Greetings! If you’re interested in learning how to say dates in Chinese, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to express dates, focusing primarily on Mandarin Chinese. However, we’ll touch upon certain regional variations if necessary. So, let’s dive in and explore how you can express dates fluently in Chinese.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways of Saying Dates
When it comes to formal situations, such as business meetings or official correspondence, it’s crucial to use appropriate Chinese date expressions. Here are some commonly used formal phrases:
一月 (yī yuè) – January
二月 (èr yuè) – February
三月 (sān yuè) – March
四月 (sì yuè) – April
五月 (wǔ yuè) – May
六月 (liù yuè) – June
七月 (qī yuè) – July
八月 (bā yuè) – August
九月 (jiǔ yuè) – September
十月 (shí yuè) – October
十一月 (shí yī yuè) – November
十二月 (shí èr yuè) – December
Additionally, you will need to know how to say the numerical day of the month and the year. Here are some examples to help you:
- Date: 三月一日, 二千二十年
- Pronunciation: sān yuè yī rì, èr qiān èr shí nián
- Translation: March 1st, year 2020
These formal date expressions will assist you in professional or serious situations, allowing you to communicate clearly and confidently.
Informal Ways of Saying Dates
When interacting with friends, family, or in informal settings, you can use more colloquial Chinese date expressions. Here are some commonly used informal phrases:
一月 (yī yuè) – 一月 (yī yuè) – Jan.
二月 (èr yuè) – 二月 (èr yuè) – Feb.
三月 (sān yuè) – 三月 (sān yuè) – Mar.
四月 (sì yuè) – 四月 (sì yuè) – Apr.
五月 (wǔ yuè) – 五月 (wǔ yuè) – May
六月 (liù yuè) – 六月 (liù yuè) – Jun.
七月 (qī yuè) – 七月 (qī yuè) – Jul.
八月 (bā yuè) – 八月 (bā yuè) – Aug.
九月 (jiǔ yuè) – 九月 (jiǔ yuè) – Sep.
十月 (shí yuè) – 十月 (shí yuè) – Oct.
十一月 (shí yī yuè) – 十一月 (shí yī yuè) – Nov.
十二月 (shí èr yuè) – 十二月 (shí èr yuè) – Dec.
When expressing the numerical day of the month, it is common to omit the “日” character and use only the number. Here are some examples:
- Date: 三月一, 二零二零年
- Pronunciation: sān yuè yī, èr líng èr líng nián
- Translation: March 1, year 2020
These informal date expressions will help you in casual conversations, making your interactions more natural and relaxed.
Tips for Saying Dates in Chinese
Here are some essential tips to keep in mind while talking about dates in Chinese:
- Word Order: In Chinese, the word order for expressing dates is year, month, and then the day.
- Pronunciation: Pay attention to the tone and pronunciation specific to each character to avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
- Use of Measure Words: Measure words are not typically used when expressing dates in Chinese.
- Leap Year: When discussing leap years, Chinese often uses the term “闰年” (rùn nián).
Wrapping Up
Congratulations! You’ve now learned the essentials of expressing dates in Chinese. Remember, for formal situations, use the full phrase for both the month and year. In informal settings, you can use the abbreviated expressions. Don’t forget the correct word order, and pay attention to tones while pronouncing the characters. Practice regularly, and you’ll soon feel confident when discussing dates in Mandarin Chinese.
Enjoy your learning journey, and may your Chinese language skills continue to flourish!
