Simplified Chinese - Lesson 34 of 156: Habits

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

我早上通常___。

Wǒ zǎoshang tōngcháng ___.

I usually ___ in the morning.

Meaning: I usually ___ in the morning.

When to use: Use this to say what you normally do in the morning (e.g., drink coffee, exercise).

我早上通常喝咖啡。

Wǒ zǎoshang tōngcháng hē kāfēi.

I usually drink coffee in the morning.

我早上通常跑步。

Wǒ zǎoshang tōngcháng pǎobù.

I usually go running in the morning.

我每天都___。

Wǒ měitiān dōu ___.

I ___ every day.

Meaning: I ___ every day.

When to use: Use this to emphasize that something happens every single day (都 strengthens 每天).

我每天都坐地铁上班。

Wǒ měitiān dōu zuò dìtiě shàngbān.

I take the subway to work every day.

我每天都检查邮件。

Wǒ měitiān dōu jiǎnchá yóujiàn.

I check e-mail every day.

你多久___一次？

Nǐ duōjiǔ ___ yí cì?

How often do you ___?

Meaning: How often do you ___?

When to use: Ask about frequency, for example: 你多久运动一次？(How often do you exercise?).

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 几天一次 instead of 你多久___一次？; both can work, but 你多久___一次？ is more natural for many questions.

你多久运动一次？

Nǐ duōjiǔ yùndòng yí cì?

How often do you exercise?

你多久来看望父母一次？

Nǐ duōjiǔ lái kànwàng fùmǔ yí cì?

How often do you visit your parents?

你平时会___吗？

Nǐ píngshí huì ___ ma?

Do you ever ___?

Meaning: Do you ever ___?

When to use: Use to ask whether the other person usually does something or not (casual).

你平时会做饭吗？

Nǐ píngshí huì zuòfàn ma?

Do you usually cook?

你平时会加班吗？

Nǐ píngshí huì jiābān ma?

Do you normally work overtime?

我平时不怎么___。

Wǒ píngshí bù zěnme ___.

I don't usually ___.

Meaning: I don't usually ___.

When to use: Say this when something is not your normal habit (soft, natural way to disagree).

我平时不怎么喝酒。

Wǒ píngshí bù zěnme hējiǔ.

I don't usually drink alcohol.

我平时不怎么吃辣。

Wǒ píngshí bù zěnme chī là.

I don't usually eat spicy food.

我有时候___。

Wǒ yǒu shíhou ___.

Sometimes I ___.

Meaning: Sometimes I ___.

When to use: Use to describe things you do occasionally (not often, but it happens).

我有时候去图书馆看书。

Wǒ yǒu shíhou qù túshūguǎn kàn shū.

Sometimes I go to the library to read.

我有时候坐地铁上班。

Wǒ yǒu shíhou zuò dìtiě shàngbān.

Sometimes I take the subway to work.

周末我通常___。

Zhōumò wǒ tōngcháng ___.

On weekends, I usually ___.

Meaning: On weekends, I usually ___.

When to use: Describe your typical weekend routine or plans.

周末我通常睡懒觉。

Zhōumò wǒ tōngcháng shuì lǎnjiào.

On weekends I usually sleep in.

周末我通常跟朋友吃饭。

Zhōumò wǒ tōngcháng gēn péngyǒu chīfàn.

On weekends I usually eat with friends.

我总是先___，再___。

Wǒ zǒngshì xiān ___, zài ___.

I always ___ before I ___.

Meaning: I always ___ before I ___.

When to use: Describe the fixed order of actions in your routine (two blanks: first action, then second).

我总是先洗脸，再刷牙。

Wǒ zǒngshì xiān xǐliǎn, zài shuāyá.

I always wash my face first, then brush my teeth.

我总是先做作业，再看电视。

Wǒ zǒngshì xiān zuò zuòyè, zài kàn diànshì.

I always do homework first, then watch TV.

我在努力多___。

Wǒ zài nǔlì duō ___.

I'm trying to ___ more.

Meaning: I'm trying to ___ more.

When to use: Say what new habit you are building, e.g., 我在努力多运动 or 我在努力多读书。

Tip: Watch word order: 多 goes before the verb (多 + verb). Some learners put 多 after the verb by mistake.

我在努力多运动。

Wǒ zài nǔlì duō yùndòng.

I'm trying to exercise more.

我在努力多读书。

Wǒ zài nǔlì duō dúshū.

I'm trying to read more.

看是哪天吧

Kàn shì nǎ tiān ba.

It depends on the day.

Meaning: It depends on the day.

When to use: Use this casual phrase when routines change from day to day.

周末会去不去，看是哪天吧。

Zhōumò huì qù bù qù, kàn shì nǎ tiān ba.

If I go on the weekend depends on the day.

晚上我做什么得看是哪天吧。

Wǎnshang wǒ zuò shénme děi kàn shì nǎ tiān ba.

What I do at night depends on the day.

我经常在___之后___。

Wǒ jīngcháng zài ___ zhīhòu ___.

I often ___ after ___.

Meaning: I often ___ after ___.

When to use: Use this to say you regularly do something after a time or activity (fill first blank with time/activity, second with action).

我经常在吃完晚饭之后散步。

Wǒ jīngcháng zài chī wán wǎnfàn zhīhòu sànbù.

I often walk after finishing dinner.

我经常在下班之后去健身。

Wǒ jīngcháng zài xiàbān zhīhòu qù jiànshēn.

I often go to the gym after work.

我最近很少___。

Wǒ zuìjìn hěn shǎo ___.

I rarely ___ these days.

Meaning: I rarely ___ these days.

When to use: Use this to say something doesn't happen much recently (最近 + 很少).

我最近很少看电影。

Wǒ zuìjìn hěn shǎo kàn diànyǐng.

I rarely watch movies these days.

我最近很少去旅行。

Wǒ zuìjìn hěn shǎo qù lǚxíng.

I rarely travel these days.

我晚上从不___。

Wǒ wǎnshang cóng bù ___.

I never ___ at night.

Meaning: I never ___ at night.

When to use: Use this to strongly state that you don't do something at night (从不 = never).

我晚上从不吃零食。

Wǒ wǎnshang cóng bù chī língshí.

I never eat snacks at night.

我晚上从不工作到很晚。

Wǒ wǎnshang cóng bù gōngzuò dào hěn wǎn.

I never work very late at night.

Simplified Chinese - Habits

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which sentence means 'I don't usually ___.'?

How do you ask 'How often do you go once?' in Chinese?

Which phrase fits 'I always do A then B'?

Which phrase means 'I rarely do this lately'?

To wake up, I usually drink coffee in the morning, then go to work.

I often take a walk after dinner; that's when I feel most relaxed.

To be fresh the next day, I never drink coffee at night; I only read a bit then sleep.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice