New here? This is lesson 70 of a free 240-lesson Traditional Chinese course.
What we're doing in class in Traditional Chinese
Maya is late for her Saturday Mandarin class at the community center. She knocks before entering, then catches up with the lesson.
Learn how to ask about homework, deadlines, copying notes, seeing the board, and working with a partner.
These useful questions help you take part in class and make sure you know what to do next.
By the end of this lesson
Ask about homework and deadlines, check whether you should copy something, explain that you cannot see the board, ask about working in pairs, and politely ask to enter.
- 今天有作業嗎？Is there homework today?
- 什麼時候要交？When is it due?
- 這個要抄下來嗎？Do I need to copy this down?
- 我看不到黑板I can't see the board.
- 我們要自己做，還是兩個人一組？Are we working alone or in pairs?
- 我可以進來嗎？May I come in?
Scene — late to class
Saturday class is already starting at the community center. Maya arrives late, knocks on the classroom door, and waits for the teacher to answer.
Yi-Jun is inside, and the teacher is writing on the board. Maya needs to find out what the class is doing without interrupting for long.
Learn — questions for class
Listen to six questions and classroom phrases Maya can use during a lesson. They help her check what is required and ask for the teacher's help.
Notice how 還是 joins two choices in a question.
今天有作業嗎？
Is there homework today?
When to use it: Ask whether the teacher assigned homework for today.
什麼時候要交？
When is it due?
When to use it: Ask when an assignment or other work must be handed in.
The question word stays in place; 什麼時候 asks about the time.
這個要抄下來嗎？
Do I need to copy this down?
When to use it: Ask whether you should write down something shown or said in class.
抄下來 means to copy something down; 下來 completes the action.
我看不到黑板
I can't see the board.
When to use it: Tell someone you cannot see the board from where you are sitting.
不到 after 看 expresses that you cannot see something.
我們要自己做，還是兩個人一組？
Are we working alone or in pairs?
When to use it: Ask whether the class activity is individual or done with a partner.
還是 connects the choices in this question.
Say it: 一 is fourth tone before the third-tone word 組.
我可以進來嗎？
May I come in?
When to use it: Politely ask permission to enter a room.
可以…嗎？ turns an action into a polite permission question.
Story — Maya arrives late
Maya gets to her Saturday class late and knocks before entering. The teacher is already writing on the board, while Yi-Jun follows along.
Maya asks a few quick questions so she can join the lesson and understand the assignment.
- Maya reaches the classroom late and knocks on the door.
Maya我可以進來嗎？May I come in?- Class teacher請進。Come in, please.
- Maya不好意思，我來晚了。Sorry I'm late.
- Class teacher沒關係，早安。It's okay. Good morning.
- Maya今天有作業嗎？Is there homework today?
- Class teacher有。Yes.
- Maya什麼時候要交？When is it due?
- Class teacher明天上課前。Before class tomorrow.
- Maya這個要抄下來嗎？Do I need to copy this down?
- Class teacher對，先抄黑板上的句子。Yes. First copy the sentence on the board.
- Maya我看不到黑板。I can't see the board.
Yi-Jun我們換位子吧。Let's switch seats.- Maya我們要自己做，還是兩個人一組？Are we working alone or in pairs?
- Class teacher兩個人一組，跟怡君一起做。Work in pairs, with Yi-Jun.
Practice — ask about class
Try nine short activities about arriving, homework, and classroom instructions. Listen closely and choose the question that fits each moment.
Then build and say the phrases you might need in your own class.
0 of 9 done
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
今天有作業嗎？
What do you say?
What do you say?
You arrive at the classroom in the morning. Greet the teacher.
Build the line
Build the line
Are we working alone or in pairs?
，？
Tap the words in order.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
When is it due?
什麼時候要____？
What do you say?
What do you say?
Class has started, and you are waiting outside the classroom. Ask politely to enter.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You are standing outside the classroom. Tell the teacher to go ahead and enter.
Match the pairs
Traditional Chinese
這個要抄下來嗎？Drop the English here我看不到黑板Drop the English here我們要自己做，還是兩個人一組？Drop the English hereEnglish
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Pick the reply
Class teacher says:
Pick the reply
你看得到黑板嗎？
Can you see the board?
And you reply with:
Say it — your classroom questions
You play Maya in her Saturday Mandarin class. Listen to the teacher's reply or cue, then say the classroom question that fits.
Speak each line aloud and focus on asking clearly and politely. Your last question checks how the class will work.
- Maya knocks before entering the classroom.
- Maya (you)Ask the teacher if you may come in.
Ask the teacher if you may come in.
我可以進來嗎？
May I come in?
0 of 4 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Traditional Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 今天有作業嗎？ | Is there homework today? | |
| 什麼時候要交？ | When is it due? | |
| 這個要抄下來嗎？ | Do I need to copy this down? | |
| 我看不到黑板 | I can't see the board. | |
| 我們要自己做，還是兩個人一組？ | Are we working alone or in pairs? | |
| 我可以進來嗎？ | May I come in? |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Review these classroom questions in Yak Cards and keep useful phrases close at hand.
Practice one classroom question each day so you can ask it easily when you need it.
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