Word Guide
How to pronounce 周末 (zhōu mò)
周末 means "weekend". Use this guide to lock in the tone pattern, articulation target, and the mistake most learners still make.
Short answer
周末 is pronounced zhōu mò and means "weekend". The key target is flat sharps, with the tone pattern Tone 1 + Tone 4.
Why learners miss it
Learners often miss 周末 because many learners pronounce zhōu too far forward and lose the retroflex contrast.
Self-test
Record 周末, then check whether your pitch contour and articulation match zhōu mò.
Pinyin
zhōu mò
Tone Pattern
Tone 1 + Tone 4
Pronunciation Focus
flat-sharps
How to say it
Guided fix
How to shape this pronunciation
What to do
Say zhōu slowly first, then keep the target sound steady as you move through the rest of 周末.
What to avoid
Do not let the whole word flatten into one rushed shape. Keep the target consonant or tone contrast clear.
What to listen for
The key sound should stay distinct instead of collapsing toward the nearest easy English habit.
Quick self-check
Say zhōu mò once slowly and once at normal speed. If the target sound disappears when you speed up, it is not stable yet.
Phonetic Breakdown
zh+ou_m+o
Most common error
Error summary
Many learners pronounce zhōu too far forward and lose the retroflex contrast.
Focus area
Flat sharps
Difficulty
Moderate
HSK Level
HSK1