Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
生日shēngrì(sheng1ri4)
生日 (shēngrì) means 'birthday' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to the anniversary of one's birth and is often celebrated with parties or special gatherings. The character consists of '生' (shēng), meaning 'to be born,' and '日' (rì), meaning 'day,' which together convey the idea of the day of birth.
Strokes9Frequency#822DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, birthdays are often celebrated with family gatherings and special foods, such as longevity noodles, which symbolize long life. The significance of the birthday can vary; for example, the first birthday is particularly important and often celebrated with elaborate traditions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a birthday cake with candles representing the 'day' (日) you were 'born' (生). To remember the pronunciation, think of 'sheng' as 'shining' like the candles on your cake, illuminating the day you celebrate your life.
Meanings of 生日
shēngrì(sheng1ri4)
1birthday
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 生日
生日Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#822Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 生日
Podcast: 生日
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 生日
Usage Notes
When using 生日, it's common to say '生日快乐' (shēngrì kuàilè) to wish someone a 'Happy Birthday.' Be mindful of the context; it’s informal and suitable for friends and family. Avoid saying '我生日快乐' (Wǒ shēngrì kuàilè) as it implies you're wishing yourself, which can be awkward in some cultures.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 生日 connects to other basic vocabulary related to time and celebrations. Students should focus on combining it with verbs like 'celebrate' (庆祝 qìngzhù) or 'wish' (祝 zhù) to form complete sentences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong measure word, saying '一个生日' (yí gè shēngrì) instead of '一个生日' (yí gè shēngrì). Also, remember that 生日 should not be used to refer to anniversaries or other celebrations, as it specifically means 'birthday.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 生日
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 生日 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
生日 (shēngrì) means 'birthday' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to the anniversary of one's birth and is often celebrated with parties or special gatherings. The character consists of '生' (shēng), meaning 'to be born,' and '日' (rì), meaning 'day,' which together convey the idea of the day of birth.
When to use 生日
When using 生日, it's common to say '生日快乐' (shēngrì kuàilè) to wish someone a 'Happy Birthday.' Be mindful of the context; it’s informal and suitable for friends and family. Avoid saying '我生日快乐' (Wǒ shēngrì kuàilè) as it implies you're wishing yourself, which can be awkward in some cultures.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong measure word, saying '一个生日' (yí gè shēngrì) instead of '一个生日' (yí gè shēngrì). Also, remember that 生日 should not be used to refer to anniversaries or other celebrations, as it specifically means 'birthday.'
Write 生日
生
日
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 生日 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 生日
生日 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
