Why read this: This A2 version gives lower-level students access to a current trend that their classmates at higher levels are also reading. The habits described (hot water, congee, slippers) are things Chinese-L1 students already know, so the language is the only new thing — which is exactly what A2 practice needs: a real topic, at a level that does not overload. Students can discuss the trend in simple English without needing to track hedging, allusion, or irony.
What to notice: Two things. First, each paragraph makes one simple point. Paragraph 1 introduces Emma Peng; paragraph 2 lists the habits; paragraph 3 explains how Chinese creators feel; paragraph 4 shows that the trend also covers style, not only food; paragraph 5 adds toys and apps; paragraph 6 offers a broader reason. A student who can name the one point of each paragraph has understood the article. Second, simple past and present tense: the article stays in one tense at a time and does not shift inside a sentence, which is exactly what A2 grammar expects.
Skills practised: Reading: finding the main idea of a short paragraph; following a simple list structure. Writing: using simple past tense to describe actions ('Americans started drinking hot water'); writing short, direct sentences using known vocabulary; listing examples with 'for example.' Speaking: explaining what the trend is to a partner in two or three sentences.
Why ‘becoming Chinese’ is taking over social media
Americans are copying Chinese wellness habits online.
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
A Chinese woman on TikTok, Emma Peng, shared a short video. In it, she said, “You are hydrating yourself. I am proud of you.” The video has more than three million views. It is about Americans who copy Chinese habits.
Americans are drinking hot water. They are eating congee. They are wearing house slippers. These are normal things in China. This trend is called “becoming Chinese.” Many Chinese TikTok creators are making videos about it. One creator, Sherry Xiiruii, says to her viewers: “Tomorrow, you are turning Chinese.”
Usually, when people copy another culture, it causes problems. The word for this is . But this time, Chinese creators are happy. They are glad that Americans are copying Chinese wellness habits. “What took you so long?” one creator asked.
The trend is not only about food and drinks. Some people also copy Chinese style. For example, they wear or smoke . This is called . The videos are not mean. They show that Americans find Chinese style interesting.
There are also Chinese toys. In 2025, a toy called Labubu was very popular. It is made by a Chinese company called Pop Mart. People around the world bought many Labubu toys. For a short time, a Chinese social media app called Rednote also became popular in the United States.
Some people think this trend is about more than health and toys. Many Americans are unhappy with American politics. They are looking at other countries for new ideas. The “becoming Chinese” trend is one example.
A Chinese woman on TikTok, Emma Peng, shared a short video. In it, she said, “You are hydrating yourself. I am proud of you.” The video has more than three million views. It is about Americans who copy Chinese habits.
Americans are drinking hot water. They are eating congee. They are wearing house slippers. These are normal things in China. This trend is called “becoming Chinese.” Many Chinese TikTok creators are making videos about it. One creator, Sherry Xiiruii, says to her viewers: “Tomorrow, you are turning Chinese.”
Usually, when people copy another culture, it causes problems. The word for this is . But this time, Chinese creators are happy. They are glad that Americans are copying Chinese wellness habits. “What took you so long?” one creator asked.
The trend is not only about food and drinks. Some people also copy Chinese style. For example, they wear or smoke . This is called . The videos are not mean. They show that Americans find Chinese style interesting.
There are also Chinese toys. In 2025, a toy called Labubu was very popular. It is made by a Chinese company called Pop Mart. People around the world bought many Labubu toys. For a short time, a Chinese social media app called Rednote also became popular in the United States.
Some people think this trend is about more than health and toys. Many Americans are unhappy with American politics. They are looking at other countries for new ideas. The “becoming Chinese” trend is one example.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
What do Americans in the trend do?
- 02
How do Chinese creators feel about the trend?
- 03
What is Labubu?
- 04
List three Chinese habits that Americans are copying in this trend. For each one, write one sentence about it.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Why do some people think the trend is about more than health? Answer in two or three sentences.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
What do Americans in the trend do?
- 02
How do Chinese creators feel about the trend?
- 03
What is Labubu?
- 04
List three Chinese habits that Americans are copying in this trend. For each one, write one sentence about it.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Why do some people think the trend is about more than health? Answer in two or three sentences.
Suggested length: ~50 words