When talking about time in Chinese, you put the time word before the verb.
So, to say "I will go next week," you say "我下周去" (Wǒ xiàzhōu qù).
It's very direct. You don't need extra words like "will" or "is going to" because the time word "next week" already makes the future tense clear.
Remember this pattern: Subject + Time + Verb + Object.
When talking about time in Chinese, you'll often see words like “下周” (xià zhōu), which means “next week.” This is a super practical term, and you'll hear it a lot in everyday conversation.
It's part of a pattern: “下” (xià) means “next” or “down,” and it combines with other time words. For instance, “下个月” (xià gè yuè) means “next month,” and “下一年” (xià yī nián) means “next year.” This makes learning new time expressions pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it.
下周 in 30 Seconds
- Use 下周 to talk about the week after now.
- It's a very common and essential word for scheduling.
- Think of it as 'next week' in English.
§ What 下周 means and when to use it
- DEFINITION
- 下周 (xià zhōu) literally translates to "next week." It's a straightforward and common way to refer to the upcoming week in Chinese. You'll use it in everyday conversations, just like you would in English, to talk about plans, appointments, or events scheduled for the next seven-day period.
Think of 下周 as your go-to phrase for anything happening after the current week ends. It's an essential term for making plans, talking about future events, and generally organizing your time in Chinese. You'll hear and use this word constantly, so understanding it well is key to smooth communication.
Here are some common scenarios where you'd use 下周:
- Talking about future plans: "I'm going to Beijing next week."
- Scheduling meetings: "Our meeting is next week."
- Discussing upcoming events: "The concert is next week."
- Making arrangements: "Let's meet next week."
It's pretty simple. If you're talking about something that will happen in the week immediately following the current one, 下周 is the word you need. No fancy rules or special contexts, just direct and practical.
我 下周 去北京。(Wǒ xià zhōu qù Běijīng.)
Translation hint: I go Beijing.
我们 下周 开会。(Wǒmen xià zhōu kāihuì.)
Translation hint: We next week have a meeting.
你 下周 有空吗？(Nǐ xià zhōu yǒu kòng ma?)
Translation hint: You next week have free time?
You'll find 下周 incredibly versatile. It can be used by itself to answer a question about timing, or it can be integrated into longer sentences. Its position in the sentence is quite flexible, though generally it's placed at the beginning or after the subject to indicate when something will happen.
A: 我们什么时候见面？(Wǒmen shénme shíhou jiànmiàn?) B: 下周。(Wǒmen xià zhōu.)
Translation hint: A: When we meet? B: Next week.
Just remember: when you need to refer to the week that follows the current one, 下周 is your word. It's direct, it's clear, and it's used all the time. Master it and you'll be one step closer to sounding natural in Chinese conversations.
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What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
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Grammar to Know
Time words like 下周 (xià zhōu - next week) are typically placed before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence to indicate when an action occurs.
我下周去北京。(Wǒ xià zhōu qù Běijīng.) - I go to Beijing next week.
下周 (xià zhōu - next week) can be used directly without any prepositions like 'in' or 'on' as it functions as a noun indicating a specific time period.
我们下周见面。(Wǒmen xià zhōu jiànmiàn.) - We meet next week.
To ask 'when' an action will happen in relation to 'next week', you can combine it with question words or phrases, though more common for general time.
你下周什么时候有空？(Nǐ xià zhōu shénme shíhou yǒu kòng?) - When are you free next week?
When talking about an action that happened last week, you would use 上周 (shàng zhōu - last week). 下周 (xià zhōu) is specifically for the future.
她上周来了。(Tā shàng zhōu lái le.) - She came last week. (Not 下周)
下周 (xià zhōu - next week) can also be used as a standalone phrase in response to a question about timing.
A: 你什么时候去？(Nǐ shénme shíhou qù?) - When are you going? B: 下周。(Xià zhōu.) - Next week.
Examples by Level
下周一我们开会。
Next Monday we have a meeting.
下周一 (next Monday) combines 下周 (next week) with 一 (one/Monday).
你下周有空吗？
Are you free next week?
有空 (yǒu kòng) means 'to have free time'.
我下周去北京。
I am going to Beijing next week.
去 (qù) means 'to go'.
下周天气会很好。
The weather will be good next week.
会 (huì) indicates a future event or prediction.
下周我们一起吃饭吧。
Let's eat together next week.
吧 (ba) is a particle used to make a suggestion.
他下周出差。
He is on a business trip next week.
出差 (chūchāi) means 'to go on a business trip'.
下周五是我的生日。
Next Friday is my birthday.
下周五 (next Friday) combines 下周 (next week) with 五 (five/Friday).
下周你打算做什么？
What do you plan to do next week?
打算 (dǎsuàn) means 'to plan' or 'to intend'.
我下周要去北京。
I am going to Beijing next week.
下周 (next week) + 去 (to go) + 地点 (place)
你下周有空吗？
Are you free next week?
你 (you) + 下周 (next week) + 有空 (to be free) + 吗 (question particle)
我们下周一开会。
We have a meeting next Monday.
我们 (we) + 下周一 (next Monday) + 开会 (to have a meeting)
下周我会给你打电话。
I will call you next week.
下周 (next week) + 我 (I) + 会 (will) + 给你打电话 (to call you)
他下周要出差。
He is going on a business trip next week.
他 (he) + 下周 (next week) + 要 (to be going to) + 出差 (to go on a business trip)
下周天气会很好。
The weather will be good next week.
下周 (next week) + 天气 (weather) + 会 (will) + 很好 (very good)
下周我们一起去看电影吧。
Let's go to the movies together next week.
下周 (next week) + 我们 (we) + 一起 (together) + 去看电影 (to go to the movies) + 吧 (suggestion particle)
我的生日在下周五。
My birthday is next Friday.
我的生日 (my birthday) + 在 (is at) + 下周五 (next Friday)
Often Confused With
下星期 also means 'next week'. Both '周' (zhōu) and '星期' (xīngqī) mean week. They are interchangeable here.
下一周 literally means 'the next one week'. While correct, '下周' is more common and natural in everyday conversation.
This phrase means 'a future week'. It's too formal and long for simply saying 'next week'. Stick to 下周 or 下星期.
Grammar Patterns
Easily Confused
Sounds similar to '下周' (xià zhōu) and both refer to a past/future week.
上周 means 'last week'. Think 'up' for last week.
我上周去了北京。 (Wǒ shàng zhōu qù le Běijīng.) I went to Beijing last week.
Another common phrase referring to a week, easily mixed up with 'next week' or 'last week'.
这周 means 'this week'. It's the current week you're in.
我这周很忙。 (Wǒ zhè zhōu hěn máng.) I am very busy this week.
Both use '下' (xià) to indicate 'next', but one refers to a week and the other to a month.
下个月 means 'next month'. Keep '周' (zhōu) for week, '月' (yuè) for month.
我下个月去上海。 (Wǒ xià ge yuè qù Shànghǎi.) I'm going to Shanghai next month.
Another 'next' word, but for a longer time frame. Can be confused by beginners.
明年 means 'next year'. '年' (nián) is year, '周' (zhōu) is week.
我明年要学习中文。 (Wǒ míng nián yào xuéxí Zhōngwén.) I will study Chinese next year.
Contains '周' (zhōu) and refers to a time period, so some might mistakenly connect it to 'next week'.
周末 means 'weekend'. It's specifically Saturday and Sunday.
我周末喜欢在家休息。 (Wǒ zhōumò xǐhuān zài jiā xiūxi.) I like to rest at home on the weekend.
Sentence Patterns
下周 + (action/event)
下周我去北京。(Xià zhōu wǒ qù Běijīng.) - Next week I go to Beijing. (Next week I'm going to Beijing.)
(Subject) + 下周 + (verb/activity)
他下周工作。(Tā xià zhōu gōngzuò.) - He next week works. (He works next week.)
下周 + 有 + (event/plan)
下周有考试。(Xià zhōu yǒu kǎoshì.) - Next week has exam. (There's an exam next week.)
(Question word) + 下周 + (verb/activity)?
你下周做什么？(Nǐ xià zhōu zuò shénme?) - You next week do what? (What are you doing next week?)
下周 + (time phrase) + (action)
下周三我们见面。(Xià zhōu sān wǒmen jiànmiàn.) - Next week Wednesday we meet. (We'll meet next Wednesday.)
(Subject) + (verb) + (object) + 下周
我买书下周。(Wǒ mǎi shū xià zhōu.) - I buy book next week. (I'll buy books next week.)
是 + 下周 + 吗?
是下周吗？(Shì xià zhōu ma?) - Is it next week? (Is it next week?)
下周 + (verb) + (quantity/frequency)
下周学习三天。(Xià zhōu xuéxí sān tiān.) - Next week study three days. (Next week I'll study for three days.)
How to Use It
下周 (xià zhōu) directly translates to "next week." It's a straightforward and very common term. You can use it in sentences just like you would "next week" in English.
For example:
- 我下周去北京。 (Wǒ xià zhōu qù Běijīng.) - I am going to Beijing next week.
- 下周二见。 (Xià zhōu èr jiàn.) - See you next Tuesday.
It can also be used as a standalone phrase when answering questions about when something will happen:
- 什么时候？ (Shénme shíhou?) - When?
- 下周。 (Xià zhōu.) - Next week.
A common mistake is trying to add extra words, like saying something similar to "the next week." In Chinese, 下周 (xià zhōu) is complete on its own.
For example, do NOT say: ❌ 下个周 (xià ge zhōu)
While 下个 (xià ge) is used for some time expressions (like 下个月 (xià ge yuè) for next month or 下个星期 (xià ge xīngqī) for next week), with 周 (zhōu), it's almost always simply 下周 (xià zhōu).
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe Chinese word for 'next week' is 下周 (xià zhōu).
Both 下周 and 下个星期 mean 'next week'. They are interchangeable in most contexts. 下周 is a bit more concise.
Sure. You can say:
我下周去北京。
Wǒ xià zhōu qù Běijīng.
(I am going to Beijing next week.)
下周 is pronounced xià zhōu. 'Xià' is a falling tone (fourth tone) and 'zhōu' is a high-level tone (first tone).
下周 is neutral. It's appropriate for both formal and informal situations.
For 'last week', you can say 上周 (shàng zhōu) or 上个星期 (shàng gè xīngqī). For 'this week', you can say 这周 (zhè zhōu) or 这个星期 (zhè gè xīngqī).
下 (xià) means 'down' or 'next'. 周 (zhōu) means 'week' or 'cycle'.
Yes, you can. For example:
下周一 (xià zhōu yī) - next Monday
下周三 (xià zhōu sān) - next Wednesday
A common mistake is to try to translate 'in next week' literally. In Chinese, you just say 下周 directly, without an extra preposition like '在' (zài).
You could say:
好的，下周见。
Hǎo de, xià zhōu jiàn.
(Okay, see you next week.)
Test Yourself 48 questions
The correct order is 'We (我们) + next week (下周) + go (去) + Beijing (北京)'.
The correct order is 'She (她) + next week (下周) + has (有) + class (课)'.
The correct order is 'I (我) + next week (下周) + work (工作)'.
Write a sentence saying that you are going to Beijing next week.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我下周要去北京。
Write a question asking if someone will be busy next week.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你下周忙吗？
Write a sentence stating that your friend is coming to your house next week.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的朋友下周要来我家。
小王下周要和谁一起去看电影？
Read this passage:
小王下周要和朋友一起去看电影。他们计划下周六下午去电影院。你觉得他们会看什么电影？
小王下周要和谁一起去看电影？
文章中提到“小王下周要和朋友一起去看电影。” (Xiao Wang is going to watch a movie with his friends next week.)
文章中提到“小王下周要和朋友一起去看电影。” (Xiao Wang is going to watch a movie with his friends next week.)
李老师下周会很忙的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
李老师下周有一个重要的会议。他需要准备很多资料。所以，他下周会非常忙。他希望会议顺利。
李老师下周会很忙的原因是什么？
文章中提到“李老师下周有一个重要的会议。” (Teacher Li has an important meeting next week.)
文章中提到“李老师下周有一个重要的会议。” (Teacher Li has an important meeting next week.)
作者下周有什么计划？
Read this passage:
我的生日在下周。我打算请我的同学来我家开派对。我需要买蛋糕和饮料。我希望大家都能来。
作者下周有什么计划？
文章中提到“我的生日在下周。我打算请我的同学来我家开派对。” (My birthday is next week. I plan to invite my classmates to my house for a party.)
文章中提到“我的生日在下周。我打算请我的同学来我家开派对。” (My birthday is next week. I plan to invite my classmates to my house for a party.)
The standard Chinese sentence structure is Subject + Time + Verb + Object. '我' (I) is the subject, '下周' (next week) is the time, '去' (go) is the verb, and '北京' (Beijing) is the object.
The correct order is Subject + Time + Modal Verb (要) + Verb + Object. '她' (she) is the subject, '下周' (next week) is the time, '要' (will/want to) is the modal verb, '学习' (study) is the verb, and '中文' (Chinese) is the object.
The correct order is Subject + Time + Verb (有) + Quantity + Noun. '我们' (we) is the subject, '下周' (next week) is the time, '有' (have) is the verb, '一个' (one) is the quantity, and '考试' (exam) is the noun.
Write a short paragraph about your plans for next week. Mention at least three different activities.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
下周我有很多计划。周一我要去上班，然后和朋友一起吃饭。周三晚上我打算去健身房。周末我想在家看电影，放松一下。
Imagine you are talking to a friend. Ask them about their plans for next week, using '下周'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
嘿，你下周有什么计划吗？我们是不是可以一起出去玩？
Describe something you are looking forward to doing next week. Make sure to use '下周' in your sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我非常期待下周的旅行，那会很有趣。
王明和李华下周计划做什么？
Read this passage:
王明和李华是好朋友。下周，他们计划一起去爬山。王明说他已经准备好了水和食物。李华说她会带相机拍照。他们都很期待这次旅行。
王明和李华下周计划做什么？
文章中明确提到“下周，他们计划一起去爬山”。
文章中明确提到“下周，他们计划一起去爬山”。
作者下周打算做什么？
Read this passage:
我的工作很忙，所以很少有时间休息。但是下周，我有一个短假。我打算去海边放松一下，希望天气会很好。
作者下周打算做什么？
文章中提到“下周，我有一个短假。我打算去海边放松一下”。
文章中提到“下周，我有一个短假。我打算去海边放松一下”。
下周一会发生什么？
Read this passage:
张老师告诉学生们，下周一会有一次重要的考试。她建议大家好好复习。考试内容会包括语法和词汇。
下周一会发生什么？
张老师说“下周一会有一次重要的考试”。
张老师说“下周一会有一次重要的考试”。
你计划下周做什么？请详细描述你下周的日程安排，包括工作、学习、休闲等各个方面。可以具体到日期和时间。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
下周我有很多计划。周一上午我会开一个重要的会议，下午则要完成一份报告。周二和周三我会专注于一个新项目的研究。周四晚上，我打算和朋友一起去尝试那家新开的餐厅。周五我会去健身房锻炼，然后准备周末的出行。周末我计划去郊外爬山放松一下。
你的朋友邀请你下周一起参加一个活动，但是你的日程已经很满了。请写一封短信或邮件，礼貌地拒绝朋友的邀请，并说明你下周不能参加的原因。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
亲爱的[朋友的名字]，非常感谢你邀请我下周一起去[活动名称]，听起来很有趣！但是很抱歉，我下周的日程已经排得很满了，恐怕不能参加了。我有一些重要的工作任务需要完成，而且还约了人。希望下次有机会能一起玩！
请设想一个场景：你的同事下周需要出差，需要你代为处理一些工作。请写一封邮件，确认你了解需要代为处理的事项，并询问是否有其他需要注意的细节。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
亲爱的[同事的名字]，我收到了你关于下周出差的邮件，并了解了你需要我代为处理的[具体工作内容]。请放心，我会妥善处理。我想问一下，在处理这些工作时，有没有什么特别需要注意的细节，或者你有什么额外的指示吗？期待你的回复，祝你出差顺利！
根据文章，王经理下周的行程重点是什么？
Read this passage:
王经理下周将前往上海参加一个重要的行业峰会。他计划周一早上出发，周二和周三全天参会，并在周四下午返回。会议期间，他还需要与几位重要的客户进行一对一会谈。因此，他特地嘱咐秘书，务必将下周的日程安排得井井有条，确保所有事项都能顺利进行。
根据文章，王经理下周的行程重点是什么？
文章明确提到王经理下周将参加行业峰会并与客户进行会谈。
文章明确提到王经理下周将参加行业峰会并与客户进行会谈。
李华对下周的训练计划感到犹豫的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
最近，李华在健身房表现出色，教练建议她下周开始增加训练强度和频率。李华对此感到有些犹豫，因为她下周的工作任务非常繁重，担心身体吃不消。她正在考虑是否应该调整训练计划，或者向上司申请一些弹性工作时间。
李华对下周的训练计划感到犹豫的原因是什么？
文章中明确指出，李华感到犹豫是因为她下周的工作任务非常繁重，担心身体吃不消。
文章中明确指出，李华感到犹豫是因为她下周的工作任务非常繁重，担心身体吃不消。
根据文章，小明社团下周的主要任务是什么？
Read this passage:
为了迎接即将到来的国际文化交流活动，小明所在的社团下周将进行一系列的准备工作。他们需要排练节目、制作宣传海报、布置场地，以及协调各个小组的工作进度。社长特别强调，虽然任务艰巨，但大家一定要齐心协力，确保活动顺利举行。
根据文章，小明社团下周的主要任务是什么？
文章明确指出，小明社团下周将为迎接国际文化交流活动进行一系列准备工作。
文章明确指出，小明社团下周将为迎接国际文化交流活动进行一系列准备工作。
鉴于目前项目进展，我们必须在___完成所有测试，否则将无法按时交付。
根据句意，项目需要在“下周”完成测试，以确保按时交付。
公司董事会会议已定于___召开，届时将讨论重大战略调整。
句中提及董事会会议将召开并讨论战略调整，因此“下周”是符合时间逻辑的选择。
由于全球供应链中断，我们预计新一批原材料的到货时间将推迟到___。
根据句意，原材料到货时间因供应链中断而推迟，因此“下周”是合理的预期时间。
为应对市场变化，公司决定在___推出全新的营销策略，以期提振销量。
公司计划推出新营销策略以应对市场变化，所以“下周”是合理的行动时间。
我们正在加紧准备，争取在___与客户最终敲定合作细节，签署正式合同。
句中表示“加紧准备”与客户敲定合作细节，所以“下周”是符合语境的完成时间。
考虑到当前疫情形势，原定于本月举行的国际会议已正式宣布延期至___。
国际会议因疫情延期，因此“下周”是一个可能且合理的延期时间。
下周的会议日程安排得十分紧凑，许多重要议题都将在有限的时间内进行讨论。你认为以下哪项最能概括这种日程安排的特点？
“紧凑”意味着时间安排得非常密，需要高效地利用，所以“高效密集”最符合语境。
鉴于下周即将到来的重要考试，他决定全身心投入复习，甚至推迟了所有的社交活动。这体现了他对考试的何种态度？
“全身心投入复习”和“推迟所有社交活动”都表明他对考试非常重视。
下周的项目启动仪式因故延期，这给团队带来了不小的挑战，他们需要重新调整计划。在这种情况下，团队最应该采取的行动是？
项目延期是挑战，团队应该“积极应对”并“重新规划”来解决问题。
如果下周有极端天气预警，所有户外活动都会被取消，这是为了保障公众安全。
在极端天气下取消户外活动是为了确保公众安全，这是合理的推断。
下周公司将举行季度业绩发布会，这意味着公司的财务状况非常不透明。
季度业绩发布会是公司向公众和投资者披露财务状况的常见方式，通常是为了增加透明度，而非不透明。
即使下周有重要的国际交流活动，个人事务也应该优先于国家形象。
在重要的国际交流活动中，通常国家形象和整体利益会优先于纯粹的个人事务。
Compose a short paragraph detailing your ambitious plans for 下周 (next week), incorporating at least three distinct activities or goals you aim to achieve. Consider both personal and professional aspects.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
下周我计划完成一份重要的报告，这将占据我大部分工作时间。此外，我还打算抽出时间学习新的编程语言，并开始为我期待已久的旅行做初步的准备。希望一切顺利，能够高效地利用这段时间。
Imagine you are writing an email to a colleague to delegate a task that needs to be completed by 下周 (next week). Clearly state the task, its importance, and the deadline. Emphasize the urgency and the expected outcome.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你好，[同事姓名]。我需要你协助完成这份市场分析报告。这份报告对我们下周的客户会议至关重要，请务必在下周三下班前提交初稿。如果你有任何问题，请随时与我联系。谢谢。
Write a reflective journal entry discussing a major challenge you anticipate facing 下周 (next week) and how you plan to overcome it. Include potential strategies and desired results.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
下周我将面临一个非常棘手的项目演示，这是我近期最大的挑战。我计划通过反复演练，收集反馈，并预设可能出现的问题来克服它。我希望能够沉着应对，最终呈现出最佳效果，并获得团队的认可。
根据这段文字，关于下周的新项目，我们可以推断出什么？
Read this passage:
公司正在为下周即将启动的新项目进行紧张的准备工作。各个部门都召开了紧急会议，讨论项目的具体细节和时间表。鉴于项目的复杂性，团队成员们预感到下周将会是一个充满挑战但充满机遇的一周。
根据这段文字，关于下周的新项目，我们可以推断出什么？
文章提到“公司正在为下周即将启动的新项目进行紧张的准备工作”和“鉴于项目的复杂性，团队成员们预感到下周将会是一个充满挑战但充满机遇的一周”，这表明项目将在下周启动且有难度。
文章提到“公司正在为下周即将启动的新项目进行紧张的准备工作”和“鉴于项目的复杂性，团队成员们预感到下周将会是一个充满挑战但充满机遇的一周”，这表明项目将在下周启动且有难度。
这段文字主要表达了什么观点？
Read this passage:
一位著名经济学家预测，尽管当前经济形势复杂，但下周公布的一系列重要经济数据有望为市场注入新的活力。投资者普遍关注这些数据，以期从中寻找投资机会，并调整其未来的投资策略。
这段文字主要表达了什么观点？
文章提到“下周公布的一系列重要经济数据有望为市场注入新的活力”，这直接说明了经济学家认为数据将带来积极影响。
文章提到“下周公布的一系列重要经济数据有望为市场注入新的活力”，这直接说明了经济学家认为数据将带来积极影响。
从这段文字可以看出学生们下周有什么重要活动？
Read this passage:
学生们正在为下周的期末考试做最后的冲刺。图书馆座无虚席，讨论区也充满了热烈的学习气氛。每个人都在努力复习，希望能取得好成绩，为这个学期画上一个圆满的句号。
从这段文字可以看出学生们下周有什么重要活动？
文章明确指出“学生们正在为下周的期末考试做最后的冲刺”，因此下周的重要活动是期末考试。
文章明确指出“学生们正在为下周的期末考试做最后的冲刺”，因此下周的重要活动是期末考试。
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
下周 (xià zhōu) is your go-to word for 'next week' in Chinese, crucial for discussing future plans.
- Use 下周 to talk about the week after now.
- It's a very common and essential word for scheduling.
- Think of it as 'next week' in English.
Example
下周我们去旅行。
