In this workshop you will practice a short, practical exchange about arrival times. You will learn how to ask when something arrives, how to understand a simple time answer, and how to keep the conversation moving by asking what time it is now. The recordings give you clear models for each step, so you can listen, repeat, and then try the exchange yourself.
Asking When Something Arrives
Start with the general question. «几点到？» means "What time does it arrive?" This works when the vehicle or person is already clear from context. If you want to name the vehicle, use «火车几点到？» for a train or «公共汽车几点到？» for a bus. These questions all ask for the same kind of information: the arrival time. Listen to the rising question melody, then repeat each line slowly. Keep the question short and clear so the other person can answer without confusion.
Understanding the Answer
A simple answer gives the hour. «八点到。» means "It arrives at eight o'clock." In a real exchange, the answer may come right after your question. Listen to «请问，火车几点到？» followed by «八点到。»: first the speaker asks when the train arrives, then the other speaker says it arrives at eight o'clock. Notice how the answer repeats the same time pattern. When you hear an answer like this, you do not need to repeat the whole question; you can simply acknowledge it or ask a follow-up.
Keeping the Exchange Going
After you hear the arrival time, you may want to know how long you have to wait. Ask «现在几点？», which means "What time is it now?" The reply «现在七点五十。还有十分钟。» means "It's 7:50 now. Ten more minutes." This kind of follow-up helps you understand the situation. In the recorded exchange, the question about the current time comes after the arrival time is already known, so the answer gives both the current time and the remaining wait. Practice the full sequence: ask about arrival, hear the time, ask the current time, and hear the wait.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
几点到？
What time does it arrive?
jǐ diǎn dào?
火车几点到？
What time does the train arrive?
huǒchē jǐ diǎn dào?
公共汽车几点到？
What time does the bus arrive?
gōnggòng qìchē jǐ diǎn dào?
八点到。
It arrives at eight o'clock.
bā diǎn dào.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，火车几点到？
Excuse me, what time does the train arrive?八点到。
It arrives at eight o'clock.现在几点？
What time is it now?现在七点五十。还有十分钟。
It's 7:50 now. Ten more minutes.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer
You will play both roles in a short exchange. First, read the question role. Then read the answer role. Use the recordings as your model.
Your task: Read the question role aloud: «请问，火车几点到？». Then read the answer role aloud: «八点到。». After that, switch roles and read them again. Finally, replace the train question with the bus question «公共汽车几点到？» and give the same answer «八点到。».
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Answer
You will hear or read a question and choose the reply that fits. The questions and replies come from the recordings.
Your task: Question: «现在几点？». Which reply fits? Option A: «现在七点五十。还有十分钟。». Option B: «八点到。». Choose A or B, then say the full reply aloud.
Recall and Role Swap
You will recall the full exchange from memory, then swap roles. The order of the exchange stays the same: question, answer, follow-up question, follow-up answer.
Your task: First, say the train arrival question from memory: «火车几点到？». Then give the arrival answer: «八点到。». Next, ask the current time question: «现在几点？». Finally, give the current time answer: «现在七点五十。还有十分钟。». After you finish, swap roles with a partner or with the audio and repeat the same order.
Common questions
Can I use these questions for other vehicles or people?
Yes. The general question «几点到？» works when the subject is already clear. If you want to be specific, use «火车几点到？» for a train or «公共汽车几点到？» for a bus. The answer «八点到。» can follow any of these questions because it simply gives the arrival time.
What should I do if I do not understand the answer?
You can politely ask again with «请问，火车几点到？» or simply ask the person to repeat. The reply «八点到。» gives the arrival time, and «现在七点五十。还有十分钟。» gives the current time and the remaining wait. Keep the exchange simple and polite.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask about arrival timeChecked September 2026
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