Meanings of 上旬
By ear
Play it, then pick what 上旬 means.
About 上旬
Podcast: 上旬
Podcast: 上旬
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 上旬
上旬 (shàngxún) vs 中旬 (zhōngxún): use 上旬 for the first ten days of the month, while 中旬 refers to the middle ten days.
Learners often confuse 上旬 with 中旬 (the middle ten days) and 下旬 (the last ten days). This term is more formal, so it’s best used in written communication rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of using it in the correct context regarding dates.
While 上旬 may not appear in early HSK levels, it connects well with other time-related vocabulary such as 月 (month) and 日 (day). Focus on understanding how to specify time periods in conversations or written formats.
Learners sometimes use 上旬 incorrectly when referring to the entire month instead of just the first ten days. For example, saying '这个月的上旬是30天' (This month's 上旬 is 30 days) is incorrect; it should be '这个月的上旬是前十天' (The 上旬 of this month is the first ten days).
Pronunciation of 上旬
Drill the tone of 上旬, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 上旬 to you
Let me explain 上旬 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 上旬 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 上旬?
Learning Lab
Knowing 上旬 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say first third of a month in Chinese
“first third of a month” in Chinese is上旬
上旬 refers to the first ten days of a month in the lunar or Gregorian calendar. It is commonly used in scheduling, planning, and discussions about timeframes, especially in formal contexts such as business or academic settings.
When to use 上旬
Learners often confuse 上旬 with 中旬 (the middle ten days) and 下旬 (the last ten days). This term is more formal, so it’s best used in written communication rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of using it in the correct context regarding dates.
上旬 or something close to it
上旬 (shàngxún) vs 中旬 (zhōngxún): use 上旬 for the first ten days of the month, while 中旬 refers to the middle ten days.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes use 上旬 incorrectly when referring to the entire month instead of just the first ten days. For example, saying '这个月的上旬是30天' (This month's 上旬 is 30 days) is incorrect; it should be '这个月的上旬是前十天' (The 上旬 of this month is the first ten days).
Write 上旬
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 上旬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 上旬?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 上旬
上旬 means the first ten days of a month.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 上旬?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.