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    Chinese Grammar

    Using the measure word 天 (tiān) to count days

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    每 + 天 / Number + 天

    Explanation

    天 (tiān) serves as both the word for "day" and as a measure word for counting days. When preceded by 每 (měi, "every"), it forms 每天 meaning "every day" or "daily." It is one of the few time nouns in Chinese that doubles as its own measure word, requiring no additional classifier.

    Examples

    • 我每天早上六点起床。

      Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang liù diǎn qǐchuáng.

      I get up at six o'clock every morning.

    • 他在北京待了五天。

      Tā zài Běijīng dāi le wǔ tiān.

      He stayed in Beijing for five days.

    • 每天坚持锻炼半小时对身体很好。

      Měitiān jiānchí duànliàn bàn xiǎoshí duì shēntǐ hěn hǎo.

      Exercising for half an hour every day is very good for your health.

    Using the measure word 天 (tiān) to count days | Chinese Grammar