年
/ni̯ɛn³⁵/
年 is the Chinese word for nian.
The character 年 is used to mean a single year or the concept of a year in a general sense. It is also part of the common compound 新年 (xīn nián), which means New Year.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing a specific number of years, 年 acts as a measure word (classifier) and follows the number directly, such as in 三年 (three years).
How do you pronounce it?
/ni̯ɛn³⁵/
When do people say it?
In many contexts, 年 refers specifically to the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival period. To wish someone a Happy New Year in Mandarin Chinese, you can say Xīnnián kuàilè.
Did you know?
- There is a mythical beast also called 年 (nián) that traditionally haunts villages during the New Year. According to legend, the creature is terrified of the color red and loud noises, which is why firecrackers are used during the festival.
- The character 年 was originally a picture of a grain stalk, representing a 'harvest' rather than a period of time. It only evolved to mean a 'year' because the harvest occurs once every year.
- The sticky rice cake eaten during the New Year is called 年糕 (niángāo). The word 糕 means 'cake', but the phrase sounds like 'higher year', symbolizing that one's status or luck will rise in the coming year.
Examples in context
- 年糕nian gaoThis example shows the character used in the term for nian gao.
- 年羹堯Nian GengyaoThis example uses the character as part of a proper name, Nian Gengyao.
- 我打算明年去旅游。Wǒ dǎsuàn míngnián qù lǚyóu.I plan to go traveling next year.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are discussing their plans for the upcoming holiday.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，你今年过年回家吗？Jiāyí, nǐ jīnnián guònián huíjiā ma?Jiayi, are you going home for the Lunar New Year this year?
- 佳怡 Jiayi回家，我想念我的家人。Huíjiā, wǒ xiǎngniàn wǒ de jiārén.Yes, I miss my family.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那太好了，祝你新年快乐！Nà tài hǎole, zhù nǐ xīnnián kuàilè!That's great, I wish you a happy New Year!
- 佳怡 Jiayi谢谢你，志强。Xièxiè nǐ, Zhìqiáng.Thank you, Zhiqiang.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 年, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 年, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
