周末
zhōumò
The Chinese word for weekend is 周末 (zhōumò).
周末 refers to the break in the working week. You can use the verb 过 (to spend or pass time) with it, such as in the phrase 过周末 to mean spending the weekend.
Meaning: break in the working week (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 周 (zhōu), meaning week and 末 (mò), meaning end or tip.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, people often use 週末 for weekend.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can specify which weekend you are referring to by placing a word before 周末: use 上周末 for last weekend, 这个周末 for this weekend and 下周末 for next weekend.
How do you pronounce it?
zhōumò
Did you know?
- The character 末 is part of a pair of characters that look very similar but have opposite meanings: 末 (end/tip) and 本 (root/base). Understanding this helps visualize the week as a structure with a base and a tip.
- In some older or more formal contexts, referring to the week as 礼拜 can carry a subtle religious connotation, stemming from its historical use in translating religious texts.
- The character 末 is used in Chinese to describe things that taper off or thin out, like the tip of a branch or a tail. This gives the word 周末 a subtle feeling that the week is gradually tapering off or reaching its final extremity.
Examples in context
- 那周末我去滑雪了。That weekend I went skiing.This sentence shows how to use 周末 to talk about a past activity.Tatoeba #10171218 by GlossaMatik, translation #7319844 by MarijnKp
- 我每周末都会去市区。I go into town every weekend.This sentence shows how to use 周末 to describe a regular habit.Tatoeba #8975263 by WilsonWong, translation #8397731 by CK
- 我上周末玩得很开心。I had a lot of fun last weekend.This sentence shows how to use 周末 to express having fun during a specific period.Tatoeba #10548657 by GlossaMatik, translation #2331601 by CK
- 我很期待下个周末去旅行。I am looking forward to traveling next weekend.
- 你打算在周末做什么？What are your plans for the weekend?
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting about their plans for the coming days.
- 伟 Wei这个周末你有计划吗？Zhège zhōumò nǐ yǒu jìhuà ma?Do you have plans for this weekend?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我目前还没有安排。Wǒ mùqián hái méiyǒu ānpái.I don't have any plans yet.
- 伟 Wei那周末我们一起去逛街吧。Nà zhōumò wǒmen yīqǐ qù guàngjiē ba.Then let's go shopping together this weekend.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好啊，我也想买衣服。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng mǎi yīfu.Sure, I want to buy some clothes too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
