A work routine is the set of activities you do each workday, usually in a repeated order. Use time words and common verbs to describe your schedule clearly, from the start of the day to the end. When you explain your routine, focus on sequence, frequency, and typical times.

Use common verbs for beginning work and arriving. You can say what time you start, how you get there, and what you do first after arriving. These verbs often appear with time expressions like at 8 a.m., around 9, or by 10.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 Word/Phrase	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 Definition	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
start work	🧩 开始工作	begin your job for the day	🧩 开始一天的工作	I start work at 8:30.	🧩 我在8:30开始工作。
arrive at work	🧩 到达工作地点	get to your workplace	🧩 到达你的工作地点	I arrive at work around 8.	🧩 我大约在8点到达工作地点。
clock in	🧩 打卡	record your start time	🧩 记录你的上班时间	I clock in when I get there.	🧩 我到达后就打卡。
log in	🧩 登录	sign in to a computer system	🧩 登录到计算机系统	I log in and check my email.	🧩 我登录并检查我的电子邮件。
set up	🧩 设置	prepare tools or materials	🧩 准备工具或材料	I set up my desk for the day.	🧩 我为一天整理好了我的桌面。

Describe what you do during most of the day using task verbs and nouns. You can talk about responsibilities, projects, and routine duties. Add details with objects and places, like write reports, help customers, or manage a team.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 Word/Phrase	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 Definition	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
handle	🧩 处理	deal with tasks or situations	🧩 处理任务或情境	I handle customer requests.	🧩 我处理客户请求。
manage	🧩 管理	organize and be responsible for	🧩 组织并负责	I manage a small team.	🧩 我管理一个小团队。
work on	🧩 着手进行	spend time doing a task or project	🧩 花时间完成一个任务或项目	I work on a new proposal.	🧩 我正在着手一个新提案。
complete	🧩 完成	finish successfully	🧩 成功完成	I complete my tasks by noon.	🧩 我在中午前完成我的任务。
follow up	🧩 跟进	contact again to continue progress	🧩 再次联系以继续推进	I follow up with clients after meetings.	🧩 会后我会跟进客户。

Meetings are a common part of many jobs, so learn verbs for planning, attending, and discussing. You can say when meetings happen, what they are about, and what you decide. Use clear phrases for short updates and decisions.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 Word/Phrase	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 Definition	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
have a meeting	🧩 召开会议	meet with others to discuss work	🧩 与他人会面以讨论工作	We have a meeting at 10.	🧩 我们在10点举行会议。
attend	🧩 出席	go to and take part in	🧩 去并参与	I attend the weekly team meeting.	🧩 我参加每周的团队会议。
schedule	🧩 安排	arrange a time for something	🧩 为某事安排时间	I schedule a call with a supplier.	🧩 我为与供应商的通话安排时间。
discuss	🧩 讨论	talk about a topic in detail	🧩 详细讨论一个主题	We discuss project timelines.	🧩 我们讨论项目时间线。
take notes	🧩 做笔记	write important points during a meeting	🧩 在会议中记录要点	I take notes and share them later.	🧩 我记下要点，稍后分享。

Talk about breaks to show the rhythm of your day. Mention lunch, short breaks, and how long they last. You can also describe what you do during breaks, like eat, rest, or go for a walk.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 Word/Phrase	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 Definition	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
take a break	🧩 休息一下	stop working for a short time	🧩 短暂停止工作	I take a break around 11.	🧩 我大约在11点休息。
take lunch	🧩 吃午餐	eat your midday meal	🧩 吃中餐	I take lunch at 1 p.m.	🧩 我在下午1点吃午餐。
grab a coffee	🧩 喝杯咖啡	get coffee quickly	🧩 快速喝咖啡	I grab a coffee between meetings.	🧩 我在会间隙喝杯咖啡。
step out	🧩 出门	leave briefly, often for a break	🧩 短暂离开，通常为休息	I step out for a few minutes.	🧩 我离开几分钟。
be back in	🧩 回来了	return after a stated time	🧩 按时回来	I’ll be back in ten minutes.	🧩 我将在十分钟内回来。

Work routines include regular communication, especially email, chat, and calls. Use verbs for sending, replying, and updating, and nouns for messages and requests. You can also describe how quickly you respond and what you prioritize.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 Word/Phrase	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 Definition	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
check email	🧩 检查邮箱	read new emails	🧩 读取新邮件	I check email first thing.	🧩 我一开始就检查电子邮件。
reply	🧩 回复	answer a message	🧩 回答一条消息	I reply within an hour.	🧩 我在一小时内回复。
send an update	🧩 发送更新	share new information	🧩 分享新信息	I send an update to my manager.	🧩 我向经理发送更新。
call	🧩 打电话	speak by phone or video	🧩 通过电话或视频交流	I call clients in the afternoon.	🧩 我在下午给客户打电话。
message	🧩 消息	send a short text in a work app	🧩 在工作应用中发送简短文本	I message the team on Slack.	🧩 我在 Slack 给团队发消息。

Use frequency adverbs to show how often something happens in your routine. Place them correctly in the sentence to sound natural. These words help you describe habits, not just one day.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 Rule	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
Put frequency adverbs before the main verb	🧩 将频率副词放在主要动词之前	I usually start at 9.	🧩 我通常在9点开始。
Put frequency adverbs after the verb be	🧩 将频率副词放在 be 动词之后	I am often busy in the morning.	🧩 我早晨经常很忙。
Use every day, every week for regular schedules	🧩 在常规日程中使用每天、每周	We meet every Monday.	🧩 我们每周一见
Use once a day, twice a week for counts	🧩 用每天一次、每周两次表示计数	I report twice a week.	🧩 我每周汇报两次。
Use from time to time for occasional actions	🧩 偶尔执行一次、每隔一段时间	I travel from time to time.	🧩 我时不时出差。

Time phrases show order and timing, so your routine is easy to follow. Use them to move through the day step by step and to show deadlines. Choose phrases that fit your meaning: exact time, approximate time, or sequence.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 Word/Phrase	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 Definition	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
first	🧩 首先	the initial step	🧩 第一个步骤	First, I check my calendar.	🧩 首先，我查看我的日历。
then	🧩 然后	the next step	🧩 下一步	Then I respond to messages.	🧩 然后我回复消息。
after that	🧩 之后	following the previous action	🧩 跟随前一动作	After that, I start my main tasks.	🧩 之后，我开始我的主要任务。
by	🧩 不迟于	no later than a time	🧩 在某时间之前	By 5, I finish my reports.	🧩 到5点前，我完成我的报告。
around	🧩 大约在	approximately at a time	🧩 大约在某个时间	Around 3, I join a call.	🧩 大约在3点，我参加一个电话会议。

Use common phrases for finishing tasks and leaving work. You can mention wrapping up, reviewing progress, and preparing for tomorrow. These expressions help you describe a complete daily routine from start to finish.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 Word/Phrase	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 Definition	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
wrap up	🧩 收尾	finish remaining tasks	🧩 完成剩余任务	I wrap up around 5:30.	🧩 我大约在5:30收尾。
finish up	🧩 结束正在做的事	complete what you are doing	🧩 完成你正在做的事	I finish up my emails.	🧩 我把邮箱处理完。
hand over	🧩 移交	give responsibility to another person	🧩 将责任交给另一个人	I hand over the shift to my coworker.	🧩 我把班次交给同事。
clock out	🧩 打卡下班	record your end time	🧩 记录你的下班时间	I clock out at 6.	🧩 我在6点打卡下班。
head home	🧩 回家	leave to go home	🧩 离开去家里	I head home after work.	🧩 下班后我回家。

Build natural routine descriptions with the present simple for habits. Combine time phrases, frequency words, and work verbs to make clear sentences. You can also connect actions with and and but to show a normal flow of the day.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 Rule	Example	🇨🇳 中文 Example
Use present simple for regular routines	🧩 对常规日程使用一般现在时	I start at 9 and finish at 6.	🧩 我9点开始，6点结束。
Add time at the beginning or end of the sentence	🧩 将时间放在句子开头或结尾	At 9, I check my tasks.	🧩 9点时，我检查我的任务。
Use and to link similar actions	🧩 用 and 将相似动作连接起来	I check email and reply to urgent messages.	🧩 我检查电子邮件并回复紧急消息。
Use but to show contrast	🧩 用 but 表示对比	I usually work in the office, but I work from home on Fridays.	🧩 我通常在办公室工作，但周五在家工作。
Use because to give a reason	🧩 用 because 给出原因	I take notes because I need to remember decisions.	🧩 我记笔记，因为我需要记住决定。