下周

• Pinyin: xià zhōu
• Hanzi breakdown: 下 = indicator showing below a reference line (extended to mean 'next'); 周 = 口 (mouth) + 土 (earth) + 冂 (border), meaning 'cycle' or 'week'

Meaning

Next week. The week following the current one.

A very common time word used in daily conversation and planning. Synonymous with 下星期 and 下个礼拜, but 下周 is the most concise. Follows the pattern: 上周 (last week), 这周 (this week), 下周 (next week).

Examples

1. 下周一我们有考试。 We have an exam next Monday.
2. 他下周要去上海出差。 He is going on a business trip to Shanghai next week.
3. 下周的天气会很冷。 The weather will be very cold next week.

Usage Guide

Context: time, planning, scheduling

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 下周见！(See you next week!)
• 我们下周再讨论这个问题。(Let's discuss this issue again next week.)

Don't Say

• 把下周和下个月搞混 (Don't confuse 下周 next week with 下个月 next month — 周 is week, 月 is month)

Origin & History

下 (xià, next/following) + 周 (zhōu, week/cycle). 下 indicates the one coming after the present.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal