Podcasts · Chinese Learning Podcast | HSK 1 (Season 2)

#11 来 & 什么时候 (lái & shénme shíhòu) | Ask When in Chinese | HSK1 Masterclass

21 May 2026 · 5:37 · S2 E11

Do you know how to ask “when” in Chinese? In this episode, you’ll learn how to use 来 (lái) and 什么时候 (shénme shíhòu) to talk about plans, ask about timing, and have real conversations in Mandarin.

What You’ll Learn: ⏰ 什么时候 (shénme shíhòu) – how to ask “when” 你什么时候来？ (nǐ shénme shíhòu lái?) – When will you come?

来 (lái) – to come 我明天来。 (wǒ míngtiān lái) – I’ll come tomorrow

什么时候 + Verb – ask about timing 他什么时候来中国？ (tā shénme shíhòu lái zhōngguó?) – When will he come to China? 我们什么时候见面？ (wǒmen shénme shíhòu jiànmiàn?) – When will we meet?

Learn the natural word order to sound more fluent in Chinese.

Practice Challenge: Write a sentence using 什么时候 + verb. For example: 你什么时候学习中文？ 你什么时候来学校？ Leave your sentence in the comments and practise saying it out loud!.

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime. • Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach. • Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you. • Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today!

Links in the notes 4

• https://www.hanyuchineseschool.com/en/
• https://campus.hanyuchineseschool.com/en/
• https://blog.hanyuchineseschool.com/en/
• https://www.trainlang.com/en/

The episode on the publisher’s site ↗ (opens in a new tab)