能听到吗？

Use it exactly like you would use 'Can you hear me?' in English. You say it when you first pick up a phone. You say it when your Zoom screen freezes. You even say it when you are shouting across a busy street to a friend. Just add the phrase at the start of your sentence. If they say 'yes,' you are good to go!

This is your best friend during digital meetings. Use it when you suspect your internet is lagging. It is perfect for testing a new pair of headphones with a friend. Use it at a loud concert when you are trying to tell someone where the bathroom is. It is also great for checking if your grandma has her hearing aid turned on.

Don't use this to ask if someone is 'listening' to your advice. That requires a different word for 'listening.' Avoid using it in a quiet library unless you want death stares. Don't use it if you are standing right next to someone in a silent room. It might make them think you believe they have gone deaf. It is for technical or environmental audio hurdles only.

In the era of WeChat and TikTok, this phrase has become a daily mantra. China’s massive digital economy means millions of people start their day with this exact sentence. It represents the bridge between traditional communication and the high-tech present. It is the sound of the modern Chinese workplace and social life. Everyone from CEOs to street food vendors uses it daily.

If you want to be more specific, you can say 喂，能听到吗？ (Wei, can you hear me?). The 喂 is the standard 'hello' for phone calls. You might also hear 听得见吗？ which is a slightly more colloquial way to say the same thing. In very formal settings, you might add a 'hello' at the front: 您好，能听到吗？ This keeps things polite while you troubleshoot your tech issues.