Writing dates

sballa
 May 29, 2008, 04:21 PM posted in General Discussion

I was recently looking at the academic schedule of my future employer, 北大 (Běidà, or Peking University). The fall semester starts on 9 月18 日 (September 18). What I am curious about is why is the date written as 18 日? I've always been taught that you would say 9 月18 号(jiǔ yuè shíbā hào). Did I just learn this wrong? Or is there some simple explanation, like the difference between written and spoken Mandarin? Or is it something else altogether?

Thanks!

Steve

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sarahjs
 May 29, 2008, 09:49 PM

Hello, from my Colloquial Chinese book it says, that 号is spoken and 日is the written form for date.

I hope that helps.

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sballa
 May 30, 2008, 10:59 AM

Thanks sarahjs!  Once in a while, the answer actually is simple!

Steve

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light487
 May 30, 2008, 11:05 AM

I saw this question this monring but I had to go to work and then I can't read Hanzi from work so I couldn't reply. I'm glad that you have your answer now though.

 

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sballa
 May 30, 2008, 06:17 PM

Thanks light487!  Appreciate the sentiment!

Steve

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bazza
 May 30, 2008, 07:52 PM

My grammar book says 号 is spoken/informal form and 日 literary/formal form.

Today‘s date would normally be written:

2008年5月30日

And usually pronounced:

二零零八年五月三十号

èr líng líng bā nián wǔ yuè sān shí hào

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sarahjs
 May 30, 2008, 08:24 PM

That's no problem, I was going to give an example, but was having a simpified/traditional debate, but luckly Bazza has given one. So a nice thanks to Bazza.

Light, I would go crazy if I couldn't read hanzi at work (that is if I could surf the net at work).