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How to Say ‘I have to work’ in Simplified Chinese

我要上班

wǒ yào shàng bān

[waw yào shàngbān]

💬 Usage Tip: 要 here means "have to" or "need to", not "want". Context tells you which: 我要上班 is an obligation, not a wish.

Phrase Breakdown

我

wǒ

[waw]

I; me

The first-person pronoun, used to refer to yourself.

Example

我也想了解这个公司的文化。

I also want to understand this company’s culture.

要

yào

[yào]

will; need to

Expresses necessity or likelihood.

Example

进去要买票。

You need to buy a ticket to enter.

上班

shàng bān

[shàngbān]

to go to work

Verb phrase meaning to go to work or be at work.

Example

我八点上班。

I start work at eight.

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