今天 (jīntiān) — today
HSK 1 | noun/time word | the current day; used at the start of a sentence or before the verb
今天 (jīntiān)
The word for "today," formed from 今 (jīn, now/present) and 天 (tiān, day/sky); as a time word, it typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or right before the verb, not at the end.
Meanings
- [noun/time word] Today (the current day).
Example Sentences
今天天气怎么样？ Jīntiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng? How is the weather today?
我今天很累，不想出去。 Wǒ jīntiān hěn lèi, bù xiǎng chūqù. I am very tired today and do not want to go out.
今天几号？ Jīntiān jǐ hào? What is today's date?
今天是我的生日！ Jīntiān shì wǒ de shēngrì! Today is my birthday!
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 今天天气 (jīntiān tiānqì) | today's weather |
| 今天下午 (jīntiān xiàwǔ) | this afternoon |
| 今天早上 (jīntiān zǎoshang) | this morning |
| 今天晚上 (jīntiān wǎnshang) | tonight |
| 今天几号 (jīntiān jǐ hào) | what's today's date |
| 今天星期几 (jīntiān xīngqī jǐ) | what day of the week is today |
Memory Hook
今天 = 今 (now) + 天 (day). Literally "the now-day." When you wake up and look out the window, this very day, this exact day, is 今天. It is the day happening right now.