今天星期几？
jīntiān xīngqī jǐ?
The English phrase "what day is it?" is translated into Chinese as 今天星期几？ (jīntiān xīngqī jǐ?)
今天星期几？ is used specifically to ask which day of the week it is.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Today week which?"
Which one should you use?
Use 今天星期几？ to ask for the day of the week, but use 今天几号？ to ask for the calendar date.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 星期几, the word 几 (jǐ) is used to ask "which" specifically when referring to numbers or items in a sequence, such as the days of the week.
How do you pronounce it?
jīntiān xīngqī jǐ?
Did you know?
- The word 星期 (xīngqī) literally translates to 'star period'. This is because ancient astronomers viewed the seven-day cycle as being governed by the seven celestial bodies visible to the naked eye.
- While 星期 (xīngqī) is the standard word for 'week', you will often hear people use 礼拜 (lǐbài) instead. This alternative term originally referred to the Christian ritual of worshiping on Sunday.
- Unlike English, where days are named after gods or planets, the days in 星期 are simply numbered. Except for Sunday, every day is just 'week' plus a number from one to six.
Examples in context
- 请问，今天星期几？Qǐngwèn, jīntiān xīngqī jǐ?Excuse me, what day is it today?
Example conversation
Haoran and Jiayi are checking their schedule for a meeting.
- 浩然 Haoran今天星期几？Jīntiān xīngqī jǐ?What day of the week is it today?
- 佳怡 Jiayi今天是星期三。Jīntiān shì xīngqīsān.Today is Wednesday.
- 浩然 Haoran那我们的会议是在什么时候？Nà wǒmen de huìyì shì zài shénme shíhou?Then when is our meeting?
- 佳怡 Jiayi会议在明天。Huìyì zài míngtiān.The meeting is tomorrow.
