Talking About Study Habits in Mandarin: Flashcards, Morning Routines, and Tips
Learn to describe how you study in Mandarin using 我...的时候, time words like 早上 and 晚上, and the verb 背. Build a short conversation about study routines and share simple tips with a classmate.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn to talk about how you study. You will use time words such as 早上 (zǎo shang, morning) and 晚上 (wǎn shang, evening), the verb 背 (bèi, to memorize), and the pattern 我...的时候 (wǒ...de shí hou, when I...). You will also learn to give a simple study tip with 可以 (kě yǐ, can) and 应该 (yīng gāi, should). These are academic routines, not hobbies, so the focus is on when, how, and how often you study.
By the end, you can…
- say when and how I study using time words and 的时候.
- describe a study method with 背 and 做.
- give a simple study tip using 可以 or 应该.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我早上背生词。
I memorize vocabulary in the morning.
wǒ zǎo shang bèi shēng cí
Use 早上 for early morning, before about 9 a.m. 背 means to memorize by repeating.
我晚上做卡片。
I make flashcards in the evening.
wǒ wǎn shang zuò kǎ piàn
晚上 covers the evening and night. 做 means to make or do; 卡片 is a card or flashcard.
我学习的时候，不听音乐。
When I study, I don't listen to music.
wǒ xué xí de shí hou, bù tīng yīn yuè
The pattern 我...的时候 means 'when I...'. The clause before 的时候 sets the time.
你可以试试这个方法。
You can try this method.
nǐ kě yǐ shì shi zhè ge fāng fǎ
可以 softens a suggestion. 试试 is a repeated verb meaning 'give it a try'.
我每天复习十分钟。
I review for ten minutes every day.
wǒ měi tiān fù xí shí fēn zhōng
每天 means every day. 复习 is to review; 十分钟 means ten minutes.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Use 我 + time word + verb to say when you study. For example, 我早上背生词 (I memorize vocabulary in the morning) and 我晚上做卡片 (I make flashcards in the evening). To say 'when I study', use 我学习的时候 (wǒ xué xí de shí hou). The part before 的时候 gives the time or situation. You can also add frequency: 我每天复习十分钟 (I review for ten minutes every day). Notice that Chinese verbs do not change for past or future; time words carry that meaning.
When to use it
Use these patterns in a conversation with a classmate or teacher about study routines. For a suggestion, use 你可以... (you can...) or 你应该... (you should...). For example, 你可以试试这个方法 (You can try this method) and 你应该早上背生词 (You should memorize vocabulary in the morning). 可以 is softer and more polite; 应该 is stronger advice. If you want to ask about someone's routine, say 你什么时候学习？ (When do you study?). Keep answers short and add one detail, such as a time or a method.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你什么时候学习？
When do you study?nǐ shén me shí hou xué xí我早上学习，我早上背生词。
I study in the morning. I memorize vocabulary in the morning.wǒ zǎo shang xué xí, wǒ zǎo shang bèi shēng cí我晚上做卡片。你可以试试这个方法。
I make flashcards in the evening. You can try this method.wǒ wǎn shang zuò kǎ piàn. nǐ kě yǐ shì shi zhè ge fāng fǎ好，我每天复习十分钟。
Okay, I review for ten minutes every day.hǎo, wǒ měi tiān fù xí shí fēn zhōngA little context goes a long way
In Chinese schools, study routines are often discussed in terms of time and repetition, and 背 (memorization) is a normal, respected study method. Saying 我背生词 is neutral and common. When giving advice, 你可以... is usually more polite than a direct command. Avoid saying 你必须 (you must) unless you are clearly in charge; it can sound harsh.
One thing to watch for
Saying 我学习在早上, copying English word order.
Try this instead: Put the time word before the verb: 我早上学习 (wǒ zǎo shang xué xí). Time words like 早上, 晚上, and 每天 normally come after the subject and before the verb. You can also say 我早上背生词, but not 我背生词在早上.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I make flashcards in the evening' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
我晚上做卡片。
晚上 is the time word and comes before the verb 做. 卡片 means flashcards. You could also say 我晚上做卡片, and adding 每天 (every day) is fine if you mean a daily routine.
2How do you say 'When I study, I don't listen to music'?
Show a sample answer
我学习的时候，不听音乐。
Use 我学习的时候 for 'when I study'. The negative 不 comes before the verb 听. You can also say 我学习的时候不听音乐 without a pause; both are correct.
3Give one polite study tip using 可以.
Show a sample answer
你可以试试这个方法。
可以 makes the suggestion softer. 试试 means 'try it'. You could also say 你可以早上背生词, which is also polite and clear.
Use time word + verb to say when you study, and 我...的时候 for 'when I study'. Give tips with 你可以... to stay polite.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Chinese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr