Relative times for days

In English, we have a few ways of referring to time, relative to the current time. Mandarin is similar, and has a few patterns.

For days:

天 (Tiān) is day (although it can relate to the heavens, God, and much more)

Although 每个天 (Měi gè tiān) is literally “every (or each) day”, doubling-up the character as 天天 (Tiāntiān) can also be used for every day

今天 (Jīntiān) is today

昨天 (Zuótiān) is yesterday

明天 (Míngtiān) is tomorrow (and roughly translates to “bright day”)

前天 (Qiántiān) is the day before yesterday (and roughly translates to “in front day)

后天 (Hòutiān) is day after tomorrow (and roughly translates to “rear (or perhaps behind) day”

2019-12-20