Meanings of 日
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 日
Podcast: 日
Podcast: 日
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 日
月 (yuè) - use 日 (rì) for 'day' or 'sun', while 月 (yuè) refers to 'month' or 'moon'.
Imagine the sun (日) rising in the sky, casting light on a calendar page. The round shape of the sun can remind you of the circle that represents a day, emphasizing rì's connection to both the sun and the concept of a day.
Learners often confuse 日 (rì) with 号 (hào), which also relates to dates but indicates a specific number. Use 日 (rì) for days of the month and in phrases like '今天是几号？' (What is today's date?). Remember, 日 is more formal in usage compared to other words for 'day.'
At HSK Level 2, focus on using 日 (rì) in context with numbers to discuss dates, as this will enhance your ability to talk about time effectively. It connects to other time-related vocabulary such as 星期 (xīngqī – week) and 月 (yuè – month).
In Chinese culture, the sun (日) is often associated with vitality and brightness, playing a significant role in traditional festivals like the Spring Festival when families celebrate the arrival of longer days.
Learners often mistakenly use 日 (rì) to refer to days of the week; instead, use 星期 (xīngqī) for that purpose. For example, saying '今天是星期日' (Today is Sunday) is correct, but avoid using just 日 to indicate the day of the week.
Pronunciation of 日
Drill the tone of 日 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 日
Pictograph of the sun.
The sun
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 日?
Decomposition of 日
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 日?
Write 日
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 日 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 日
日 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
明天我的生____。
Tomorrow is my birthday.
Example Sentences for 日 (10)
Cultural Notes for 日
In Chinese culture, the sun (日) is often associated with vitality and brightness, playing a significant role in traditional festivals like the Spring Festival when families celebrate the arrival of longer days.
Word Family of 日
Compound Meaning
What does 是 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 日
You can say '今天是十月二日' (Today is October 2nd) to indicate a specific date.