A story in Mandarin: Little Red Riding Hood

Part ofMandarinStories

Join Little Red Riding Hood on her adventure to her grandmother's house.

Little Red Riding Hood says goodbye to her mother.

Once upon a time there was a girl called Little Red Riding Hood (Xiǎo Hóng Mào).

One day, her mother (mā ma) asked her to take some cakes (dàn gāo) to her grandmother (wài pó) who lived on the other side of the forest (sēn lín).

Little Red Riding Hood is stalked by the wolf on her way through the forest.

In the forest, Little Red saw an enormous wolf (láng).

Wolf: Hello (Nǐ hǎo), where are you going?

Little Red: My grandmother’s house (fáng zi).

Wolf: That's good. Today is very nice (Tiān qì hěn hǎo).

Little Red: Goodbye (Zài jiàn).

Little Red Riding Hood spots the wolf entering her grandmother's house.

When she arrives, Little Red can see that the wolf (láng) has arrived first.

She comes up with a plan to trick the wolf.

The wolf is disguised as Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother, wearing her clothes.

Little Red: Grandmother, what big () eyes (yǎn jīng) you have!

Wolf: All the better to see (kàn dào) you with.

Little Red: Grandmother, what big () ears (ěr duo) you have!

Wolf: All the better to hear (tīng jiàn) you with.

Little Red: Grandmother, what big () teeth (yá chǐ) you have!

Wolf: All the better to… eat (chī) you with!

Little Red Riding Hood isn't fooled and hits the wolf with a rolling pin.

As the wolf (láng) pounces, Little Red takes out a rolling pin and hits him over the head (tóu) with it.

Little Red Riding Hood heads home, eating the cakes meant for her grandmother.

The wolf (láng) is defeated and Little Red goes home (huí jiā), enjoying her grandmother's cakes (dàn gāo) to herself.

Key Mandarin words

MandarinPinyinEnglish
chīeat
big
ěr duoears
huí jiāto go home
kàn dàosee
lángwolf
mā mamother
tīng jiànhear
tóuhead
wài pógrandmother
yá chǐteeth
yǎn jīngeyes
The wolf dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother.

Did you know?

In Mandarin, different words are used to describe the grandparents who are your father’s parents and the grandparents who are your mother’s parents:

  • wài pó - grandmother (mother‘s mother)
  • wài gōng - grandfather (mother's father)
  • nǎi nai - grandmother (father’s mother)
  • yé ye - grandfather (father’s father)
The wolf dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother.
Back to top

Race Across the Continents game - new update! game

Help this team of adventurers race their way to victory. Explore the globe in this exciting game update to discover new audio voiced by Ade Adepitan and fun animations. Challenge yourself with brand-new achievements and become a high-flyer!

Race Across the Continents game - new update!
Back to top