xià zhōu: 下周 - Next Week

• Keywords: 下周, xià zhōu, next week in Chinese, how to say next week in Mandarin, Chinese time words, Chinese planning, scheduling in Chinese, 上周, 本周, HSK 1 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn how to say “next week” in Chinese with the essential term 下周 (xià zhōu). This guide breaks down the characters, explains the cultural logic behind Chinese time words, and provides dozens of practical example sentences. Master 下周 (xià zhōu) to confidently schedule appointments, make plans with friends, and discuss future events in Mandarin, an absolute must-know word for any beginner.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xià zhōu
• Part of Speech: Time Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: The week that follows the current week.
• In a Nutshell: 下周 (xià zhōu) is the most common and direct way to say “next week” in Mandarin Chinese. It's a fundamental building block for talking about the future, used for everything from scheduling a business meeting to planning a coffee with a friend. It's a simple, logical compound that is essential for everyday communication.

• 下 (xià): The character's primary meanings are “down” or “under”. In the context of time, it takes on the meaning of “next” or “following”. You can visualize time as a river flowing downwards; the next event is further “down” the stream.
• 周 (zhōu): This character means “cycle,” “circumference,” or, most commonly in this context, “week.” It represents a complete cycle of days.
• Combined Meaning: The logic is beautifully simple: 下 (xià) meaning “next” plus 周 (zhōu) meaning “week” literally combines to form “the next week.” This clear, compositional nature is a common feature of many Chinese words.

While “next week” is a universal concept, the Chinese way of expressing it reveals a highly logical and systematic approach to time. Unlike English, which uses different words like “next,” “last,” “this,” “tomorrow,” and “yesterday,” Chinese often relies on a consistent “up/down” or “before/after” spatial metaphor for time.

• The 上 (shàng) / 本 (běn) / 下 (xià) System: Chinese uses a consistent pattern for cyclical units of time like weeks and months.
  • 上周 (shàng zhōu): “Last week” (上 means “up” or “previous”)
  • 本周 (běn zhōu): “This week” (本 means “current” or “root”)
  • 下周 (xià zhōu): “Next week” (下 means “down” or “next”)

This same pattern applies to months (上个月, 这个月, 下个月) and semesters (上学期, 这学期, 下学期). This consistency makes it easier for learners to grasp once they understand the core concept.

• The Start of the Week: In China, the week officially and culturally begins on Monday (星期一, xīngqīyī). This is an important distinction from some Western countries, like the United States, where calendars often show Sunday as the first day. This means if you are speaking to someone on a Sunday, saying “下周一 (xià zhōu yī)” means “next Monday,” which is actually the very next day (tomorrow).

下周 (xià zhōu) is a high-frequency, all-purpose term used in virtually every aspect of modern life. It is neutral in formality and can be used in any situation.

• Scheduling and Planning: This is the most common usage. Whether making a doctor's appointment, setting a deadline, or arranging a dinner, 下周 is the go-to term.
  • `我们下周三开会。 (Wǒmen xià zhōu sān kāihuì.)` - We have a meeting next Wednesday.
• Business Communication: In the workplace, 下周 is used constantly in emails, instant messages (like WeChat), and meetings to coordinate tasks and timelines.
  • `这份报告下周五之前要完成。 (Zhè fèn bàogào xià zhōu wǔ zhīqián yào wánchéng.)` - This report must be finished before next Friday.
• Social Conversation: When making casual plans with friends and family, 下周 is used to talk about upcoming movies, gatherings, or trips.
  • `下周有空一起吃饭吗？ (Xià zhōu yǒu kòng yīqǐ chīfàn ma?)` - Are you free to have a meal together next week?

• Example 1:
  • 我下周要去北京出差。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xià zhōu yào qù Běijīng chūchāi.
  • English: I am going to Beijing on a business trip next week.
  • Analysis: A straightforward statement of a future plan. This is a very common sentence structure.
• Example 2:
  • 你下周有什么安排？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xià zhōu yǒu shénme ānpái?
  • English: What are your plans for next week?
  • Analysis: A standard question used to inquire about someone's schedule. `安排 (ānpái)` means “arrangements” or “plans”.
• Example 3:
  • 我们下周一见。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xià zhōu yī jiàn.
  • English: See you next Monday.
  • Analysis: To specify a day, you simply add the day of the week directly after 下周. For example, 下周一 (next Monday), 下周二 (next Tuesday), etc.
• Example 4:
  • 这个项目下周必须启动。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù xià zhōu bìxū qǐdòng.
  • English: This project must be launched next week.
  • Analysis: Shows a more formal, business-oriented use, indicating a deadline. `必须 (bìxū)` means “must”.
• Example 5:
  • 下周的天气怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Xià zhōu de tiānqì zěnmeyàng?
  • English: How will the weather be next week?
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how 下周 can be used as the subject of a sentence, modified by the particle `的 (de)`.
• Example 6:
  • 对不起，我下周都排满了。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ xià zhōu dōu pái mǎn le.
  • English: Sorry, my schedule is completely full next week.
  • Analysis: A useful phrase for politely declining an invitation. `排满了 (pái mǎn le)` literally means “scheduled full”.
• Example 7:
  • 电影票我已经买了，是下周六的。
  • Pinyin: Diànyǐng piào wǒ yǐjīng mǎi le, shì xià zhōu liù de.
  • English: I've already bought the movie tickets, they are for next Saturday.
  • Analysis: The `是…的` construction is used here to emphasize the time of the tickets.
• Example 8:
  • 从下周开始，我要每天去健身房。
  • Pinyin: Cóng xià zhōu kāishǐ, wǒ yào měitiān qù jiànshēnfáng.
  • English: Starting from next week, I'm going to go to the gym every day.
  • Analysis: The structure `从…开始 (cóng…kāishǐ)` means “starting from…” and is often used with time words like 下周.
• Example 9:
  • 你能下周三之前把文件发给我吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng xià zhōu sān zhīqián bǎ wénjiàn fā gěi wǒ ma?
  • English: Can you send the file to me before next Wednesday?
  • Analysis: Shows how to set a specific deadline within the next week using `…之前 (…zhīqián)`, meaning “before…”.
• Example 10:
  • 他说他下周才能给我们答复。
  • Pinyin: Tā shuō tā xià zhōu cái néng gěi wǒmen dáfù.
  • English: He said he can't give us a reply until next week.
  • Analysis: The word `才 (cái)` emphasizes that the action (giving a reply) will not happen until the specified time.

• 下周 vs. 下个星期: A very common point of confusion.
  • 下周 (xià zhōu) and 下个星期 (xià ge xīngqī) are almost perfectly interchangeable and both mean “next week.”
  • Connotation: 下周 is slightly more concise and can feel a tiny bit more formal or common in written Chinese. 下个星期 is extremely common in spoken, everyday Mandarin. You can use either and will be understood perfectly.
  • Incorrect: `下个周 (xià ge zhōu)` is grammatically awkward and not used. It's either 下周 or 下个星期.
• The wrong “Next”: Learners might try to apply the 下 (xià) logic to every time unit.
  • Correct: `下周 (xià zhōu)` - next week, `下个月 (xià ge yuè)` - next month.
  • Incorrect: `下天 (xià tiān)` for “next day”. The correct word is 明天 (míngtiān).
  • Incorrect: `下年 (xià nián)` for “next year”. The correct word is 明年 (míngnián).
  • Rule of Thumb: 下 is typically used for recurring periods like weeks, months, and semesters. Days and years use 明 (míng).

• 上周 (shàng zhōu) - The direct antonym: “last week.”
• 本周 (běn zhōu) - A related term for “this week.”
• 下个星期 (xià ge xīngqī) - The most common synonym for 下周, used very frequently in speech.
• 下个月 (xià ge yuè) - “Next month,” following the same grammatical pattern.
• 明年 (míng nián) - “Next year.” Note the use of 明 (míng) instead of 下 (xià).
• 周末 (zhōumò) - “Weekend,” the end of the 周 (zhōu) or week.
• 后天 (hòutiān) - “The day after tomorrow,” another key future time word.
• 安排 (ānpái) - “To arrange” or “a plan/schedule.” The action you take when you use the word 下周.
• 日程 (rìchéng) - “Schedule” or “itinerary.” What your 下周 might be filled with.
• 预约 (yùyuē) - “To make an appointment.” A common reason to discuss what you're doing 下周.