On a call or voice chat, the connection can go quiet. This workshop teaches you how to check that the other person is still with you, and how to answer when someone checks on you. You will hear short recorded lines, learn what each one means, then use them in three guided speaking tasks.
Checking That Someone Is Still There
When a call goes silent, you can ask a short check-in question. The recording «你还在吗？» means “Are you still there?” Use it when you mainly want to know whether the other person is still present. The recording «你还在听吗？» means “Are you still listening?” Use it when you want to check attention, not just presence. The recording «你还在线吗？» means “Are you still online?” Use it when the concern is the connection. The recording «你还在忙吗？» means “Are you still busy?” Use it when the other person may still be occupied. A longer version is «喂，你还在吗？», which means “Hello, are you still there?” The greeting at the start makes it sound like you are reopening the conversation after a pause.
Answering a Check-In
When someone checks on you, a short answer keeps the conversation moving. The recording «在，我在听。刚才信号不太好。» means “Yes, I'm listening. The signal was bad just now.” It answers the check-in and gives a reason for the silence. The recording «在，我一直在线。你继续说。» means “Yes, I've been online the whole time. Go on.” It confirms that you are connected and invites the other person to continue. In a longer exchange, the person checking in can accept the answer and ask another question. The recording «好的，那我们继续。你还在线吗？» means “Okay, let's continue then. Are you still online?” It moves the conversation forward and checks the connection again. Notice that the answer comes after the question, and the follow-up comes after the answer.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
你还在吗？
Are you still there?
nǐ hái zài ma?
你还在听吗？
Are you still listening?
nǐ hái zài tīng ma?
你还在线吗？
Are you still online?
nǐ hái zài xiàn ma?
你还在忙吗？
Are you still busy?
nǐ hái zài máng ma?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
喂，你还在吗？
Hello, are you still there?在，我在听。刚才信号不太好。
Yes, I'm listening. The signal was bad just now.好的，那我们继续。你还在线吗？
Okay, let's continue then. Are you still online?在，我一直在线。你继续说。
Yes, I'm online the whole time. Go on.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Check-In Exchange
Imagine you are on a voice call with a friend. The line has been quiet for a moment. You will play the person who checks in first, then switch roles.
Your task: Read «喂，你还在吗？» aloud as the person checking in. Then read «在，我在听。刚才信号不太好。» aloud as the person answering. After that, switch roles: your partner reads «喂，你还在吗？» and you read «在，我在听。刚才信号不太好。». Keep the order: check-in first, answer second.
Choose the Right Reply
Imagine a classmate checks on you during an online study session. You hear the check-in, and you need to choose a suitable recorded reply.
Your task: Your partner reads «好的，那我们继续。你还在线吗？» aloud. Choose the better reply from these two recorded lines: «在，我一直在线。你继续说。» or «在，我在听。刚才信号不太好。». Say your choice aloud, then read the full reply line.
Recall the Exchange in Order
Imagine you are reviewing a short call with a partner. You will rebuild the exchange from memory using the recorded lines.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, say the exchange in this order: first the check-in «喂，你还在吗？», then the answer «在，我在听。刚才信号不太好。», then the follow-up «好的，那我们继续。你还在线吗？», then the final answer «在，我一直在线。你继续说。». After you finish, switch roles with your partner and say the same four lines in the same order.
Common questions
What is the difference between asking if someone is still there and asking if someone is still listening?
The recording «你还在吗？» means “Are you still there?” and checks whether the person is still present. The recording «你还在听吗？» means “Are you still listening?” and checks whether the person is paying attention. Use the first when the line is silent, and the second when you are not sure the other person is following you.
How do I answer if someone asks whether I am still online?
You can use the recording «在，我一直在线。你继续说。», which means “Yes, I've been online the whole time. Go on.” It confirms that you are connected and invites the other person to continue. If the problem was a bad signal rather than being offline, the recording «在，我在听。刚才信号不太好。» means “Yes, I'm listening. The signal was bad just now.”
Sources and further reading
- chinese: how to say are you still there in chineseChecked September 2026
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