今天是星期一
jīntiān shì xīngqīyī
The English phrase "today is Monday" is translated into Chinese as 今天是星期一 (jīntiān shì xīngqīyī).
This phrase is used to state that the current day of the week is Monday.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 今天 (jīntiān) is composed of 今 (now) and 天 (day). The term for Monday, 星期一 (xīngqīyī), literally means "week one".
Which one should you use?
While English uses the word "Monday", Chinese denotes the first day of the week by adding the number one (一) to the word for week (星期).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, the days of the week are formed by adding the numbers 1 through 6 to the word for week (星期).
How do you pronounce it?
jīntiān shì xīngqīyī
Did you know?
- The term 星期 (xīngqī) literally translates to 'star period'. This refers to the ancient practice of using the seven celestial bodies to track time.
- While 星期 (xīngqī) is standard, people often use 周 (zhōu) or 礼拜 (lǐbài) to say 'week'. Using 礼拜 (lǐbài) for Monday was historically influenced by Christian terminology for days of worship.
- The word 天 (tiān) in 今天 (jīntiān) means both 'day' and 'sky' or 'heaven'. This reflects the ancient Chinese worldview where the sky and the passage of time were inextricably linked.
Examples in context
- 今天是周一了，你想去看电影吗？Today is Monday, do you want to go watch a movie?
- 今天是星期一。Jīntiān shì xīngqīyī.Today is Monday.
- 我忘了，今天是星期一吗？Wǒ wàngle, jīntiān shì xīngqīyī ma?I forgot, is today Monday?
- 今天是星期一，我们要开会。Jīntiān shì xīngqīyī, wǒmen yào kāihuì.Today is Monday, we have a meeting.
Example conversation
Jiayi and Wei are talking about their schedules.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，今天是星期一吗？Wěi, jīntiān shì xīngqīyī ma?Wei, is today Monday?
- 伟 Wei是的，今天是星期一。Shì de, jīntiān shì xīngqīyī.Yes, today is Monday.
- 佳怡 Jiayi太好了，我有会议。Tài hǎole, wǒ yǒu huìyì.Great, I have a meeting.
- 伟 Wei祝你会议顺利。Zhù nǐ huìyì shùnlì.I hope your meeting goes well.
