How to Say ‘What did you do over the weekend?’ in Simplified Chinese
你周末干什么了？
nǐ zhōu mò gàn shén me le
[nee zhōumò gàn shénme luh]
🇨🇳 In China: This is the standard friendly small-talk opener in China, especially at the start of the week. A light answer with one fun detail is all that's expected.
Phrase Breakdown
你周末
nǐ zhōu mò
you, on the weekend
周末 (zhōumò) means 'weekend'. 周 is high and level, and 末 is falling.
周末你忙吗？
Are you busy on the weekend?
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you
The informal or neutral word for “you,” suitable for peers or casual conversation.
如果对方和你年纪差不多，可以说“认识你”。
If the other person is about your age, you can say “nice to meet you” with 你.
周末
zhōu mò
[zhōumò]
weekend
Saturday and Sunday.
周末你有空吗？
Are you free on the weekend?
干什么了？
gàn shén me le
what did (you) do?
干什么 (gàn shénme) means 'do what' and is casual. 了 (le) shows the action is in the past. Keep 么 and 了 light.
你昨天干什么了？
What did you do yesterday?
Words in this phrase
干什么
gàn shén me
[gàn shénme]
to do what; why
Asks what someone is doing or for what purpose; can sound teasing.
你在这儿干什么？
What are you doing here?
了
le
[luh]
completed action marker
Shows that an action has happened or a new situation has occurred.
我想了很久，还是决定联系你。
I thought about it for a long time and still decided to contact you.
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