====== zhōurì: 周日 - Sunday ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** zhōurì, 周日, Sunday in Chinese, how to say Sunday in Chinese, days of the week in Chinese, Chinese calendar, zhōumò, xīngqīrì, lǐbàitiān, learn Chinese vocabulary
  * **Summary:** Learn how to say and use **周日 (zhōurì)**, the Chinese word for Sunday. This guide covers its meaning, character breakdown, and cultural context. We'll explore how **周日 (zhōurì)** compares to its common synonyms like 星期天 (xīngqītiān) and 礼拜天 (lǐbàitiān), and teach you how to use it correctly in everyday conversation with over 10 practical example sentences. Master the days of the week in Chinese and avoid common mistakes.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhōurì
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 1
  * **Concise Definition:** Sunday.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **周日 (zhōurì)** is one of the most common ways to say "Sunday" in Mandarin Chinese. It's used frequently in both written and spoken contexts and is considered a standard, slightly formal term. It literally combines the characters for "week" and "sun," making it easy to remember.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **周 (zhōu):** This character means "cycle" or "week." You can think of a week as a complete cycle of days. It is also a common Chinese surname.
  * **日 (rì):** This character means "sun" or "day." It's a pictograph, originally drawn to look like the sun.
When combined, **周日 (zhōurì)** literally means "week-sun" or "day of the sun in the week," which directly corresponds to the English "Sun-day." This makes it one of the easiest days of the week for English speakers to learn.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
Unlike English, where days of the week are named after Norse and Roman gods (e.g., Thursday is "Thor's day," Saturday is "Saturn's day"), the standard Chinese system is mostly numerical. Days are numbered from one to six, starting with Monday.
  *   Monday: 星期一 (xīngqīyī) or 周一 (zhōuyī) - "Week Day One"
  *   Tuesday: 星期二 (xīngqī'èr) or 周二 (zhōu'èr) - "Week Day Two"
  *   ...and so on up to Saturday.
Sunday is the exception to this numerical pattern. Instead of being called "day seven," it is called **周日 (zhōurì)**, the "Sun Day," or **星期天 (xīngqītiān)**, the "Sky Day." This parallel with the English "Sunday" is a result of China adopting the seven-day week from the West. While the concept of a weekend is now deeply ingrained in modern Chinese life, with Sunday being a day for family, rest, and leisure, the naming system reflects a blend of logical numbering and cultural adoption.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**周日 (zhōurì)** is a universally understood term for Sunday. Here's how its usage compares to other terms:
  * **Formal / Written:** **周日 (zhōurì)** is very common in writing, schedules, official notices, and news reports. It feels neutral and standard. For example, a sign on a shop door might say "周日休息" (Rest on Sunday).
  * **Informal / Spoken:** In daily conversation, you will hear **周日 (zhōurì)**, but you will also frequently hear **星期天 (xīngqītiān)** and sometimes **礼拜天 (lǐbàitiān)**. **星期天** is arguably the most common colloquial term in many parts of China.
  * **Connotation:** All terms are neutral. The choice between them is mostly a matter of habit, region, or formality. Using **周日** is always a safe and correct choice for a learner.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 今天是**周日**。
    * Pinyin: Jīntiān shì **zhōurì**.
    * English: Today is Sunday.
    * Analysis: A simple, declarative sentence. This is one of the first full sentences you learn as a beginner.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 你**周日**有什么安排？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ **zhōurì** yǒu shéme ānpái?
    * English: What are your plans for Sunday?
    * Analysis: A common question for making plans with friends. `安排 (ānpái)` means "arrangements" or "plans".
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我们**周日**去看电影吧。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen **zhōurì** qù kàn diànyǐng ba.
    * English: Let's go see a movie on Sunday.
    * Analysis: The particle `吧 (ba)` at the end softens the tone and turns the statement into a suggestion.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 这个**周日**是我的生日。
    * Pinyin: Zhège **zhōurì** shì wǒ de shēngrì.
    * English: This Sunday is my birthday.
    * Analysis: `这个 (zhège)` specifies "this coming" Sunday. If you wanted to say "last Sunday," you would use `上个 (shàng ge)`.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 我每个**周日**都去公园跑步。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ měi ge **zhōurì** dōu qù gōngyuán pǎobù.
    * English: I go running in the park every Sunday.
    * Analysis: `每个...都... (měi ge...dōu...)` is a key structure for "every...". It emphasizes that the action happens on all Sundays without exception.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 商店**周日**也开门吗？
    * Pinyin: Shāngdiàn **zhōurì** yě kāimén ma?
    * English: Is the store also open on Sundays?
    * Analysis: A practical question for daily life. `也 (yě)` means "also," implying you know it's open on other days.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他从周一工作到周六，只有**周日**休息。
    * Pinyin: Tā cóng zhōuyī gōngzuò dào zhōuliù, zhǐyǒu **zhōurì** xiūxi.
    * English: He works from Monday to Saturday, and only rests on Sunday.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the `从...到... (cóng...dào...)` structure, meaning "from...to...". `只有 (zhǐyǒu)` means "only".
  * **Example 8:**
    * 不好意思，我**周日**要加班。
    * Pinyin: Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ **zhōurì** yào jiābān.
    * English: Sorry, I have to work overtime on Sunday.
    * Analysis: A common way to politely decline an invitation. `加班 (jiābān)` is a very common word meaning "to work overtime."
  * **Example 9:**
    * **周日**的天气预报说会下雨。
    * Pinyin: **Zhōurì** de tiānqì yùbào shuō huì xià yǔ.
    * English: The weather forecast for Sunday says it will rain.
    * Analysis: Shows how **周日** can be used to specify a time frame for another noun, in this case, `天气预报 (tiānqì yùbào)`, the weather forecast.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 我们把会议定在下**周日**怎么样？
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen bǎ huìyì dìng zài xià **zhōurì** zěnmeyàng?
    * English: How about we schedule the meeting for next Sunday?
    * Analysis: `下 (xià)` means "next". This is a useful sentence for work or formal planning. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used here to dispose of the object `会议 (huìyì)`.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common point of confusion for learners is the existence of three different words for "Sunday."
  * **周日 (zhōurì):** Standard, common in writing and speech. Literally "week-sun." Always a safe bet.
  * **星期天 (xīngqītiān):** Extremely common in colloquial, spoken Chinese. `星期 (xīngqī)` is the most common word for "week," and `天 (tiān)` means "day" or "sky." It feels slightly more casual than **周日**. Note: **星期日 (xīngqīrì)** also exists and is more formal/written, but **星期天** is far more common in speech.
  * **礼拜天 (lǐbàitiān):** Comes from `礼拜 (lǐbài)`, which means "to worship" or "religious service." It has Christian origins ("day of worship") but is now used secularly in many regions, especially in Southern China and by older generations.
**Common Mistakes:**
  * **Incorrect:** ~~周天 (zhōu tiān)~~
    * **Explanation:** Learners often try to mix and match, combining `周` from **周日** and `天` from **星期天**. This is not a standard word for Sunday. Stick to **周日** or **星期天**.
  * **Confusing 周日 (zhōurì) with 周末 (zhōumò):**
    * **周日 (zhōurì)** specifically means **Sunday**.
    * **周末 (zhōumò)** means **weekend**, which typically includes both Saturday (周六) and Sunday (周日). Don't say "I had a great 周日" if you mean you had a great weekend.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[周末]] (zhōumò) - Weekend. **周日** is the last day of the **周末**.
  * [[星期天]] (xīngqītiān) - The most common colloquial synonym for **周日**.
  * [[礼拜天]] (lǐbàitiān) - A common synonym for **周日**, with religious origins but now used secularly.
  * [[周一]] (zhōuyī) - Monday. The day that follows **周日**.
  * [[星期六]] (xīngqīliù) - Saturday. The day before **周日**.
  * [[工作日]] (gōngzuòrì) - Workday; weekday. The conceptual opposite of a weekend day like **周日**.
  * [[休息]] (xiūxi) - To rest. What people typically do on **周日**.
  * [[放假]] (fàngjià) - To have a day off; to be on vacation. **周日** is a standard day off for many people.
  * [[天]] (tiān) - Day; sky. A character found in synonyms like 星期天 and 礼拜天.
  * [[星期]] (xīngqī) - Week. The most common word for week, used to form the names of the days.