Need to know how to say today in Chinese? The word is 今天 (jīn tiān), and you’ll use it roughly fifty times a day. From making plans to checking the weather to simply greeting someone, this is one of the most essential words in the entire language.
After twelve years in Tianjin and an HSK5 certification, I can tell you that 今天 was among the first ten words I learned and remains among the ten I use most. I say it when confirming appointments, when discussing schedules, and when someone asks me what I’m doing later. It’s the backbone of daily conversation in China.
If you’re learning time vocabulary or planning to travel in China, knowing 今天 is non-negotiable. It pairs perfectly with tomorrow and yesterday to handle any conversation about timing.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- 今天 (jīn tiān) is the standard word for “today” in Chinese, used in both spoken and written contexts.
- The character 今 means “this” or “now,” and 天 means “day” or “sky.” Together they literally mean “this day.”
- Chinese time expressions follow a logical pattern: 今天 (today), 明天 (tomorrow), 昨天 (yesterday), making the whole system easy to learn once you know 天 (day).
How to Say Today in Chinese
Main Word: 今天 (jīn tiān)
今天 is your go-to word for “today” in Chinese. It covers everything from casual conversation to formal writing. Here’s the breakdown:
Chinese: 今天
Pinyin: jīn tiān
Literal meaning: “this” (今) + “day” (天) = “this day”
When you want to say something is happening today, you simply use 今天 as a time word:
Chinese: 我今天很忙。
Pinyin: Wǒ jīn tiān hěn máng.
English: I’m very busy today.
Notice the word order: time expressions go at the beginning of the sentence, right after the subject. This is different from English but very consistent in Chinese.
Pronunciation Guide
今天 breaks down cleanly:
- 今 (jīn) – First tone, high and flat. Sounds like “jean” but with a flat pitch.
- 天 (tiān) – First tone, also high and flat. Sounds like “tee-en” with a flat pitch.
The full word flows as jīn-tiān with a slight pause between syllables. Both tones are first tone (high flat), so the word has a steady, level sound. This makes it one of the easier time words to pronounce correctly.
A common learner mistake is pronouncing 今 with a falling tone like English “gin.” Keep it flat and high. Arch Chinese’s stroke order guide shows the proper character formation for both 今 and 天.
Related Words and Time Expressions
Chinese time expressions follow a beautifully logical pattern built around 天 (day). Once you know 今天, the rest of the system falls into place:
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 今天 | jīn tiān | Today |
| 明天 | míng tiān | Tomorrow |
| 昨天 | zuó tiān | Yesterday |
| 前天 | qián tiān | The day before yesterday |
| 后天 | hòu tiān | The day after tomorrow |
| 每天 | měi tiān | Every day |
| 白天 | bái tiān | Daytime |
| 半天 | bàn tiān | Half a day |
See the pattern? 明 (míng) means “bright” or “next,” so 明天 = “next day.” 昨 (zuó) means “past,” so 昨天 = “past day.” This logic makes Chinese time vocabulary much easier to memorize than English, where today, tomorrow, and yesterday share almost no connection.
For more on time expressions, check out our guides on week, weekend, and morning vocabulary.
Example Sentences
Here are practical sentences you’ll actually use in China:
Chinese: 今天天气怎么样？
Pinyin: Jīn tiān tiān qì zěn me yàng?
English: How’s the weather today? (the standard small-talk opener)
Chinese: 我们今天去吃饭吧。
Pinyin: Wǒ men jīn tiān qù chī fàn ba.
English: Let’s go eat today.
Chinese: 今天几号？
Pinyin: Jīn tiān jǐ hào?
English: What’s today’s date? (literally: “Today what number?”)
Chinese: 我今天不想工作。
Pinyin: Wǒ jīn tiān bù xiǎng gōng zuò.
English: I don’t want to work today. (a universal sentiment)
If you’re booking a hotel in China or making a restaurant reservation, you’ll use 今天 constantly to confirm dates and times.
Cultural Context: How Chinese Speakers Talk About Time
Here’s something practical about 今天: Chinese speakers use it more flexibly than English speakers use “today.” In English, “today” strictly means the current calendar day. In Chinese, 今天 can stretch a bit.
For example, if you’re up late at night past midnight, you might still refer to the previous day as 今天 if the conversation started before midnight. Context matters more than the clock. This flexibility trips up literal-minded learners who check their watch and correct people.
Another cultural note: Chinese people often ask “今天干什么？” (What are you doing today?) as a casual greeting, similar to how English speakers ask “How’s it going?” It’s not an invasion of privacy; it’s just conversation. A simple “没什么” (nothing much) or “上班” (working) is a perfectly acceptable answer.
When I first moved to Tianjin, my neighbor would ask me 今天吃什么 every single evening. At first I thought she was being nosy. Then I realized it was her version of “how was your day?” She didn’t actually care what I was eating. She was just being friendly. SupChina’s cultural guides explain more about these everyday social rituals.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting word order: In Chinese, time goes at the start of the sentence. Say 我今天去 (I today go), not 我去今天 (I go today).
- Overusing 今天: In English we say “I’m busy today” and “Today I’m busy” interchangeably. In Chinese, put 今天 right after the subject for the most natural sound.
- Mixing up tones: Both syllables are first tone. Don’t let 今 drift into a falling tone. Keep it flat and high.
- Literal translation mistakes: “Today’s weather” is 今天的天气, not 今天天气. You need the 的 (de) possessive particle.
Advanced ways for how to say today in Chinese sentences
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are more nuanced expressions:
Chinese: 直到今天我才明白。
Pinyin: Zhí dào jīn tiān wǒ cái míng bai.
English: It wasn’t until today that I understood. (emphasis on realization)
Chinese: 今天就到这里吧。
Pinyin: Jīn tiān jiù dào zhè lǐ ba.
English: Let’s call it a day. (literally: “Today let’s stop here.”)
Chinese: 今天比昨天冷。
Pinyin: Jīn tiān bǐ zuó tiān lěng.
English: Today is colder than yesterday.
Chinese: 我今天忙得不可开交。
Pinyin: Wǒ jīn tiān máng de bù kě kāi jiāo.
English: I’m incredibly busy today. (idiomatic: “busy to the point of no opening”)
For more advanced Chinese expressions about time, FluentU’s guide to Chinese time expressions covers seasonal phrases, relative time, and formal calendar vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Today in Chinese
Is 今天 formal or casual?
It’s neutral. You can use 今天 in any context, from texting friends to writing business emails. For very formal written Chinese, you might see 今日 (jīn rì), but 今天 is perfectly acceptable everywhere.
What’s the difference between 今天 and 今日?
今天 is the everyday spoken form. 今日 is more formal and literary, often used in news headlines, formal documents, or set phrases like 今日特价 (today’s special offer). In conversation, stick with 今天.
How do I say “today morning” in Chinese?
You don’t combine them. Say 今天早上 (jīn tiān zǎo shang) for “this morning.” Chinese keeps time words separate rather than compounding them like English “today morning.”
Can 今天 refer to tonight?
Yes. 今天晚上 (jīn tiān wǎn shang) means “tonight.” The context makes it clear whether you mean daytime or evening.
What’s the best way to practice 今天?
Use it in daily self-talk. Describe your plans: 今天我要… (Today I will…). Ask yourself questions: 今天吃什么？ (What am I eating today?) YellowBridge’s dictionary entry for 今天 has audio pronunciation to practice with.
If you’re learning how to make comparisons or need ways to express ideas, combining 今天 with other vocabulary will quickly expand your conversational range.
