996 Work Culture & China Time Explained: Why You’re Always Early… or Late

Описание: Learn Chinese for Beginners (A1) with the Everyday Fluent Podcast

In this eighth episode, we dive into one of the most confusing (and hilarious) parts of Chinese life: time. Why is everyone early at work but late to dinner? How does 996 culture reshape the clock? And how can you survive “China time” without losing your mind?

By the end of this episode, you’ll master:

⏰ How to ask & tell the time in Mandarin
👉 现在几点了？(xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?) → What time is it now?
👉 三点半 (sān diǎn bàn) → 3:30
👉 九点零八分 (jiǔ diǎn líng bā fēn) → 9:08

📍 Time-of-day words you need to know
早上 (zǎoshang) → early morning (6–9 AM)
上午 (shàngwǔ) → late morning (9 AM–noon)
下午 (xiàwǔ) → afternoon (noon–6 PM)
晚上 (wǎnshàng) → evening (6 PM–midnight)

💼 Work culture essentials
九九六 (jiǔ jiǔ liù) → 9 AM–9 PM, 6 days a week
加班 (jiā bān) → to work overtime
躺平 (tǎng píng) → “lying flat,” opting out of hustle culture

👥 Punctuality rules nobody told you
Business meetings → arrive 5–10 min early
Client meetings → 10–15 min early
Social dinners → arrive 15–30 min late (yes, late!)

📲 Survival phrases for lateness & scheduling
我迟到了十分钟 (wǒ chí dào le shí fēn zhōng) → I’m 10 minutes late
我想预约明天下午三点半 (wǒ xiǎng yùyuē míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn bàn) → I’d like to schedule for 3:30 PM tomorrow
要不我们改个时间吧？(yào bù wǒmen gǎi ge shíjiān ba?) → How about we change the time?

✨ Cultural insights you’ll discover:
Why being “on time” in China depends on whether it’s business or social
How WeChat response speed (秒回 / miǎo huí) sends secret social signals
Why “precision is respect” in Chinese time culture

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly when to arrive, what to say, and how to keep your sanity in Chinese workplaces and social life.

📘 Free PDF Download: Get our Chinese Time & Survival Guide here: http://bit.ly/3IEtumz

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