今天

• Pinyin: jīn tiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 今 (now, present) + 天 (day) — today

Meaning

Today. Refers to the current day.

One of the most basic and frequently used time words. Often placed at the beginning of a sentence as a time phrase. Pairs with 昨天 (yesterday) and 明天 (tomorrow).

Examples

1. 今天天气很好。 The weather is very nice today.
2. 你今天忙吗？ Are you busy today?
3. 今天是星期一。 Today is Monday.

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: conversational

Do Say

• 今天我很高兴。(I am very happy today.)
• 今天几号？(What is today's date?)

Don't Say

• 在今天我去学校。(Unnatural — drop 在; say 今天我去学校)

Origin & History

Compound of 今 (now, present) and 天 (day) — the present day.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal