This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A1 noun 8 min read

晴天

qingtian
Examples
Explanation 晴天 in your Level:
At the A1 beginner level, learning the word 晴天 is an absolute necessity for basic communication. When you first start learning Chinese, weather vocabulary is usually introduced within the first few weeks of study because it is a universal topic. You will use this word to answer simple questions like 'What is the weather like today?' or 'Is it sunny tomorrow?' The grammatical structure at this level is very simple: Time + 是 + 晴天. For example, '今天是晴天' (Today is a sunny day). You do not need to worry about complex grammar rules or modifiers yet. The focus is purely on memorizing the pronunciation, the tones, and recognizing the characters. The first character has the sun radical on the left, which is a great visual cue for beginners to remember that the word is related to the sun. At this stage, you will primarily hear and use this word in the context of reading basic weather forecasts, looking at flashcards, or doing simple role-play exercises in the classroom where you plan a weekend activity based on the weather. Mastering this word early on gives you confidence to engage in simple daily interactions with native speakers.
As you progress to the A2 level, your use of the word 晴天 becomes slightly more complex and integrated into longer sentences. You are no longer just stating the weather; you are using it to explain reasons, make plans, and express preferences. You will start using conjunctions like '因为' (because) and '所以' (so). For example, '因为今天是晴天，所以我们去公园' (Because today is a sunny day, so we are going to the park). You will also learn to use condition structures like '如果...就...' (if... then...). '如果是晴天，我们就去踢足球' (If it is a sunny day, we will go play soccer). At this level, you will also begin to encounter the word in short reading passages, such as diary entries or simple emails to friends discussing upcoming trips. You will notice that native speakers might add '大' to make it '大晴天' to emphasize that it is a very sunny, perfectly clear day. Your listening skills will improve, allowing you to catch this word in natural, slightly faster conversations, and you will start to feel more comfortable using it to initiate small talk about the weather in everyday situations.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B1 intermediate level, the word 晴天 is fully integrated into your active vocabulary, and you begin to use it with greater nuance and fluency. You will use it in more complex narrative structures, such as recounting a past event or telling a story. For example, you might write an essay describing a memorable vacation, detailing how consecutive sunny days made the trip enjoyable. You will also start comparing different weather conditions using structures like '比' (compared to). '我喜欢晴天比喜欢雨天多' (I like sunny days more than rainy days). At this stage, you are expected to understand weather reports on the radio or television without visual aids, picking up on the term amidst a stream of faster-paced Chinese. You will also begin to encounter metaphorical uses of the word in popular culture, such as in song lyrics where a sunny day represents a happy mood or a positive turn of events in a relationship. Your writing will incorporate this word naturally, and you will be able to discuss the impact of sunny weather on agriculture, mood, and daily life in a more detailed and structured manner during conversational practice.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Reaching the B2 upper-intermediate level means you have a solid grasp of how to use 晴天 flexibly in various contexts, both literal and figurative. You are now capable of discussing weather patterns, climate change, and environmental topics where this word might appear. You will use it alongside more advanced vocabulary, such as '连续' (continuous) or '罕见' (rare), to describe specific weather phenomena. '这个地区连续几个月都是晴天，导致了干旱' (This region has had continuous sunny days for months, leading to a drought). Furthermore, you will fully understand and utilize its metaphorical meaning in everyday speech. If someone has overcome a difficult period, you might hear or say, '他的生活终于迎来了晴天' (His life has finally welcomed a sunny day). You will also be comfortable reading news articles, blogs, and opinion pieces where the word is used to set a scene or establish a mood. Your pronunciation and intonation when using the word in long, complex sentences will sound natural, and you will rarely make the beginner mistake of using it directly as an adjective without the proper grammatical structure.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 advanced level, your use of the word 晴天 is virtually indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You understand the subtle cultural and literary connotations associated with the word. You will encounter it in modern literature, poetry, and advanced academic texts where it serves as a powerful symbol. You are comfortable using related idioms and four-character expressions that incorporate the concept of a clear sky, such as '晴天霹雳' (a bolt from the blue), which describes a sudden, shocking event. You can engage in deep, abstract discussions about how weather influences human psychology and societal behavior, using 晴天 as a reference point. Your writing is sophisticated, employing varied sentence structures and rich vocabulary to describe the exact quality of the sunlight and the atmosphere of a sunny day without constantly repeating the basic noun. You can easily navigate historical texts or regional dialects where the usage might slightly differ, and you appreciate the aesthetic value of the word in Chinese calligraphy and art. Your comprehension is absolute, allowing you to catch the word even when it is mumbled, spoken in a heavy accent, or buried in a complex rhetorical question.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 mastery level, the word 晴天 is a fundamental building block in your vast and intricate linguistic repertoire. You possess a profound understanding of its etymology, historical evolution, and its place within the broader framework of Chinese philosophy and cosmology, where weather is often linked to the balance of Yin and Yang. You can effortlessly analyze classic literature where the transition from rain to a sunny day mirrors a character's internal transformation or a shift in political power. You are adept at creating your own metaphors and poetic imagery using the word, seamlessly blending it into speeches, academic papers, or creative writing. You understand the regional variations in how sunny weather is perceived and discussed across different parts of China, from the arid north to the humid south. You can debate meteorological science, climate policy, and environmental history using highly specialized vocabulary, while still grounding your arguments with intuitive, everyday words like 晴天. At this pinnacle of language proficiency, the word is not just a vocabulary item to be learned, but a dynamic tool that you manipulate with precision and artistry to express the most complex and nuanced human experiences.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples
Literal Meaning
The Chinese word for sunny day is composed of two characters where the first character means clear or fine weather and the second character means sky or day.
Everyday Usage
People use this word daily when discussing weather forecasts, planning outdoor activities, or simply commenting on the beautiful conditions outside.
Emotional Connotation
Beyond just meteorology, a sunny day in Chinese culture often represents hope, happiness, and positive outcomes after a period of difficulty.

今天是个大晴天。

希望明天是晴天。

我喜欢晴天去公园。

连续几天都是晴天。

哪怕是晴天也要带伞。

Understanding weather vocabulary is one of the most fundamental steps in language learning because the weather dictates so much of our daily lives, from what we wear to how we travel. When you learn this word, you are unlocking the ability to participate in the most universal form of small talk across all cultures. In Chinese, the structure of weather words often ends with the character for day or sky, making it very intuitive to memorize. You will find that native speakers use this term not just to state facts, but to express relief when a long period of rain finally ends. The visual of a clear blue sky is deeply embedded in the character itself, which features the sun radical on the left side, providing a fantastic mnemonic device for visual learners. Furthermore, this word often appears in poetry, song lyrics, and literature as a symbol of clarity, truth, and happiness. By mastering its usage, you are not only improving your practical communication skills but also gaining insight into the poetic nature of the Chinese language. Remember to practice saying it with the correct rising and high-level tones to ensure you are perfectly understood by native speakers in any context. Whether you are writing a diary entry, sending a text message to a friend to arrange a picnic, or listening to a weather forecast on the radio, this word will be absolutely essential to your vocabulary arsenal.
Subject Position
It can act as the subject of a sentence, such as saying that a sunny day makes people feel very happy and energetic.
Object Position
It frequently appears as the object when describing what kind of weather someone likes or anticipates for the weekend.
Time Phrase
It is often combined with time markers to specify when the sunny weather occurred or will occur, acting as an adverbial phrase.

如果是晴天我们就去爬山。

虽然是晴天但还是很冷。

预报说周末是晴天。

我最讨厌没有晴天的梅雨季。

终于迎来了久违的晴天。

Constructing sentences with weather terms in Chinese is refreshingly straightforward compared to many European languages. You do not need a dummy subject like 'it' in English or 'il' in French. Instead, you simply state the time followed by the verb 'to be' and the weather noun. For example, 'Today is sunny day' is the literal translation of the most common sentence structure. When you want to express conditions, you can use the 'if... then...' structure, which is incredibly common for making weekend plans. Furthermore, this noun can be modified by various adjectives to add nuance, such as describing a rare sunny day during the monsoon season or a scorching sunny day in the middle of summer. As you progress in your language journey, you will notice that native speakers often drop the verb entirely in casual conversation, simply saying 'Tomorrow, sunny day' to convey the forecast quickly and efficiently. It is also important to note that while it translates to an adjective in English 'sunny', in Chinese it functions fundamentally as a noun meaning 'sunny day'. This grammatical distinction is crucial for avoiding common syntax errors when translating your thoughts directly from English to Chinese. Practice building sentences by attaching different time words like yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and soon using this vocabulary will become second nature to you.
News Broadcasts
Every television and radio station concludes their daily broadcast with a weather segment where this term is spoken clearly and formally.
Daily Conversations
Colleagues passing by in the office or neighbors meeting in the elevator will frequently use this word to make polite small talk.
Travel Planning
When booking flights, reserving hotels, or planning itineraries, tour guides and travelers constantly check and discuss if there will be sunny days.

电视上说全国大部分地区都是晴天。

导游祈祷明天是个晴天。

农民们盼望着晴天来收割麦子。

在英国，晴天是非常珍贵的。

手机天气应用显示下周全是晴天。

The environments where you will encounter this vocabulary are incredibly diverse, reflecting its status as a high-frequency, essential word in the Chinese language. If you ever watch a Chinese news channel, the meteorologist will stand in front of a digital map, pointing to various provinces and declaring the weather conditions, making it an excellent opportunity for listening practice. In the realm of popular culture, there is a famous song by the Taiwanese artist Jay Chou titled exactly with this word, which has cemented its place in the hearts of millions of fans across Asia. When you travel to Chinese-speaking regions, you will hear taxi drivers using it to strike up conversations, often complaining about the heat if the sunny day is too intense, or expressing joy if it follows a gloomy week. It is also a staple in educational materials for children, often accompanied by drawings of a smiling sun, making it one of the very first words taught in kindergartens. By paying attention to these various contexts, you will not only reinforce your memory of the word but also gain an appreciation for how a simple concept like weather is woven into the fabric of daily communication, art, and social interaction.
Adjective vs Noun
English speakers often try to use it as an adjective directly modifying another noun, forgetting that it is already a compound noun meaning sunny day.
Missing the Verb
Learners sometimes omit the verb 'to be' when making a full sentence, resulting in broken grammar that sounds unnatural to natives.
Tone Errors
Mispronouncing the first character with a falling tone instead of a rising tone can cause confusion, as tones are critical for meaning.

不要说：今天很晴天。要说：今天天气很晴朗。

不要说：我喜欢晴天天气。要说：我喜欢晴天。

记得加动词：明天是晴天。

发音练习：qíng (二声) tiān (一声) 晴天。

正确表达：这是一个美丽的晴天。

One of the most prevalent errors made by beginners is attempting to map English grammar directly onto Chinese vocabulary. Because 'sunny' is an adjective in English, students frequently try to say 'today is very sunny' by directly translating it, which results in grammatically incorrect Chinese. In Chinese, the word inherently contains the noun 'day', so adding another word for weather or day after it is redundant and sounds awkward. Another common pitfall is the pronunciation of the first character. The pinyin 'qing' exists in multiple tones, meaning completely different things. For instance, with a third tone, it means 'please', and with a fourth tone, it means 'celebrate'. Therefore, mastering the rising second tone is absolutely essential to ensure you are talking about the weather and not confusing your listener. Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the written character, confusing the sun radical on the left with the eye radical, which looks very similar but changes the character entirely. Taking the time to understand the etymology and the grammatical category of the word will save you from these common mistakes and make your spoken Chinese sound much more natural and fluent.
晴朗
This is an adjective meaning clear and sunny, often used to describe the sky or the weather in a more formal or descriptive context.
太阳天
A highly colloquial alternative that literally translates to 'sun day', used frequently by children or in very casual speech.
好天气
Meaning 'good weather', this is a broader term that usually implies a sunny day but focuses on the pleasantness of the conditions.

相比之下，晴天是最常用的名词。

你可以说天气晴朗，或者今天是晴天。

艳阳天比普通的晴天更强调阳光的明媚。

在书面语中，晴空万里常用来描写晴天。

无论是大晴天还是小晴天，都适合出门。

Expanding your vocabulary to include synonyms and related terms is a fantastic way to elevate your Chinese from a beginner level to a more advanced and natural-sounding proficiency. While the primary word is perfect for everyday factual statements, learning its alternatives allows you to express different shades of meaning and emotion. For instance, if you want to emphasize the brightness and warmth of the sun, you might use '艳阳天', which paints a much more vivid picture in the listener's mind. Conversely, if you are writing a formal report or a piece of literature, using the adjective form '晴朗' to modify the sky or the climate demonstrates a higher command of the language. It is also helpful to know the antonyms, such as '雨天' (rainy day) and '阴天' (cloudy day), as they are often taught together in thematic vocabulary clusters. By understanding the subtle differences in register, formality, and exact meaning between these similar words, you can choose the precise term that best fits the context of your conversation or writing, thereby making your communication much more effective and nuanced.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

今天是晴天。

Today is a sunny day.

Subject + 是 + Noun.

2

明天是晴天吗？

Is tomorrow a sunny day?

Question particle 吗 at the end.

3

我喜欢晴天。

I like sunny days.

Subject + Verb + Object.

4

昨天不是晴天。

Yesterday was not a sunny day.

Negation using 不是.

5

现在是晴天。

It is a sunny day right now.

Time word at the beginning.

6

北京今天是晴天。

Beijing is sunny today.

Location + Time + 是 + Noun.

7

晴天很好。

Sunny days are very good.

Noun as subject + Adverb + Adjective.

8

看，是晴天！

Look, it's a sunny day!

Exclamatory sentence.

1

因为今天是晴天，我们去公园。

Because today is sunny, we go to the park.

因为...所以... structure (所以 implied).

2

如果是晴天，我就去跑步。

If it is a sunny day, I will go running.

如果...就... conditional structure.

3

今天是个大晴天。

Today is a big sunny day.

Using measure word 个 and adjective 大.

4

我希望周末是晴天。

I hope the weekend is sunny.

Verb 希望 followed by a clause.

5

虽然是晴天，但是很冷。

Although it is sunny, it is very cold.

虽然...但是... contrast structure.

6

晴天的时候，我喜欢拍照。

When it is sunny, I like to take photos.

...的时候 indicating time.

7

我们等一个晴天再去海边。

We will wait for a sunny day to go to the beach.

Verb 等 + Object + 再 + Action.

8

天气预报说今天是晴天。

The weather forecast says today is a sunny day.

Reported speech using 说.

1

连续几天的晴天让心情变得很好。

Consecutive sunny days make the mood very good.

Noun phrase as subject with 让 causative.

2

比起阴天，我更喜欢晴天。

Compared to cloudy days, I prefer sunny days.

比起...更... comparison structure.

3

难得遇到这么好的晴天，我们出去走走吧。

It's rare to encounter such a good sunny day, let's go out for a walk.

Adverb 难得 modifying the verb phrase.

4

一到晴天，公园里就挤满了人。

As soon as it's a sunny day, the park is crowded with people.

一...就... indicating immediate sequence.

5

只要是晴天，他就会去钓鱼。

As long as it is a sunny day, he will go fishing.

只要...就... expressing a sufficient condition.

6

这场雨下了一个星期，终于迎来了晴天。

This rain fell for a week, finally welcoming a sunny day.

Adverb 终于 indicating a long-awaited result.

7

晴天出门记得涂防晒霜。

Remember to apply sunscreen when going out on a sunny day.

Imperative sentence with context.

8

在我的家乡，冬天很少有晴天。

In my hometown, there are rarely sunny days in winter.

Adverb 很少 indicating low frequency.

1

这个突如其来的消息犹如晴天霹雳，让他呆立当场。

This sudden news was like a bolt from the blue, leaving him standing there dumbfounded.

Idiom 晴天霹雳 used as a metaphor.

2

不管前方的路是风雨还是晴天，我们都要坚持走下去。

Whether the road ahead is stormy or sunny, we must keep going.

不管...还是...都... expressing unconditional resolution.

3

持续的晴天虽然方便了出行，却给农业带来了旱情。

Although continuous sunny days made travel convenient, they brought drought to agriculture.

Complex sentence with 虽然...却... showing contrast.

4

她那阳光般的笑容，就像冬日里的晴天一样温暖人心。

Her sunny smile is as heartwarming as a sunny day in winter.

Simile using 像...一样.

5

经过几个月的低谷，公司的业绩终于迎来了晴天。

After months of depression, the company's performance finally saw a sunny day.

Metaphorical use of 晴天 for success.

6

在漫长的梅雨季节里，哪怕是短暂的晴天也显得弥足珍贵。

During the long plum rain season, even a brief sunny day seems extremely precious.

哪怕...也... expressing concession.

7

气象局预测，未来一周将维持晴天，气温逐步回升。

The meteorological bureau predicts that sunny days will be maintained for the next week, and the temperature will gradually rise.

Formal vocabulary and future tense indicator 将.

8

我不喜欢太刺眼的晴天，反而偏爱那种带有微风的阴天。

I don't like glaringly sunny days; instead, I prefer cloudy days with a slight breeze.

Adverb 反而 showing contrary preference.

1

这部小说的结尾，主人公走出了内心的阴霾，头顶是一片灿烂的晴天。

At the end of the novel, the protagonist walks out of their inner gloom, with a brilliant sunny sky overhead.

Literary description combining literal and figurative meanings.

2

在那个动荡的年代，能有一两日安稳的晴天，已是百姓莫大的奢望。

In that turbulent era, having one or two stable sunny days was already a great extravagant hope for the common people.

Advanced vocabulary and historical context.

3

与其终日抱怨命运的不公，不如自己去创造属于自己的晴天。

Rather than complaining about the unfairness of fate all day, it is better to create your own sunny day.

与其...不如... structure for expressing preference.

4

股市的剧烈震荡对那些毫无防备的散户来说，无异于晴天霹雳。

The violent fluctuation of the stock market is no different from a bolt from the blue for those unprepared retail investors.

Advanced usage of idiom with 无异于.

5

连续的晴天导致水库水位告急，政府不得不启动应急预案。

Continuous sunny days led to critical water levels in the reservoir, and the government had to activate emergency plans.

Formal journalistic style and vocabulary.

6

他那首脍炙人口的流行歌曲，以晴天为隐喻，诉说了青春的遗憾与美好。

His universally praised pop song uses a sunny day as a metaphor to tell of the regrets and beauty of youth.

Academic/critical analysis vocabulary.

7

大自然赋予了这片土地最多的晴天，造就了其独特的甜美水果。

Nature endowed this land with the most sunny days, creating its uniquely sweet fruits.

Causality expressed with sophisticated verbs 赋予 and 造就.

8

即使遭遇挫折，只要心中有晴天，便没有过不去的坎。

Even if encountering setbacks, as long as there is a sunny day in your heart, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.

Philosophical statement using 即使...只要...便...

1

纵观历史长河，盛世的繁华犹如万里晴天，而乱世的沧桑则如乌云蔽日。

Looking throughout the long river of history, the prosperity of golden ages is like a boundless sunny sky, while the vicissitudes of troubled times are like dark clouds obscuring the sun.

Highly literary parallelism and historical reflection.

2

在庄子的哲学体系中，内心的绝对宁静便是一种超越了自然气象的永恒晴天。

In Zhuangzi's philosophical system, absolute inner tranquility is a kind of eternal sunny day that transcends natural weather phenomena.

Philosophical discourse and abstract conceptualization.

3

那份看似完美的商业计划书，在资深投资人眼中却暗藏杀机，绝非表面那般晴天朗日。

That seemingly perfect business plan hid lethal risks in the eyes of senior investors, and was absolutely not the bright sunny day it appeared to be on the surface.

Idiomatic adaptation 晴天朗日 used in a business context.

4

诗人以极其细腻的笔触，刻画了暴风雨后初霁的晴天，借此隐喻国家复兴的希望。

With extremely delicate strokes, the poet depicted the sunny day just clearing up after a storm, using this to metaphorically represent the hope of national revival.

Literary criticism and analysis of poetic devices.

5

气候变暖导致的极端天气频发，使得传统农业节气中关于晴天雨水的经验法则面临失效的危机。

The frequent extreme weather caused by global warming has put the empirical rules regarding sunny days and rain in traditional agricultural solar terms at risk of failure.

Academic discourse on climate science and traditional culture.

6

他一生历经宦海沉浮，晚年退隐田园，终于寻得了一方只属于自己的心灵晴天。

Having experienced the ups and downs of officialdom throughout his life, he retired to the countryside in his later years, finally finding a mental sunny day that belonged only to himself.

Biographical narrative with advanced idioms.

7

宏观经济的复苏绝非一蹴而就，需要经历漫长的阵痛期，方能迎来真正的晴天。

The recovery of the macroeconomic situation cannot be achieved overnight; it needs to go through a long period of labor pains before it can usher in a true sunny day.

Economic analysis using metaphorical language.

8

在浩瀚的宇宙尺度下，地球上所谓的晴天与阴雨，不过是微小大气扰动产生的瞬息幻象。

On the vast scale of the universe, the so-called sunny days and cloudy rains on Earth are nothing but fleeting illusions produced by tiny atmospheric disturbances.

Scientific and cosmic perspective using advanced vocabulary.

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!