我在工作
wǒ zài gōngzuò
我在工作 (wǒ zài gōngzuò) is the Chinese way to say "I am working".
我在工作 is used to state that you are currently performing your job or a task. If you want to convey specifically that you are busy or occupied with work, you can use 我正在忙着.
Which one should you use?
Using 我在工作 emphasizes the ongoing nature of the task, whereas 我工作 simply means 'I work' as a general habit or job.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can be shortened to 在工作 to mean 'is working' or 'is in the middle of working' if the subject is already understood.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ zài gōngzuò
Did you know?
- In some contexts, 工作 can refer to 'working on' someone in a psychological or persuasive sense, such as 'doing work' to change a person's mind.
- The character 工 in 工作 is a pictograph that originally represented a carpenter's square or a tool.
- While 'I am working' is a neutral statement, using 我在干活 conveys a much more strenuous, physical, or manual sense of labor.
Examples in context
- 我现在不能接电话，因为我在工作。I can't answer the phone right now because I am working.
- 请原谅，我正在忙着，无法和您交谈。I apologize, I am currently busy and unable to talk with you.
- 不好意思，我现在有事，等一下再跟你说。Sorry, I'm busy at the moment. I'll talk to you in a bit.
- 我现在不在家，我在工作。Wǒ xiànzài bù zài jiā, wǒ zài gōngzuò.I am not at home right now, I am working.
- 别打电话过来，我在工作。Bié dǎ diànhuà guòlái, wǒ zài gōngzuò.Don't call me, I am working.
Example conversation
A woman calls her friend to ask if he can talk.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，你有时间聊天吗？Jùnjié, nǐ yǒu shíjiān liáotiān ma?Junjie, do you have time to chat?
- 俊杰 Junjie现在不行，我在工作。Xiànzài bù xíng, wǒ zài gōngzuò.Not right now, I am working.
- 梓涵 Zihan好吧，那你先忙吧。Hǎo ba, nà nǐ xiān máng ba.Okay, then go ahead and be busy with your work.
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，晚点再聊。Hǎo de, wǎndiǎn zài liáo.Okay, let's talk later.
