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March 24, 2026
生日shēngrì(sheng1ri4)
生日 (shēngrì) means 'birthday' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to the anniversary of one's birth and is often celebrated with parties or special gatherings. The character consists of '生' (shēng), meaning 'to be born,' and '日' (rì), meaning 'day,' which together convey the idea of the day of birth.
Frequency#822DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, birthdays are often celebrated with family gatherings and special foods, such as longevity noodles, which symbolize long life. The significance of the birthday can vary; for example, the first birthday is particularly important and often celebrated with elaborate traditions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a birthday cake with candles representing the 'day' (日) you were 'born' (生). To remember the pronunciation, think of 'sheng' as 'shining' like the candles on your cake, illuminating the day you celebrate your life.
Meanings of 生日
shēngrì(sheng1ri4)
1birthday
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About 生日
生日Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#822Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 生日
Podcast: 生日
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AI Study Notes for 生日
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a birthday cake with candles representing the 'day' (日) you were 'born' (生). To remember the pronunciation, think of 'sheng' as 'shining' like the candles on your cake, illuminating the day you celebrate your life.
Usage Notes
When using 生日, it's common to say '生日快乐' (shēngrì kuàilè) to wish someone a 'Happy Birthday.' Be mindful of the context; it’s informal and suitable for friends and family. Avoid saying '我生日快乐' (Wǒ shēngrì kuàilè) as it implies you're wishing yourself, which can be awkward in some cultures.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 生日 connects to other basic vocabulary related to time and celebrations. Students should focus on combining it with verbs like 'celebrate' (庆祝 qìngzhù) or 'wish' (祝 zhù) to form complete sentences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, birthdays are often celebrated with family gatherings and special foods, such as longevity noodles, which symbolize long life. The significance of the birthday can vary; for example, the first birthday is particularly important and often celebrated with elaborate traditions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong measure word, saying '一个生日' (yí gè shēngrì) instead of '一个生日' (yí gè shēngrì). Also, remember that 生日 should not be used to refer to anniversaries or other celebrations, as it specifically means 'birthday.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 生日
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Grammar Patterns of 生日
生日 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
He was knighted in the Queen's birthday honours list in June
8
登记表显示他的出生日期是1979年8月2号。
dēng jì biǎo xiǎn shì tā de chū shēng rì qī shì1979 19798 nián2 8。
The registration form showed his date of birth as August 2,
9
他在1970年自己50岁生日时退了休。
tā zài1970 1970 nián zì50 jǐ 50 suì shēng rì shí tuì。
He retired in 1970, on his fiftieth birthday.
10
我给母亲买了一份生日礼物。
wǒ gěi mǔ qīn mǎi le yī fèn shēng rì lǐ wù。
I bought a birthday present for my mother.
Cultural Notes for 生日
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, birthdays are often celebrated with family gatherings and special foods, such as longevity noodles, which symbolize long life. The significance of the birthday can vary; for example, the first birthday is particularly important and often celebrated with elaborate traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 生日
You can say '生日快乐' (shēngrì kuàilè).
Yes, birthday celebrations are common, especially among family and close friends.
Gifts can vary, but it's common to give something thoughtful, and avoid giving clocks, as they symbolize death.
