Meanings of 昼
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About 昼
Podcast: 昼
Podcast: 昼
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AI Study Notes for 昼
昼 (zhòu) vs 日 (rì) — use 昼 when specifically referring to the daytime period as opposed to 日, which can mean day in a broader sense, including both day and date.
When using 昼, it is important to pair it with appropriate verbs or adjectives that convey daytime activities, such as '工作' (to work) or '明亮' (bright). Avoid confusing it with '夜' (night), which represents the opposite time of day. It's used in both formal and informal contexts.
While 昼 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other words related to time and daily activities. Students should focus on understanding its usage in contrast to 夜 (night) and the phrases that commonly accompany it.
Learners often confuse 昼 with 夜 (night), leading to wrong sentences like '我喜欢昼' (I like daytime) when they mean 'I like night.' The correct usage would be '我喜欢夜.'
Pronunciation of 昼
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Etymology of 昼
When the sun is a foot 尺 above the horizon 旦
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 昼
- 1The giveawayWhen the sun is a foot 尺 above the horizon 旦
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 昼? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 昼?
Decomposition of 昼
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 昼?
How to say daytime in Chinese
“daytime” in Chinese is昼
The character 昼 (zhòu) refers to the daytime, specifically the period of light when the sun is above the horizon. It is commonly used in contexts that contrast day with night, emphasizing the activities and experiences typically associated with daylight hours.
When to use 昼
When using 昼, it is important to pair it with appropriate verbs or adjectives that convey daytime activities, such as '工作' (to work) or '明亮' (bright). Avoid confusing it with '夜' (night), which represents the opposite time of day. It's used in both formal and informal contexts.
昼 or something close to it
昼 (zhòu) vs 日 (rì) — use 昼 when specifically referring to the daytime period as opposed to 日, which can mean day in a broader sense, including both day and date.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 昼 with 夜 (night), leading to wrong sentences like '我喜欢昼' (I like daytime) when they mean 'I like night.' The correct usage would be '我喜欢夜.'
Write 昼
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Practice writing 昼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 昼
昼 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
逝者如斯夫，不舍____夜矣。
Time flows on like this river, never stopping day or night.
Example Sentences for 昼 (6)
Word Family of 昼
Compound Meaning
What does 昼夜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 昼
The pinyin for 昼 is 'zhòu', where the 'zh' sounds like 'j' in 'judge' and the 'òu' has a falling tone.
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