noun (time word) HSK 1
tomorrow
Meaning
明天 means 'tomorrow' and is one of the most basic time expressions in Mandarin. It refers to the day immediately following today. The word literally combines '明' (bright/clear) and '天' (day/sky), suggesting the 'next bright day' or 'the coming day.'
Usage
明天 is used in everyday conversation to talk about plans, events, or actions happening the day after today. It commonly appears at the beginning of sentences or after the subject. Native speakers often pair it with verbs like 见 (to meet), 去 (to go), or 有 (to have) when making plans.
Examples
- 01我明天要去北京。.I'm going to Beijing tomorrow.
- 02明天见！!See you tomorrow!
Characters
Common collocations
- 明天见see you tomorrow
- 明天上午tomorrow morning
- 明天晚上tomorrow evening
- 到明天until tomorrow
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 明 (bright) with 天 (day), creating the imagery of 'the bright/next day' that is to come.