Days of the Week in Chinese: Meaning & Conversational Phrases

Ever wondered about the days of the week in Chinese? Imagine trying to arrange a meet-up with a Mandarin-speaking friend but feeling unsure about discussing the days. This article dives into the meanings of each day and provides simple conversational phrases to facilitate everyday interactions. Understanding these basics can bridge language gaps and foster cultural understanding, whether you’re asking about today or planning for tomorrow. Join us as we explore the days of the week in Chinese, unraveling their significance and enhancing communication effortlessly.

Exploring the Week Ahead: How to Express Days of the Week in Chinese

Curious about how to express the days of the week in Chinese? Let’s dive into the basics of Mandarin vocabulary and pronunciation to help you master these essential phrases for everyday communication.

Discovering the Days of the Week in Chinese: Mastering Conversational Phrases

1. Monday – 星期一 (Xīngqí Yī)

Monday in Chinese is “星期一,” pronounced as “Xīngqí Yī.” This phrase literally translates to “Week One,” marking the beginning of the week.

• Chinese: 我们星期一去吃饭吧？(Wǒmen xīngqí yī qù chīfàn ba?)
• English: “Shall we go for dinner on Monday?”

2. Tuesday – 星期二 (Xīngqí Èr)

Tuesday is expressed as “星期二” in Chinese, pronounced as “Xīngqí Èr.” It means “Week Two,” indicating the second day of the weekly cycle.

• Chinese: 星期二我有个重要的会议。(Xīngqí èr wǒ yǒu gè zhòngyào de huìyì.)
• English: “I have an important meeting on Tuesday.”

3. Wednesday – 星期三 (Xīngqí Sān)

“星期三” is the Chinese term for Wednesday, pronounced as “Xīngqí Sān.” It translates to “Week Three,” representing the third day of the week.

• Chinese: 我们星期三一起去游乐园吧？(Wǒmen xīngqí sān yīqǐ qù yóulèyuán ba?)
• English: “Let’s go to the amusement park together on Wednesday?”

4. Thursday – 星期四 (Xīngqí Sì)

Thursday in Chinese is “星期四,” pronounced as “Xīngqí Sì.” This phrase means “Week Four,” signifying the fourth day of the week.

• Chinese: 星期四晚上我要去看电影。(Xīngqí sì wǎnshang wǒ yào qù kàn diànyǐng.)
• English: “I’m going to the movies on Thursday evening.”

5. Friday – 星期五 (Xīngqí Wǔ)

“星期五” is the Chinese expression for Friday, pronounced as “Xīngqí Wǔ.” It translates to “Week Five,” indicating the fifth day of the week, often associated with anticipation for the weekend.

• Chinese: 星期五晚上我们去庆祝生日吧？(Xīngqí wǔ wǎnshang wǒmen qù qìngzhù shēngrì ba?)
• English: “Let’s celebrate the birthday on Friday evening?”

6. Saturday – 星期六 (Xīngqí Liù)

Saturday is “星期六” in Chinese, pronounced as “Xīngqí Liù.” This phrase means “Week Six,” representing the sixth day of the week, typically a day for leisure and social activities.

• Chinese: 星期六我们一起去远足吧！(Xīngqí liù wǒmen yīqǐ qù yuǎnzú ba!)
• English: “Let’s go hiking together on Saturday!”

7. Sunday – 星期日/星期天 (Xīngqí Rì/Tiān)

Sunday can be expressed as either “星期日” or “星期天” in Chinese, both pronounced as “Xīngqí Rì” or “Xīngqí Tiān.” These phrases mean “Week Day,” signifying the final day of the week before a new one begins.

• Chinese: 星期天我通常和家人一起吃早餐。(Xīngqí tiān wǒ tōngcháng hé jiārén yīqǐ chī zǎocān.)
• English: “I usually have breakfast with my family on Sunday.”

Conversational Phrases for Days of the Week in Chinese:

Navigating everyday conversations about the days of the week in Chinese can be a breeze with these practical phrases. Let’s break down the meanings behind each phrase and provide examples to help you integrate them seamlessly into your discussions.

1. Today: 今天 (Jīn tiān)

今天是星期几？(Jīntiān shì xīngqí jǐ?)

Translation: “What day is it today?”

2. Tomorrow: 明天 (Míng tiān)

明天我们去购物吧？(Míngtiān wǒmen qù gòuwù ba?)

Translation: “Shall we go shopping tomorrow?”

3. Yesterday: 昨天 (Zuó tiān)

你昨天晚上做了什么？(Nǐ zuótiān wǎnshàng zuòle shénme?)

Translation: “What did you do yesterday evening?”

4. Next week: 下个星期 (Xià gè xīngqí)

下个星期你有什么计划？(Xià gè xīngqí nǐ yǒu shénme jìhuà?)

Translation: “What are your plans for next week?”

5. Last week: 上个星期 (Shàng gè xīngqí)

上个星期我们去了北京。(Shàng gè xīngqí wǒmen qùle běijīng.)

Translation: “We went to Beijing last week.”

Keeping Up with the Times: Modern Phrases for Days of the Week in Chinese

Curious about the contemporary ways to refer to the days of the week in Chinese? Let’s explore some modern phrases that are commonly used today.

1. Monday – 周一 (zhōu yī)

Example: 今天是周一。(Jīntiān shì zhōu yī.) – “Today is Monday.”

2. Tuesday – 周二 (zhōu èr)

Example: 明天是周二。(Míngtiān shì zhōu èr.) – “Tomorrow is Tuesday.”

3. Wednesday – 周三 (zhōu sān)

Example: 我们周三有个会议。(Wǒmen zhōu sān yǒu gè huìyì.) – “We have a meeting on Wednesday.”

4. Thursday – 周四 (zhōu sì)

Example: 我喜欢周四去购物。(Wǒ xǐhuān zhōu sì qù gòuwù.) – “I like to go shopping on Thursday.”

5. Friday – 周五 (zhōu wǔ)

Example: 周五晚上我们去吃饭。(Zhōu wǔ wǎnshang wǒmen qù chīfàn.) – “Let’s go for dinner on Friday evening.”

6. Saturday – 周六 (zhōu liù)

Example: 周六我们去游乐园。(Zhōu liù wǒmen qù yóulèyuán.) – “We’re going to the amusement park on Saturday.”

7. Sunday – 周日 / 周天 (zhōu rì / zhōu tiān)

Example: 周日是我休息的一天。(Zhōu rì shì wǒ xiūxi de yī tiān.) – “Sunday is my day off.”

FAQs: Days of the Week in Chinese

Q1. Are there any traditional activities associated with specific days of the week in Chinese culture?

Yes, for example, 星期六 (Saturday) is a popular day for leisure activities and outings, while 星期日 (Sunday) may involve family meals and visits to parks or temples.

Q2. Are there any special greetings associated with specific days of the week in Chinese?

Yes, for instance, on 星期一 (Monday), people may greet each other with “新的一周开始了！” (Xīn de yī zhōu kāishǐle!), meaning “A new week has begun!”

Q3. Are there any superstitions or taboos associated with certain days of the week in Chinese culture?

Yes, for example, 星期四 (Thursday) is considered unlucky in some regions due to its association with death, while 星期六 (Saturday) is seen as a propitious day for weddings.

Conclusion:

In this article, we’ve explored how to talk about the days of the week in Chinese. From traditional phrases like “星期一” to modern ones like “周一,” we’ve covered it all. Whether you’re making plans, chatting with friends, or discussing your weekly schedule, these phrases come in handy. By learning these expressions, you not only improve your language skills but also deepen your understanding of Chinese culture. So, dive into the world of Chinese days of the week, and you’ll find yourself more confident in conversations and more connected with Mandarin speakers.

Learn More: How Many Weeks in a Year