期

• Pinyin: qī
• Hanzi breakdown: 期 = 其 (its/that, phonetic) + 月 (moon), originally meaning a lunar cycle or fixed period

Meaning

Period; phase; issue (of a publication). A measure word for scheduled periods, sessions, or editions.

Commonly used as a measure word for scheduled series: 第一期 (first issue/session), 这一期杂志 (this issue of the magazine), 培训班第三期 (third round of the training course). Also appears in many compounds: 日期 (date), 学期 (semester), 时期 (period of time), 期间 (during). Very practical in academic and publishing contexts.

Examples

1. 这一期杂志的内容很有意思。 The content of this issue of the magazine is very interesting.
2. 新的一期培训班下周开始。 A new session of the training course starts next week.
3. 这个电视节目已经播了五十期了。 This TV programme has already aired fifty episodes.

Usage Guide

Context: publishing, education, media

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你看了最新一期的节目吗？(Have you watched the latest episode of the show?)
• 这是第二期英语培训班。(This is the second session of the English training course.)

Don't Say

• 我买了三期苹果。(Don't use 期 as a measure word for objects — 期 is for issues, sessions, or editions. Use 个 for apples: 三个苹果.)

Origin & History

Originally written 朞, composed of 其 (that) and 月 (moon), meaning a full cycle of the moon — a fixed period of time. Simplified to 期 over time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal