The days of the week in Chinese follow a simple numeric pattern:
- Monday: 星期一 (xīngqī yī)
- Tuesday: 星期二 (xīngqī èr)
- Wednesday: 星期三 (xīngqī sān)
- Thursday: 星期四 (xīngqī sì)
- Friday: 星期五 (xīngqī wǔ)
- Saturday: 星期六 (xīngqī liù)
- Sunday: 星期日 (xīngqī rì) or 星期天 (xīngqī tiān)
Unlike English, Chinese doesn’t use prepositions like “on” before days. You simply place the day word directly before or after the verb.
The Complete Chart: Chinese Days of the Week
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Literal Translation | Common Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 星期一 | xīngqī yī | Week + One | 周一 (zhōu yī) |
| Tuesday | 星期二 | xīngqī èr | Week + Two | 周二 (zhōu èr) |
| Wednesday | 星期三 | xīngqī sān | Week + Three | 周三 (zhōu sān) |
| Thursday | 星期四 | xīngqī sì | Week + Four | 周四 (zhōu sì) |
| Friday | 星期五 | xīngqī wǔ | Week + Five | 周五 (zhōu wǔ) |
| Saturday | 星期六 | xīngqī liù | Week + Six | 周六 (zhōu liù) |
| Sunday | 星期日 / 星期天 | xīngqī rì / xīngqī tiān | Week + Sun / Week + Sky | 周日 (zhōu rì) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say the days of the week in Chinese?
Monday to Saturday follow 星期 + number 一 to 六. Sunday is 星期日 or 星期天. Example: 星期三 (xīngqī sān) = Wednesday.
What’s the difference between 星期, 周, and 礼拜?
星期 is standard and widely used. 周 is more formal or written. 礼拜 is casual and regionally common, originally tied to religious worship days.
How do you say “this Monday” or “next Friday” in Chinese?
Use 这 (this) or 下 (next) before the day: 这星期一 (zhè xīngqī yī) = this Monday, 下周五 (xià zhōu wǔ) = next Friday.
Do Chinese people use a 7-day week?
Yes. Modern China uses the Gregorian 7-day week for work, school, and business. Traditional lunar calendars track months and festivals, not weekdays.
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