Chinese myth story

The Four Great Inventions

四大发明

Learn about paper, printing, the compass, and gunpowder in intermediate Mandarin with culture and technology vocabulary.

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中国历史上有四大发明。

Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng yǒu sì dà fāmíng.

In Chinese history, there are four great inventions.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

它们不但改变中国，而且影响世界。

Tāmen búdàn gǎibiàn Zhōngguó, érqiě yǐngxiǎng shìjiè.

They not only changed China, but also influenced the world.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

人们把纸用来写字和画画。

Rénmen bǎ zhǐ yòng lái xiězì hé huàhuà.

People used paper for writing and painting.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

有了纸，学习变得更方便。

Yǒu le zhǐ, xuéxí biàn de gèng fāngbiàn.

With paper, studying became more convenient.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

后来，印刷术被更多城市使用。

Hòulái, yìnshuāshù bèi gèng duō chéngshì shǐyòng.

Later, printing was used by more cities.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

书被印出来以后，知识传播更快。

Shū bèi yìn chūlái yǐhòu, zhīshi chuánbō gèng kuài.

After books were printed, knowledge spread faster.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

指南针把人带向正确方向。

Zhǐnánzhēn bǎ rén dài xiàng zhèngquè fāngxiàng.

The compass guided people toward the right direction.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

船经过大海时，船员不那么害怕。

Chuán jīngguò dàhǎi shí, chuányuán bù nàme hàipà.

When ships crossed the sea, sailors were less afraid.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

火药开始用于节日和声音。

Huǒyào kāishǐ yòng yú jiérì hé shēngyīn.

Gunpowder began to be used for festivals and sounds.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

后来，它也被用于战争。

Hòulái, tā yě bèi yòng yú zhànzhēng.

Later, it was also used in war.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

既然发明会影响生活，就要认真使用。

Jìrán fāmíng huì yǐngxiǎng shēnghuó, jiù yào rènzhēn shǐyòng.

Since inventions affect life, people should use them carefully.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

这些技术把古代和今天联系起来。

Zhèxiē jìshù bǎ gǔdài hé jīntiān liánxì qǐlái.

These technologies connect ancient times with today.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

学生通过故事了解文化。

Xuésheng tōngguò gùshi liǎojiě wénhuà.

Students understand culture through stories.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

老师认为发明也是历史的窗口。

Lǎoshī rènwéi fāmíng yě shì lìshǐ de chuāngkǒu.

Teachers think inventions are also windows into history.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

无论在哪个国家，人们都需要知识。

Wúlùn zài nǎ ge guójiā, rénmen dōu xūyào zhīshi.

No matter which country they are in, people need knowledge.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

四大发明让中文学习更有意义。

Sì dà fāmíng ràng Zhōngwén xuéxí gèng yǒu yìyì.

The Four Great Inventions make Chinese learning more meaningful.

Sentence vocabulary

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

根据 · gēn jù

according to

新闻 · xīn wén

news

中国 · Zhōngguó

China

学习 · xuéxí

to study; to learn

Finished reading the story?

Vocabulary

Story words

16 cards

把

bǎ

hold

被

bèi

cover

不但……而且……

búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化

wén huà

Culture

历史

lì shǐ

History

世界

shì jiè

world

发现

fā xiàn

find, discover

方便

fāng biàn

convenient

变化

biàn huà

change

影响

yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要

zhòng yào

important

中文

zhōng wén

Chinese

根据

gēn jù

according to

新闻

xīn wén

news

中国

Zhōngguó

China

学习

xuéxí

to study; to learn

Mini quiz

Check your understanding

Question 1

What does 影响 mean?

Options

influence
festival
mouth
cake

Answer: influence

影响 means to influence or affect. The inventions influenced the world.

Question 2

What is the pinyin for 文化?

Options

wénhuà
wènhuá
wěnhuà
wénhuā

Answer: wénhuà

文化 is pronounced wénhuà and means culture.

Question 3

Which invention helped people know direction?

Options

The compass
Paper
Gunpowder
Printing

Answer: The compass

指南针把人带向正确方向 means the compass led people toward the right direction.

Question 4

How did printing change learning?

Options

Books spread knowledge faster
It made horses faster
It stopped students from writing
It made the weather warmer

Answer: Books spread knowledge faster

书被印出来以后，知识传播更快 explains that printing helped knowledge spread.

Question 5

Choose the correct passive sentence.

Options

书被印出来以后，知识传播更快
书印被出来以后知识更快
知识被更快书印出来
以后书知识被传播印

Answer: 书被印出来以后，知识传播更快

被 marks the passive: books were printed, then knowledge spread faster.

Question 6

In 既然发明会影响生活，就要认真使用, what does 既然...就... mean?

Options

Since inventions affect life, use them carefully
Although inventions are old, forget them
No matter where inventions are, sell them
Not only inventions, but also life

Answer: Since inventions affect life, use them carefully

既然...就... presents a known reason and then a reasonable action.

Printable preview

Printable Story Worksheet

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Free preview

Story vocabulary list

把 · bǎ

hold

被 · bèi

cover

不但……而且…… · búdàn…érqiě…

not only…but also…

文化 · wén huà

Culture

历史 · lì shǐ

History

世界 · shì jiè

world

发现 · fā xiàn

find, discover

方便 · fāng biàn

convenient

变化 · biàn huà

change

影响 · yǐng xiǎng

Influence

重要 · zhòng yào

important

中文 · zhōng wén

Chinese

Simple questions

What does 影响 mean?
Options: influence / festival / mouth / cake
What is the pinyin for 文化?
Options: wénhuà / wènhuá / wěnhuà / wénhuā
Which invention helped people know direction?
Options: The compass / Paper / Gunpowder / Printing

Sentence ordering exercise

Put these parts in the correct order.

大四有上史历国中

Answer: 中国历史上有四大发明。

More printable story activities are coming soon.

The Four Great Inventions

Read the story

Story words

Check your understanding

Printable Story Worksheet

Story vocabulary list

Simple questions

Sentence ordering exercise

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