Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Using 天 (tiān) as a measure word for "day"

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Number + 天

    Explanation

    天 (tiān) means "day" and is used as a measure word to count days. It appears directly after a number without needing a separate classifier, as in 三天 (three days). It is one of the most common time words in daily Chinese.

    Examples

    • 我在那座城市待了五天,玩得很开心。

      wǒ zài nà zuò chéngshì dāi le wǔ tiān, wán de hěn kāixīn.

      I stayed in that city for five days and had a great time.

    • 这个项目还需要三天才能完成。

      zhège xiàngmù hái xūyào sān tiān cáinéng wánchéng.

      This project still needs three more days to be completed.

    • 她每天只睡六个小时,太辛苦了。

      tā měitiān zhǐ shuì liù ge xiǎoshí, tài xīnkǔ le.

      She only sleeps six hours a day; it's really tough.

    Using 天 (tiān) as a measure word for "day" | Chinese Grammar