dai6 jat1 zau1第一周

Jyutpingdai6 jat1 zau1

Yaledaih yāt jāu

Definition

The first week.

neutraltime

How it's used

While 第一周 is perfectly acceptable in both writing and speech, many Hong Kongers prefer to use 第一個禮拜 in casual conversation. The character 周 is often perceived as slightly more formal or academic compared to the ubiquitous 禮拜. Using 周 in a casual setting is not wrong, but it can sound a bit more precise or structured.

Examples

dai6第jat1一zau1周ge3嘅gung1功fo3課zou6做jyun4完mei6未aa4呀？

Have you finished the homework for the first week?

ngo5我dai6第jat1一zau1周faan1返gung1工ji5已ging1經hou2好mong4忙。

I was already very busy during my first week of work.

Common phrases

dai6第jat1一zau1周ge3嘅gai3計waak6劃

the plan for the first week

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 第一個星期, which is also common, but be aware that 周 is rarely used in spoken Cantonese when counting weeks in a general sense (e.g., 'two weeks' is usually 兩個禮拜, not 兩周).