Simplified Chinese - Lesson 120 of 156: Chatting With Coworkers

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

今天过得怎么样？

Jīntiān guò de zěnmeyàng?

How's your day going so far?

Meaning: How's your day going so far?

When to use: Use this friendly question to start quick daytime small talk with a coworker.

Tip: Avoid dropping '过得' and asking simply '今天怎么样？' — it's okay, but '今天过得怎么样？' sounds more natural for asking about the day.

今天过得怎么样？我刚处理完两个会议。

Jīntiān guò de zěnmeyàng? Wǒ gāng chǔlǐ wán liǎng gè huìyì.

How's your day going? I just finished two meetings.

今天过得怎么样？你看起来有点累。

Jīntiān guò de zěnmeyàng? Nǐ kàn qǐlái yǒudiǎn lèi.

How's your day going? You look a bit tired.

周末过得怎么样？

Zhōumò guò de zěnmeyàng?

How was your weekend?

Meaning: How was your weekend?

When to use: Great for Monday small talk when you want a light, friendly opening.

周末过得怎么样？有没有去哪里玩？

Zhōumò guò de zěnmeyàng? Yǒu méiyǒu qù nǎlǐ wán?

How was your weekend? Did you go anywhere fun?

周末过得怎么样？我去了个新展览。

Zhōumò guò de zěnmeyàng? Wǒ qù le gè xīn zhǎnlǎn.

How was your weekend? I went to a new exhibition.

周末有做什么好玩的事吗？

Zhōumò yǒu zuò shénme hǎowán de shì ma?

Did you do anything fun over the weekend?

Meaning: Did you do anything fun over the weekend?

When to use: Ask this when you want details about someone's free-time activities in a friendly way.

周末有做什么好玩的事吗？我们可以下周一起去试试。

Zhōumò yǒu zuò shénme hǎowán de shì ma? Wǒmen kěyǐ xià zhōu yìqǐ qù shìshì.

Did you do anything fun over the weekend? We could try it together next week.

周末有做什么好玩的事吗？我在家看了部好电影。

Zhōumò yǒu zuò shénme hǎowán de shì ma? Wǒ zài jiā kàn le bù hǎo diànyǐng.

Did you do anything fun over the weekend? I watched a great movie at home.

今天挺忙的，不过还行。

Jīntiān tǐng máng de, búguò hái xíng.

It's been a busy day, but it's going okay.

Meaning: It's been a busy day, but it's going okay.

When to use: Use this short, natural reply when someone asks about your day and you want to keep it brief.

今天挺忙的，不过还行。我还有几个邮件要回。

Jīntiān tǐng máng de, búguò hái xíng. Wǒ hái yǒu jǐ gè yóujiàn yào huí.

It's been a busy day, but okay. I still have a few emails to reply to.

你问我今天怎么样？答：今天挺忙的，不过还行。

Nǐ wèn wǒ jīntiān zěnmeyàng? Dá: Jīntiān tǐng máng de, búguò hái xíng.

You asked how my day is? Reply: It's been busy, but okay.

今天挺忙的，是吧？

Jīntiān tǐng máng de, shì ba?

It's pretty busy today, isn't it?

Meaning: It's pretty busy today, isn't it?

When to use: Say this to commiserate about a shared busy day or heavy workload.

今天挺忙的，是吧？大家都在赶项目。

Jīntiān tǐng máng de, shì ba? Dàjiā dōu zài gǎn xiàngmù.

It's pretty busy today, isn't it? Everyone's rushing projects.

今天挺忙的，是吧？我们中午早点吃吧。

Jīntiān tǐng máng de, shì ba? Wǒmen zhōngwǔ zǎodiǎn chī ba.

It's busy today, isn't it? Let's eat earlier at lunch.

我去买杯咖啡，你要我帮你带点什么吗？

Wǒ qù mǎi bēi kāfēi, nǐ yào wǒ bāng nǐ dài diǎn shénme ma?

I'm going to grab coffee. Do you want anything?

Meaning: I'm going to grab coffee. Do you want anything?

When to use: Use this when heading out for coffee and offering to bring something back for a colleague.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use overly formal phrasing; this natural line is neutral and friendly — don't over-formalize with extra honorifics with close colleagues.

我去买杯咖啡，你要我帮你带点什么吗？要不我顺便带个点心。

Wǒ qù mǎi bēi kāfēi, nǐ yào wǒ bāng nǐ dài diǎn shénme ma? Yào bù wǒ shùnbiàn dài gè diǎnxīn.

I'm going to buy coffee. Do you want me to bring you something? I can grab a snack too.

我去买杯咖啡，你要我帮你带点什么吗？我这就回来。

Wǒ qù mǎi bēi kāfēi, nǐ yào wǒ bāng nǐ dài diǎn shénme ma? Wǒ zhè jiù huílái.

I'm going to get a coffee. Want me to bring you anything? I'll be right back.

要不要休息一会儿？

Yào bú yào xiūxi yíhuìr?

Do you want to take a quick break?

Meaning: Do you want to take a quick break?

When to use: Invite a coworker to relax for a short while, especially during a busy stretch.

要不要休息一会儿？我们去阳台透透气。

Yào bú yào xiūxi yíhuìr? Wǒmen qù yángtái tòu tòu qì.

Do you want to take a quick break? Let's go to the balcony for fresh air.

今天挺忙的，要不要休息一会儿？喝杯水也好。

Jīntiān tǐng máng de, yào bú yào xiūxi yíhuìr? Hē bēi shuǐ yě hǎo.

It's busy today — want to take a short break? A glass of water would help.

下班后有什么安排吗？

Xiàbān hòu yǒu shénme ānpái ma?

Do you have any plans after work?

Meaning: Do you have any plans after work?

When to use: Ask casually about after-work plans without being too personal.

下班后有什么安排吗？我可能去超市买菜。

Xiàbān hòu yǒu shénme ānpái ma? Wǒ kěnéng qù chāoshì mǎi cài.

Do you have plans after work? I might go grocery shopping.

下班后有什么安排吗？周五晚上可以放松一下。

Xiàbān hòu yǒu shénme ānpái ma? Zhōuwǔ wǎnshàng kěyǐ fàngsōng yíxià.

Any plans after work? Friday night is good for relaxing.

没想到都周五了。

Méi xiǎngdào dōu Zhōuwǔ le.

I can't believe it's already Friday.

Meaning: I can't believe it's already Friday.

When to use: Share a light comment about time moving quickly, often on a Friday.

没想到都周五了，我们这一周过得真快。

Méi xiǎngdào dōu Zhōuwǔ le, wǒmen zhè yì zhōu guò de zhēn kuài.

I can't believe it's already Friday, our week went fast.

没想到都周五了，今天下班后一起喝点东西吧。

Méi xiǎngdào dōu Zhōuwǔ le, jīntiān xiàbān hòu yìqǐ hē diǎn dōngxī ba.

Can't believe it's Friday — let's grab a drink after work.

我还在适应___。

Wǒ hái zài shìyìng ___.

I'm still getting used to ___.

Meaning: I'm still getting used to ___.

When to use: Mention adapting to a new schedule, system, or routine in a neutral way.

Tip: New learners sometimes forget to add the object (what you're adapting to); say '我还在适应新的流程' instead of leaving it blank in conversation.

我还在适应新的工作流程，可能要多问几次。

Wǒ hái zài shìyìng xīn de gōngzuò liúchéng, kěnéng yào duō wèn jǐ cì.

I'm still getting used to the new workflow; I may need to ask more often.

我还在适应早上开会的节奏，刚开始有点紧张。

Wǒ hái zài shìyìng zǎoshang kāihuì de jiézòu, gāng kāishǐ yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng.

I'm still getting used to morning meetings; it was a bit stressful at first.

你在这儿工作很久了吗？

Nǐ zài zhèr gōngzuò hěn jiǔ le ma?

Have you worked here long?

Meaning: Have you worked here long?

When to use: Use this friendly question to learn how long a coworker has been at the company.

你在这儿工作很久了吗？公司最近变化挺大吧？

Nǐ zài zhèr gōngzuò hěn jiǔ le ma? Gōngsī zuìjìn biànhuà tǐng dà ba?

Have you worked here long? The company has changed a lot recently, right?

你在这儿工作很久了吗？我刚来，想多问问经验。

Nǐ zài zhèr gōngzuò hěn jiǔ le ma? Wǒ gāng lái, xiǎng duō wèn wèn jīngyàn.

Have you worked here long? I'm new and want to ask about your experience.

你午饭一般怎么安排？

Nǐ wǔfàn yìbān zěnme ānpái?

What do you usually do for lunch?

Meaning: What do you usually do for lunch?

When to use: Ask a coworker about their lunchtime routine—going out, ordering, or bringing food.

你午饭一般怎么安排？一起去吃还方便吗？

Nǐ wǔfàn yìbān zěnme ānpái? Yìqǐ qù chī hái fāngbiàn ma?

What do you usually do for lunch? Is it still easy to go eat together?

你午饭一般怎么安排？你常点外卖还是带饭？

Nǐ wǔfàn yìbān zěnme ānpái? Nǐ cháng diǎn wàimài háishì dài fàn?

What do you usually do for lunch? Do you order takeout or bring lunch?

你知道这附近哪儿吃___比较好吗？

Nǐ zhīdào zhè fùjìn nǎr chī ___ bǐjiào hǎo ma?

Do you know a good place to get ___ around here?

Meaning: Do you know a good place to get ___ around here?

When to use: Ask casually for a local food recommendation from a coworker.

你知道这附近哪儿吃海鲜比较好吗？我想下午去试试。

Nǐ zhīdào zhè fùjìn nǎr chī hǎixiān bǐjiào hǎo ma? Wǒ xiǎng xiàwǔ qù shìshì.

Do you know a good place for seafood nearby? I want to try it this afternoon.

你知道这附近哪儿吃便宜又好吃的比较好吗？

Nǐ zhīdào zhè fùjìn nǎr chī piányí yòu hǎochī de bǐjiào hǎo ma?

Do you know anywhere nearby that's cheap and tasty?

Simplified Chinese - Chatting With Coworkers

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Choose the best reply to: '周末过得怎么样？'

Which phrase politely offers to bring someone something when buying coffee?

Which sentence invites someone to take a short rest?

If you want to ask a colleague how long they have worked at the company, which is correct?

On Monday morning, to ask about the weekend he can say: 'How was your weekend?'

Seeing a colleague staring at the screen, Zhang Wei suggests: 'Do you want to take a short break?'

Xiao Li is going downstairs to buy coffee; he asks: 'I'm going to get coffee. Do you want me to bring you anything?'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice