zìjǐ zhēnzhèng quēshǎo shénme.
A failure gave me far more than frustration; it also showed me what I was truly missing.
直到……才真正……
zhídào... cái zhēnzhèng...
only after... did truly...
Grammar & Usage
- Use this to show that a realization or change became real only after a later event.
- 才 emphasizes the delayed point at which it finally happened.
From the lesson
直到大三去日本留学，我才真正体会到，学习语言不只有“坐下来学习”这一种方式。
Zhídào dàsān qù rìběn liúxué, wǒ cái zhēnzhèng tǐhuìdào, xuéxí yǔyán bù zhǐyǒu “zuòxià lái xuéxí” zhè yì zhǒng fāngshì.
Only when I studied abroad in Japan did I truly realize that sitting down to study is not the only way to learn a language.
Make Your Own Sentence
直到______，我才真正______。
直到真正开始独立生活，我才真正理解“自由”背后也有责任。
Zhídào zhēnzhèng kāishǐ dúlì shēnghuó, wǒ cái zhēnzhèng lǐjiě “zìyóu” bèihòu yě yǒu zérèn.
Only after I truly began living independently did I understand that freedom also comes with responsibility.
直到自己开始教别人，我才真正发现有些东西会做不等于会解释。
Zhídào zìjǐ kāishǐ jiāo biérén, wǒ cái zhēnzhèng fāxiàn yǒuxiē dōngxi huì zuò bù děngyú huì jiěshì.
Only after I began teaching others did I realize that being able to do something is not the same as being able to explain it.
直到离开那个环境，我才真正意识到它对我的影响有多大。
Zhídào líkāi nàge huánjìng, wǒ cái zhēnzhèng yìshí dào tā duì wǒ de yǐngxiǎng yǒu duō dà.
Only after leaving that environment did I truly realize how much it had influenced me.
偏偏……又……
piānpiān... yòu...
as it happens..., and inconveniently...
Grammar & Usage
- 偏偏 carries the speaker's subjective feeling that reality is inconvenient or contrary to preference.
- It often appears with 又 to add the inconvenient fact.
From the lesson
偏偏法语又是我学过的语言里，我觉得最难的一门。
Piānpiān fǎyǔ yòushì wǒ xuéguo de yǔyán lǐ, wǒ juéde zuì nán de yì mén.
And as it happens, French is also the language I find the most difficult among those I have studied.
Make Your Own Sentence
我______，偏偏______又______。
我本来想早点睡，偏偏那天晚上又有一堆事情要处理。
Wǒ běnlái xiǎng zǎodiǎn shuì, piānpiān nà tiān wǎnshàng yòu yǒu yì duī shìqing yào chǔlǐ.
I had planned to sleep early, but of all nights there was a pile of things to deal with.
越是赶时间，偏偏越容易遇到意外情况。
Yuèshì gǎn shíjiān, piānpiān yuè róngyì yùdào yìwài qíngkuàng.
The more rushed you are, the more likely unexpected things seem to happen.
我最需要专心的时候，偏偏旁边的人又一直在说话。
Wǒ zuì xūyào zhuānxīn de shíhou, piānpiān pángbiān de rén yòu yìzhí zài shuōhuà.
Just when I most needed to concentrate, the person next to me kept talking.
比以前任何时候都更……
bǐ yǐqián rènhé shíhou dōu gèng...
more... than at any time before
Grammar & Usage
- Use this to emphasize that a present need, feeling, or situation is stronger than ever before.
- 都更… intensifies the comparison.
From the lesson
现在的我比以前任何时候都更需要它。
Xiànzài de wǒ bǐ yǐqián rènhé shíhou dōu gèng xūyào tā.
Now I need it more than at any time before.
Make Your Own Sentence
现在的我比以前任何时候都更______。
现在的我比以前任何时候都更愿意承认自己不知道。
Xiànzài de wǒ bǐ yǐqián rènhé shíhou dōu gèng yuànyì chéngrèn zìjǐ bù zhīdào.
Now I am more willing than ever to admit when I do not know something.
经历了这些变化以后，我比以前任何时候都更重视生活的稳定感。
Jīnglì le zhèxiē biànhuà yǐhòu, wǒ bǐ yǐqián rènhé shíhou dōu gèng zhòngshì shēnghuó de wěndìnggǎn.
After these changes, I value a sense of stability in life more than ever.
现在的我比以前任何时候都更清楚，什么样的生活适合自己。
Xiànzài de wǒ bǐ yǐqián rènhé shíhou dōu gèng qīngchu, shénme yàng de shēnghuó shìhé zìjǐ.
Now I am clearer than ever about what kind of life suits me.
5
Your Turn
Speak for about 60–90 seconds about how one language changed your choices, relationships, learning, or view of life.
请用大约六十到九十秒，说说一门语言怎样改变了你的选择、人际关系、学习方式，或者你看世界的方式。
Speak for about 60–90 seconds about how one language changed your choices, relationships, learning, or view of life.
Expression frames / speaking guide
- 回头看，______带给我的远远不只是______。Huítóu kàn, ______ dàigěi wǒ de yuǎnyuǎn bùzhǐshì ______.Looking back, ______ gave me far more than ______.
- 直到______，我才意识到______。Zhídào ______, wǒ cái yìshí dào ______.Only after ______ did I realize ______.
- 后来，我也因为______去了______。Hòulái, wǒ yě yīnwèi ______ qù le ______.Later, because of ______, I also went to ______.
- 这些经历让我开始重新思考______。Zhèxiē jīnglì ràng wǒ kāishǐ chóngxīn sīkǎo ______.These experiences made me start rethinking ______.
- 现在的我比以前任何时候都更______。Xiànzài de wǒ bǐ yǐqián rènhé shíhou dōu gèng ______.Now I am more ______ than ever before.
回头看，英语带给我的远远不只是考试成绩。直到我真正开始用英语和别人交流，我才意识到语言可以让我认识完全不同的人。后来，我也因为语言去了新的地方。这些经历让我开始重新思考自己想过什么样的生活。我慢慢发现，每个人适合的学习方式也不一样。现在的我比以前任何时候都更重视真实表达，而不是考试分数。对我来说，语言更像是一把钥匙，它可能会打开一扇你原来根本不知道存在的门。
Huítóu kàn, yīngyǔ dàigěi wǒ de yuǎnyuǎn bùzhǐshì kǎoshì chéngjì. Zhídào wǒ zhēnzhèng kāishǐ yòng yīngyǔ hé biérén jiāoliú, wǒ cái yìshí dào yǔyán kěyǐ ràng wǒ rènshi wánquán bùtóng de rén. Hòulái, wǒ yě yīnwèi yǔyán qù le xīn de dìfang. Zhèxiē jīnglì ràng wǒ kāishǐ chóngxīn sīkǎo zìjǐ xiǎng guò shénme yàng de shēnghuó. Wǒ mànmàn fāxiàn, měigèrén shìhé de xuéxí fāngshì yě bù yíyàng. Xiànzài de wǒ bǐ yǐqián rènhé shíhou dōu gèng zhòngshì zhēnshí biǎodá, ér bùshì kǎoshì fēnshù. Duì wǒ láishuō, yǔyán gèngxiàng shì yì bǎ yàoshi, tā kěnéng huì dǎkāi yí shàn nǐ yuánlái gēnběn bù zhīdào cúnzài de mén.
Looking back, English gave me far more than exam scores. Only when I truly began using English to communicate with others did I realize that language could introduce me to completely different people. Later, language also took me to new places. These experiences made me rethink what kind of life I wanted. I gradually realized that different learning methods suit different people. Now I value real expression more than ever, rather than exam scores. For me, language is more like a key: it may open a door you never knew existed.
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