In this workshop you will practice a short daily-routine conversation in Chinese. You will hear and use recorded lines about waking up, going to work, eating breakfast, and starting work. The goal is to ask and answer simple time questions clearly, and to understand the difference between a statement and a question. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Asking and Answering About Morning Times
A simple routine conversation often starts with a question about waking up. The recorded question «你每天几点起床？» means "What time do you wake up every day?" The recorded answer «我七点起床。» means "I wake up at 7 o'clock." Notice that the question asks about a daily habit, and the answer gives a specific time. When you answer, keep the same activity that was asked about. If someone asks about waking up, answer about waking up, not about starting work. You can also add what happens next. The recorded line «然后我吃早饭。» means "Then I eat breakfast." This shows a sequence: first wake up, then eat breakfast. In a longer answer, the recorded line «我七点起床，然后七点半去上班。» means "I wake up at 7, then I go to work at 7:30." This combines two actions in order. Practice saying the time clearly, and pause slightly between the two actions.
Work Start and Finish Times
After talking about the morning, you can ask about work. The recorded question «你几点开始工作？» means "What time do you start work?" The recorded answer «我八点开始工作，下午五点下班。» means "I start work at 8, and get off work at 5 p.m." This answer gives both a start time and a finish time. The recorded line «我八点开始工作。» means "I start work at 8 o'clock." and the recorded line «我七点半去上班。» means "I go to work at 7:30." Going to work and starting work are different: going to work is the commute, and starting work is when the workday begins. When you answer a question about starting work, use the start time, not the commute time. If you want to add the commute, say it as a separate action, as in «我七点起床，然后七点半去上班。».
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
我七点起床。
I wake up at 7 o'clock.
wǒ qī diǎn qǐchuáng
我七点半去上班。
I go to work at 7:30.
wǒ qī diǎn bàn qù shàngbān
然后我吃早饭。
Then I eat breakfast.
ránhòu wǒ chī zǎofàn
我八点开始工作。
I start work at 8 o'clock.
wǒ bā diǎn kāishǐ gōngzuò
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你每天几点起床？
What time do you wake up every day?我七点起床，然后七点半去上班。
I wake up at 7, then I go to work at 7:30.你几点开始工作？
What time do you start work?我八点开始工作，下午五点下班。
I start work at 8, and get off work at 5 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 Exchange: Ask and Answer
You will play both roles. First read the question aloud, then read the answer aloud. Use the recording references to check your pronunciation and meaning.
Your task: Role A: Ask the question «你每天几点起床？». Role B: Answer with «我七点起床。». Then Role A: Ask «你几点开始工作？». Role B: Answer with «我八点开始工作，下午五点下班。». After that, switch roles: Role B asks «你每天几点起床？» and Role A answers with «我七点起床。», then Role B asks «你几点开始工作？» and Role A answers with «我八点开始工作，下午五点下班。». Keep the order: question first, then answer.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Answer
Read each question and choose the best recorded reply from the options. All options are recorded lines, but only one matches the question.
Your task: Question 1: «你每天几点起床？» (What time do you wake up every day?). Options: A. «我七点起床。» B. «我八点开始工作。» C. «我八点开始工作，下午五点下班。». Question 2: «你几点开始工作？» (What time do you start work?). Options: A. «然后我吃早饭。» B. «我八点开始工作。» C. «我七点半去上班。». Write your choices, then check the answer key below.
Recall and Role Swap
Cover the recording references. Try to remember the lines from memory. Then check your answers with the references.
Your task: First, without looking, say the Chinese for: "What time do you wake up every day?" Then say the Chinese for: "I wake up at 7 o'clock." Next, say the Chinese for: "What time do you start work?" Then say the Chinese for: "I start work at 8, and get off work at 5 p.m." After you try, check with «你每天几点起床？», «我七点起床。», «你几点开始工作？», and «我八点开始工作，下午五点下班。». Then swap roles: the person who asked now answers, and the person who answered now asks. Keep the same order: question, then answer.
Common questions
What is the difference between going to work and starting work?
Going to work is the commute, as in «我七点半去上班。», which means "I go to work at 7:30." Starting work is when the workday begins, as in «我八点开始工作。», which means "I start work at 8 o'clock." They are different actions and can have different times.
Can I answer a wake-up question with a work-start time?
No. If someone asks «你每天几点起床？», which means "What time do you wake up every day?", answer about waking up, as in «我七点起床。», which means "I wake up at 7 o'clock." If you answer with a work-start time, the activity does not match the question.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: talk about daily routineChecked September 2026
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