zhè zhōu: 这周 - This Week

• Keywords: zhe zhou, 这周, this week in Chinese, how to say this week in Mandarin, Chinese time words, zhege xingqi, 周 vs 星期, Mandarin scheduling, Chinese calendar
• Summary: Learn how to say “this week” in Chinese with “这周” (zhè zhōu). This essential HSK 1 time word is crucial for making plans, discussing schedules, and navigating daily conversations in Mandarin. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context (like why the Chinese week starts on Monday), and practical usage with 10 example sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhè zhōu
• Part of Speech: Time Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: A direct and common way to say “this week.”
• In a Nutshell: “这周” (zhè zhōu) is the most straightforward way to refer to the current week (the seven-day period you are currently in). It's formed by combining “这” (zhè), meaning “this,” and “周” (zhōu), meaning “week.” It functions almost identically to “this week” in English and is a cornerstone of daily communication.

• 这 (zhè): This character means “this” or “here.” It is used to point to things that are close to the speaker in terms of either space or time. The 辶 (chuò) radical on the left is related to walking, which can help you remember it points to a location or moment “here.”
• 周 (zhōu): This character's primary meaning is “cycle” or “circuit,” which evolved to mean “week”—a complete cycle of seven days. It depicts a field (田) with a point inside, possibly representing a complete, enclosed area or cycle.
• How they combine: Together, 这周 (zhè zhōu) literally means “this cycle” or “this week.” It's a logical and direct construction that's easy for learners to grasp.

While “这周” is a simple time expression, its use reveals a key cultural difference in how the week is structured. In modern China, as in most of the world, the work and school week follows the seven-day Gregorian calendar. However, the crucial difference is that the week officially and culturally begins on Monday, not Sunday.

• Chinese System:
  • Monday is 星期一 (xīngqī yī) - “Week Day One”
  • Tuesday is 星期二 (xīngqī èr) - “Week Day Two”
  • …and so on, until Sunday, which is 星期天 (xīngqī tiān, “week day sky”) or 星期日 (xīngqī rì, “week day sun”).
• Comparison to Western System: In many Western countries, particularly the United States, calendars often display Sunday as the first day of the week, even though the “work week” begins on Monday. This can lead to scheduling confusion. If a Chinese friend says “let's meet on the first day of this week (这周第一天),” they mean Monday. This numerical, logical system for naming the days is highly practical and reflects a straightforward approach to timekeeping in modern China.

“这周” is a high-frequency, neutral term used constantly in all aspects of life. It is neither formal nor informal and is appropriate in any context.

• Making Plans: It's the default term for scheduling appointments, social outings, or meetings. E.g., “我们这周去看电影吧” (Let's go to a movie this week).
• Discussing Schedules: Used to ask about or describe one's availability or workload. E.g., “你这周忙不忙？” (Are you busy this week?).
• Combining with Days: It is often combined with a specific day to mean “this coming [day of the week].” For example, “这周三” (zhè zhōu sān) means “this Wednesday.” This is extremely common.
• Referring to the Weekend: You will frequently hear “这周末” (zhè zhōumò), which means “this weekend.”

• Example 1:
  • 这周我要去上海出差。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhōu wǒ yào qù Shànghǎi chūchāi.
  • English: I'm going to Shanghai on a business trip this week.
  • Analysis: A simple statement of fact about a plan for the current week.
• Example 2:
  • 你这周有什么安排吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhè zhōu yǒu shéme ānpái ma?
  • English: Do you have any plans this week?
  • Analysis: A common and polite way to inquire about someone's schedule, often as a prelude to an invitation.
• Example 3:
  • 这周的天气好像不太好，总是下雨。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhōu de tiānqì hǎoxiàng bú tài hǎo, zǒngshì xiàyǔ.
  • English: The weather this week doesn't seem very good; it's always raining.
  • Analysis: Used to describe a condition or state that applies to the entire week.
• Example 4:
  • 我这周特别忙，我们下周再约吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhè zhōu tèbié máng, wǒmen xià zhōu zài yuē ba.
  • English: I'm especially busy this week, let's meet up next week instead.
  • Analysis: Shows the contrast between “这周” (this week) and “下周” (next week) to decline an invitation and reschedule.
• Example 5:
  • 这周五晚上公司有聚餐，你能来吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhōu wǔ wǎnshang gōngsī yǒu jùcān, nǐ néng lái ma?
  • English: The company is having a dinner party this Friday evening, can you come?
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to specify a particular day within “this week.” Note that “这周五” (zhè zhōu wǔ) is very natural.
• Example 6:
  • 老师说这周的作业非常重要。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī shuō zhè zhōu de zuòyè fēicháng zhòngyào.
  • English: The teacher said that this week's homework is very important.
  • Analysis: The particle “的 (de)” is used to show possession, literally “this week's homework.”
• Example 7:
  • 这周的电影票我已经买好了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhōu de diànyǐng piào wǒ yǐjīng mǎi hǎo le.
  • English: I've already bought the movie tickets for this week.
  • Analysis: A straightforward statement confirming a completed action related to the current week.
• Example 8:
  • 你这周末打算做什么？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhè zhōumò dǎsuàn zuò shénme?
  • English: What are you planning to do this weekend?
  • Analysis: Shows the common combination “这周末” (zhè zhōumò) for “this weekend.” “周” and “末” (mò - end) are contracted here.
• Example 9:
  • 他这周请了三天假。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè zhōu qǐng le sān tiān jià.
  • English: He took three days off this week.
  • Analysis: Used to talk about events that have already happened or are happening within the current week.
• Example 10:
  • 我们需要完成这周的工作报告。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào wánchéng zhè zhōu de gōngzuò bàogào.
  • English: We need to finish this week's work report.
  • Analysis: A typical example of using “这周” in a work or professional context.

• “这周” vs. “这个星期” (zhè ge xīngqī): These two phrases are almost perfectly interchangeable and both mean “this week.” “这周” is slightly shorter and perhaps more common in casual, spoken Mandarin. “这个星期” is also extremely common and perfectly correct. You can use either one without any issue.
  • Correct: 我这周很忙。(Wǒ zhè zhōu hěn máng.)
  • Correct: 我这个星期很忙。(Wǒ zhè ge xīngqī hěn máng.)
• Confusing with Last/Next Week: A common beginner mistake is mixing up the words for this, last, and next. Remember the pattern:
  • 上 (shàng) = “up” or “previous” → 上周 (shàng zhōu) = last week
  • 这 (zhè) = “this” → 这周 (zhè zhōu) = this week
  • 下 (xià) = “down” or “next” → 下周 (xià zhōu) = next week
  • Incorrect: 我下周很忙，所以我们这周见面吧。 (Incorrect logic, should be “我这周很忙，所以我们下周见面吧。”)
• The “Monday Start” Problem: As mentioned in the cultural context, always assume “这周” starts on Monday. If you plan a meeting for “the second day of the week,” it will be understood as Tuesday, not Monday.

• 上周 (shàng zhōu) - Last week; the week that came before this one.
• 下周 (xià zhōu) - Next week; the week that will come after this one.
• 这个星期 (zhè ge xīngqī) - A very common synonym for 这周, literally “this week.”
• 本周 (běn zhōu) - A more formal or written version of “this week,” often seen in news articles, reports, or official announcements.
• 周末 (zhōumò) - Weekend, literally “week's end.”
• 星期 (xīngqī) - The most common word for “week” as a general concept.
• 今天 (jīntiān) - Today.
• 明天 (míngtiān) - Tomorrow.
• 昨天 (zuótiān) - Yesterday.
• 每周 (měi zhōu) - Every week.