How to Write the Date in Chinese Correctly with Tips

Writing the date in Chinese is easier than it looks—once you know the correct structure and number format. This guide walks you through the Chinese date order (year–month–day), how to write numbers using characters or digits, and the right way to express dates in daily, formal, and cultural contexts.

I. Understanding the Chinese Date Format

Before you can write or say dates in Chinese, it’s important to understand the standard format, how it differs from what you're used to in English, and how numbers are expressed in Chinese. The date format follows a clear and logical structure—but it's the opposite order of what many Western learners expect.

The standard format used in China is structured as:

[Year] 年 + [Month]月 + [Day]日 or 号

This format reflects the order from largest to smallest unit of time: year → month → day, which aligns with how time progresses chronologically. This structure is consistent across written forms, formal documents, and daily usage.

In many Western countries, the date is written as Month/Day/Year (e.g., 08/28/2025 in the U.S.) or Day/Month/Year (e.g., 28/08/2025 in Europe). In Chinese, however:

• The year comes first, followed by the month and day.
• The words 年 (year), 月 (month), and 日 or 号 (day) are required after each number.
• Numbers typically appear in their Arabic digit form, but may also be written in Chinese characters in formal contexts.

Writing Numbers in Chinese Dates

There are two common ways to express numbers in dates:

1. Using Arabic numerals (most common):

• • Example: 2025年8月28日
  • Used in most forms, emails, and daily writing.

2. Using Chinese numerals (more formal or traditional):

• • Example: 二零二五年八月二十八日
  • Often used in formal invitations, contracts, official seals, or handwritten calligraphy.

Understanding this structure will help you read and write dates confidently—whether you're filling out a form, sending a message, or preparing for an HSK exam.

1. How to Write Today’s Date in Chinese

Writing today’s date in Chinese is simple once you understand the structure: Year + 年 + Month + 月 + Day + 日 or 号. You can choose to write the numbers using Arabic numerals (e.g. 2025) or Chinese characters (e.g. 二零二五), depending on the formality of the situation.

Writing with Arabic Numerals + Characters

This is the most common way to write the date in everyday settings like emails, forms, and messaging apps.

Format example (using today's date):

今天是2025年8月28日。
Jīntiān shì 2025 nián 8 yuè 28 rì.
→ Today is August 28, 2025.

• 年 → marks the year
• 月 → marks the month
• 日 → used for days (formal) or 号 (casual spoken Chinese)

Writing with Full Chinese Characters

In more formal, ceremonial, or traditional contexts, numbers are written fully in Chinese.

Same example written in full Chinese characters: 今天是二零二五年八月二十八日。

This format may appear in:

• Wedding invitations
• Official documents
• Formal letters or certificates
• Calligraphy or artistic displays

Benefits of knowing both formats:

• Arabic + characters: Faster, practical, widely accepted
• Full Chinese characters: Culturally respectful, adds formality

2. Grammar and Reading the Date

Being able to write the date in Chinese is helpful—but knowing how to say and use it in full sentences is even more practical. In this section, we’ll cover how to express days of the week, and how to read or construct basic date-related sentences in spoken and written Mandarin.

Adding Days of the Week

In Mandarin, days of the week are formed by adding a number to the word 星期 (xīngqī), which means “week.” The formula is:

星期 + number

Example: 星期一 = Monday

Other variations include:

• 周一, 礼拜一 (also mean "Monday") – used regionally or informally
• 星期 vs 周 vs 礼拜 – all mean “week,” interchangeable in most daily use

Using Dates in Sentences

You can plug in full date expressions into basic sentence structures to talk about today, tomorrow, birthdays, holidays, and more.

Common sentence patterns:

• 今天是 + [date] – Today is...
  → 今天是2025年8月28日。 (Today is August 28, 2025.)
• 明天是 + [day of week/date] – Tomorrow is...
  → 明天是星期五。 (Tomorrow is Friday.)
• 我的生日是 + [date] – My birthday is...
  → 我的生日是1998年12月5日。 (My birthday is December 5, 1998.)

Tip: You can add more detail by combining full dates with days of the week:

→ 今天是2025年8月28日，星期四。 (Today is Thursday, August 28, 2025.)

By understanding these sentence patterns and how to apply date expressions, you’ll be able to speak and write fluently about schedules, events, plans, and daily life—even in formal settings like tests or interviews.

II. How to Write the Date in Different Contexts

While the core structure of dates in Chinese remains the same—Year + Month + Day—the way you write it can change depending on where and how it’s being used. From informal chats to business letters or official forms, adjusting your date format based on context adds clarity, accuracy, and professionalism.

Informal Daily Writing

In personal messages, casual journaling, or quick notes, simplicity and speed are key.

• Use Arabic numerals:
  → 今天是2025年8月28日。 (Today is August 28, 2025)
• Common to skip pinyin or tone markings
• Characters like “号” may replace “日” (more casual)
  → Example: 今天几号？(What’s today’s date?)

Also useful for:

• Text conversations
• Taking notes
• Social media posts

Formal and Academic Writing

In documents like school assignments, transcripts, cover letters, or exams, a more standardized format is appropriate.

• Use full structure with proper punctuation:
  → 二零二四年四月二十六日
• Avoid abbreviations or slangs
• In vertical writing or calligraphy: dates may be centered or aligned on right margin

Examples:

• Personal statement: 我的简历完成于2023年9月15日。
• Official stamp/seal areas may feature: 二〇二三年八月

Cultural and Business Settings

Business letters, invitations, certificates, and public announcements often use elevated or traditional formats, showing formality and cultural respect.

Examples:

• Invitation: 我们诚邀您于二〇二五年五月二十日出席会议。
• Contract: 本协议签订于2024年7月1日

Tips:

• Stick to Chinese numerals for elegance and consistency
• Use “日” rather than “号” in everything official
• Company letters may include both Gregorian and Lunar dates, especially for ceremonial events

Adapting your date format to the context shows not only linguistic proficiency but also cultural intelligence. It's a simple skill that can greatly improve how you're perceived—whether you're submitting a formal document or having a friendly chat.

III. Common Mistakes When Writing Dates in Chinese

Although writing dates in Chinese follows a clear and consistent structure, many learners still make avoidable mistakes—often caused by interference from English or other date formats. Understanding these common errors will help you write more accurately and confidently in real-life situations or exams.

Mixing Western and Chinese Word Order

One of the most common mistakes is using the Western date format (month/day/year or day/month/year) instead of the correct Chinese sequence.

• Incorrect: 4月26日2025年
• Correct: 2025年4月26日

Omitting the Essential Date Markers 年, 月, 日

In Chinese, each part of the date must include the appropriate unit marker:

• 年 (after the year)
• 月 (after the month)
• 日 or 号 (after the day)

Writing dates without these markers can be unclear or even meaningless to a native reader.

• Incorrect: 2025 4 26
• Correct: 2025年4月26日

Additionally, 日 is used in writing and formal situations, while 号 is more common in conversation.

Using the Wrong Numerals

Learners sometimes confuse which number format to use in different contexts. For example:

• Using non-standard characters like 壹, 贰, 叁 (used in financial contexts)
• Mixing Arabic numerals and Chinese numerals inconsistently within one date
• Writing poetic or traditional forms like 廿五 (for twenty-five), which are not suitable for modern use

Correct: 二十五日 or 25日, depending on formality. Avoid mixing formats unless required by context.

Applying the Wrong Format in the Wrong Context

Over-formalizing casual situations, or using overly simple formats in formal writing, can send the wrong tone.

• Formal: 二零二五年八月二十八日
• Informal: 2025年8月28号

Make sure your format matches the tone and purpose of the situation.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help you write dates in Chinese more naturally, clearly, and appropriately across various situations. The more you practice with corrected examples and real-world formats, the easier it becomes to apply the structure correctly every time.

Make it a habit to write today’s date in Chinese every morning, review vocabulary regularly, and explore different formats through real-life examples. With consistent practice, this skill will become second nature. For more hands-on resources, printable worksheets, and practical language tips, follow PREP and continue building your Mandarin foundation—one date at a time.