xīngqītiān
everyday
In pinyin "Sunday" in Chinese is xīngqītiān, written 星期天 (xīngqītiān), or xīngqīrì in more formal use. Both are common and mean the same day. It is also called lǐbàitiān.
Meaning: Sunday (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Note |
|---|---|
| xīngqītiān | everyday |
| xīngqīrì | standard, written |
| lǐbàitiān | colloquial, Taiwan |
The days are built on xīngqī, "week". Monday to Saturday end in the numbers one to six, and Sunday ends in tiān or rì instead.
Which one should you use?
Lǐbàitiān uses the word lǐbài for week and is a casual alternative you will hear in Taiwan and in parts of southern China. Zhōurì is a short form seen on schedules.
How do you pronounce it?
Say xīng high and flat, qī high and flat and tiān high and flat, so the whole word is smooth.
Did you know?
- Sunday is the only day of the week in Chinese that is not named with a number.
Examples in context
- Xīngqītiān wǒ bù shàngbān.I do not work on Sunday.
- Wǒmen xīngqīrì qù kàn diànyǐng.We are going to a movie on Sunday.
- Xià xīngqītiān shì wǒ de shēngrì.Next Sunday is my birthday.
Example conversation
Zhou and his friend Rui make weekend plans.
- ZhouXīngqītiān nǐ yǒu kòng ma?Are you free on Sunday?
- RuiYǒu, zěnme le?Yes, why?
- ZhouYìqǐ qù páshān ba.Let us go hiking together.
