xīngqīyī: 星期一 - Monday

• Keywords: xingqiyi, 星期一, Monday in Chinese, how to say Monday in Mandarin, days of the week in Chinese, Chinese calendar, 周一, zhōuyī, week in Chinese, HSK 1 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to say and use “星期一” (xīngqīyī), the Chinese word for Monday. This page breaks down the characters, explores the cultural context of the work week in China, and provides numerous practical examples. Discover the simple, logical numbering system Chinese uses for the days of the week, making it incredibly easy to learn not just Monday, but Tuesday, Wednesday, and beyond.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xīngqīyī
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: Monday; the first day of the week.
• In a Nutshell: “星期一” is the standard Mandarin word for Monday. It's part of a logical, numbered system used for the days of the week. Unlike English names based on mythology (like the Moon's day), the Chinese system is straightforward: “星期” (xīngqī) means “week,” and “一” (yī) means “one.” So, “星期一” literally translates to “week one.”

• 星 (xīng): This character originally depicted a star. Its core meaning is “star” or “planet.” In ancient China, the movement of celestial bodies was crucial for timekeeping and creating the calendar.
• 期 (qī): This character means a “period of time,” a “cycle,” or a “term.”
• 一 (yī): The simplest character, representing the number “one” or “first.”

When combined, `星期 (xīngqī)` means “week,” literally a “star cycle,” referencing the ancient seven-day cycle based on the sun, moon, and five visible planets. Adding the number `一 (yī)` specifies it as the first day of that cycle: Monday.

The modern Chinese system for naming the days of the week is a fascinating example of linguistic logic and efficiency, contrasting sharply with the Western system. While Western languages name days after Norse and Roman gods and celestial bodies (Monday = Moon's Day, Saturday = Saturn's Day), the modern Chinese system is purely numerical. This system (`星期一`, `星期二`, `星期三`…) was adopted in the early 20th century and is now standard throughout Mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia. It reflects a practical approach to language. Culturally, the feeling of Monday in China is very similar to that in the West. It marks the start of the work and school week and is often associated with the “Monday Blues,” a concept so universal it has its own term in Chinese: `星期一综合症 (xīngqīyī zōnghézhèng)`, or “Monday Syndrome.” On social media platforms like Weibo, you'll often see young people and office workers lamenting the end of the weekend and the start of a busy 星期一.

“星期一” is a fundamental word used constantly in daily life for scheduling, planning, and recounting events.

• Formal vs. Informal: `星期一` is considered the standard, neutral term appropriate for any situation. In casual conversation and informal writing, it's extremely common to use the shortened version `周一 (zhōuyī)`. Both are completely interchangeable, but `周一` can feel slightly more natural and efficient in spoken Mandarin.
• Scheduling: When making appointments, discussing deadlines, or planning social events, you will always use `星期一` or `周一`. For example, “Let's meet on Monday” is `我们星期一见 (Wǒmen xīngqīyī jiàn)`.
• On Social Media: It's a common topic. Users might post about their “Monday motivation” or complain about their “Monday blues.”

• Example 1:
  • 我星期一有一个很重要的会议。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xīngqīyī yǒu yí ge hěn zhòngyào de huìyì.
  • English: I have a very important meeting on Monday.
  • Analysis: A standard, neutral sentence used for stating a fact or plan. This is common in both work and personal contexts.
• Example 2:
  • 你星期一有空吗？我们一起去吃饭吧。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xīngqīyī yǒukòng ma? Wǒmen yìqǐ qù chīfàn ba.
  • English: Are you free on Monday? Let's go eat together.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how to use the term to ask about someone's availability and make a suggestion.
• Example 3:
  • 唉，又是星期一了，我真不想上班。
  • Pinyin: Āi, yòu shì xīngqīyī le, wǒ zhēn bù xiǎng shàngbān.
  • English: Ugh, it's Monday again, I really don't want to go to work.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly captures the “Monday blues” feeling. The initial sigh `唉 (āi)` sets a negative, complaining tone.
• Example 4:
  • 我们的中文课是从星期一到星期五。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de Zhōngwén kè shì cóng xīngqīyī dào xīngqīwǔ.
  • English: Our Chinese class is from Monday to Friday.
  • Analysis: Shows how to express a duration or a range of days using `从…到… (cóng…dào…)`, which means “from…to…”.
• Example 5: (Using the common alternative `周一`)
  • 下周一是公共假期，我们不用上学。
  • Pinyin: Xià zhōuyī shì gōnggòng jiàqī, wǒmen búyòng shàngxué.
  • English: Next Monday is a public holiday, we don't have to go to school.
  • Analysis: This introduces `周一 (zhōuyī)`, a very common synonym for `星期一`. It also shows how to specify “next Monday” by adding `下 (xià)`.
• Example 6:
  • 上个星期一，我去看了一场电影。
  • Pinyin: Shàng ge xīngqīyī, wǒ qù kànle yì chǎng diànyǐng.
  • English: Last Monday, I went to see a movie.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to talk about the past. `上个 (shàng ge)` means “last” or “the previous one.”
• Example 7:
  • 他每个星期一早上都去健身房。
  • Pinyin: Tā měi ge xīngqīyī zǎoshang dōu qù jiànshēnfáng.
  • English: He goes to the gym every Monday morning.
  • Analysis: The structure `每个…都… (měi ge…dōu…)` is used to mean “every…”. This is a great pattern for talking about routines.
• Example 8:
  • 星期一的交通总是特别堵。
  • Pinyin: Xīngqīyī de jiāotōng zǒngshì tèbié dǔ.
  • English: The traffic on Mondays is always especially bad.
  • Analysis: A common complaint in big cities. `总是 (zǒngshì)` means “always.”
• Example 9:
  • 请在星期一下午五点前把报告发给我。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zài xīngqīyī xiàwǔ wǔ diǎn qián bǎ bàogào fā gěi wǒ.
  • English: Please send the report to me before 5 PM on Monday.
  • Analysis: A formal request, typical in a business or academic setting. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used here to emphasize the action on the object (the report).
• Example 10: (Using `周一` again)
  • 这个周一你有什么计划？
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge zhōuyī nǐ yǒu shénme jìhuà?
  • English: What plans do you have this Monday?
  • Analysis: `这个 (zhè ge)` specifies “this” coming Monday. This is a very common and casual way to ask about someone's immediate plans.

• `星期一` vs. `周一 (zhōuyī)`: This is the most important nuance. For a beginner, they are virtually identical. Both mean “Monday.” `周一` is derived from `周 (zhōu)`, which also means “cycle” or “week.” In spoken language and texting, `周一` is often preferred because it's shorter and quicker. `星期一` is slightly more formal but is never wrong.
  • Correct: `我们星期一见。` (Wǒmen xīngqīyī jiàn.)
  • Correct: `我们周一见。` (Wǒmen zhōuyī jiàn.)
  • Mistake: Mixing them up, e.g., `星一 (xīngyī)` or `周星期一 (zhōuxīngqīyī)`. Stick to the full, correct forms.
• The “First” Day: While `一 (yī)` means “one” or “first,” and Monday is the start of the work week, some Chinese calendars follow the international standard of displaying Sunday as the first day in the weekly grid. This can be confusing, but in practice, everyone considers 星期一 the functional start of the week.
• Sunday is Special: The numerical pattern works for Monday through Saturday (`星期一`, `星期二`, `星期三`, `星期四`, `星期五`, `星期六`). However, Sunday is an exception. It is not `星期七 (xīngqīqī)`. It is called `星期天 (xīngqītiān)` (literally “sky day”) or `星期日 (xīngqīrì)` (literally “sun day”). `星期天` is far more common in spoken language.

• 周一 (zhōuyī) - The most common synonym for `星期一`, often used in spoken and informal contexts.
• 星期二 (xīngqī'èr) - Tuesday (“week two”). The logical next day in the sequence.
• 星期天 (xīngqītiān) - Sunday. The most common term for Sunday, breaking the number pattern.
• 礼拜一 (lǐbàiyī) - A less common, slightly dated, or regional synonym for Monday, originating from the word for religious worship.
• 周末 (zhōumò) - Weekend (literally “week end”). What everyone looks forward to after a long week starting on `星期一`.
• 星期 (xīngqī) - The word for “week.” The foundation of the term.
• 上班 (shàngbān) - To go to work. A verb strongly associated with Monday morning.
• 下班 (xiàbān) - To get off work.
• 上个 (shàng ge) - Last (week, month). Used as in `上个星期一` (last Monday).
• 下个 (xià ge) - Next (week, month). Used as in `下个星期一` (next Monday).