In this workshop you will speak Chinese for a simple, useful situation: someone is waiting for food and asks whether it is ready. You will learn a few short ways to say that something is almost done, then use them in a guided exchange and a quick comprehension task. The focus is on speaking clearly and responding at the right moment, not on grammar rules. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so check your own answers with the keys provided.
Saying That Something Is Almost Done
Start with the shortest, most common way to say that something is almost finished. «快好了» means "Almost done." Say it slowly, then at a natural speed. A very similar line is «差不多了», which means "Almost done / Just about ready." Both are short enough to use while you are still busy. If you want to add a sense of speed, use «马上就好», which means "It'll be ready right away." This one tells the listener that the wait will be short. Finally, «再等一会儿» means "Wait a little longer." It is a polite way to ask someone to be patient. Practice each line out loud two or three times. Keep your voice calm and friendly, because these lines are meant to reassure a waiting person.
A Short Kitchen Exchange
Now put the lines into a small scene. One person is waiting and asks about the food. «饭好了吗？» means "Is the meal ready?" The other person answers with «快好了，再等五分钟。», which means "Almost done, wait five more minutes." Notice that the answer first says the food is almost done, then gives a short wait time. The waiting person can then show impatience with «我饿了，能不能快一点？», which means "I'm hungry, can you hurry up?" The cook replies with «差不多了，马上就好。», which means "Almost done, it'll be ready right away." In this scene, the person asking is the one waiting, and the person answering is the one preparing the food. Keep those roles clear when you practice, and say each line only after the line before it.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
快好了
Almost done
kuài hǎo le
差不多了
Almost done / Just about ready
chàbuduō le
马上就好
It'll be ready right away
mǎshàng jiù hǎo
再等一会儿
Wait a little longer
zài děng yīhuìr
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
饭好了吗？
Is the meal ready?快好了，再等五分钟。
Almost done, wait five more minutes.我饿了，能不能快一点？
I'm hungry, can you hurry up?差不多了，马上就好。
Almost done, it'll be ready right away.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Kitchen Exchange
You will play the person preparing the food. A waiting person asks whether the meal is ready, and you answer with a short reassuring line.
Your task: Listen to «饭好了吗？», then say «快好了，再等五分钟。» out loud as your reply. After that, listen to «我饿了，能不能快一点？», and answer with «差不多了，马上就好。». Say each line clearly and at a steady speed.
Choose the Right Reply
A waiting person has just asked whether the meal is ready. You need to choose a reply that fits the question and keeps the same subject, the meal.
Your task: Read the question «饭好了吗？». Which reply is the best match: «快好了，再等五分钟。» or «再等一会儿»? Say your chosen line out loud, then check the answer key below.
Recall the Lines with Correct Roles
Cover the lines above. In this task you will recall the short exchange from memory, keeping the waiting person and the cook in the correct roles.
Your task: Say the waiting person's question from memory, then the cook's first answer, then the waiting person's impatient line, then the cook's final answer. Use the recording references to check yourself afterward.
Common questions
Can I use «快好了» and «差不多了» in the same situation?
Yes. Both mean that something is almost done, and «差不多了» can also sound like "Just about ready." Choose either one when you want to reassure someone who is waiting. If you also want to mention a short wait, you can add «再等一会儿».
What should I say if someone asks «饭好了吗？» and I still need more time?
You can answer with «快好了，再等五分钟。», which says the meal is almost done and asks for five more minutes, or with «再等一会儿», which asks the person to wait a little longer. Both keep the subject on the meal and give the waiting person a clear idea of what to expect.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: how to say almost done in chineseChecked September 2026
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