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B2 noun 8 min read

起居

qǐjū
Examples 起居 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 起居 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word '起居' (qǐjū) yet. It's quite formal. Instead, you should focus on the two characters that make it up. '起' (qǐ) is from '起床' (qǐchuáng), which means 'to get up from bed.' '居' (jū) is related to '居住' (jūzhù), which means 'to live' or 'to dwell.' If you want to talk about your daily life at this level, you would simply use '每天' (měitiān - every day) or '生活' (shēnghuó - life). For example, you might say '我每天七点起床' (I get up at 7 every day). Think of '起居' as a 'secret' formal way of saying 'getting up and living.' You might see it on a sign in a museum or a very fancy hotel, but for now, just remember that '起' is for waking up and '居' is for staying in a place.
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By A2, you are starting to learn more about routines. While '起居' (qǐjū) is still a bit advanced, you might see it in short texts about health or in descriptions of houses. You might learn the word '起居室' (qǐjūshì), which means 'living room.' It's like the 'family room' where people 'rise and stay' (起 and 居). At this level, you should recognize that '起居' is a noun that means 'daily life.' If you see a sentence like '他的起居很正常' (His daily life is normal), you can understand it means he wakes up and sleeps at good times. You don't need to use it in your own speaking yet, but recognizing it in a story about a person's day is a great goal.
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At the B1 level, you should begin to distinguish between '生活' (life) and '起居' (daily routine). '起居' is more specific and formal. You might use it when writing a formal letter or an essay about health. For example, if you are writing about how to stay healthy, you could use the phrase '规律的起居' (a regular routine). You will also start to see it in the context of '照顾起居' (taking care of someone's daily needs). If you have a part-time job or volunteer role helping elderly people, this is the perfect word to use. It shows you have a higher level of vocabulary than just using '帮' (help) or '照顾' (take care of) without a specific object.
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B2 is the target level for '起居' (qǐjū). You are expected to use this word accurately in formal contexts. You should know that it refers to the 'mechanics' of daily living—rising, resting, eating, and dwelling. You should be comfortable using collocations like '饮食起居' (diet and daily life) and '起居有常' (regular habits). In a B2 level discussion about social issues, such as the aging population in China, you would use '照顾老人的起居' to describe the responsibilities of caregivers. You should also understand the nuance that '起居' is more formal than '作息' (which is just the schedule) and more specific than '生活' (which is the whole experience of living).
At the C1 level, you should appreciate the historical and literary weight of '起居' (qǐjū). You might study historical documents like the '起居注' (Imperial Diaries) and understand how the concept of recording a leader's every move was central to Chinese historiography. You should be able to use the word in nuanced ways, perhaps in a literary analysis or a high-level medical discussion. You might use it metaphorically or in complex four-character idioms. Your usage should reflect an understanding of '起居' as a component of '养生' (health preservation), a deep-seated cultural concept in China. You can also use it to describe the 'vibe' of a domestic space or the disciplined lifestyle of a scholar.
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At the C2 level, '起居' (qǐjū) is a tool for precision and stylistic flair. You might use it to evoke a sense of tradition or to provide a clinical, detached description of a subject's lifestyle. You understand its etymological journey from the 'Book of Rites' to modern medical journals. You can effortlessly switch between '起居,' '作息,' '日常,' and '生计' depending on the exact nuance of 'life' or 'routine' you wish to convey. In your writing, you might use '起居' to contrast the physical, mundane aspects of a character's life with their inner, spiritual journey. You are also aware of regional variations and how the word might appear in formal legal or medical documents across the Sinosphere.
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Examples

起居 in 30 Seconds

  • A formal noun meaning 'daily routine' or 'daily life,' focusing on the cycle of rising and resting.
  • Commonly used in medical, health, and caregiving contexts to describe physical habits and maintenance.
  • Differs from '生活' (broad life) and '作息' (schedule) by focusing on the 'logistics' of daily existence.
  • Often found in set phrases like '饮食起居' (diet and daily life) and '照顾起居' (taking care of daily needs).

The Chinese term 起居 (qǐjū) is a sophisticated noun that translates most accurately to 'daily life' or 'daily routine,' but with a specific focus on the biological and logistical rhythm of a person's existence. It is composed of two characters: 起 (qǐ), meaning 'to rise' or 'to get up,' and 居 (jū), meaning 'to dwell,' 'to sit,' or 'to stay.' Together, they encapsulate the entire cycle of a human being's day—from the moment they get out of bed to the time they retire for rest. Unlike the more common word 生活 (shēnghuó), which refers to 'life' in a broad sense (including career, social status, and philosophy), 起居 is grounded in the physical reality of the body and the home.

Biological Rhythm
It refers specifically to the cycle of waking, eating, moving, and sleeping. It is the 'logistics' of being alive.
Formal Context
You will encounter this word in medical advice, biographies of historical figures, and formal caregiving settings.

医生建议他保持规律的起居习惯，以利于身体恢复。(The doctor advised him to maintain a regular daily routine to facilitate physical recovery.)

Historically, the term has deep roots. In imperial China, the 起居注 (qǐjūzhù) or 'Diaries of Activity and Repose' were official records kept to document every action and word of the Emperor. This historical weight gives the word a sense of dignity and precision. When you use 起居, you aren't just talking about 'hanging out'; you are talking about the structured habits that define a person's health and lifestyle. In modern Mandarin, it is frequently paired with 饮食 (yǐnshí - diet) to form the phrase 饮食起居, covering the two most essential parts of daily maintenance: what you eat and how you live.

You will also see this word in the context of interior design and architecture. A 起居室 (qǐjūshì) is a 'living room' or 'family room.' While 客厅 (kètīng) is the room where you receive guests, the 起居室 is the private space where the family's 'daily life'—the rising and resting—actually happens. This distinction highlights the word's focus on private, personal habits rather than public life.

由于年事已高，他的起居全由专人照顾。(Due to his advanced age, his daily routine is entirely taken care of by a specialist.)

Using 起居 (qǐjū) correctly requires understanding its role as a formal noun. It rarely functions as a verb on its own. Instead, it is typically the object of verbs like 照顾 (zhàogù - to take care of), 安排 (ānpái - to arrange), or 打理 (dǎlǐ - to manage). It is also frequently modified by adjectives like 规律 (guīlǜ - regular), 正常 (zhèngcháng - normal), or 不慎 (búshèn - careless).

Common Pattern: 照顾...的起居
This is the most common way to describe caregiving. For example, '照顾老人的起居' (taking care of an elderly person's daily life).

为了方便照顾母亲的起居，他特意搬到了母亲家附近。(To make it easier to look after his mother's daily routine, he specifically moved near her house.)

Another frequent usage is in medical or health contexts, where the regularity of one's routine is discussed. The phrase 起居有常 (qǐjū yǒu cháng) is a set expression meaning 'to have a regular routine in daily life.' This is considered a fundamental virtue for health in Chinese culture. If someone is ill, a doctor might warn them against 起居不慎 (qǐjū búshèn), which implies neglecting one's basic needs like sleep or warmth, leading to further illness.

In professional writing, especially biographies or news reports about public figures, 起居 is used to give a glimpse into their private habits. For example, '他的起居生活非常简朴' (His daily life is very simple). Here, 起居生活 is a compound that emphasizes the lifestyle aspects of his daily routine. It sounds much more respectful and literary than just saying '他每天过得很简单.'

现代人繁忙的工作常常打乱了正常的饮食起居。(The busy work of modern people often disrupts the normal routine of diet and daily life.)

While 起居 (qǐjū) is not a word you'll hear every five minutes in a casual coffee shop conversation, it is ubiquitous in specific, important domains of Chinese life. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word's 'flavor'—one of care, health, and formal observation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
If you visit a TCM practitioner, they will almost certainly ask about your '饮食起居.' They aren't just asking if you're happy; they want to know if you're sleeping at 11 PM and eating warm meals.
Elderly Care and Social Work
In discussions about nursing homes or domestic helpers, '照顾起居' is the standard term for providing daily assistance to those who cannot manage on their own.

这位保姆非常有经验，把老人的起居打理得井井有条。(This nanny is very experienced and manages the elderly person's daily routine in an orderly fashion.)

You will also hear this word in period dramas (古装剧 - gǔzhuāngjù). When a servant addresses a master or emperor, they might ask, '陛下近日起居可好？' (Has Your Majesty's daily life been well lately?). This reinforces the word's formal and slightly archaic roots. In a modern setting, using it can add a touch of elegance or seriousness to your speech. For instance, in a formal interview, a celebrity might say, '我的起居非常简单，除了工作就是看书' (My daily routine is very simple; besides work, I just read books).

Finally, look for it in real estate and home improvement. The term 起居空间 (qǐjū kōngjiān) refers to 'living space.' When architects design a home, they divide it into 'public spaces' (for guests) and 'living spaces' (for the daily起居 of the residents). If you are looking at floor plans in China, you might see this term used to describe the more private family areas of a large apartment or villa.

For English speakers, the most common mistake is treating 起居 (qǐjū) as a direct synonym for 'life' (生活 - shēnghuó) or 'routine' (习惯 - xíguàn). While they overlap, they are not interchangeable in many contexts.

Mistake 1: Using '起居' for abstract life
You cannot say '我爱我的起居' (I love my daily routine) to mean 'I love my life.' You should use '生活' there. '起居' is too mechanical for that sentiment.
Mistake 2: Using '起居' as a verb
In English, we might say 'He lives and sleeps there.' In Chinese, you can't say '他在那里起居' as a casual verb. It’s almost always a noun.

Incorrect: 他的起居很丰富 (His daily life is rich - meaning he has many hobbies).
Correct: 他的生活很丰富。

Another nuance is the formality. If you use 起居 in a very casual setting, like telling a friend about your weekend, it might sound unnecessarily stiff or even humorous. It would be like saying 'My daily repose and activity this weekend involved much slumber.' Instead, use 日子 (rìzi) or 生活 for casual chats.

Finally, be careful with the word 起居室. In modern small apartments in China, most people just call the main room the 客厅. If you insist on calling your tiny studio's main area a 起居室, it might sound a bit pretentious. Reserve 起居室 for larger homes where there is a clear distinction between the guest area and the family area.

To truly master 起居 (qǐjū), you must see how it fits into the family of 'life' and 'routine' words in Chinese. Here is a breakdown of the most common alternatives and how they differ.

生活 (shēnghuó)
The most general word for 'life.' It covers everything from breathing to career aspirations. Use this for 'I love life' or 'Life is hard.'
作息 (zuòxī)
Focuses specifically on the 'work' and 'rest' schedule. If you are talking about your alarm clock or office hours, use '作息.' Example: '作息时间表' (daily schedule).
日常 (rìcháng)
An adjective meaning 'daily' or 'everyday.' Used for '日常用品' (daily necessities) or '日常工作' (daily work). It describes the frequency, whereas '起居' describes the content of the routine.

Comparison:
- 他的起居很规律 (His daily habits of rising/eating/sleeping are regular).
- 他的作息很规律 (His schedule of work and sleep is regular).
- 他的生活很规律 (His entire life/habits are regular).

In literary or very formal contexts, you might also encounter 晨昏 (chénhūn), which literally means 'morning and evening,' used to describe the passage of daily time. However, 起居 remains the most practical choice for discussing personal care and health habits. Another related term is 起坐 (qǐzuò), which literally means 'rising and sitting,' often used in medical contexts to describe a person's physical mobility (e.g., '起坐不便' - difficulty moving around).

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Examples by Level

1

他每天的起居很规律。

His daily routine is very regular.

Simple Subject + Adverb + Noun + Adjective.

2

请照顾好你的起居。

Please take good care of your daily life.

Request using '请' and '照顾'.

3

这里是起居室。

This is the living room.

Identifying a place using '这里是'.

4

她的起居很简单。

Her daily life is very simple.

Noun + Adjective structure.

5

起居对身体很重要。

Daily routine is very important for the body.

Subject + '对...很重要'.

6

我喜欢我的起居室。

I like my living room.

Verb '喜欢' + Object.

7

他们一起打理起居。

They manage their daily life together.

Adverb '一起' + Verb + Noun.

8

起居要有规律。

Daily life must have a routine.

Subject + '要' + Adjective.

1

医生问了他的饮食起居。

The doctor asked about his diet and daily life.

Verb '问' + Compound Object.

2

老人的起居由谁照顾？

Who takes care of the elderly person's daily life?

Passive-like structure using '由...照顾'.

3

这间起居室非常大。

This living room is very large.

Measure word '间' for rooms.

4

起居不慎容易生病。

Carelessness in daily routine leads to illness easily.

Noun + Adjective + '容易' + Verb.

5

他很注意自己的起居。

He pays a lot of attention to his daily routine.

Verb '注意' + Object.

6

新的环境改变了他的起居。

The new environment changed his daily routine.

Subject + Verb + Object.

7

我们要保持良好的起居。

We should maintain a good daily routine.

Modal '要' + Verb '保持'.

8

他的起居生活很平静。

His daily life is very peaceful.

Compound noun '起居生活'.

1

由于工作忙，他的起居变得不规律了。

Due to busy work, his daily routine became irregular.

Cause '由于' + Effect.

2

保姆负责照顾小孩子的起居。

The nanny is responsible for taking care of the child's daily routine.

Verb '负责' + Verb Phrase.

3

起居有常是长寿的秘诀。

Having a regular routine is the secret to longevity.

Four-character phrase as subject.

4

他在起居室里接待了客人。

He received the guests in the living room.

Location '在...里' + Verb.

5

饮食起居都需要格外小心。

Both diet and daily routine need extra care.

Compound subject + '都'.

6

他的起居习惯值得我们学习。

His daily habits are worth learning from.

Verb '值得' + Verb.

7

生病期间要多注意起居。

Pay more attention to your daily routine during illness.

Time phrase '期间' + '要'.

8

起居环境对睡眠质量有影响。

The daily living environment affects sleep quality.

Subject + '对...有影响'.

1

他晚年的起居全部由他的学生照料。

His daily life in his later years was entirely managed by his students.

Formal verb '照料' instead of '照顾'.

2

起居不时会导致身体机能下降。

An irregular routine will lead to a decline in body functions.

Formal term '起居不时' (irregular routine).

3

他详细记录了这位科学家的日常起居。

He recorded the scientist's daily routine in detail.

Adverb '详细' + Verb '记录'.

4

起居室的设计体现了主人的品味。

The design of the living room reflects the owner's taste.

Subject + Verb '体现' + Object.

5

健康的饮食起居是预防疾病的基础。

A healthy diet and routine are the basis for disease prevention.

Noun + '是' + Noun phrase.

6

她在日记中描述了自己的起居细节。

She described the details of her daily life in her diary.

Location '在...中' + Verb '描述'.

7

由于身体原因，他无法自理起居。

Due to physical reasons, he cannot manage his own daily life.

Verb '自理' (to manage oneself).

8

起居有节，才能延年益寿。

Only by having a disciplined routine can one prolong life.

Conditional structure '...才能...'.

1

《起居注》是研究古代皇帝生活的重要史料。

The 'Imperial Diaries' are important historical materials for studying ancient emperors' lives.

Specific historical term '起居注'.

2

文人的起居往往带有一种超脱尘世的气息。

The daily life of a scholar often carries an aura of being detached from the world.

Abstract subject + Verb '带有'.

3

他那严谨的起居作息，让年轻一代深感佩服。

His rigorous daily routine made the younger generation feel deep admiration.

Compound '起居作息' + Causative '让'.

4

不仅要关注病人的病情，还要关心其起居安适。

Not only should we focus on the patient's condition, but also on their daily comfort.

Structure '不仅...还要...'.

5

他的起居出处，皆有法度可寻。

His every action and movement follows established rules.

Classical phrasing '起居出处'.

6

在禅宗看来，饮食起居皆是修行。

From the perspective of Zen Buddhism, eating and daily life are all forms of practice.

Perspective '在...看来'.

7

起居失调是现代都市人的通病。

Irregular daily routines are a common ailment among modern city dwellers.

Subject '起居失调' + '是...通病'.

8

他过着一种深居简出的起居生活。

He lived a daily life of staying at home and avoiding social contact.

Idiom '深居简出' modifying '起居生活'.

1

其起居动静，悉载于册，无一遗漏。

His every movement and moment of rest were all recorded in the books without omission.

Archaic/Classical Chinese style.

2

这种饮食起居的异化，折射出社会结构的变迁。

This alienation of daily life reflects the changes in social structure.

Academic term '异化' (alienation).

3

他将起居室视作灵魂的避难所。

He regarded the living room as a sanctuary for the soul.

Verb '视作' (to regard as).

4

起居之节，关乎性命之理。

The discipline of daily life is related to the principles of life and death.

Classical '...之..., 关乎...之...'.

5

在那个动荡的年代，维持正常的起居已是奢望。

In those turbulent times, maintaining a normal daily routine was already a luxury.

Time phrase + '维持...已是奢望'.

6

他的一生，无论起居还是事业，都堪称楷模。

His whole life, whether in daily routine or career, can be called a model.

Structure '无论...还是...都...'.

7

这种起居方式的转变，标志着一个时代的终结。

This shift in lifestyle marks the end of an era.

Subject + '标志着' + Object.

8

起居无度，终将贻害无穷。

Indulging in an undisciplined routine will eventually cause endless harm.

Idiom '起居无度' + '贻害无穷'.

Common Collocations

饮食起居
照顾起居
起居有常
日常起居
起居室
起居不慎
起居习惯
自理起居
起居万福
打理起居

Common Phrases

饮食起居

— Diet and daily life. Covers all basic physical needs.

医嘱要注意饮食起居。

起居有常

— To have a regular routine. A sign of a healthy lifestyle.

他一直坚持起居有常。

照顾起居

— To take care of someone's daily routine and needs.

保姆负责照顾孩子的起居。

起居室

— Living room or family room in a house.

起居室里挂着一幅画。

日常起居

— The activities of one's everyday life.

这些是日常起居必需品。

起居不慎

— Being careless about one's daily habits (like sleep or hygiene).

起居不慎易致病。

自理起居

— To be able to take care of one's own daily needs.

由于残疾，他无法自理起居。

起居无时

— To have an irregular routine (no fixed time for rising/resting).

他起居无时，身体很差。

起居注

— Imperial Diaries in ancient China.

史官负责编写起居注。

起居环境

— The environment of one's daily life.

舒适的起居环境很重要。

Idioms & Expressions

"起居有常"

— To lead a regular life with fixed times for rising and resting.

养生之道，首在起居有常。

Formal/Medical
"起居无时"

— Irregular daily life; no fixed schedule.

年轻人切忌起居无时。

Formal
"深居简出"

— Living in seclusion and rarely going out.

他晚年深居简出，起居极简。

Literary
"起居不慎"

— Neglecting one's daily routine, leading to health issues.

老王因起居不慎患上了肺炎。

Forma
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