Greetings! Learning how to say the date in Chinese is a useful skill to possess, whether you’re planning a trip to a Chinese-speaking country, communicating with Chinese friends or colleagues, or simply exploring the rich culture and language. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover both the formal and informal ways of saying the date in Chinese, focusing on the standard Mandarin Chinese used in mainland China. So, let’s dive right in!
1. Formal Ways to Say the Date in Chinese
When it comes to formal situations, such as writing official documents or making professional arrangements, it is important to use the correct format for expressing the date in Chinese. The standard format follows the order: year, month, and day. Let’s break it down:
1.1 Year
Tips:
Chinese people commonly use the Gregorian calendar, so when referring to the year, you can simply state the numeral value. For example, if the current year is 2023, you would say “èr líng èr sān nián” (二零二三年).
Example:
Today is June 23, 2023 – “jīn tiān shì èr líng èr sān nián liù yuè èr shí sān hào” (今天是二零二三年六月二十三号).
1.2 Month
Tips:
Chinese months are expressed using the Mandarin numbering system. The months can be simply stated using numbers one to twelve. If desired, you can add the character “yuè” (月) after the number to explicitly indicate “month.”
For example, to say “February,” you can say “èr yuè” (二月) or simply “èr” (二).
Example:
Today is June 23, 2023 – “jīn tiān shì liù yuè èr shí sān hào” (今天是六月二十三号).
1.3 Day
Tips:
To express the day of the month, you can simply state the number. If desired, you can add the character “hào” (号) after the number to explicitly indicate “day.”
For example, to say “23rd,” you can say “èr shí sān hào” (二十三号) or simply “èr shí sān” (二十三).
Example:
Today is June 23, 2023 – “jīn tiān shì èr líng èr sān nián liù yuè èr shí sān hào” (今天是二零二三年六月二十三号).
2. Informal Ways to Say the Date in Chinese
Informal settings, such as casual conversations with friends or family, allow for some flexibility in expressing the date. Here, we’ll explore some commonly used variations:
2.1 Using “Nèi Tiān” (那天)
Tips:
In informal contexts, instead of using “jīn tiān” (今天, today), you can use “nèi tiān” (那天, that day) to refer to the present day.
This expression is often used when recounting events that have happened in the past, but can also be used as a casual way to refer to the current day.
Example:
Today is June 23, 2023 – “nèi tiān shì liù yuè èr shí sān hào” (那天是六月二十三号).
2.2 Using “Jīn Rì” (今日) or “Jīn Tiān” (今天)
Tips:
Another informal way to say “today” is by using “jīn rì” (今日) or “jīn tiān” (今天), which both mean “today.”
These expressions are commonly used in casual conversations, and the choice between them is a matter of personal preference.
Example:
Today is June 23, 2023 – “jīn rì shì liù yuè èr shí sān hào” (今日是六月二十三号) or “jīn tiān shì liù yuè èr shí sān hào” (今天是六月二十三号).
3. Wrapping It Up
Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to say the date in Chinese both formally and informally. Remember, in formal situations, use the standard format of year, month, and day. In more relaxed contexts, you can use variations like “nèi tiān,” “jīn rì,” or “jīn tiān” to refer to today.
Keep practicing and exploring the Chinese language to deepen your understanding. As with any language, there are regional variations and dialects, but the standard Mandarin Chinese covered in this guide is widely understood throughout mainland China.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of expressing the date in Chinese, you can confidently engage in conversations, schedule appointments, and immerse yourself in the fascinating Chinese culture.
Happy learning and best of luck on your language journey!
