In this workshop you practise short, natural exchanges about recent life changes. You will learn to say that you moved or changed jobs, ask someone how they have been lately, and answer a follow-up question about where you lived before. Each native line is given with its English meaning, then you use it in guided speaking tasks. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so check your own answers against the keys provided.
Saying What Changed
Start with two short statements about your own life. «我搬家了。» means "I moved (home)." Use it when the move itself is the news and the place is not the focus. «我换工作了。» means "I changed jobs." Use it when your work is the news. If you want to name the new city, «我搬到北京了。» means "I moved to Beijing." Notice that the place comes after the verb, so you simply add the destination. To talk about an earlier home, «我以前住在上海。» means "I used to live in Shanghai." This is useful when someone asks about your life before the change. Practise each line slowly, then at a comfortable speed, keeping the tone calm and matter-of-fact.
Asking and Answering About Recent Life
A friendly way to open the topic is «你最近怎么样？», which means "How have you been lately?" The other person can then share a change. A natural reply is «我搬家了，搬到北京了。», meaning "I moved, I moved to Beijing." The speaker repeats the verb to make the news clear. The listener can show interest and ask for more with «真的吗？你以前住在哪儿？», meaning "Really? Where did you live before?" This question asks about the earlier place, not the new one. A full answer is «我以前住在上海。我有点紧张，但是很开心。», meaning "I used to live in Shanghai. I was a bit nervous, but very happy." Here the speaker gives the old city and then two feelings about the change. When you practise, keep the order: greeting question, reply, follow-up question, answer.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
我搬家了。
I moved (home).
wǒ bān jiā le
我换工作了。
I changed jobs.
wǒ huàn gōng zuò le
我搬到北京了。
I moved to Beijing.
wǒ bān dào Běijīng le
我以前住在上海。
I used to live in Shanghai.
wǒ yǐqián zhù zài Shànghǎi
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你最近怎么样？
How have you been lately?我搬家了，搬到北京了。
I moved, I moved to Beijing.真的吗？你以前住在哪儿？
Really? Where did you live before?我以前住在上海。我有点紧张，但是很开心。
I used to live in Shanghai. I was a bit nervous, but very happy.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 Share a Change
Two friends meet after a long time. One asks how the other has been; the other shares a move to Beijing. Work with the audio or a partner.
Your task: Role A says the line meaning "How have you been lately?" Role B replies with the line meaning "I moved, I moved to Beijing." Then Role A asks the line meaning "Really? Where did you live before?" and Role B answers with the line meaning "I used to live in Shanghai. I was a bit nervous, but very happy." Say each line aloud before moving to the next.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Answer
You hear a short exchange. Read the question and choose the reply that fits the taught lines.
Your task: Question: Someone asks you the line meaning "How have you been lately?" Which reply fits? A) The line meaning "I moved, I moved to Beijing." B) The line meaning "Really? Where did you live before?" C) The line meaning "I used to live in Shanghai." Choose A, B, or C, then say your chosen line aloud.
Recall With Correct Roles
Use the audio or a partner. One person is the friend who asks; the other is the person who moved. Keep the same order of lines.
Your task: From memory, Role A asks how the other has been. Role B replies that they moved to Beijing. Role A asks where they lived before. Role B answers with the earlier city and the two feelings. Do not read the lines while speaking; check yourself afterwards.
Common questions
Do I need to add extra words to the lines?
No. Each line is already a complete, natural utterance. Use it as given, and focus on clear pronunciation and a calm tone. If you want to name a different city, follow the same pattern shown in the line that names Beijing.
Can I practise alone without a partner?
Yes. Play the audio and speak one role, then replay and speak the other role. There is no automatic assessment, so use the success criteria and answer keys to check yourself. Keep the order of the exchange the same even when you swap roles.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: talk about life changesChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Chinese into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr