How to Say “Last week” in Chinese
Time and dates
"Last week" in Chinese is 上周 (shàng zhōu). 上周 (shàng zhōu, "above/previous week") is last week. The up/down metaphor for time is consistent in Chinese: 上 for past, 下 for future.
Primary translation
上周
shàng zhōu
Traditional: 上週
Variants by register
Formal
上星期
shàng xīng qī
When to use it
上周 (shàng zhōu, "above/previous week") is last week. The up/down metaphor for time is consistent in Chinese: 上 for past, 下 for future. This extends to months: 上个月 (last month), 下个月 (next month). For recurring events, 每周 (měi zhōu, every week) plus a day gives you weekly rhythm: 每周一 (every Monday). 周年 (zhōu nián) is an anniversary; literally "year cycle".
Example sentences
上周我去了北京。
Shàng zhōu wǒ qù le Běijīng.
I went to Beijing last week.
上星期五是他的生日。
Shàng xīngqī wǔ shì tā de shēngrì.
Last Friday was his birthday.
每周一我们开晨会。
Měi zhōu yī wǒmen kāi chénhuì.
Every Monday we have a morning meeting.
Related phrases
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