When? (什么 时候)

In this HSK 1 graded reader story, you will learn how to use the phrase “什么 时候” (shénme shíhou), which means “when,” to ask questions about time. The story follows a simple narrative with a mother and her son, providing multiple examples of how “什么 时候” can be used in everyday conversations. By reading this story, students at the HSK 1 proficiency level will gain a better understanding of how to inquire about daily activities and practice their basic vocabulary in a meaningful context. For more practice reading 什么 时候 read the “When (Beijing)” story; When (Beijing)? (什么 时候?). Before long, you’ll be using “什么 时候” in your conversations.

早上，儿子 问 妈妈，什么 时候 去 学校。 {Play}

妈妈 说 他们 十 点 去 学校。 {Play}

中午，他们 在 学校 吃饭。 {Play}

儿子 问，什么 时候 吃饭，妈妈 说，十二 点。 {Play}

下午，儿子 学习。 {Play}

妈妈 看 儿子，想 什么 时候 儿子 会 想 睡觉。 {Play}

下午，儿子 问 妈妈，什么 时候 回家。 {Play}

妈妈 说，六 点 回家。 {Play}

睡觉 前，妈妈 问 儿子，什么 时候 睡觉。 {Play}

儿子 说，他 很 早 睡觉。 {Play}

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早上，儿子 问 妈妈，什么 时候 去 学校。   {Play}

Zǎoshang, érzi wèn māma, shénme shíhou qù xuéxiào.  

In the morning, the son asked the mother, “When are we going to school?”

妈妈 说 他们 十 点 去 学校。   {Play}

Māma shuō tāmen shí diǎn qù xuéxiào.  

The mother said they will go to school at ten o’clock.

中午，他们 在 学校 吃饭。   {Play}

Zhōngwǔ, tāmen zài xuéxiào chīfàn.  

At noon, they ate at school.

儿子 问，什么 时候 吃饭，妈妈 说，十二 点。   {Play}

Érzi wèn, shénme shíhou chīfàn, māma shuō, shí’èr diǎn.  

The son asked, “When do we eat?” The mother said, “At twelve o’clock.”

下午，儿子 学习。   {Play}

Xiàwǔ, érzi xuéxí. 

In the afternoon, the son studied.

妈妈 看 儿子，想 什么 时候 儿子 会 想 睡觉。   {Play}

Māma kàn érzi, xiǎng shénme shíhou érzi huì xiǎng shuìjiào. 

The mother watched the son, wondering when he would want to sleep.

下午，儿子 问 妈妈，什么 时候 回家。   {Play}

Xiàwǔ, érzi wèn māma, shénme shíhou huí jiā.  

In the afternoon, the son asked the mother, “When are we going home?”

妈妈 说，六 点 回家。   {Play}

Māma shuō, liù diǎn huí jiā.  

The mother said, “We will go home at six o’clock.”

睡觉 前，妈妈 问 儿子，什么 时候 睡觉。   {Play}

Shuìjiào qián, māma wèn érzi, shénme shíhou shuìjiào.  

Before sleeping, the mother asked the son, “When are you going to sleep?”

儿子 说，他 很 早 睡觉。   {Play}

Érzi shuō, tā hěn zǎo shuìjiào. 

The son said, “I will sleep very early.”