Describing Daily Activities in Chinese: Essential Phrases for Everyday Conversations

Learning how to describe daily activities in Chinese is essential for building practical language skills. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate learner, knowing how to talk about your routine in Mandarin will help you connect with native speakers, improve your comprehension, and navigate everyday situations. In this blog post, we will cover 50 common phrases for describing daily activities in Chinese, with detailed explanations and example sentences.

1. 早上起床 (zǎo shàng qǐ chuáng) – Get up in the morning

• Explanation: This phrase refers to the act of waking up and getting out of bed.
  
• Example:
• 我每天早上六点起床。 (Wǒ měi tiān liù diǎn qǐ chuáng.) – I get up at 6 o’clock every morning.

2. 刷牙 (shuā yá) – Brush teeth

• Explanation: To brush one’s teeth is a basic activity.
  
• Example:
• 我早上刷牙后吃早餐。 (Wǒ zǎo shàng shuā yá hòu chī zǎo cān.) – I brush my teeth and then have breakfast.

3. 吃早餐 (chī zǎo cān) – Eat breakfast

• Explanation: This phrase refers to eating the first meal of the day.
  
• Example:
• 我通常吃水果和鸡蛋作为早餐。 (Wǒ tōng cháng chī shuǐ guǒ hé jī dàn zuò wéi zǎo cān.) – I usually have fruit and eggs for breakfast.

4. 上班 (shàng bān) – Go to work

• Explanation: To go to work or start your workday.
  
• Example:
• 我每天早上八点上班。 (Wǒ měi tiān zǎo shàng bā diǎn shàng bān.) – I go to work at 8 AM every day.

5. 上学 (shàng xué) – Go to school

• Explanation: Used to describe the act of going to school, either as a student or a teacher.
  
• Example:
• 孩子们每天早上七点半上学。 (Hái zi men měi tiān zǎo shàng qī diǎn bàn shàng xué.) – The children go to school at 7:30 every morning.

6. 工作 (gōng zuò) – Work

• Explanation: Refers to working, either in an office or at a job.
  
• Example:
• 他在银行工作。 (Tā zài yín háng gōng zuò.) – He works at a bank.

7. 学习 (xué xí) – Study

• Explanation: To study or learn, used by both students and anyone engaged in learning.
  
• Example:
• 我每天都学习两个小时的中文。 (Wǒ měi tiān dōu xué xí liǎng gè xiǎo shí de zhōng wén.) – I study Chinese for two hours every day.

8. 吃午饭 (chī wǔ fàn) – Eat lunch

• Explanation: Refers to having lunch during the midday break.
  
• Example:
• 我通常十二点吃午饭。 (Wǒ tōng cháng shí èr diǎn chī wǔ fàn.) – I usually have lunch at 12 PM.

9. 休息 (xiū xī) – Rest

• Explanation: To take a break or rest during the day.
  
• Example:
• 我们每天都有午休。 (Wǒ men měi tiān dōu yǒu wǔ xiū.) – We have a lunch break every day.

10. 开会 (kāi huì) – Have a meeting

• Explanation: Refers to the act of attending or holding a meeting.
  
• Example:
• 今天下午我们有一个团队会议。 (Jīn tiān xià wǔ wǒ men yǒu yí gè tuán duì huì yì.) – We have a team meeting this afternoon.

11. 做作业 (zuò zuò yè) – Do homework

• Explanation: Refers to completing homework assignments, commonly used by students.
  
• Example:
• 孩子们放学后要做作业。 (Hái zi men fàng xué hòu yào zuò zuò yè.) – The children need to do their homework after school.

12. 运动 (yùn dòng) – Exercise

• Explanation: Refers to physical activity, whether for fitness or fun.
  
• Example:
• 我每天早上去公园运动。 (Wǒ měi tiān zǎo shàng qù gōng yuán yùn dòng.) – I go to the park to exercise every morning.

13. 跑步 (pǎo bù) – Jog

• Explanation: To run or jog, often used for physical exercise.
  
• Example:
• 我喜欢每天跑步锻炼身体。 (Wǒ xǐ huān měi tiān pǎo bù duàn liàn shēn tǐ.) – I like jogging every day to keep fit.

14. 做饭 (zuò fàn) – Cook

• Explanation: To prepare a meal or cook food.
  
• Example:
• 妈妈每天晚上做饭。 (Māmā měi tiān wǎn shàng zuò fàn.) – Mom cooks dinner every evening.

15. 吃晚饭 (chī wǎn fàn) – Eat dinner

• Explanation: Refers to having dinner in the evening.
  
• Example:
• 我们晚上七点吃晚饭。 (Wǒ men wǎn shàng qī diǎn chī wǎn fàn.) – We have dinner at 7 PM.

16. 看电视 (kàn diàn shì) – Watch TV

• Explanation: To watch television as a form of entertainment.
  
• Example:
• 我每天晚上看一个小时的电视。 (Wǒ měi tiān wǎn shàng kàn yí gè xiǎo shí de diàn shì.) – I watch TV for one hour every evening.

17. 读书 (dú shū) – Read books

• Explanation: Refers to reading, typically used for leisure or study.
  
• Example:
• 我喜欢在晚上读书。 (Wǒ xǐ huān zài wǎn shàng dú shū.) – I like reading books in the evening.

18. 打电话 (dǎ diàn huà) – Make a phone call

• Explanation: Refers to calling someone on the phone.
  
• Example:
• 我下午三点打电话给我的朋友。 (Wǒ xià wǔ sān diǎn dǎ diàn huà gěi wǒ de péng yǒu.) – I call my friend at 3 PM.

19. 洗澡 (xǐ zǎo) – Take a shower

• Explanation: Refers to bathing or taking a shower.
  
• Example:
• 我每天晚上洗澡。 (Wǒ měi tiān wǎn shàng xǐ zǎo.) – I take a shower every night.

20. 睡觉 (shuì jiào) – Go to sleep

• Explanation: Refers to going to bed and sleeping.
  
• Example:
• 我通常十一点睡觉。 (Wǒ tōng cháng shí yī diǎn shuì jiào.) – I usually go to sleep at 11 PM.

21. 走路 (zǒu lù) – Walk

• Explanation: To walk, either for exercise or as a mode of transportation.
  
• Example:
• 我喜欢早上走路去工作。 (Wǒ xǐ huān zǎo shàng zǒu lù qù gōng zuò.) – I like walking to work in the morning.

22. 看书 (kàn shū) – Read a book

• Explanation: To read a book, often used in educational or leisure contexts.
  
• Example:
• 我喜欢在公园看书。 (Wǒ xǐ huān zài gōng yuán kàn shū.) – I like reading books in the park.

23. 整理房间 (zhěng lǐ fáng jiān) – Clean the room

• Explanation: Refers to tidying up or cleaning your living space.
  
• Example:
• 我每周末都整理房间。 (Wǒ měi zhōu mò dōu zhěng lǐ fáng jiān.) – I clean my room every weekend.

24. 购物 (gòu wù) – Shop

• Explanation: To shop for items, typically groceries or clothes.
  
• Example:
• 我每周去超市购物。 (Wǒ měi zhōu qù chāo shì gòu wù.) – I go shopping at the supermarket every week.

25. 做家务 (zuò jiā wù) – Do housework

• Explanation: Refers to any domestic chores, such as cleaning, laundry, etc.
  
• Example:
• 我的妈妈做很多家务。 (Wǒ de māmā zuò hěn duō jiā wù.) – My mom does a lot of housework.

26. 洗衣服 (xǐ yī fú) – Do the laundry

• Explanation: Refers to washing clothes, a typical household chore.
  
• Example:
• 每个星期天，我都会洗衣服。 (Měi gè xīng qī tiān, wǒ dū huì xǐ yī fú.) – I do the laundry every Sunday.

27. 陪伴 (péi bàn) – Spend time with

• Explanation: To accompany someone or spend time with them, typically used for family or friends.
  
• Example:
• 我喜欢陪伴我的家人。 (Wǒ xǐ huān péi bàn wǒ de jiā rén.) – I like spending time with my family.

28. 开车 (kāi chē) – Drive a car

• Explanation: To operate a car or drive.
  
• Example:
• 他每天开车去公司。 (Tā měi tiān kāi chē qù gōng sī.) – He drives to work every day.

29. 坐公交 (zuò gōng jiāo) – Take the bus

• Explanation: To use public transportation, such as the bus.
  
• Example:
• 我每天坐公交车上班。 (Wǒ měi tiān zuò gōng jiāo chē shàng bān.) – I take the bus to work every day.

30. 坐地铁 (zuò dì tiě) – Take the subway

• Explanation: To take the subway as a mode of transport.
  
• Example:
• 上班的时候，我通常坐地铁。 (Shàng bān de shí hòu, wǒ tōng cháng zuò dì tiě.) – I usually take the subway to work.

31. 做瑜伽 (zuò yú jiā) – Do yoga

• Explanation: To practice yoga, often used for relaxation or fitness.
  
• Example:
• 她每天早上做瑜伽。 (Tā měi tiān zǎo shàng zuò yú jiā.) – She does yoga every morning.

32. 看电影 (kàn diàn yǐng) – Watch a movie

• Explanation: Refers to watching films as entertainment.
  
• Example:
• 我们周末常常去电影院看电影。 (Wǒ men zhōu mò cháng cháng qù diàn yǐng yuàn kàn diàn yǐng.) – We often go to the cinema to watch movies on the weekend.

33. 写字 (xiě zì) – Write

• Explanation: To write, either for work, school, or personal use.
  
• Example:
• 我每天都写日记。 (Wǒ měi tiān dōu xiě rì jì.) – I write in my diary every day.

34. 去健身房 (qù jiàn shēn fáng) – Go to the gym

• Explanation: To go to a gym for exercise or fitness training.
  
• Example:
• 我每周三去健身房锻炼。 (Wǒ měi zhōu sān qù jiàn shēn fáng duàn liàn.) – I go to the gym for a workout every Wednesday.

35. 逛街 (guàng jiē) – Go shopping

• Explanation: To browse shops or go out shopping.
  
• Example:
• 我喜欢周末逛街。 (Wǒ xǐ huān zhōu mò guàng jiē.) – I like to go shopping on weekends.

36. 和朋友见面 (hé péng yǒu jiàn miàn) – Meet with friends

• Explanation: Refers to meeting up with friends in person.
  
• Example:
• 今天我和朋友见面去咖啡店。 (Jīn tiān wǒ hé péng yǒu jiàn miàn qù kā fēi diàn.) – Today, I’m meeting my friend at a coffee shop.

37. 修理 (xiū lǐ) – Repair

• Explanation: Refers to fixing or repairing something that is broken.
  
• Example:
• 我的手机坏了，我需要修理它。 (Wǒ de shǒu jī huài le, wǒ xū yào xiū lǐ tā.) – My phone is broken; I need to get it repaired.

38. 去看医生 (qù kàn yī shēng) – Go to the doctor

• Explanation: To visit a doctor for a checkup or treatment.
  
• Example:
• 我有点生病，所以我要去看医生。 (Wǒ yǒu diǎn shēng bìng, suǒ yǐ wǒ yào qù kàn yī shēng.) – I’m feeling a little sick, so I need to go see the doctor.

39. 洗碗 (xǐ wǎn) – Wash dishes

• Explanation: Refers to the task of washing dishes after meals.
  
• Example:
• 吃完晚饭后，我负责洗碗。 (Chī wán wǎn fàn hòu, wǒ fù zé xǐ wǎn.) – After dinner, I’m in charge of washing the dishes.

40. 接电话 (jiē diàn huà) – Answer the phone

• Explanation: To pick up the phone when someone calls.
  
• Example:
• 请接一下电话。 (Qǐng jiē yí xià diàn huà.) – Please answer the phone.

41. 发电子邮件 (fā diàn zǐ yóu jiàn) – Send an email

• Explanation: To send an email via the internet.
  
• Example:
• 我每天下班后发电子邮件给客户。 (Wǒ měi tiān xià bān hòu fā diàn zǐ yóu jiàn gěi kè hù.) – I send emails to clients after work every day.

42. 用电脑 (yòng diàn nǎo) – Use the computer

• Explanation: Refers to using a computer for various tasks, including work, study, or entertainment.
  
• Example:
• 我用电脑做我的工作。 (Wǒ yòng diàn nǎo zuò wǒ de gōng zuò.) – I use the computer to do my work.

43. 做志愿者 (zuò zhì yuàn zhě) – Volunteer

• Explanation: To do volunteer work, typically unpaid work for a cause.
  
• Example:
• 我每月做一次志愿者。 (Wǒ měi yuè zuò yī cì zhì yuàn zhě.) – I volunteer once a month.

44. 去旅行 (qù lǚ xíng) – Go on a trip

• Explanation: To travel to another place for leisure or vacation.
  
• Example:
• 我计划去旅行一周。 (Wǒ jì huà qù lǚ xíng yī zhōu.) – I plan to go on a trip for one week.

45. 养宠物 (yǎng chǒng wù) – Raise a pet

• Explanation: To care for and keep a pet, such as a dog or cat.
  
• Example:
• 我养了一只猫。 (Wǒ yǎng le yī zhī māo.) – I have a pet cat.

46. 洗车 (xǐ chē) – Wash the car

• Explanation: To clean your car, either by hand or at a car wash.
  
• Example:
• 我每个月洗一次车。 (Wǒ měi gè yuè xǐ yī cì chē.) – I wash my car once a month.

47. 看新闻 (kàn xīn wén) – Watch the news

• Explanation: To watch or read the news, keeping up with current events.
  
• Example:
• 我每天早上看新闻。 (Wǒ měi tiān zǎo shàng kàn xīn wén.) – I watch the news every morning.

48. 玩游戏 (wán yóu xì) – Play games

• Explanation: To play games, either video games or board games.
  
• Example:
• 我的朋友喜欢在周末玩游戏。 (Wǒ de péng yǒu xǐ huān zài zhōu mò wán yóu xì.) – My friend likes to play games on weekends.

49. 喝茶 (hē chá) – Drink tea

• Explanation: To enjoy tea, a popular activity in many cultures.
  
• Example:
• 我喜欢在下午喝茶。 (Wǒ xǐ huān zài xià wǔ hē chá.) – I like drinking tea in the afternoon.

50. 晒太阳 (shài tài yáng) – Sunbathe

• Explanation: To lie in the sun or expose oneself to sunlight, typically for relaxation.
  
• Example:
• 我喜欢在周末晒太阳。 (Wǒ xǐ huān zài zhōu mò shài tài yáng.) – I like sunbathing on weekends.

Conclusion

With these 50 phrases, you now have a solid foundation to describe a wide variety of daily activities in Chinese. Whether you’re discussing your work, leisure activities, household chores, or hobbies, you’ll find these expressions useful in a variety of situations. By practicing them in sentences and conversations, you’ll gain fluency and confidence in speaking Mandarin.

Keep in mind that language learning is a gradual process, and practicing consistently will help you internalize these expressions. Happy learning, and see you in the next post where we’ll dive deeper into advanced topics and more practical Chinese phrases!