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A1 noun #300 پرکاربردترین 11 دقیقه مطالعه

下午

xiàwǔ رتبه 300

At the A1 level, 下午 (xiàwǔ) is taught as a basic time noun. Students learn to use it to describe their daily routines and make simple appointments. The focus is on the correct word order: Subject + Time + Verb. For example, '我下午喝茶' (I drink tea in the afternoon). Learners also learn to combine it with specific hours, like '下午三点' (3:00 PM). The goal is to distinguish it from shàngwǔ (morning) and wǎnshàng (evening). Cultural context at this level usually involves the concept of 'afternoon tea' or 'afternoon naps' (wǔshuì), which are common in Chinese daily life.

At the A2 level, learners use 下午 in more complex scheduling and planning. They begin to use it with 'this/that/next' modifiers, such as '这个下午' (this afternoon) or '下个星期三下午' (next Wednesday afternoon). The vocabulary expands to include activities common to the afternoon, like '逛街' (shopping) or '开会' (having a meeting). Students also learn to use '从...到...' (from... to...) structures, such as '从下午两点到四点' (from 2 PM to 4 PM). The emphasis is on fluency in arranging social and professional engagements.

At the B1 level, 下午 is used to describe durations and habits with more nuance. Students might use '整个下午' (the whole afternoon) to emphasize the length of an activity. They also start to encounter the word in more varied contexts, such as weather reports ('下午转晴' - turning sunny in the afternoon) or news snippets. At this stage, the distinction between the neutral xiàwǔ and the more formal wǔhòu is introduced. Learners are expected to handle time-related prepositions and conjunctions more naturally, integrating xiàwǔ into longer narratives about their day or past experiences.

At the B2 level, 下午 appears in more formal and professional contexts. Students learn to use it in business correspondence and reports. They might encounter it in idioms or set phrases related to time management. The focus shifts to understanding the 'register' of different time words. For instance, knowing when to use '下午' versus '下半天' in a workplace setting. Learners also explore the cultural significance of the afternoon in Chinese literature and cinema, where the 'afternoon sun' often serves as a metaphor for specific moods or life stages.

At the C1 level, the word 下午 is understood within its deep historical and linguistic roots. Students explore the 'Earthly Branches' system and why the character '午' (wǔ) represents the midday period. They can analyze literary texts where the afternoon is described with rich, evocative language (e.g., '残阳如血的下午' - an afternoon where the setting sun is like blood). At this level, the learner can discuss abstract concepts like 'the afternoon of a civilization' or use the word in complex philosophical debates about the perception of time.

At the C2 level, 下午 is used with total native-like precision and stylistic flair. The learner can appreciate and use archaic or highly specialized synonyms found in classical poetry or technical astronomical texts. They understand the subtle social cues associated with 'afternoon' invitations in different Chinese-speaking regions (e.g., the difference between a Beijing 'shǎngwu' and a Hong Kong 'xiàwǔchá'). The word becomes a tool for sophisticated expression, used effortlessly in everything from legal documents to creative writing, reflecting a deep mastery of Chinese temporal logic.

تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها

下午 در ۳۰ ثانیه

下午 (xiàwǔ) means 'afternoon' and is used for the time between 1 PM and 6 PM.
Always place '下午' before the verb in a sentence (e.g., 我下午去).
Combine it with days like '今天下午' (this afternoon) or '明天下午' (tomorrow afternoon).
It is essential for distinguishing PM times in the 12-hour clock system.

The Chinese word 下午 (xiàwǔ) is a fundamental temporal noun that translates directly to 'afternoon' in English. To understand its construction, one must look at its component characters: 下 (xià), meaning 'down', 'below', or 'after', and 午 (wǔ), which refers to 'noon' or the period between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM in the traditional Chinese horary system. Therefore, xiàwǔ literally signifies the time 'after noon'. In modern Mandarin, this period typically spans from roughly 1:00 PM until the sun begins to set, usually around 6:00 PM, at which point wǎnshàng (evening) takes over.

Temporal Scope: In most Chinese-speaking contexts, 下午 begins immediately after the lunch break (中午, zhōngwǔ). While in English 'afternoon' might start at 12:01 PM, in Chinese culture, the distinction between 'noon' (the eating/resting period) and 'afternoon' (the resumption of work or study) is quite sharp.
Daily Routine Integration: People use 下午 to schedule meetings, classes, and social gatherings. It is the peak time for productivity in offices and schools. It is also the time for the culturally significant xiàwǔchá (afternoon tea), a habit influenced by both traditional tea culture and Western colonial history in cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai.

我们今天下午三点有一个重要的会议。(Wǒmen jīntiān xiàwǔ sāndiǎn yǒu yīgè zhòngyào de huìyì.)
— Translation: We have an important meeting at 3:00 this afternoon.

In terms of frequency, 下午 is one of the most commonly used time words in the Chinese language. Whether you are booking a train ticket, making a doctor's appointment, or simply asking a friend when they are free, this word is indispensable. It serves as a broad bucket for the second half of the daylight hours, bridging the gap between the high sun of midday and the twilight of evening.

你下午想去公园走走吗？(Nǐ xiàwǔ xiǎng qù gōngyuán zǒuzǒu ma?)
— Translation: Do you want to go for a walk in the park this afternoon?

Furthermore, 下午 can be modified to be more specific. For example, xiàwǔ liǎngdiǎn (2 PM) or jīntiān xiàwǔ (this afternoon). Unlike English, where you might say 'at 2 PM in the afternoon', Chinese word order strictly places the larger time unit before the smaller one: 下午 + [Time]. This logical progression from general to specific is a hallmark of Chinese grammar that beginners must master early on.

Professional Usage: In a business email, you might see '请于下午五点前回复' (Please reply before 5:00 PM). Here, 下午 provides the necessary context to distinguish 5:00 AM from 5:00 PM, as Chinese often uses a 12-hour clock in speech and informal writing.

整个下午都在下雨。(Zhěnggè xiàwǔ dōu zài xiàyǔ.)
— Translation: It has been raining the whole afternoon.

Mastering the use of 下午 (xiàwǔ) requires an understanding of Chinese sentence structure, which differs significantly from English. The most crucial rule is that time words always come before the verb. You can place the time word either at the very beginning of the sentence or immediately after the subject, but never at the end of the sentence like you often do in English.

Basic Structure: Subject + Time + Verb: This is the most common way to express when an action occurs. For example: '我下午学习' (Wǒ xiàwǔ xuéxí) - I study in the afternoon. Note how xiàwǔ sits right between the subject 'I' and the verb 'study'.
Structure: Time + Subject + Verb: Placing the time at the beginning emphasizes the time itself. '下午我学习' (Xiàwǔ wǒ xuéxí) - In the afternoon, I study. This is often used when contrasting different parts of the day.

我下午两点去超市买东西。(Wǒ xiàwǔ liǎngdiǎn qù chāoshì mǎi dōngxī.)
— Translation: I am going to the supermarket to buy things at 2:00 PM.

When specifying a particular day's afternoon, you combine 下午 with words like jīntiān (today), míngtiān (tomorrow), or zuótiān (yesterday). The order is always Day + Part of Day. So, 'today afternoon' becomes 今天下午 (jīntiān xiàwǔ). This is a very logical system: you start with the largest unit of time and narrow it down.

明天下午你有空吗？(Míngtiān xiàwǔ nǐ yǒu kòng ma?)
— Translation: Are you free tomorrow afternoon?

Another advanced usage involves the word 整个 (zhěnggè), meaning 'the whole'. To say 'the whole afternoon', you say 整个下午. This is used to describe duration or an action that spanned the entire period. For example, '他整个下午都在睡觉' (He was sleeping the whole afternoon). This highlights the continuity of the action throughout the timeframe.

Combining with Specific Times: When you use a specific clock time, 下午 acts as a qualifier. '下午四点半' (Xiàwǔ sìdiǎn bàn) means 4:30 PM. This is essential because Chinese clocks usually run on a 12-hour cycle in conversation. Without xiàwǔ, '四点半' could mean 4:30 AM.

每个星期六下午，我都会去打篮球。(Měigè xīngqīliù xiàwǔ, wǒ dūhuì qù dǎ lánqiú.)
— Translation: Every Saturday afternoon, I go play basketball.

In summary, 下午 is a versatile building block. Whether it's part of a simple daily routine or a specific appointment, remember the 'General to Specific' rule and the 'Time before Verb' rule, and you will be able to construct natural-sounding Chinese sentences with ease.

You will encounter 下午 (xiàwǔ) in almost every facet of daily life in a Chinese-speaking environment. Its ubiquity makes it one of the first 'survival' words a learner should internalize. From the sterile environment of a corporate office to the bustling energy of a wet market, xiàwǔ is the temporal anchor for millions of conversations.

In the Workplace: Offices are perhaps the most common place to hear 下午. It is the time for '下午茶' (afternoon tea) breaks, which are common in many Chinese companies to boost morale. You'll hear colleagues saying, '下午的会议取消了' (The afternoon meeting is cancelled) or '我们下午再谈' (Let's talk again in the afternoon).
At Schools and Universities: Students live by the schedule of shàngwǔ (morning) and xiàwǔ (afternoon) classes. A teacher might announce, '下午两点在操场集合' (Assemble at the playground at 2:00 PM). The end of the school day is often referred to as '下午放学' (afternoon school dismissal).

广播：下午前往上海的动车组列车现在开始检票。(Guǎngbō: Xiàwǔ qiánwǎng Shànghǎi de dòngchēzǔ lièchē xiànzài kāishǐ jiǎnpiào.)
— Translation: Announcement: Ticket checking for the afternoon high-speed train to Shanghai is now beginning.

Public transport is another major arena for this word. Train stations, airports, and bus terminals use 下午 in their announcements and on digital displays to differentiate between AM and PM departures. When you look at a flight schedule, you'll see times like '14:30', but the staff will often say '下午两点半' to be more conversational.

医生：你下午来医院复查一下。(Yīshēng: Nǐ xiàwǔ lái yīyuàn fùchá yīxià.)
— Translation: Doctor: Come to the hospital this afternoon for a follow-up check.

In social media and texting (WeChat), 下午 is often abbreviated or used in stickers. Friends might send a message like '下午见' (See you this afternoon) with a waving emoji. It's also common in weather reports: '下午有小雨' (There will be light rain in the afternoon), which helps people decide whether to carry an umbrella when they leave home after lunch.

Media and Entertainment: Television guides and radio hosts frequently use 下午 to introduce programs. '下午剧场' (Afternoon Theater) is a common slot for re-runs of popular dramas. In movies, a character might say, '那个下午改变了我的一生' (That afternoon changed my whole life), using the word to evoke a specific memory.

新闻：今天下午，市长视察了新建的公园。(Xīnwén: Jīntiān xiàwǔ, shìzhǎng shìchále xīnjiàn de gōngyuán.)
— Translation: News: This afternoon, the mayor inspected the newly built park.

Even though 下午 (xiàwǔ) is an A1-level word, learners frequently make structural and conceptual errors when integrating it into their speech. Because English and Chinese handle time so differently, these mistakes are often 'interference' from the learner's native language logic.

Mistake 1: Placing the Time Word at the End: In English, we say 'I will call you in the afternoon'. A direct translation leads to '我会打给你下午' (Wǒ huì dǎ gěi nǐ xiàwǔ), which is incorrect. In Chinese, the time must come before the action: '我下午会打给你'.
Mistake 2: Using Prepositions Like 'In' or 'At': Learners often try to say '在下午' (zài xiàwǔ) to mimic 'in the afternoon'. While not always grammatically 'wrong' in a strict sense, it often sounds redundant or overly formal in spoken Chinese. Usually, just 下午 is enough.

❌ 我去商店在下午。
✅ 我下午去商店。
— Explanation: Time must precede the verb in Chinese.

Another common confusion arises from the boundary between 中午 (noon), 下午 (afternoon), and 晚上 (evening). Some learners use xiàwǔ for 7:00 PM because it is still light outside in the summer. However, in Chinese, once the typical workday ends and dinner time approaches (usually around 6:00 PM), people switch to 晚上 (wǎnshàng).

❌ 下午三点明天 (Xiàwǔ sāndiǎn míngtiān)
✅ 明天下午三点 (Míngtiān xiàwǔ sāndiǎn)
— Explanation: The day (tomorrow) must come before the part of the day (afternoon).

Lastly, don't confuse 下午 (xiàwǔ) with 下五 (xiàwǔ - same pinyin, different characters). While they sound the same, '下五' is not a standard term. Also, be careful with the tones: xià is 4th tone (falling) and wǔ is 3rd tone (falling-rising). If you say them with the wrong tones, you might be misunderstood, although context usually saves you.

Confusion with 'Wǔhòu' (午后): Learners sometimes find the word '午后' in literature and try to use it in daily speech. '午后' is more poetic and formal. For everyday conversation, stick to 下午 to avoid sounding like you are reading from a 19th-century novel.

While 下午 (xiàwǔ) is the standard term for 'afternoon', Chinese has several related words that describe similar or overlapping time periods. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to be more precise in your descriptions.

下午 (xiàwǔ) vs. 午后 (wǔhòu): 下午 is the everyday, neutral term. 午后 is more literary and elegant. You'll see wǔhòu in book titles, poems, or high-end cafe names (e.g., '午后阳光' - Afternoon Sunshine). In a casual chat with a friend, use xiàwǔ.
下午 (xiàwǔ) vs. 晌午 (shǎngwu): 晌午 is a regional/dialectal term, very common in Northern China. It usually refers to the period around noon or early afternoon. It has a more rustic, 'down-to-earth' feel compared to the standard xiàwǔ.

比较：
1. 下午：我下午三点有课。(Standard)
2. 午后：午后的茶点非常美味。(Literary)
3. 傍晚：我们傍晚去散步。(Dusk/Late afternoon)

Another important word is 傍晚 (bàngwǎn). This refers to the 'late afternoon' or 'dusk', specifically the time when the sun is setting (around 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM). While this overlaps with the end of xiàwǔ, bàngwǎn is much more specific about the light conditions and the transition into night.

In professional settings, you might also hear 下半天 (xiàbàntiān). Literally 'the lower half of the day', it is a slightly more colloquial way to say 'the afternoon session' or 'the second half of the day'. For example, '我下半天不在办公室' (I won't be in the office for the second half of the day).

Antonyms: The direct opposite of 下午 is 上午 (shàngwǔ), which means 'morning' (roughly 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM). Just as xià means 'below/after', shàng means 'above/before'. Together, they divide the daylight hours around the central point of zhōngwǔ (noon).

他上午在学校，下午在图书馆。(He is at school in the morning and at the library in the afternoon.)

چقدر رسمی است؟

رسمی

"请于下午五时准时出席会议。"

خنثی

"我下午去超市。"

غیر رسمی

"下午见！"

Child friendly

"下午我们要去公园玩哦！"

عامیانه

"下午茶走起！"

نکته جالب

The character '午' (wǔ) also represents the 'Horse' in the Chinese Zodiac. So '下午' could poetically be thought of as 'after the hour of the horse'.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /ʃjâ.ù/

US /ʃjɑ.wu/

Primary stress on 'xià', though both characters are distinct.

هم‌قافیه با

下五 (xiàwǔ) 下武 (xiàwǔ) 夏五 (xiàwǔ) 虾舞 (xiāwǔ - near rhyme) 下舞 (xiàwǔ) 峡谷 (xiágǔ - near rhyme) 下古 (xiàgǔ) 下午 (xiàwǔ)

خطاهای رایج

Pronouncing 'xià' as 'shia' (like 'she-ah') instead of a smooth 'shya'.
Failing to drop the tone on 'xià' (making it sound like a question).
Mixing up 'wǔ' (3rd tone) with 'wù' (4th tone).
Pronouncing 'x' as 'ex' instead of the soft 'sh' sound.
Confusing 'xiàwǔ' with 'xiàwén' (next text).

سطح دشواری

خواندن 1/5

Characters are simple and high-frequency.

نوشتن 2/5

Must be careful not to write '午' as '牛'.

صحبت کردن 1/5

Tones are straightforward.

گوش دادن 1/5

Easily recognizable in context.

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

上 (Up/Before) 下 (Down/After) 午 (Noon) 天 (Day) 点 (O'clock)

بعداً یاد بگیرید

晚上 (Evening) 上午 (Morning) 中午 (Noon) 昨天 (Yesterday) 明天 (Tomorrow)

پیشرفته

傍晚 (Dusk) 黄昏 (Twilight) 子夜 (Midnight) 黎明 (Dawn) 晌午 (Noon - dialect)

گرامر لازم

Time-When Word Order

我[下午]去。 (I go [in the afternoon].)

General to Specific Time

今天[下午][三点]。 (Today [afternoon] [3 o'clock].)

Duration with 整个

他[整个下午]都在忙。 (He was busy [the whole afternoon].)

Using '的' for Time Attributes

[下午的]阳光。 ([Afternoon] sunshine.)

Time before '不' for Negation

他[下午][不]来。 (He [is not] coming [in the afternoon].)

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

我下午去学校。

I go to school in the afternoon.

Subject (我) + Time (下午) + Verb (去).

下午三点见。

See you at 3:00 PM.

Time (下午三点) + Verb (见).

他下午不喝咖啡。

He doesn't drink coffee in the afternoon.

Negative '不' comes after the time word.

今天下午很热。

It is very hot this afternoon.

Time (今天下午) + Adjective (很热).

你下午做什么？

What are you doing this afternoon?

Question word '做什么' at the end.

我下午两点睡觉。

I sleep at 2:00 PM.

Specific time (两点) follows the general time (下午).

下午有课吗？

Is there a class in the afternoon?

Simple 'Verb + 吗' question.

我们下午去买水果。

We are going to buy fruit this afternoon.

Subject (我们) + Time (下午) + Verb (去买).

我这个下午都很忙。

I am busy this whole afternoon.

Using '这个' to specify 'this'.

明天下午我们一起去游泳吧。

Let's go swimming together tomorrow afternoon.

Suggestion particle '吧' at the end.

他通常下午四点下班。

He usually gets off work at 4:00 PM.

Adverb '通常' (usually) before the time.

下午的电影几点开始？

What time does the afternoon movie start?

Using '的' to turn '下午' into an adjective.

我下午想去图书馆借书。

I want to go to the library to borrow books this afternoon.

Auxiliary verb '想' (want) after the time.

昨天下午下了一场大雨。

There was a heavy rain yesterday afternoon.

Time (昨天下午) + Verb (下雨).

你下午有空帮我一个忙吗？

Are you free to help me this afternoon?

'有空' (have time) is a common phrase.

下午的阳光非常舒服。

The afternoon sunshine is very comfortable.

Adjective phrase describing the afternoon.

我整个下午都在准备明天的演讲。

I've been preparing for tomorrow's speech the whole afternoon.

'整个...都在' indicates continuous action.

如果下午不下雨，我们就去郊游。

If it doesn't rain this afternoon, we will go on an outing.

Conditional '如果...就...' structure.

医生建议他下午多休息。

The doctor suggested that he rest more in the afternoon.

Reported speech with '建议'.

下午两点到五点是我的办公时间。

2 PM to 5 PM is my office hours.

Time range used as a subject.

他在下午的比赛中表现得很好。

He performed very well in the afternoon's match.

Prepositional phrase '在...中'.

虽然是下午，但街上的人并不多。

Although it's afternoon, there aren't many people on the street.

Conjunction '虽然...但...'.

请在下午五点之前把报告交给我。

Please submit the report to me before 5:00 PM.

'之前' (before) used with time.

我喜欢在下午喝一杯热茶。

I like to drink a cup of hot tea in the afternoon.

Habitual action description.

下午的研讨会将讨论新的市场策略。

The afternoon seminar will discuss new market strategies.

Formal noun '研讨会' (seminar).

由于下午有突发状况，会议推迟了。

Due to an emergency this afternoon, the meeting was postponed.

'由于' (due to) used for cause.

他整个下午都显得心神不宁。

He seemed restless the whole afternoon.

Descriptive complement '显得'.

下午的阳光斜射进办公室，显得格外安静。

The afternoon sun shone obliquely into the office, making it seem exceptionally quiet.

Literary description with '格外'.

请确认下午三点的航班是否准时。

Please confirm whether the 3:00 PM flight is on time.

Embedded question '是否'.

下午是这家咖啡馆最热闹的时候。

Afternoon is the busiest time for this cafe.

Time word as the subject of a '是' sentence.

他利用下午的时间处理了一些私人事务。

He used the afternoon time to handle some private matters.

'利用' (to utilize/use).

下午的讲座吸引了许多学生参加。

The afternoon lecture attracted many students.

Verb '吸引' (attract) with a direct object.

那是一个慵懒的下午，窗外的蝉鸣声此起彼伏。

It was a lazy afternoon, with the sound of cicadas outside rising and falling.

Idiomatic expression '此起彼伏'.

下午的阴影逐渐拉长，预示着白昼即将结束。

The afternoon shadows gradually lengthened, signaling that the day was coming to an end.

Metaphorical use of '预示' (foreshadow).

他在那个漫长的下午思考了许多关于未来的问题。

He thought about many questions regarding the future during that long afternoon.

Emphasis on the subjective experience of time.

尽管已是下午，但清晨的雾气仍未完全散去。

Even though it was already afternoon, the morning mist had not yet completely dissipated.

Contrast using '尽管...但...'.

下午的街道弥漫着一种怀旧的气息。

The afternoon streets were permeated with a nostalgic atmosphere.

Abstract noun '气息' (atmosphere/breath).

他习惯在下午的这段时间里进行文学创作。

He is accustomed to engaging in literary creation during this period of the afternoon.

Formal term '文学创作'.

下午的阳光透过树叶，洒下斑驳的光影。

The afternoon sun passed through the leaves, casting dappled light and shadows.

Descriptive phrase '斑驳的光影'.

这个下午的宁静被一阵突如其来的电话声打破了。

The tranquility of this afternoon was broken by a sudden phone call.

Passive voice '被...打破'.

在这场关于时间哲学的辩论中，他以“下午”作为生命中期的隐喻。

In this debate on the philosophy of time, he used 'afternoon' as a metaphor for the middle stage of life.

Metaphorical and philosophical usage.

下午的余晖涂抹在古老的城墙上，显得格外苍凉。

The afternoon's afterglow smeared across the ancient city walls, appearing exceptionally desolate.

High-level descriptive verbs like '涂抹'.

他笔下的下午不仅仅是一个时间点，更是一种心理状态的延伸。

The afternoon in his writing is not just a point in time, but an extension of a psychological state.

Complex '不仅仅...更...' structure.

在那段动荡的岁月里，每一个宁静的下午都显得弥足珍贵。

In those turbulent years, every peaceful afternoon seemed incredibly precious.

Idiom '弥足珍贵' (extremely precious).

下午的空气中似乎凝固着某种难以言说的忧郁。

The afternoon air seemed to solidify with a certain unspeakable melancholy.

Abstract emotional description.

他试图捕捉下午光影变幻的瞬间，以此探讨存在的虚无。

He tried to capture the moments of changing light and shadow in the afternoon, using it to explore the nihilism of existence.

Philosophical vocabulary '虚无' (nihilism).

下午的钟声在空旷的山谷中回荡，激起阵阵涟漪。

The afternoon bells echoed in the empty valley, stirring up ripples of sound.

Poetic imagery.

在这篇散文中，作者通过对下午细节的刻画，展现了对故乡的深切思念。

In this prose, the author shows a deep longing for their hometown through the depiction of afternoon details.

Literary analysis terminology.

ترکیب‌های رایج

下午茶

下午三点

整个下午

今天下午

下午觉

下午班

下午场

下午时分

下午后半段

下午阳光

عبارات رایج

下午好

下午见

下午有空吗

下午三点整

下午放学

下午下班

下午两点半

下午第一节课

下午的阳光

下午的时候

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

下午 vs 中午

Noon (12-1 PM). '下午' starts after this period.

下午 vs 晚上

Evening (6 PM onwards). '下午' ends when it gets dark.

下午 vs 上午

Morning. The direct opposite of '下午'.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"午后阳光"

Afternoon sunshine. Often used to describe a warm, cozy atmosphere.

这本书像午后阳光一样温暖。

Literary

"日过中午"

The sun has passed noon. Meaning the day is half gone.

日过中午，我们还没出发。

Neutral

"朝思暮想"

Thinking about something from morning till night. (Related to parts of the day).

他对他失踪的爱犬朝思暮想。

Formal

"朝秦暮楚"

Fickle; changing one's mind constantly. (Morning Qin, Evening Chu).

他在职业选择上总是朝秦暮楚。

Formal

"争分夺秒"

Racing against time. Often used for busy afternoons.

下午的考试，大家都在争分夺秒地答题。

Neutral

"光阴似箭"

Time flies like an arrow. Used when an afternoon passes quickly.

一个下午很快就过去了，真是光阴似箭。

Neutral

"白驹过隙"

Time passes quickly. (Like a white horse leaping a gap).

美好的下午总是如白驹过隙。

Literary

"夕阳西下"

The sun is setting in the west. The end of the afternoon.

夕阳西下，断肠人在天涯。

Poetic

"一日三秋"

One day feels like three years. Used when missing someone.

不见你的这个下午，真是一日三秋。

Literary

"日理万机"

To attend to numerous affairs every day. Often used for busy officials' afternoons.

市长整个下午都在日理万机。

Formal

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

下午 vs 下五

Same pinyin (xiàwǔ).

'下午' is afternoon; '下五' is 'down five' or 'next five' (rarely used).

这里有下午的票。 (There are afternoon tickets here.)

下午 vs 午后

Similar meaning.

'下午' is for daily use; '午后' is for literary or poetic descriptions.

午后的茶馆很安静。 (The teahouse in the afternoon is quiet.)

下午 vs 下半天

Overlapping meaning.

'下半天' refers to the whole second half of the day, often used in work contexts.

我下半天请假。 (I'm taking the second half of the day off.)

下午 vs 晌午

Regional synonym.

'晌午' is northern dialect, usually meaning noon or early afternoon.

晌午头儿，太阳最毒。 (At noon, the sun is fiercest.)

下午 vs 傍晚

Late afternoon.

'傍晚' is specifically dusk/sunset time, whereas '下午' is the whole period.

我们傍晚去散步。 (We go for a walk at dusk.)

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

Subject + 下午 + Verb

我下午学习。

下午 + [Time] + 见

下午两点见。

今天/明天 + 下午 + Verb

明天下午我去北京。

下午的 + Noun

下午的课很有趣。

整个下午 + 都在 + Verb

他整个下午都在看电影。

从...到下午...

我从中午忙到下午。

利用下午的时间 + Verb

他利用下午的时间写信。

在...的下午

在一个阳光明媚的下午。

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

صفت‌ها

مرتبط

نحوه استفاده

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Chinese.

اشتباهات رایج

我去商店下午。 → 我下午去商店。
In Chinese, time words must come before the verb, not at the end of the sentence.
在下午三点。 → 下午三点。
You don't need '在' (in/at) for time points in most casual Chinese sentences.
下午两点明天。 → 明天下午两点。
Chinese time order is always General to Specific: Day > Part of Day > Hour.
写成 '下牛'。 → 写成 '下午'。
The character '午' does not have the top stroke sticking out. '牛' means cow.
下午十四点。 → 下午两点 (or just 十四点).
Don't mix '下午' with the 24-hour clock. Use one or the other.

نکات

Time Position

Always put '下午' before the verb. '我下午去' (Correct) vs '我去下午' (Incorrect).

General to Specific

When giving a specific time, go from large to small: '明天' + '下午' + '三点'.

Socializing

If someone invites you for '下午茶', it's a casual social meeting, not a full meal.

Tone Clarity

Exaggerate the falling tone on 'xià' to make sure you aren't confused with other words.

Character Check

Check your '午'! No 'head' on top, or you're talking about a cow ('牛').

Context Clues

If you hear 'xià', look at the clock. If it's PM, it's likely '下午'.

Greeting

Use '下午好' when entering a room or starting a call after 1 PM.

Literary Nuance

If you see '午后' in a story, think of a more romantic or quiet 'afternoon'.

12 vs 24 Hour

In conversation, use '下午' + 1-12. Don't say '下午十四点' (Afternoon 14:00).

Daily Practice

Every day at 2 PM, say to yourself: '现在是下午两点' (Now it is 2 PM).

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Think of 'Xià' as a slide going 'down' into the second half of the day. 'Wǔ' sounds like 'Woo!', the sound you make when you're happy it's finally afternoon!

تداعی تصویری

Imagine a sun (午) moving down (下) from its highest point in the sky.

شبکه واژگان

下午茶 (Tea) 下午三点 (3 PM) 今天下午 (Today) 明天下午 (Tomorrow) 下午觉 (Nap) 下午好 (Greeting) 下午见 (See you) 整个下午 (Whole)

چالش

Try to say 'I will see you at 3 PM this afternoon' in Chinese without looking at the notes: '今天下午三点见'.

ریشه کلمه

The term is a compound of two ancient characters. '下' (xià) is an ideogram showing something below a line, evolving to mean 'after' in a temporal sense. '午' (wǔ) is a pictograph of a pestle, but was adopted as the 7th Earthly Branch.

معنای اصلی: The period following the 'Wu' hour (11 AM - 1 PM).

Sino-Tibetan

بافت فرهنگی

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'afternoon' times for meetings should account for the 12-2 PM nap period in many mainland Chinese organizations.

Unlike the English 'afternoon' which can feel very long, in Chinese, it is strictly bounded by 'noon' and 'evening'.

《午后阳光》 (Afternoon Sunshine) - A common theme in Chinese pop songs. The 'Afternoon' section in the classic 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. Modern 'Xiàwǔchá' culture in Shanghai's French Concession.

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

Scheduling a meeting

下午三点有空吗？
会议改到下午了。
下午我们需要讨论一下。
请下午五点前发给我。

Daily routine

我下午通常去健身。
下午我喜欢喝茶。
孩子下午四点放学。
下午太阳很大。

Travel and transport

下午的火车几点开？
我是下午两点的飞机。
下午的票卖完了。
下午能到上海吗？

Socializing

下午一起逛街吧。
下午见！
下午去喝咖啡吗？
这个下午过得很开心。

Weather

下午会下雨。
下午天气转凉了。
下午阳光很美。
下午有阵雨。

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"你今天下午打算做什么？ (What do you plan to do this afternoon?)"

"下午我们去喝杯咖啡怎么样？ (How about we go grab a coffee this afternoon?)"

"你下午通常几点下班？ (What time do you usually get off work in the afternoon?)"

"今天下午的天气真不错，不是吗？ (The weather this afternoon is really nice, isn't it?)"

"下午的会议你准备好了吗？ (Are you ready for the afternoon meeting?)"

موضوعات نگارش

描述一个你最喜欢的下午。你在做什么？天气怎么样？ (Describe your favorite kind of afternoon. What are you doing? How is the weather?)

写一写你今天下午完成的三件事。 (Write about three things you accomplished this afternoon.)

如果你有一个完全自由的下午，你会怎么度过？ (If you had a completely free afternoon, how would you spend it?)

对比一下你工作日的下午和周末的下午。 (Compare your weekday afternoons with your weekend afternoons.)

写一段话，描述下午阳光照进房间的样子。 (Write a paragraph describing the afternoon sun shining into a room.)

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Generally, '下午' starts after lunch (around 1:00 PM) and ends around sunset or the typical end of the workday (around 6:00 PM). Before 1:00 PM is usually '中午' (noon).

You can, but it sounds more formal or like a translation from English. In natural spoken Chinese, just say '下午' before the verb. For example, '我下午去' is better than '我在下午去'.

You say '今天下午' (jīntiān xiàwǔ). '今天' means today and '下午' means afternoon. Remember the order: Day then Part of Day.

In formal schedules (like trains), the 24-hour clock is used (e.g., 14:00). However, in speech, people almost always use '下午' + 12-hour clock (e.g., 下午两点).

'下午' is the standard, everyday word. '午后' is more poetic and literary, often used in book titles or to describe a mood.

It has four strokes. Be careful: the vertical stroke does NOT go through the top horizontal stroke. If it does, it's '牛' (cow).

Yes, by adding '的'. For example, '下午的会议' (the afternoon meeting) or '下午的阳光' (the afternoon sun).

Yes, you can use '傍晚' (bàngwǎn) for dusk, or '下午晚些时候' (xiàwǔ wǎn xiē shíhòu) for 'later in the afternoon'.

Yes, '午睡' (wǔshuì) is very common. Many people rest after lunch, and '下午' work often starts around 2:00 PM.

You can say '下午好' (xiàwǔ hǎo). In a very formal speech, you might say '各位下午好' (Good afternoon, everyone).