周末 (zhōu mò) — weekend | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

周末 is the full weekend (Saturday + Sunday together). Use 星期天 when you mean just Sunday.

noun

weekend

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

周 means week and 末 means end, so together they name the end of a week.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The oldest form of 周 drew a jade artifact with carved patterns. It was later borrowed for a place name, so an extra mark was added to distinguish it.

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

末 adds a mark at the top of a tree-like shape to show its tip or end.

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