When learning Chinese, one of the first things you'll want to grasp is how to talk about the days of the week. This is where 星期四 (xīng qī sì) comes in handy.
In Chinese, 星期 (xīng qī) means 'week' or 'weekday', and to specify the day, you simply add a number after it. So, for 'Thursday', we add the number four, which is 四 (sì).
Think of it like saying 'week-four'. This pattern makes learning the other weekdays very straightforward once you know your numbers.
星期四 in 30 Seconds
- Fourth day of the week.
- Commonly a working day.
- Follows Wednesday, precedes Friday.
§ Basic Sentence Structure with 星期四
When you want to say something happens on Thursday, 星期四 (xīngqīsì) usually goes before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence, after the subject. It acts like a time word.
- DEFINITION
- 星期四 (xīngqīsì) means 'Thursday'. It's a noun. When you use it in a sentence, it often functions as an adverbial phrase indicating time.
Here are some common ways to use 星期四.
我 星期四 去图书馆。
In this sentence, 我 (wǒ - I) is the subject, and 星期四 (xīngqīsì - Thursday) tells us when the action of going to the library happens. So it means, "I go to the library on Thursday."
星期四 我们有中文课。
Here, 星期四 (xīngqīsì) comes at the very beginning of the sentence to emphasize the day. This translates to "On Thursday, we have a Chinese class."
§ Asking About Thursday
If you want to ask if something is happening on Thursday, you can use 星期四 with a question particle like 吗 (ma) or an interrogative pronoun like 几 (jǐ).
你 星期四 有空吗？
This asks, "Are you free on Thursday?" 有空 (yǒukòng) means 'to have free time'.
§ Specifying "Every Thursday" or "Last/Next Thursday"
To talk about Thursdays in general or specific Thursdays, you add other time words.
- To say "every Thursday": 每 (měi) + 星期四.
- To say "last Thursday": 上 (shàng) + 星期四.
- To say "next Thursday": 下 (xià) + 星期四.
我 每个星期四 都去健身房。
This means, "I go to the gym every Thursday." 都 (dōu) is often used with 每 to mean 'all' or 'every'.
我们 上星期四 见了面。
This translates to, "We met last Thursday."
她 下星期四 会来。
Here, 会 (huì) indicates future tense: "She will come next Thursday."
Examples by Level
我们通常在星期四晚上开会，讨论公司未来的发展方向和市场策略。
We usually hold meetings on Thursday evenings to discuss the company's future development and market strategies.
通常 (tōngcháng) means 'usually'; 发展方向 (fāzhǎn fāngxiàng) means 'development direction'; 市场策略 (shìchǎng cèlüè) means 'market strategy'.
由于项目紧急，团队决定在星期四加班到深夜，以确保按时完成任务。
Due to the project's urgency, the team decided to work overtime until late on Thursday to ensure the task is completed on time.
由于 (yóuyú) means 'due to'; 紧急 (jǐnjí) means 'urgent'; 加班 (jiābān) means 'work overtime'; 确保 (quèbǎo) means 'ensure'.
我计划在星期四拜访一位重要的客户，希望能达成一项长期合作协议。
I plan to visit an important client on Thursday, hoping to reach a long-term cooperation agreement.
拜访 (bàifǎng) means 'visit'; 重要的客户 (zhòngyào de kèhù) means 'important client'; 达成 (dáchéng) means 'reach'; 长期合作协议 (chángqī hézuò xiéyì) means 'long-term cooperation agreement'.
根据最新安排，本周的部门例会已调整至星期四下午三点举行。
According to the latest arrangements, this week's departmental regular meeting has been adjusted to be held at 3 PM on Thursday.
根据 (gēnjù) means 'according to'; 最新安排 (zuìxīn ānpái) means 'latest arrangements'; 部门例会 (bùmén lìhuì) means 'departmental regular meeting'; 调整 (tiáozhěng) means 'adjust'.
她告诉我，她将在星期四启程前往欧洲，进行为期一个月的商务考察。
She told me that she would depart for Europe on Thursday for a one-month business trip.
启程 (qǐchéng) means 'depart'; 为期 (wéiqī) means 'for a period of'; 商务考察 (shāngwù kǎochá) means 'business trip/investigation'.
博物馆通常在星期四闭馆，所以参观前最好先查询开放时间。
The museum is usually closed on Thursdays, so it's best to check the opening hours before visiting.
闭馆 (bìguǎn) means 'closed (for a museum/library)'; 查询 (cháxún) means 'inquire/check'; 开放时间 (kāifàng shíjiān) means 'opening hours'.
我们期待在星期四晚上举行一场盛大的派对，庆祝项目圆满成功。
We are looking forward to holding a grand party on Thursday evening to celebrate the successful completion of the project.
期待 (qīdài) means 'look forward to'; 盛大 (shèngdà) means 'grand'; 派对 (páiduì) means 'party'; 圆满成功 (yuánmǎn chénggōng) means 'complete success'.
为了避开高峰期，我特意选择了在星期四前往机场，这样可以节省不少时间。
To avoid peak hours, I specifically chose to go to the airport on Thursday, which can save a lot of time.
避开 (bìkāi) means 'avoid'; 高峰期 (gāofēngqī) means 'peak period'; 特意 (tèyì) means 'specially'; 节省 (jiéshěng) means 'save'.
Idioms & Expressions
"每个星期四"
Every Thursday
我每个星期四都去健身房。 (I go to the gym every Thursday.)
neutral"下个星期四"
Next Thursday
我们下个星期四见面吧。 (Let's meet next Thursday.)
neutral"上个星期四"
Last Thursday
上个星期四你做了什么？ (What did you do last Thursday?)
neutral"这星期四"
This Thursday
这星期四你有空吗？ (Are you free this Thursday?)
neutral"星期四的早上"
Thursday morning
我星期四的早上要去开会。 (I have a meeting on Thursday morning.)
neutral"星期四的下午"
Thursday afternoon
我们星期四的下午一起喝咖啡吧。 (Let's have coffee together on Thursday afternoon.)
neutral"星期四的晚上"
Thursday evening
我星期四的晚上看电影。 (I watch a movie on Thursday evening.)
neutral"星期四见"
See you on Thursday
好的，星期四见！ (Okay, see you on Thursday!)
neutral"星期四以前"
Before Thursday
请在星期四以前完成作业。 (Please finish your homework before Thursday.)
neutral"从星期四开始"
Starting from Thursday
从星期四开始，我们每天都有课。 (Starting from Thursday, we have classes every day.)
neutralMemorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'xing qi' sounding like 'sing key'. So, 'sing key' on 'Thursday'. The 'si' (四) literally means four, and Thursday is the fourth day of the working week (if you count Monday as day one).
Visual Association
Imagine a calendar with '星期四' highlighted. Draw a big number 4 on it, and maybe a key singing next to it to help with 'xing qi'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to say what day of the week it is today, and what day it will be tomorrow, using '星期' followed by the number. For example, '今天星期三，明天星期四。'
Test Yourself 54 questions
今天 是 ___。
The sentence means 'Today is ___.' The correct day is Thursday.
我 ___ 去 学校。
The sentence means 'I go to school on ___.' Assuming a typical school week, Thursday is a school day.
你 ___ 有空 吗？
The sentence means 'Are you free on ___?' Thursday is a common day to ask about availability.
我们 ___ 吃 晚饭。
The sentence means 'We eat dinner on ___.' Thursday is a regular day for dinner.
她 ___ 不 工作。
The sentence means 'She does not work on ___.' Thursday is a common day to be off, though less common than weekends.
商店 ___ 开门。
The sentence means 'The store opens on ___.' Thursday is a typical day for stores to be open.
Which day of the week is 星期四 (xīngqīsì)?
星期四 (xīngqīsì) literally means 'week four', with Sunday being day zero or day seven in Chinese counting.
How do you say 'Thursday' in Chinese?
The word for week is 星期 (xīngqī), and 四 (sì) means four, so 星期四 is Thursday.
If 今天 (jīntiān) means 'today' and 是 (shì) means 'is', how would you say 'Today is Thursday'?
To say 'Today is Thursday', you combine '今天' (today), '是' (is), and '星期四' (Thursday).
星期四 (xīngqīsì) means Friday.
星期四 (xīngqīsì) means Thursday. Friday is 星期五 (xīngqīwǔ).
The character 四 (sì) in 星期四 (xīngqīsì) means 'four'.
In Chinese, the days of the week are numbered, and 四 (sì) indeed means four.
If tomorrow is 星期五 (xīngqīwǔ - Friday), then today is 星期四 (xīngqīsì).
If tomorrow is Friday, then today must be Thursday. 星期五 (xīngqīwǔ) is Friday.
What day of the week is mentioned?
What day of the week is mentioned?
What day of the week is mentioned?
Read this aloud:
今天星期四。
Focus: xīng qī sì
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你星期四有时间吗？
Focus: xīng qī sì
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我星期四不去学校。
Focus: xīng qī sì
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
What day of the week is the Chinese class?
What are you planning to eat on Thursday?
Where are we going on Thursday?
Read this aloud:
星期四我没空。
Focus: xīng qī sì, méi kòng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
她星期四来我家。
Focus: xīng qī sì, lái wǒ jiā
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你星期四工作吗？
Focus: xīng qī sì, gōng zuò
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'We go to the supermarket on Thursday.' The correct order is subject, time, verb, object.
This sentence means 'She doesn't like Thursday.' The negative particle 不 (bù) comes before the verb.
This sentence means 'Are you free on Thursday?' The time word usually comes after the subject and before the verb in questions.
The speaker needs help with a hotel booking for a business trip.
The speaker is inviting someone to a small party.
The speaker is reminding someone about a flight.
Read this aloud:
你星期四有什么安排吗？
Focus: xīng qī sì
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我通常星期四晚上会去健身房。
Focus: jiàn shēn fáng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我们下个星期四见面吧。
Focus: xià gè xīng qī sì
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you have an important meeting or event scheduled for '星期四'. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) describing your preparations or what you plan to do on that day. Use '星期四' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个星期四我有一个非常重要的会议。我需要提前做好充分的准备，包括整理资料和练习我的报告。星期三晚上我打算早点睡觉，确保星期四能精神饱满地迎接挑战。
You are making plans with a friend for a weekly activity. Write a short dialogue (3-4 exchanges) discussing which day of the week, specifically focusing on '星期四', would be best for both of you. Include reasons for your preference.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A: 我们这周什么时候见面打羽毛球比较方便？ B: 我看星期四怎么样？那天我下午有空。 A: 星期四对我来说也挺好的，我通常那天工作不忙。 B: 那就定在星期四下午三点吧！
Write a short entry for your personal diary about a past '星期四' that was memorable. Describe what happened and why it was memorable (3-4 sentences).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
上个星期四真是一个难忘的日子。那天我收到了大学的录取通知书，我简直不敢相信这是真的。我和家人一起庆祝了很久，那个星期四会永远留在我的记忆里。
根据文章，小明计划在星期四做什么？
Read this passage:
小明最近开始学习做饭。他每周都会选择一天来尝试一道新菜。这个星期四，他决定做一道麻婆豆腐。他提前在网上查了食谱，并且星期三下班后就去超市买好了所有需要的食材。他希望这次能成功，因为他的朋友们星期五要来家里吃饭。
根据文章，小明计划在星期四做什么？
文章中明确提到“这个星期四，他决定做一道麻婆豆腐”。
文章中明确提到“这个星期四，他决定做一道麻婆豆腐”。
为什么公司要求星期四有足够成员值班？
Read this passage:
公司宣布从下个月开始实行新的工作时间。员工可以在周一到周五之间选择四天上班，但必须确保每个团队在星期四都有足够的成员值班。这是为了更好地协调跨部门合作，因为星期四通常是会议最多的一天。
为什么公司要求星期四有足够成员值班？
文章中提到“必须确保每个团队在星期四都有足够的成员值班。这是为了更好地协调跨部门合作，因为星期四通常是会议最多的一天。”
文章中提到“必须确保每个团队在星期四都有足够的成员值班。这是为了更好地协调跨部门合作，因为星期四通常是会议最多的一天。”
什么情况下琳达会在星期四去健身房？
Read this passage:
琳达每周都会去健身房锻炼三次。她通常选择星期一、星期三和星期五。但是，如果遇到特殊情况，比如星期三有重要的约会，她就会把锻炼时间调整到星期四。对她来说，保持规律的运动非常重要。
什么情况下琳达会在星期四去健身房？
文章中提到“如果遇到特殊情况，比如星期三有重要的约会，她就会把锻炼时间调整到星期四。”
文章中提到“如果遇到特殊情况，比如星期三有重要的约会，她就会把锻炼时间调整到星期四。”
This sentence means 'Let's meet on Thursday.' The common structure for expressing days is to put the day of the week before the action.
This means 'She usually works overtime on Thursday.' '通常' (tōngcháng) means usually and typically goes before the time phrase or verb.
The sentence translates to 'This project must be completed by Thursday.' '必须' (bìxū) means 'must' and should come before the verb '完成' (wánchéng) which means 'to complete'.
The sentence structure in Chinese typically follows Subject + Time + Verb + Object. Here, '我们' is the subject, '在星期四' indicates the time, and '会讨论这个问题' is the verb phrase and object.
This sentence starts with a causal clause '由于项目的紧迫性', followed by the subject '会议', and then the passive voice structure '被安排在星期四下午' specifying the time.
The sentence begins with a concessive clause '尽管日程繁忙', followed by the subject '他', and then the adverb '还是' indicating persistence, and finally the action '坚持在星期四完成报告'.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
星期四 (xīngqīsì) means Thursday, the fourth day of the week.
- Fourth day of the week.
- Commonly a working day.
- Follows Wednesday, precedes Friday.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
一点儿
A1a little, a bit
一会儿
A1a moment, a while
一部分
B1part; portion; minority
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
