星期日

• Pinyin: xīng qī rì
• Hanzi breakdown: 星 = 日 + 生; 期 = 其 + 月; 日 = pictograph of the sun

Meaning

Sunday (formal). The formal written designation for Sunday, used in official contexts, calendars, and written Chinese.

Functionally identical to 星期天 but slightly more formal. Both are widely understood and accepted. On printed calendars and in formal schedules 星期日 is the standard form.

Examples

1. 星期日我不用上学。 I don't have to go to school on Sunday.
2. 这个星期日你有什么计划？ What are your plans this Sunday?
3. 星期日的早上我喜欢睡觉。 I like sleeping in on Sunday mornings.

Usage Guide

Context: scheduling, written

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 星期日是休息日。(Sunday is a day off.)
• 学校星期日不上课。(There are no classes at school on Sunday.)

Don't Say

• 在日常口语中过度坚持用'星期日'而不用'星期天'。(Don't insist on 星期日 in casual speech — 星期天 sounds more natural in conversation)

Origin & History

星期 (week) + 日 (sun/day). 日 is the classical character for 'day' or 'sun', making 星期日 literally 'the sun-day of the week' — matching Sunday's name in many languages.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal