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昔日 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
昔日xīrìformerlyHSK 7, t, rank #15024, Hard
昔日xīrìin olden daysHSK 7, t, rank #15024, Hard
xīrì(xi1ri4) T1
  1. 1formerly
  2. 2in olden days
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March 24, 2026
昔日xīrì(xi1ri4)

昔日 refers to a time in the past, often used to evoke nostalgia or reflect on how things were different compared to the present. It can be used in both formal and literary contexts, often to reminisce about better times or significant events from bygone days.

Frequency#15024DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, reminiscing about 昔日 often ties into themes of nostalgia and the transient nature of life, reflecting a deeper respect for history and familial ties.

Memory Tip

Imagine an ancient scroll (昔) unrolling to reveal a sun setting (日), symbolizing the passing of time. The scroll represents the old days, while the sun signifies the end of a day, reminding us of 'the days gone by.'

Meanings of 昔日

xīrì(xi1ri4)
1formerly
2in olden days
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 昔日

昔日Simplified
Strokes
Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#15024Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 昔日

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Podcast: 昔日

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AI Study Notes for 昔日

Quick Contrast

往日 (wǎngrì) — use 昔日 for a more literary or nostalgic tone, while 往日 is more neutral and commonly used in everyday language.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine an ancient scroll (昔) unrolling to reveal a sun setting (日), symbolizing the passing of time. The scroll represents the old days, while the sun signifies the end of a day, reminding us of 'the days gone by.'

Usage Notes

Be cautious of the context in which you use 昔日, as it tends to be more literary and may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Common collocations include 昔日的朋友 (old friends) or 昔日的辉煌 (former glory).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 昔日 connects with other vocabulary related to time and history, such as 过去 (guò qù - past) and 以前 (yǐ qián - before). Focus on using it in sentences that reflect on past experiences or historical events.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, reminiscing about 昔日 often ties into themes of nostalgia and the transient nature of life, reflecting a deeper respect for history and familial ties.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 昔日 with 以前, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我觉得昔日很重要' might sound odd; instead, '我觉得以前的经历很重要' would be more appropriate in a casual context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 昔日

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Component Characters

former times
8 strokes
View full entry
sun
HSK 14 strokes
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Write 昔日

Practice writing 昔日 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 昔日

昔日 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

他们谈起____的校园生活.

They spoke of the old days on the campus.

Example Sentences for 昔日 (1)

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1
他们谈起昔日的校园生活.

tā mén tán qǐ xī rì de xiào yuán shēng huó.

They spoke of the old days on the campus.

Cultural Notes for 昔日

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, reminiscing about 昔日 often ties into themes of nostalgia and the transient nature of life, reflecting a deeper respect for history and familial ties.

Frequently Asked Questions about 昔日

While you can, it's more appropriate in literary or formal contexts rather than casual speech.