co1 jat1初一

Jyutpingco1 jat1

Yalechō yāt

名詞Rare

Definition

The first day of a month in the lunar calendar.

colloquialtimefestival

How it's used

This term is specifically used for the lunar calendar, which remains highly relevant in Hong Kong for cultural festivals and traditional practices. While it refers to the first day of any lunar month, it is most commonly associated with the Lunar New Year, often referred to simply as 初一. Using this system for dates is standard for tracking traditional holidays, but it is never used for the Gregorian calendar.

Examples

nung4農lik6曆co1初jat1一tung1通soeng4常dou1都jiu3要faan1返uk1屋kei2企sik6食faan6飯。

Usually I have to go home for dinner on the first day of the lunar month.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知haa6下go3個jyut6月co1初jat1一hai6係bin1邊jat1一jat6日aa4呀？

Do you know which day is the first of the lunar month next month?

Common phrases

nung4農lik6曆co1初jat1一

the first day of the lunar month

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this for the first day of the solar calendar month, but it is strictly reserved for the lunar calendar. For the first day of a standard calendar month, use 一號 instead.