How to Say “I am working” in Chinese
Work and study · HSK 2
"I am working" in Chinese is 我在工作 (Wǒ zài gōngzuò). 在 (zài) before a verb marks an ongoing action; think of it as the '-ing' in English. 工作 (gōngzuò) is both the noun 'work' and verb 'to work,' while 上班 (shàngbān) specifically means 'being on the clock' at a job.
Primary translation
我在工作
Wǒ zài gōngzuò
Variants by register
Formal
我正在工作
Wǒ zhèngzài gōngzuò
Casual
我在上班
Wǒ zài shàngbān
When to use it
在 (zài) before a verb marks an ongoing action; think of it as the '-ing' in English. 工作 (gōngzuò) is both the noun 'work' and verb 'to work,' while 上班 (shàngbān) specifically means 'being on the clock' at a job. If your boss pings you on WeChat and you want to sound busy but polite, 我正在工作 adds 正 for extra 'right this moment' emphasis. 我在上班 is what you'd text a friend asking to hang out at 2pm.
Example sentences
别打扰我，我在工作。
Bié dǎrǎo wǒ, wǒ zài gōngzuò.
Don't bother me, I'm working.
抱歉，我正在工作，晚点回你。
Bàoqiàn, wǒ zhèngzài gōngzuò, wǎndiǎn huí nǐ.
Sorry, I'm working right now; I'll get back to you later.
我在上班，不能接电话。
Wǒ zài shàngbān, bùnéng jiē diànhuà.
I'm at work, I can't take calls.