Keywords: libai, 礼拜, Chinese for week, Chinese for Sunday, worship in Chinese, lǐbài meaning, 星期 vs 礼拜, 礼拜天, to worship, Chinese religious terms, Christian influence on Chinese
Summary: The Chinese word 礼拜 (lǐbài) is a versatile term with three primary meanings: “week,” “Sunday,” and “to worship.” While its origin is religious, referring to a weekly worship service, it has become a very common and colloquial way to say “week” in everyday spoken Chinese, similar to 星期 (xīngqī). Understanding 礼拜 is key to grasping both daily conversation and the influence of Western culture on the modern Chinese language.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): lǐbài
Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: A week; Sunday; to perform a religious service or worship.
In a Nutshell: At its heart, 礼拜 (lǐbài) connects the concept of a “week” to the act of “worship.” Originally meaning “to worship,” the term was extended to mean “week” because Christian services occurred on a seven-day cycle. Today, it's used colloquially and interchangeably with 星期 (xīngqī) to refer to the week (e.g., 礼拜一 for Monday), but it retains its original meaning of religious worship in contexts related to churches or mosques.
Character Breakdown
礼 (lǐ): This character means “rite,” “ritual,” “ceremony,” or “propriety.” It represents a formal, structured act of respect. Think of it as the proper way to conduct a ceremony.
拜 (bài): This character means “to pay respect,” “to worship,” or “to salute,” often involving a physical gesture like bowing. The radical on the left, 手 (shǒu), means “hand,” indicating an action performed with the hands.
When combined, 礼拜 (lǐbài) literally means “to perform a rite of worship.” The extension of this meaning from the weekly religious service to the week itself is a fascinating example of how language evolves through cultural contact.
Cultural Context and Significance
礼拜 (lǐbài) is a direct linguistic footprint of Western cultural and religious influence in China. The seven-day week cycle was not native to traditional Chinese timekeeping but was introduced largely through Christian missionaries. They held their worship service, or 礼拜, every seven days on Sunday.
Because this weekly service was such a prominent and regular event, the term for the service itself, 礼拜, became a popular, colloquial term for the entire seven-day period. The day of the service, Sunday, became known as 礼拜天 (lǐbàitiān), or “worship day.”
This provides a stark contrast to the more native and academic term 星期 (xīngqī), which is based on the ancient Chinese observation of celestial bodies (the “stars”). While both mean “week,” 礼拜 carries this subtle historical and religious undertone, whereas 星期 is secular and astronomical. In modern China, most people use them interchangeably without thinking of the origin, but the history is a key piece of cultural context.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As “Week” (Colloquial): This is the most common usage in daily conversation, especially in southern China. It's used just like 星期 (xīngqī) to talk about days and plans.
`这个礼拜 (zhège lǐbài)` - This week
`下个礼拜 (xiàge lǐbài)` - Next week
`礼拜一 (lǐbài yī)` - Monday
`礼拜五 (lǐbài wǔ)` - Friday
As “Sunday” (Abbreviation): In conversation, people often say 礼拜 as a shorthand for 礼拜天 (lǐbàitiān).
“你这个礼拜有空吗？” (Nǐ zhège lǐbài yǒu kòng ma?) could mean “Are you free this Sunday?” depending on the context.
As “Worship” (Religious Context): In a religious setting, it retains its original meaning. The verb-object phrase 做礼拜 (zuò lǐbài), literally “to do worship,” is the standard way to say “to attend a religious service” or “to go to church/mosque.”
This usage is formal and specific. You wouldn't use it outside of a discussion about religious activities.
English: In Southern China, many people say “礼拜,” but in the North, “星期” is more commonly used.
Analysis: This sentence explicitly explains the regional variation in usage, which is a key practical point for learners.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The Holy Trinity of “Week”: 礼拜 vs. 星期 vs. 周
The most common point of confusion is choosing between the three words for “week.”
星期 (xīngqī): The most standard, neutral, and widely used term. It's safe in any context, spoken or written. When in doubt, use 星期.
礼拜 (lǐbài): More colloquial and conversational. While very common, it might sound slightly less formal in a written report.
周 (zhōu): A bit more formal or literary than the other two. It's most commonly seen in compound words like 周末 (zhōumò - weekend), 上周 (shàng zhōu - last week), and 本周 (běn zhōu - this week).
Common Mistake 1: Assuming it only means “worship.”
Learners who encounter 礼拜 in a religious text might mistakenly think it can only be used for worship. They would be confused hearing people say “下个礼拜见” (See you next week). Remember, its secular meaning of “week” is far more common in daily life.
Incorrect: “My week was very busy.” → `我的崇拜很忙。` (Wǒ de chóngbài hěn máng.) - This is wrong because `崇拜` is a stronger word for adore/worship and cannot mean “week”.
Correct: `我这个礼拜很忙。` (Wǒ zhège lǐbài hěn máng.)
Common Mistake 2: Using it in the wrong formal context.
While acceptable in most situations, if you are writing a formal business report or academic paper, 星期 or 周 is generally a safer and more appropriate choice. Using 礼拜 might seem overly colloquial.
Related Terms and Concepts
星期 (xīngqī): The most standard term for “week.” The primary synonym for the secular meaning of `礼拜`.
周 (zhōu): Another, slightly more formal, term for “week.” Found in words like `周末` (weekend).
礼拜天 (lǐbàitiān): The full, unambiguous word for “Sunday,” literally “worship day.”
做礼拜 (zuò lǐbài): The specific action of “attending a religious service.”
崇拜 (chóngbài): To worship, adore, idolize. This implies a deeper, more intense feeling of reverence than the ritual act of `礼拜`, and can be used for gods, ancestors, or even celebrities.
礼貌 (lǐmào): Politeness, manners. Shares the character 礼 (lǐ), linking the concept of proper social conduct to ritual and ceremony.