A simple question “What day of the week is it?” just reminded us today that the world is huuuge! For most of you it was Monday, but for Asia it was already Tuesday morning🌏☀️
But normally, within one conversation, *day* of the week is the same for everyone. What’s not the same is the word for *week*🗓
⭐️
You’ll hear Chinese native speakers say:
周一 zhōuyī – Monday
星期一 xīngqīyī – Monday
礼拜一 lǐbàiyī – Monday
⭐️
And there’s no difference between them!
All three words, 周 zhōu, 星期 xīngqī, and 礼拜 lǐbài, refer to a “week” – a period of 7 days.
⭐️
How to use them then?
✍️ Well, mind that 星期 xīngqī is the most neutral one (and so is 星期一/星期二/etc.) Whenever in doubt, or when writing formal letters/documents, use 星期.
🗣 Save 周 zhōu and 礼拜 lǐbài for less formal conversations. For example, when discussing your plans:
下周 xià zhōu (next week) I’m going to Hong Kong
下个礼拜 xiàge lǐbài (next week) I’m going to Hong Kong
周一 Zhōyī (on Monday) I’m going to stay at home, 周五 zhōuwǔ (on Friday) I’m going to watch Fantastic Beasts 🎞🍿
⭐️
Notice that the unspoken “rule of pairs” (even number of characters, 2 or 4) always works:
下周 下个星期 下个礼拜
这周 这个星期 这个礼拜
上周 上个星期 上个礼拜
一周 一个星期 一个礼拜
⭐️⭐️
And since there’s no much difference, set yourself a challenge – next time, use the word you haven’t used much!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
How would you say “I’m going to Beijing next week?”
@monicasalina17: 大家好！下周，我要去北京。
@gotlemons: 說話的時候，大部分台灣人平常用「禮拜」。 中國人常常用「星期」，但是在微信上你可以看到很多人用「周、周一，周二，周三」。 我住在上海，但是我心裡還是台灣人，所以我常常用「禮拜」。
@alisamaa: 我下个礼拜去北京
@sdxlk: 下个星期我打算去北京
@makestheheartgrow: I was also told that older/more mature (haha like 50 and over ) people say 礼拜…。Has anyone else ever heard that before?
@hola_katarina: 下个礼拜我去北京旅行
@d24rake10: 本周一是我们的毕业典礼
@gelatocrush: 下个礼拜我z要去北京
@i.csaba: 下个礼拜我会去北京。
@mitchy_karie1: 下周我去北京。 可以说， 我下周去北京？
@helly.nelly: 下周我要去北京
@yourmandarin: @helly.nelly 👍🏅
@anlsafira: -下周我回去北京。 -下个礼拜我回去北京。
@yourmandarin: @anlsafira 👍🏅🏅
@therealroberthall: 我下个星期会去北京。
@yourmandarin: @therealroberthall 😉🏅
@anthonychristi: 下个星期我要去北京。
@yourmandarin: @anthonychristi 👍🏅
@hica808: 下周我会去北京。
@yourmandarin: @hica808 ☀️🏅
@panchitasavla: 下 个 礼拜 我 去 北京
@yourmandarin: @panchitasavla 😊🏅
@henry_tonato: 下个星期我要去北京
@yourmandarin: @henry_tonato 😎🏅
@kmdsp: I was JUST wondering about this!!!! I was always taught 星期, but recently got a textbook that teaches 周. I was so confused but thankfully I came across this post! 谢谢! (I’m not even bothering with the 3rd one😟).
@yourmandarin: @kmdsp Yeah! Happy this post helped, Kristine☀️ Don’t worry about lǐbài, it doesn’t HAVE to be in your active vocabulary – just be aware of it in case natives use it😉
@aroojanermahan: Wo xia xinqiyi qu beijing
@yourmandarin: @aroojanermahan 🏅 hen hao!
@nue_mini: Thank you for sharing this,I like all your content,keep going☺️💕
@yourmandarin: @nue_mini 谢谢你！Happy to help☀️
@dindadestari: 我下周去北京😍
@yourmandarin: @dindadestari 没错🏅
@adorablecadaver: 下星期我去北京
@yourmandarin: @adorablecadaver 🏅🚄
@diee_naranjo: interesting
@bahrizaissa: 我去北京下周
@bahrizaissa: @yourmandarin 我下周去北京
@yourmandarin: @bahrizaissa 👍 You got the words right, now let’s put them into the right (‘Chinese’) order! “I-next-week-go to-Beijing”…?
@raynaldosk: 下周 我 去 北京
@yourmandarin: @raynaldosk 👍🏅
