In this workshop you will practice a short hotel conversation about check-out time. You will learn how to ask what time check-out is, understand a simple answer, and ask whether you can check out a little later. The recorded lines give you clear models for each step, so you can practice both the guest and staff roles without guessing.
Asking the check-out time
Start with the key action: checking out of the hotel room. The recorded line «退房» means "check out (leave the hotel room)." When you want to know the time, use the recorded question «退房时间是几点？», which means "What time is check-out?" In a polite situation, you can open with the recorded line «请问，退房时间是几点？», which means "Excuse me, what time is check-out?" The word for excuse me comes first, then the question about check-out time. Practice saying the question slowly, then at a natural speed. Keep the rising question intonation clear so the staff member knows you are asking for information.
Understanding the answer
A staff member may answer with the recorded line «退房时间是中午十二点。», which means "Check-out time is 12 noon." Listen for the time expression in the middle of the sentence. If you need more time, use the recorded request «可以晚一点退房吗？», which means "Can I check out a little later?" A possible staff reply is the recorded line «可以，下午两点以前。», which means "Yes, before 2 p.m." Practice listening for the time expression and for the limit in the reply.
Keeping the conversation in order
A simple hotel exchange follows a clear order. First, the guest greets and asks the question, as in «请问，退房时间是几点？». Second, the staff member gives the check-out time, as in «退房时间是中午十二点。». Third, the guest asks for a later check-out, as in «可以晚一点退房吗？». Fourth, the staff member answers with a limit, as in «可以，下午两点以前。». When you practice with a partner, keep this order. If you swap roles, the guest still asks first and the staff member still answers. Do not begin with the answer before the question. This order helps you remember which line comes next and keeps the conversation realistic.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
退房
check out (leave the hotel room)
tuì fáng
退房时间是几点？
What time is check-out?
Tuì fáng shí jiān shì jǐ diǎn?
退房时间是中午十二点。
Check-out time is 12 noon.
Tuì fáng shí jiān shì zhōng wǔ shí èr diǎn.
可以晚一点退房吗？
Can I check out a little later?
Kě yǐ wǎn yī diǎn tuì fáng ma?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，退房时间是几点？
Excuse me, what time is check-out?退房时间是中午十二点。
Check-out time is 12 noon.可以晚一点退房吗？
Can I check out a little later?可以，下午两点以前。
Yes, before 2 p.m.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided hotel check-out exchange
You are a hotel guest at the front desk. Your partner plays the staff member. Use the recorded lines to ask about check-out time and then ask for a later check-out.
Your task: Guest: say the polite opening question from «请问，退房时间是几点？». Staff: answer with the check-out time from «退房时间是中午十二点。». Guest: ask for a later check-out using «可以晚一点退房吗？». Staff: give the limit using «可以，下午两点以前。». Then swap roles and repeat the same order.
Choose the right reply
You will hear or read a guest question and choose the suitable staff reply from the recorded lines. This checks whether you understand the question and the answer.
Your task: Guest question: «请问，退房时间是几点？». Which reply fits? Option A: «退房时间是中午十二点。». Option B: «可以晚一点退房吗？». Choose A or B, then say the full reply aloud. Next, guest request: «可以晚一点退房吗？». Which reply fits? Option A: «可以，下午两点以前。». Option B: «退房时间是中午十二点。». Choose A or B, then say the full reply aloud.
Recall the conversation with correct roles
Work with a partner or use the recordings. Cover the lines and recall the hotel check-out conversation from memory. Keep the guest and staff roles correct.
Your task: Guest: ask the check-out time using the polite question from «请问，退房时间是几点？». Staff: give the time from «退房时间是中午十二点。». Guest: ask for a later check-out using «可以晚一点退房吗？». Staff: give the limit from «可以，下午两点以前。». Then swap roles: the new guest asks first, and the new staff member answers. Do not change the order of question, reply, request, and answer.
Common questions
Can I practice this conversation alone?
Yes. You can play both roles with the recordings. Say the guest line, then pause and say the staff line. There is no automatic assessment, so use the answer key and self-check in each exercise to see whether your order and replies match the recorded lines.
What should I listen for in the staff reply?
Listen for the time expression in «退房时间是中午十二点。», which gives the check-out time, and for the limit in «可以，下午两点以前。», which answers your request for a later check-out. These two details tell you whether the staff member is stating the normal check-out time or answering your request for more time.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask about check out timeChecked September 2026
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