Bethany Jacqueline
Greetings! If you’re looking for ways to express “last week” in Chinese, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to refer to the previous week. Additionally, we’ll provide tips, examples, and a brief overview of any regional variations. So let’s dive right in!
Formal Ways to Say Last Week
If you need to use a more polite or formal expression for “last week” in Chinese, you can choose from the following options:
- 上个星期 (Shàng gè xīngqī): This is the most common and widely used formal way to say “last week” in Chinese. “上个 (shàng gè)” means “previous” or “last,” and “星期 (xīngqī)” means “week.” So, this phrase directly translates to “previous week.”
Example: 我上个星期去上海出差了。(Wǒ shàng gè xīngqī qù Shànghǎi chūchāi le.) – Last week, I went on a business trip to Shanghai.
- 上周 (Shàng zhōu): This is another formal way to express “last week” in Chinese. It is slightly more concise and commonly used in written language.
Example: 上周的会议很成功。(Shàng zhōu de huìyì hěn chénggōng.) – The meeting last week was very successful.
Informal Ways to Say Last Week
If you’re in a casual setting or having a conversation with friends, you can use these informal expressions for “last week” in Chinese:
- 上礼拜 (Shàng lǐbài): This colloquial phrase is commonly used in spoken Chinese to mean “last week.” “上 (shàng)” means “previous” or “last,” and “礼拜 (lǐbài)” is a synonym for “星期 (xīngqī)” (week).
Example: 我上礼拜去看了电影。(Wǒ shàng lǐbài qù kàn le diànyǐng.) – I went to see a movie last week.
- 前面的星期 (Qiánmiàn de xīngqī): This is a more descriptive way to express “last week” in informal speech, but it is less commonly used.
Example: 就在前面的星期，我去旅行了一周。(Jiù zài qiánmiàn de xīngqī, wǒ qù lǚxíng le yī zhōu.) – Just last week, I went on a week-long trip.
Regional Variations
Chinese is a highly diverse language with regional variations. While the basic concepts of “last week” remain the same across most Chinese-speaking regions, some dialects may have unique expressions. Here are a few examples:
Shanghai Dialect
In Shanghai, the local dialect, known as Shanghainese, has its own words for “last week.” The equivalent expressions include:
- 传周 (Zuǎn zhou)
- 前由 (Cian de)
Cantonese
In Cantonese, spoken in Hong Kong and parts of Guangdong, you can say “last week” using the following expressions:
- 上星期 (Soeng^6 sing^1 kei^4)
- 上個禮拜 (Soeng^6 go^3 lai^5 baai^3)
Remember, these regional variations may not be understood by all Chinese speakers, so it’s best to use the standard Mandarin expressions unless you are specifically communicating with individuals from those regions.
Final Tips and Cultural Insights
When referring to “last week” in Chinese, it’s important to note that Chinese typically uses a different scheme for weekdays compared to English. Instead of starting the week with Sunday, it starts with Monday (星期一 – xīngqī yī), followed by Tuesday, Wednesday, and so on.
Moreover, it’s customary in Chinese culture to ask about or discuss weekends rather than weekdays when talking about the recent past. Chinese people often ask questions like “Did you have a good weekend?” or “What did you do last weekend?” rather than specifically inquiring about the previous week.
By understanding these nuances, you can contribute more effectively to conversations in Chinese and demonstrate cultural sensitivity.
That wraps up our comprehensive guide on how to say “last week” in Chinese. We covered both formal and informal expressions, delved into regional variations, and shared cultural insights. We hope this guide helps you navigate conversations and express yourself confidently in Chinese. Happy learning!
