白天

• Pinyin: bái tiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 白 (white, bright) + 天 (sky, day) — the bright hours of the day

Meaning

Daytime. The period of the day when there is natural light, as opposed to night.

Used to describe the time from sunrise to sunset. Often contrasted with 晚上 (evening/night) in daily conversation. Commonly used when describing daily schedules and routines.

Examples

1. 白天我上班，晚上我看书。 I work during the day and read at night.
2. 今天白天很热。 It's very hot during the day today.
3. 他白天在家学习。 He studies at home during the day.

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 白天太热了。(It's too hot during the day.)
• 你白天有空吗？(Are you free during the day?)

Don't Say

• 白天晚上 used together without contrast (Don't say 白天晚上我都在家 — say 白天和晚上我都在家 with 和)

Origin & History

Compound of 白 (white, bright) and 天 (sky, day) — the bright part of the day when the sky is lit.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal