Understanding "星期" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 星期
• Pinyin: xīng qī
• Literal Meaning: "Star period" (星 means "star," 期 means "period" or "cycle")
• Primary Meaning: Refers to "week" in modern Chinese, used to denote the days of the week (e.g., Monday, Tuesday).

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"星期" is the standard term for "week" in Mandarin Chinese. It is commonly used in two ways:
1. To refer to the concept of a week (e.g., "one week" = 一个星期).
2. To name specific days of the week by adding numbers (e.g., 星期一 = Monday, 星期二 = Tuesday, etc.).

Nuances:
- In informal speech, some regions (like Taiwan) use "禮拜" (lǐ bài) instead of "星期," though both are understood.
- The week starts with Monday (星期一) in mainland China, aligning with the international standard ISO 8601.

Character Breakdown

• 星 (xīng): Means "star." Historically, the Chinese divided time into cycles based on celestial observations.
• 期 (qī): Means "period" or "cycle." Together, the term reflects the idea of a "stellar cycle," which evolved to mean "week."

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 今天是星期一。
   Pinyin: Jīntiān shì xīngqī yī.
   English: Today is Monday.

2. Chinese: 我们下星期去旅行。
   Pinyin: Wǒmen xià xīngqī qù lǚxíng.
   English: We are going on a trip next week.

3. Chinese: 一个星期有七天。
   Pinyin: Yī gè xīngqī yǒu qī tiān.
   English: There are seven days in a week.

Cultural Notes

• The seven-day week was introduced to China from the West via Buddhist texts during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD).
• In traditional Chinese culture, days were historically marked using the "十天干" (Ten Heavenly Stems) and "十二地支" (Twelve Earthly Branches), but the modern week system replaced this for practicality.
• Sunday is called 星期日 (xīngqī rì) or 星期天 (xīngqī tiān), with "天" meaning "sky/heaven," reflecting its status as a day of rest.

Conclusion

"星期" (xīng qī) is essential for discussing days and weeks in Chinese. Remember:
- It means "week" and forms day names (星期一 = Monday, etc.).
- Combines "star" (星) and "cycle" (期), reflecting its historical roots.
- Use it to schedule plans or talk about timeframes confidently!