Mandarin readings / Beginner 2 / Community & City Life

Morning at the Market

早市的早晨

清晨 的 城市 慢慢 醒来。早市 在 社区 的 小 广场 开始 营业, 摊主 提前 到达, 整理 桌子 和 篮子, 摆好 新鲜 的 蔬菜 水果 鸡蛋 豆腐 和 面包。空气 清新, 阳光 温和, 天空 很 蓝, 街道 还 有点 安静, 但是 广场 已经 变得 热闹。老人 慢慢 走来, 他 喜欢 与 摊主 聊天, 了解 今天 的 价格 和 天气。上班 的 年轻人 匆忙 经过, 他们 买 几个 包子 和 一杯 豆浆, 放进 背包, 然后 赶路。小孩 跟着 父母, 看见 红色 的 西红柿 和 绿色 的 黄瓜, 眼睛 很 亮, 问 可以 不可以 尝 一口。摊主 亲切 地 笑, 让 小孩 试试, 也 教 他 说 谢谢。有的 摊位 放着 小秤, 买家 看 清楚 重量, 感到 放心。有人 问 这个 苹果 是 不是 本地 的, 摊主 解释 产地 和 季节, 还 推荐 另一种 甜 梨。旁边 的 花摊 摆着 清香 的 百合 和 向日葵, 路过 的 人 停下 来 看, 给 家里 增加 一点 颜色。时间 继续 走, 广场 的 声音 更 加 丰富, 有 讨价还价 的 声音, 也 有 欢笑。九点 左右, 阳光 更 强, 大家 差不多 买好 食材, 带着 满意 的 心情 回家, 期待 中午 做 一顿 温暖 的 家常 菜。

English Translation

At dawn, the city slowly wakes up. The morning market starts business in a small square in the community; stall owners arrive early, tidy tables and baskets, and set out fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, tofu, and bread. The air is fresh, the sunlight is gentle, the sky is very blue, the street is still a little quiet, but the square has already become lively. An old man walks over; he likes to chat with the stall owners and learn about today’s prices and the weather. Young people on the way to work hurry past; they buy several buns and a cup of soy milk, put them into their backpacks, and then hurry on. A child follows the parents, sees red tomatoes and green cucumbers, eyes shining, and asks if he can taste one bite. The stall owner smiles kindly, lets the child try, and also teaches him to say thank you. Some stalls have small scales; buyers look clearly at the weight and feel at ease. Someone asks whether the apples are local; the stall owner explains the origin and season, and also recommends another kind, sweet pears. Next to them, a flower stall displays fragrant lilies and sunflowers; people passing by stop to look and add a touch of color to their homes. Time moves on; the sounds in the square become richer, with the voices of bargaining and with laughter too. Around nine o’clock, the sun is stronger; almost everyone finishes buying ingredients, heads home with a satisfied mood, and looks forward to cooking a warm home-style lunch.