Greetings! If you’re learning Chinese or planning a trip to a Chinese-speaking country, it’s essential to know how to say dates. Whether you want to schedule a meeting, make plans with friends, or simply understand dates in movies and TV shows, this guide will help. We’ll cover both formal and informal ways of expressing dates in Chinese, providing tips, examples, and even a few regional variations. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Dates
Formal situations, such as business meetings or official documents, require a more precise and structured way of expressing dates in Chinese. Here’s how to do it:
1. Gregorian Calendar Dates (Western Dates)
To express dates according to the Gregorian calendar (commonly known as the Western calendar), you can use the following format:
- Year: YYYY. For example, “2023” would be pronounced as “èr líng èr sān nián.”
- Month: MM. For example, “07” would be pronounced as “qī yuè.”
- Day: DD. For example, “15” would be pronounced as “shí wǔ hào.”
So, the complete formal date in Chinese would be “YYYY 年 MM 月 DD 日.”
Example: If we take the date July 15th, 2023 as an example, it would be spoken as “èr líng èr sān nián qī yuè shí wǔ hào.”
2. Chinese Lunar Calendar Dates
In more formal settings, expressing dates using the Chinese lunar calendar may be required. The lunar calendar follows the phases of the moon and is still used for traditional holidays and festivals in Chinese-speaking countries. Here’s how to express lunar calendar dates:
- Year: YYYY. Similar to the Gregorian calendar, simply mention the year using the Chinese pronunciation. For example, “2023” would be pronounced as “èr líng èr sān nián.”
- Month: MM. Months in the lunar calendar have poetic names and can be pronounced as such. For example, the first month, equivalent to February, is called “zhēng yuè.”
- Day: DD. Days in the lunar calendar are often represented using numerals. For example, “15” would be pronounced as “shí wǔ hào.”
Therefore, a formal date in Chinese Lunar calendar would be “YYYY 年 MM 月 DD 日.”
Example: Using the lunar calendar, the date July 15th, 2023, would be spoken as “èr líng èr sān nián zhēng yuè shí wǔ hào.”
Informal Ways to Say Dates
In informal situations, like casual conversations with friends or family, you can use simpler expressions to state dates. These are more commonly used in daily life:
1. Expressing Dates Using Numbers
In informal contexts, it is common to use just numbers to express dates. This method is straightforward and can be easily understood:
- When talking about years, simply mention the numbers without any additional pronunciations. For example, “2023” would be spoken as “èr líng èr sān.”
- Months can be expressed using numbers as well. For example, “July” would become “07.”
- Days are also expressed using numbers. For instance, “15” would be pronounced as “shí wǔ.”
Putting it all together, an informal date would be pronounced as “YYYY-MM-DD.”
Example: An informal way to say July 15th, 2023 would be “èr líng èr sān líng qī nián líng qī yuè shí wǔ hào.”
2. Using Descriptive Phrases for Dates
Another informal approach to expressing dates in Chinese is through descriptive phrases. These phrases often relate the date to significant events or holidays. Here are a few examples:
- “The New Year” – Referring to the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
- “Chinese National Day” – Referring to October 1st, which marks the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
- “Valentine’s Day” – Referring to February 14th, a day of love and romance.
Using descriptive phrases allows you to convey the date without explicitly mentioning the numbers.
Example: Instead of saying “February 14th,” you could say “Valentine’s Day“.
Regional Variations
While Chinese is spoken in various regions, the expressions for stating dates are generally understood across all Mandarin-speaking communities. However, there might be minor variations in the pronunciation or word choice in some regions. It’s always fascinating to encounter these variations while traveling, but they are by no means obstacles to communication.
For instance, in Taiwan, it is more common to use the Minnanhua (Hokkien) dialect for certain dates or holidays, while the standard Mandarin expressions are still widely understood.
In Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have a solid understanding of how to say dates in Chinese. Whether you’re using the formal or informal expressions, you’ll be able to schedule appointments, make plans, or comprehend dates in Chinese media with confidence. Remember to practice regularly and keep immersing yourself in the language, experiencing the rich cultural diversity that comes with it. Happy learning, and enjoy your journey in mastering the Chinese language!
