It is Time to... (该……了)
该……了
Express that it is time to do something using the 该……了 pattern
Use 该 before the verb and 了 at the end to express "it is time to do something." A time word often appears at the beginning to set the context.
The 了 at the end is essential — it signals the change in state (from "not yet time" to "now it is time"). Without 了, the expression is incomplete.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: It is Time to... (该……了) (该……了)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 该……了 pattern
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Understanding 该……了
You learned 该 and 应该 (should) in GP-02. Now you are seeing 该 in one of its most common real-life patterns: 该……了, meaning "it is time to..." This pattern is everywhere in Chinese daily life. Parents say 该睡觉了 (time for bed) to their children. Teachers say 该上课了 (time for class) to students. Friends say 该走了 (time to go) at the end of a gathering. The 了 at the end is crucial — it marks the transition from "not yet time" to "now the moment has arrived." Without 了, the sentence sounds incomplete. You can add a time word at the beginning for context: 十一点了，该睡觉了 (It is 11 o clock, time for bed). The pattern often implies gentle urgency — the time has come and action should follow.
Key Points
- 该 + verb + 了 = "it is time to..." — the moment for action has arrived.
- 了 is essential — it marks the change: now it IS time (it was not before).
- Often preceded by a time expression: 十一点了，该睡觉了。
- Common in daily routines: 该吃饭了, 该上课了, 该走了, 该起床了.
- Implies gentle urgency — time to act now.
- Can be negative: 不该 + verb + 了 is rare; instead use 还没到……的时候.
- Very similar to English "It is time to..." — natural and easy to grasp.
- Often used by authority figures (parents, teachers) to prompt action.
In Chinese family life, 该……了 is the soundtrack of daily routines. Children hear 该起床了 (time to get up), 该吃饭了 (time to eat), 该做作业了 (time to do homework), and 该睡觉了 (time for bed) every single day. It is warm, not strict.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
十一点了，该睡觉了。
It is 11 o clock, time for bed.
明天有听写，我该复习生词了。
There is a dictation test tomorrow, I should review vocabulary now.
八点了，该上课了。
It is 8 o clock, time for class.
该吃饭了，走吧。
Time to eat, let us go.
天黑了，我们该回家了。
It is getting dark, we should head home.
七点了，该起床了！
It is 7 o clock, time to get up!
该走了，再见！
Time to go, goodbye!
下雨了，该带伞了。
It is raining, time to bring an umbrella.
Common Mistakes
The pattern requires 了 at the end. Without 了, the sentence sounds incomplete — the 了 marks that "now is the time."
了 goes at the end of the sentence, not in the middle. Word order: (subject) + 该 + verb + 了.
了 always goes AFTER the verb phrase, at the very end.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
This is one of the most practical patterns in Chinese — use it every day for routines.
Practice with your real schedule: 八点了，该上班了。twelve点了，该吃午饭了。
The double 了 in sentences like 十一点了，该睡觉了 is normal — the first 了 marks the time, the second marks "time to act."
Parents use this pattern constantly — if you have Chinese friends with kids, listen for 该……了.
Homework
Write your daily schedule using 该……了 for every activity: 六点半了，该起床了。七点了，该吃早饭了。Include at least eight time-triggered sentences.