今天

§ What does 今天 mean?

你好! Let's talk about a super common and useful Chinese word: 今天 (jīntiān). This literally means 'today' and you'll hear it all the time. It's one of the first words you'll learn, and for good reason! Knowing 今天 will immediately help you talk about current events, make plans, and understand when things are happening.

DEFINITION

today

You use 今天 just like you use 'today' in English. It can go at the beginning of a sentence, after the subject, or even at the end, depending on what you want to emphasize. For beginners, putting it at the beginning or right after the subject is usually the easiest and most natural way to go.

§ Basic Usage with Examples

Let's look at some simple sentences to get you started. These examples show 今天 in different positions.

• At the beginning: This is a very common and natural way to start a sentence when you're talking about something happening today.

  今天我很忙。(Jīntiān wǒ hěn máng.)

  Hint: Today I am very busy.

• After the subject: This is also very common and sounds natural.

  我今天要去商店。(Wǒ jīntiān yào qù shāngdiàn.)

  Hint: I today want to go to store. (I want to go to the store today.)

• At the end (less common for beginners, but good to recognize): Sometimes 今天 can be at the end for emphasis, or if the time is less central to the main action.

  你做什么今天？(Nǐ zuò shénme jīntiān?)

  Hint: You do what today? (What are you doing today?)

§ Common Phrases with 今天

Here are some useful phrases you can start using right away:

• 今天天气很好。 (Jīntiān tiānqì hěn hǎo.)
  Hint: Today weather very good. (The weather is very good today.)

• 你今天好吗？ (Nǐ jīntiān hǎo ma?)
  Hint: You today good嗎? (How are you today?)

• 我今天不上班。 (Wǒ jīntiān bù shàngbān.)
  Hint: I today not go to work. (I am not working today.)

• 今天几号？ (Jīntiān jǐ hào?)
  Hint: Today what number? (What's the date today?)

Practice using 今天 in your own sentences. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel. Don't be shy!