Learning how to say “weekend” in Chinese can be useful when you want to discuss your plans, arrange activities, or simply have a conversation with Chinese-speaking friends or colleagues. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to express the concept of “weekend” in Chinese.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Weekend
Formal language is commonly used in professional settings or when speaking with individuals you are not familiar with. Here are a few formal ways to express the concept of “weekend” in Chinese:
- 周末 (zhōu mò): This is the most common and standard way to say “weekend” in Chinese. The character “周” (zhōu) means “week” and “末” (mò) means “end.” Together, they form the word “周末,” which translates to “weekend.” This term is universally understood throughout China.
- 礼拜六和礼拜天 (lǐ bài liù hé lǐ bài tiān): This expression uses the terms “礼拜六” (lǐ bài liù) for Saturday and “礼拜天” (lǐ bài tiān) for Sunday. It is also considered a formal way to refer to the weekend in Chinese.
- 双休日 (shuāng xiū rì): This term directly translates to “double rest day.” It refers to the two days off, Saturday and Sunday, which are commonly observed weekends in many work settings.
Informal Ways to Say Weekend
Informal language is often used when speaking with friends, family, or in casual settings. Here are a few informal ways to express the concept of “weekend” in Chinese:
- 周末 (zhōu mò): While “周末” was mentioned earlier as a formal term, it is also widely used in informal conversations. Native speakers frequently use this term to refer to the weekend, regardless of the setting or context.
- 休息日 (xiū xī rì): This colloquial expression means “rest day” and is commonly used in informal conversation. It implies taking a break from work and enjoying leisure activities during the weekend.
- 放假 (fàng jià): This phrase means “to have a day off” or “to take a vacation.” Native speakers also use it when referring to the weekend. While it can be used informally, it is more commonly used to describe vacations or time away from work.
Regional Variations
Chinese is a diverse language that can vary across different regions. While the formal and informal ways mentioned above are widely understood throughout China, some regional variations exist. Here are a few examples:
台湾: In Taiwan, people often use “週末” (zhōu mò) for “weekend,” similar to the standard term used in mainland China.
香港: In Hong Kong, the term “星期六和星期日” (sīng kèi loùh wòh sīng kèi yaht) is sometimes used. It translates to “Saturday and Sunday.”
Tips for Pronunciation
Pronunciation can be a challenge when learning any new language, including Chinese. Here are a few tips to help you pronounce “weekend” correctly:
- Tone: Pay close attention to the tones when pronouncing the words. In Mandarin Chinese, “周末” (zhōu mò) has a first tone (high-level tone) on “zhōu” and a fourth tone (downward-falling tone) on “mò.”
- Pinyin: If you are not familiar with Chinese characters, you can use pinyin as a guide for pronunciation. For example, “zhōu” is pronounced like “joh” but with a rising tone, and “mò” is pronounced like “muh” but with a falling tone.
- Practice: Practice saying the words out loud to improve your pronunciation. You can use language learning apps or online resources to listen to native speakers and mimic their pronunciation.
Examples
Here are a few examples that demonstrate the use of the various ways to say “weekend” in Chinese:
1. 我很期待下个周末去旅行。(Wǒ hěn qīdài xià gè zhōu mò qù lǚxíng.)
Translation: I am looking forward to traveling next weekend.
2. 你打算在周末做什么？(Nǐ dǎsuàn zài zhōu mò zuò shénme?)
Translation: What are your plans for the weekend?
3. 这个星期天我打算放假休息。(Zhège xīngqítiān wǒ dǎsuàn fàngjià xiūxí.)
Translation: I plan to take a day off and rest this Sunday.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned various ways to say “weekend” in Chinese, you can confidently engage in conversations about weekend plans, activities, and more. Remember to choose the appropriate level of formality based on the situation or the person you are talking to. Practice your pronunciation, and enjoy using your new vocabulary in Mandarin Chinese!
