晚上
wǎnshang
The Chinese word for "evening" is 晚上 (wǎnshang).
晚上 is used to refer to the general period of time between dusk and night.
Meaning: time of day between dusk and night (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The character 晚 (wǎn) means late or evening.
Which one should you use?
While 晚上 refers to the general evening or night period, 傍晚 specifically refers to dusk or the very early evening when the sun is setting. Additionally, 夜里 is used more specifically to refer to the middle of the night or late-night hours.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 晚上 can function as a time adverbial in a sentence without needing a preposition like "in" or "at".
How do you pronounce it?
wǎnshang
When do people say it?
To say "good evening" in a formal way, you can use 晚上好. If you wish to be particularly polite and respectful when wishing someone a pleasant evening, you can say 愿您晚上过得愉快.
Did you know?
- The phrase 晚上好 is a relatively modern greeting influenced by Western 'Good Evening', whereas traditional Chinese greetings were more likely to ask if you have eaten yet.
- Chinese has a specific term 宵夜 for the 'late night snack' eaten specifically during the 晚上 period, which is a deeply ingrained urban food culture in cities like Guangzhou.
- The word 晚安 is used for 'good night', but unlike in English, it is almost exclusively used as a farewell or right before sleep, never as a greeting when arriving.
Examples in context
- 我明天晚上來。I'll come round tomorrow evening.This sentence shows how to use 晚上 to indicate when someone will arrive.Tatoeba #1170432 by egg0073, translation #1170433 by sundown
- 列车在晚上很挤。The train is very crowded this evening.This sentence illustrates using 晚上 to describe a condition at a specific time of day.Tatoeba #5907506 by verdastelo9604, translation #243255 by CK
- 我在晚上看電視。I watch television in the evening.This sentence demonstrates the use of 晚上 to describe a regular evening activity.Tatoeba #6077431 by verdastelo9604, translation #262102 by CK
- 晚上好，教授！Good evening, professor!
- 晚上好，同学。Good evening, student.
- 晚上好，小明！Good evening, Xiao Ming!
- 60 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple discusses their plans for the evening over the phone.
- 梓涵 Zihan你今天晚上有空嗎？Nǐ jīntiān wǎnshàng yǒu kòng ma?Are you free this evening?
- 伟 Wei我晚上要加班。Wǒ wǎnshàng yào jiābān.I have to work overtime tonight.
- 梓涵 Zihan那太可惜了。Nà tài kěxī le.That's a pity.
- 伟 Wei我們明天再見吧。Wǒmen míngtiān zài jiàn ba.Let's meet tomorrow instead.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
