Chinese Reader.
Essential Biblical Stories
Twenty-one foundational stories in clear, classic Chinese, in a three-row layout of characters, pinyin and a literal English gloss, so you read real Mandarin from the first line.
220 pages · Paperback & Kindle · Beginner–intermediate
Genesis 1:1, the first line of the collection
Twenty-one stories.
Old and New Testament narratives in clear, classic Chinese.
The text is a classic Chinese translation in clear, standard Mandarin, lightly adapted for learners. Because these twenty-one narratives are already familiar, your attention stays on the Mandarin, not the plot.
Every page carries three rows: the original characters, pinyin for pronunciation, and a literal English gloss. Nothing sends you to a dictionary; the syntax, rhythm and logic of Chinese reveal themselves line by line. Doré's engravings accompany each story, giving the volume its classic character.
- 01The Creationand The Great Flood
- 02The Burning Bushand Crossing the Red Sea
- 03David and Goliathand Daniel in the Lions' Den
- 04The Sermon on the Mountand The Empty Tomb
- 05Three-row layoutCharacters, pinyin and English gloss on every page
Why this edition.
Pinyin on every character
The middle row gives you the pronunciation of every single character, so reading aloud is possible from day one.
Linguistic architecture
The literal gloss shows how Chinese builds meaning, from particles and measure words to word order, through thousands of worked examples.
Stories you already know
Because the narratives are familiar, your attention stays on the Mandarin, not the plot.
A text of real standing
The stories are told in clear, dignified written Chinese, so the Mandarin you absorb is worth keeping.
Doré's engravings
Gustave Doré's engravings accompany each story, giving the volume its classic character.
Genesis 1:1–2, glossed as in the book, with pinyin
The details.
- Series
- The Chinese Reader
- Language pair
- Mandarin–English interlinear, with pinyin
- Format
- Paperback & Kindle
- Print length
- 220 pages
- Source text
- Classic Chinese translation, lightly adapted
- Illustrations
- Gustave Doré
- Level
- Beginner–intermediate (HSK 2–4)
- Published
- June 2026
- ASIN
- B0H5RMTTGJ
More from the press.
Every edition is glossed by hand, word by word, and printed on demand by Amazon.
Read Chinese Reader with every word translated beneath the original.
Buy on Amazon