Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== měitiān: 每天 - Every Day, Daily ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** měitiān, 每天, every day in Chinese, daily Chinese, Chinese for every day, how to say everyday in Mandarin, Chinese time words, Chinese routines, Mandarin daily habits, HSK 1 vocabulary. * **Summary:** Learn how to say "every day" in Chinese with the fundamental word **每天 (měitiān)**. This comprehensive guide for beginners covers the meaning, character breakdown, and cultural importance of routines in China. Discover practical example sentences and common mistakes to help you master this essential HSK 1 vocabulary for describing daily habits and schedules in Mandarin Chinese. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** měi tiān * **Part of Speech:** Time word (functions as an adverb) * **HSK Level:** HSK 1 * **Concise Definition:** On each day; daily. * **In a Nutshell:** **每天 (měitiān)** is the most common and direct way to express the concept of "every day" in Chinese. It's a cornerstone of conversation, used to describe habits, routines, schedules, and any action or state that occurs on a daily basis. If you want to talk about your daily life, **每天** is one of the first words you'll need. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **每 (měi):** This character means "every" or "each". It acts as a specifier, indicating that the noun following it applies to all instances. It's a key component in words like 每个人 (měi ge rén - every person) and 每年 (měi nián - every year). * **天 (tiān):** This character means "day" or "sky". In this context, it clearly means "day". It's one of the most basic and frequently used characters in the Chinese language. Together, 每 (every) + 天 (day) form the logical and straightforward compound **每天**, literally "every day". ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While **每天** is a simple time word, its frequent use touches upon the cultural value placed on routine, persistence, and diligence in Chinese society. The concept of **功夫 (gōngfu)**, often translated as "kung fu" but more accurately meaning skill acquired through great effort, is built on the principle of daily practice. Unlike in some Western cultures where "every day" might imply monotony, describing an activity with **每天** can often carry a subtle, positive connotation of discipline and commitment. For example, saying "他**每天**练习书法 (Tā měitiān liànxí shūfǎ - He practices calligraphy every day)" is not just a statement of fact, but also an expression of admiration for his dedication. This reflects a deep-seated belief that consistency and daily effort are the paths to mastery and self-improvement, a value instilled from a young age. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **每天** is an extremely common word used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal writing. Its primary function is to establish the frequency of an action. The most important grammar rule to remember is its placement in a sentence. Unlike in English, where "every day" often comes at the end, **每天** typically comes **after the subject and before the verb**. **Correct Structure:** Subject + **每天** + Verb + Object. * Example: 我 **每天** 喝咖啡。 (Wǒ měitiān hē kāfēi.) - I drink coffee every day. **Incorrect Structure:** 我喝咖啡**每天**。 (Wǒ hē kāfēi měitiān.) This structure is consistent for questions, negative statements, and complex sentences. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我**每天**早上七点起床。 * Pinyin: Wǒ **měitiān** zǎoshang qī diǎn qǐchuáng. * English: I get up at 7 AM every day. * Analysis: A classic example of describing a daily routine. Note the time phrase (早上七点) comes right after **每天**. * **Example 2:** * 你**每天**都做什么？ * Pinyin: Nǐ **měitiān** dōu zuò shénme? * English: What do you do every day? * Analysis: A common question to ask about someone's routine. The word **都 (dōu)** is often added after **每天** for emphasis, similar to saying "What do you do *all* day, every day?" * **Example 3:** * 爸爸**每天**开车上班。 * Pinyin: Bàba **měitiān** kāichē shàngbān. * English: Dad drives to work every day. * Analysis: This sentence shows how **每天** is used to describe the habits of a third person. * **Example 4:** * 这家商店**每天**都开门吗？ * Pinyin: Zhè jiā shāngdiàn **měitiān** dōu kāimén ma? * English: Is this store open every day? * Analysis: Demonstrates how to form a "yes/no" question using **吗 (ma)** with **每天**. * **Example 5:** * 我不**每天**吃晚饭，因为我在减肥。 * Pinyin: Wǒ bù **měitiān** chī wǎnfàn, yīnwèi wǒ zài jiǎnféi. * English: I don't eat dinner every day because I'm on a diet. * Analysis: This shows a negative sentence structure. The negation **不 (bù)** comes before **每天**. * **Example 6:** * 医生告诉他要**每天**运动。 * Pinyin: Yīshēng gàosù tā yào **měitiān** yùndòng. * English: The doctor told him he needs to exercise every day. * Analysis: Here, **每天** is part of a command or suggestion given by someone else. * **Example 7:** * **每天**学习一点中文，进步会很快。 * Pinyin: **Měitiān** xuéxí yīdiǎn Zhōngwén, jìnbù huì hěn kuài. * English: If you study a little Chinese every day, your progress will be very fast. * Analysis: **每天** can also be placed at the very beginning of a sentence to emphasize the time frame. * **Example 8:** * 他**每天**晚上都给女朋友打电话。 * Pinyin: Tā **měitiān** wǎnshàng dōu gěi nǚpéngyǒu dǎ diànhuà. * English: He calls his girlfriend every evening. * Analysis: This sentence includes a more specific time (晚上 - evening) and the emphasis word **都 (dōu)**. * **Example 9:** * 我的目标是**每天**读十页书。 * Pinyin: Wǒ de mùbiāo shì **měitiān** dú shí yè shū. * English: My goal is to read ten pages of a book every day. * Analysis: Used here to define a goal or objective related to a daily habit. * **Example 10:** * 为什么你**每天**看起来都那么累？ * Pinyin: Wèishéme nǐ **měitiān** kàn qǐlái dōu nàme lèi? * English: Why do you look so tired every day? * Analysis: A question expressing concern or observation about a daily state or appearance. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Mistake 1: Sentence Placement** * The most common error for English speakers is putting **每天** at the end of the sentence. * **Incorrect:** ~~我想你**每天**。~~ (Wǒ xiǎng nǐ měitiān.) * **Correct:** 我**每天**都想你。 (Wǒ měitiān dōu xiǎng nǐ.) - I miss you every day. * **每天 (měitiān) vs. 天天 (tiāntiān)** * These two words are very similar, but have a key difference in nuance. * **每天 (měitiān):** This is the neutral, standard, and factual term for "every day". It's appropriate for any situation, formal or informal. * Example: 银行**每天**九点开门。(Yínháng **měitiān** jiǔ diǎn kāimén.) - The bank opens at 9 AM every day. (A simple fact). * **天天 (tiāntiān):** This is more colloquial and often carries more emotion or a sense of continuity. It can express enthusiasm, complaint, or just a very casual tone. It strongly emphasizes the unbroken, day-after-day nature of an activity. * Example: 我**天天**加班，快累死了！ (Wǒ **tiāntiān** jiābān, kuài lèi sǐ le!) - I work overtime every single day, I'm exhausted! (A complaint). * Example: 我们**天天**在一起，真开心！ (Wǒmen **tiāntiān** zài yīqǐ, zhēn kāixīn!) - We're together every single day, I'm so happy! (Enthusiasm). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * `* [[天天]] (tiāntiān)` - A colloquial synonym for **每天**, often with a stronger emotional tone (positive or negative). * `* [[每周]] (měi zhōu)` - Every week. Follows the same "每 + [time unit]" pattern. * `* [[每月]] (měi yuè)` - Every month. * `* [[每年]] (měi nián)` - Every year. * `* [[日常]] (rìcháng)` - Daily; day-to-day. Used as an adjective, as in 日常生活 (rìcháng shēnghuó - daily life). * `* [[整天]] (zhěngtiān)` - The whole day; all day long. This refers to duration within a single day, whereas **每天** refers to frequency across multiple days. * `* [[平时]] (píngshí)` - Normally; usually. Describes what is typically done, which is similar to a daily routine but less strict than **每天**. * `* [[常常]] (chángcháng)` - Often; frequently. An adverb of frequency that is less frequent than **每天**. * `* [[总是]] (zǒngshì)` - Always. The highest level of frequency, implying something happens without exception in relevant situations.