Emotional Value: Why Small Joys Matter
What can make you happy when nothing else helps? For many young Chinese people, the answer is "emotional value." It can come from a bouquet of flowers, a friend's hug, or a simple phone call. This HSK 4 reading explains why small moments of warmth matter—and why they are not an excuse to escape life.
翻译 Translation
最近，中国年轻人中流行一个词叫“情绪价值”。意思是，有些东西虽然不一定有用，但是能让你感觉开心、温暖或者放松。比如，给自己买一束花、一个人去吃喜欢的餐厅。这些事情本身可能花钱不少，但是它们带来的快乐是无法代替的。
Recently, a word has become popular among young Chinese people: "emotional value." It means that some things may not be useful, but they can make you feel happy, warm, or relaxed. For example, buying yourself a bouquet of flowers or going alone to a restaurant you like. These things themselves may cost quite a bit of money, but the happiness they bring cannot be replaced.
但是，情绪价值不只来自东西。更重要的是来自人。当你难过的时候，朋友给你一个拥抱；当你累的时候，家人打电话问你好不好。这些小事也能带来很多温暖。这就是人与人之间的情绪价值。
But emotional value does not only come from things. More importantly, it comes from people. When you are sad, a friend gives you a hug; when you are tired, family members call to ask how you are. These small things can also bring a lot of warmth. This is the emotional value between people.
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情绪价值
emotional value
noun
朋友的一句关心，也能带来情绪价值。
A caring word from a friend can also bring emotional value.
年轻人
young people
noun
很多年轻人喜欢在周末去爬山。
Many young people like to go hiking on weekends.
流行
popular; to be in fashion
adjective/verb
这种颜色的衣服今年很流行。
This color of clothing is very popular this year.
意思
meaning
noun
这个词的意思我不太明白。
I don't quite understand the meaning of this word.
不一定
not necessarily
adverb
贵的东西不一定好。
Expensive things are not necessarily good.
有用
这本书对我的学习很有用。
This book is very useful for my study.
开心
听到这个消息，他很开心。
Hearing this news, he was very happy.
温暖
她的话让我感到很温暖。
Her words made me feel very warm.
放松
to relax; relaxed
verb/adjective
听音乐可以让我放松。
Listening to music can help me relax.
比如
我喜欢运动，比如跑步和游泳。
I like sports, for example running and swimming.
餐厅
这家餐厅的服务很好。
This restaurant's service is very good.
本身
itself; in itself
pronoun/noun
这个问题本身并不难。
This problem itself is not difficult.
花钱
to spend money
verb
我们应该学会合理地花钱。
We should learn to spend money reasonably.
快乐
happiness; happy
noun/adjective
和家人在一起，我感到很快乐。
When I am with my family, I feel very happy.
无法
unable to; cannot
verb/auxiliary
没有你的帮助，我无法完成工作。
Without your help, I cannot finish the work.
代替
没有人能代替你的位置。
No one can replace your position.
不只
他不只喜欢音乐，也喜欢运动。
He not only likes music but also likes sports.
来自
to come from
verb
这封信来自我的好朋友。
This letter comes from my good friend.
重要
健康比金钱更重要。
Health is more important than money.
难过
听到这个消息，她很难过。
Hearing this news, she was very sad.
拥抱
妈妈给了我一个温暖的拥抱。
Mom gave me a warm hug.
家人
周末我喜欢和家人一起吃饭。
On weekends I like to eat with my family.
打电话
to make a phone call
verb phrase
我每天晚上给父母打电话。
I call my parents every evening.
之间
同学之间应该互相帮助。
Classmates should help each other.
越来越
天气越来越冷了。
The weather is getting colder and colder.
重视
to value; to attach importance to
verb
我们应该重视身体健康。
We should value our health.
压力
工作压力太大时，要学会休息。
When work pressure is too great, you should learn to rest.
责任
每个人都要承担自己的责任。
Everyone must bear their own responsibilities.
感到
to feel
verb
听到他的故事，我感到很感动。
Hearing his story, I felt very moved.
疲惫
工作了一天，他感到非常疲惫。
After working all day, he felt extremely exhausted.
如果
如果明天不下雨，我们就去公园。
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we will go to the park.
生存
to survive; to live
verb
在困难的环境中，他学会了生存。
In a difficult environment, he learned to survive.
努力
只要努力，就一定会进步。
As long as you work hard, you will definitely improve.
失去
to lose
verb
不要等到失去健康才后悔。
Don't wait until you lose your health to regret it.
热情
他对新工作充满了热情。
He is full of enthusiasm for his new job.
学会
to learn how to; to master
verb
我终于学会做这道菜了。
I finally learned how to cook this dish.
照顾
姐姐在家照顾生病的妈妈。
My older sister takes care of our sick mother at home.
心情
今天我的心情特别好。
Today my mood is especially good.
得到
to get; to receive
verb
他的努力得到了大家的肯定。
His efforts gained everyone's recognition.
支持
我支持你做出自己的选择。
I support you in making your own choice.
需要
你需要多休息。
You need more rest.
真正
真正的朋友会在困难时帮助你。
True friends will help you when you are in trouble.
关心
父母总是关心孩子的健康。
Parents always care about their children's health.
不要
不要忘记明天带书。
Don't forget to bring your book tomorrow.
聊天
to chat
verb
晚饭后，我们常常一起聊天。
After dinner, we often chat together.
态度
他对待工作的态度非常认真。
His attitude toward work is very serious.
其实
其实，我不太喜欢喝咖啡。
Actually, I don't like coffee very much.
随便
你不能随便动别人的东西。
You cannot casually touch other people's things.
逃避
遇到问题，我们不应该逃避。
When we encounter problems, we should not escape.
同时
他一边工作，一边同时学习汉语。
He works while at the same time studying Chinese.
记得
请记得明天早点来。
Please remember to come earlier tomorrow.
才能
can only; be able to (only then)
phrase
只有坚持，才能成功。
Only by persisting can one succeed.
虽然……但是…… (suīrán... dànshì...)
"虽然……但是……" means "although... but..." It is used to contrast two clauses, where the second clause presents a fact that is surprising or different from what the first clause might suggest. The "但是" can also be replaced by "但" or "可是." It is one of the most common concession structures in Chinese.
虽然今天很累，但是我很开心。
Although I am tired today, I am very happy.
虽然这家餐厅看起来不起眼，但是菜的味道特别好。
Although this restaurant looks unremarkable, the food tastes especially good.
虽然他已经学了三年中文，但是写汉字还是有点慢。
Although he has studied Chinese for three years, he is still a bit slow at writing Chinese characters.
不只……更…… (bù zhǐ... gèng...)
"不只……更……" means "not only... but even more..." It is used to add more information and emphasize that there is an additional, often more important, point. The structure is "不只 + A + 更 + B." It is very common in both spoken and written Chinese, and it can connect nouns, verbs, adjectives, or clauses.
她不只是我的老师，更是我的朋友。
She is not only my teacher, but even more my friend.
这个城市不只风景美丽，更有深厚的文化。
This city not only has beautiful scenery but even more has deep culture.
运动不只能锻炼身体，更能让人心情愉快。
Exercise not only can train the body but even more can make people feel happy.
如果……就…… (rúguǒ... jiù...)
"如果……就……" means "if... then..." We use it to talk about a possible situation and what will happen as a result. The part after "如果" is the situation, and the part after "就" is the result.
如果明天不下雨，我们就去公园。
If it does not rain tomorrow, we will go to the park.
如果你喜欢这本书，我就送给你。
If you like this book, I will give it to you.
如果你累了，就休息一下吧。
If you are tired, take a rest.
只有……才…… (zhǐyǒu... cái...)
"只有……才……" means "only if... then..." It is used to say that one specific condition is necessary for a result to happen. The structure is "只有 + condition + 才 + result." It is different from "只要……就……" because "只有" emphasises that this is the only condition, while "只要" emphasises that this condition is sufficient.
只有努力，才能成功。
Only by working hard can one succeed.
只有多听多说，才能学好中文。
Only by listening and speaking more can you learn Chinese well.
只有保护森林，才能保护野生动物。
Only by protecting forests can we protect wild animals.
在……的同时 (zài... de tóngshí)
"在……的同时" means "while..." or "at the same time as..." It is used to say that two actions or situations are happening at the same time. The structure is "在 + action/situation + 的同时, + result." It is very common in both spoken and written Chinese and is slightly more formal than simply saying "一边……一边……."
在学习的同时，也要注意休息。
While studying, you should also pay attention to rest.
在努力生活的同时，也要记得给自己一些甜。
While working hard to live, you should also remember to give yourself some sweetness.
在工作的同时，他还在学习英语。
While working, he is also studying English.
情绪价值
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