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March 24, 2026
后天(後天)hòutiān(hou4tian1)
后天 (hòutiān) refers primarily to 'the day after tomorrow,' indicating a specific time frame in the near future. It can also mean 'post-natal' in medical contexts, indicating something that is acquired rather than innate, often used in discussions about skills or traits developed after birth.
Frequency#12120DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, planning ahead is emphasized, making expressions related to time, like 后天, particularly important in social interactions. It reflects the value placed on foresight and organization.
Memory Tip
Imagine a calendar where today's date is circled. The day after tomorrow is two days ahead, which is like the '后天' (hòutiān) or 'after today.' You can visualize '后' as 'behind' (as in 'after') and '天' as 'day.' Picture a sunny day two days from now to reinforce its meaning.
Meanings of 后天
hòutiān(hou4tian1)
1the day after tomorrow
2post-natal
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About 后天
后天Simplified
後天Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 后天
Podcast: 后天
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AI Study Notes for 后天
Quick Contrast
明天 (míngtiān) refers to 'tomorrow,' while 后天 (hòutiān) specifically means 'the day after tomorrow.'
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a calendar where today's date is circled. The day after tomorrow is two days ahead, which is like the '后天' (hòutiān) or 'after today.' You can visualize '后' as 'behind' (as in 'after') and '天' as 'day.' Picture a sunny day two days from now to reinforce its meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 后天 with 明天 (míngtiān, 'tomorrow'), so it's crucial to remember the two-day difference. This word is generally informal and can be used in everyday conversations about plans. Be careful with the tones; mispronouncing the tones can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 后天 is not specifically listed in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to the concept of time, which is essential at HSK levels 1-3. Focus on learning other time-related words, such as 今天 (jīntiān, 'today') and 明天 (míngtiān, 'tomorrow') to reinforce your understanding of time expressions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, planning ahead is emphasized, making expressions related to time, like 后天, particularly important in social interactions. It reflects the value placed on foresight and organization.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 后天 when intending to say 'tomorrow'; for example, saying '我后天去上班' instead of '我明天去上班' (wǒ míngtiān qù shàngbān). Another error is mispronouncing the tones, which can lead to confusion with other time-related words.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 后天
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Cultural Notes for 后天
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, planning ahead is emphasized, making expressions related to time, like 后天, particularly important in social interactions. It reflects the value placed on foresight and organization.
Frequently Asked Questions about 后天
You can say, '我们后天去旅行' (wǒmen hòutiān qù lǚxíng), which means 'We will go traveling the day after tomorrow.'
后天 is primarily used in informal contexts, suitable for everyday conversation rather than formal writing.
Yes, in medical or philosophical contexts, it can refer to post-natal or acquired characteristics.
