今天
today
HSK 1
Lesson 5 · 今天我休息
What you'll learn
Say dates and weekdays in Chinese, use noun-predicate time sentences, and use `会 / 不会` for ability.
1
Listen and Read
Use a Chinese class schedule to connect dates, weekdays, rest days, and abilities.
周明
小安，中文课几月几号？
Xiao An, what month and date is the Chinese class?
小安
七月三号，星期五。
July third, Friday.
周明
星期五你休息吗？
Are you off on Friday?
小安
对，我休息。
Yes, I am off.
周明
你会说中文吗？
Can you speak Chinese?
小安
会。我也会写我的名字。
Yes. I can also write my name.
周明
你会用电脑学习吗？
Can you use a computer to study?
小安
会。我用电脑学习。
Yes. I study with a computer.
2
Core Words
First learn to ask the date and the day of the week.
号
date number; day of the month
月
month
日
day in a written date
年
year
星期
week; weekday
星期日
Sunday
星期天
Sunday
休息
to rest; to be off
3
Pattern: `年 + 月 + 日/号 + 星期`
Chinese dates go from larger units to smaller units.
年 + 月 + 日/号 + 星期
Chinese dates usually say year first, then month, then day, and finally weekday. In speech, `号` is common; in formal writing, `日` is common.
今天几号？
What is the date today?
今天七月三号。
Today is July third.
今天星期五。
Today is Friday.
二〇二六年七月三日。
July 3, 2026.
4
Learning Note
Practice `星期 + number` with common weekdays first.
From Monday to Saturday, say `星期 + 一/二/三/四/五/六`. Sunday can be `星期日` or `星期天`.
星期一
Monday
星期五
Friday
星期六
Saturday
星期日
Sunday
星期天
Sunday
5
Quick Practice
First practice asking the date.
Complete the prompt: `A：今天______？ B：今天七月三号。`
Which option asks for the date today?
6
Pattern: `主语 + 日期 / 星期 / 年龄`
When saying dates, weekdays, and ages, Chinese often does not use `是`.
主语 + 日期 / 星期 / 年龄
For dates, weekdays, and ages, Chinese can say `今天星期五` or `我妹妹十二岁` directly. At this stage, copy the pattern and do not rush to add `是`.
今天七月三号。
Today is July third.
今天星期五。
Today is Friday.
我妹妹十二岁。
My younger sister is twelve years old.
明天星期六。
Tomorrow is Saturday.
7
Quick Practice
Practice the `subject + weekday` structure.
Complete the prompt: `A：今天______。明天星期六。`
Which option matches the noun-predicate pattern practiced here?
8
Core Words
These words help you say whether you know how to do something.
会
can; know how to
说
to speak; to say
写
to write
用
to use
学习
to study
电脑
computer
9
Pattern: `会 + 动作 / 不会 + 动作`
Put `会` before the action to show learned ability.
会 + 动作 / 不会 + 动作
Here, `会` does not mean English will; it means know how to or can. Use `会...吗？` for questions and `不会` for the negative form.
你会说中文吗？
Can you speak Chinese?
我会写我的名字。
I can write my name.
他会用电脑。
He can use a computer.
我不会做饭。
I do not know how to cook.
10
Quick Practice
Put `会` before the action.
Complete the prompt: `A：你______说中文吗？ B：会，我会说中文。`
Which word asks whether the other person can speak Chinese?
11
Quick Practice
Choose a study tool that works with `用`.
Complete the prompt: `A：我会用______学习中文。`
Which option can come after `用`?
12
Learning Note
Put dates, rest, and `会` into sentences you can use right away.
Take away two useful sentence groups: asking the date or weekday, and asking whether someone can do something. Notice that `今天星期五` and `我妹妹十二岁` do not need `是`; the `不` in `不会` is pronounced in second tone.
今天几号？
What is the date today?
今天星期几？
What day of the week is it today?
今天七月三号。
Today is July third.
星期五我休息
I am off on Friday
你会说中文吗？
Can you speak Chinese?
我会说中文
I can speak Chinese
我会用电脑学习
I can use a computer to study