兔年
tù nián
The phrase "year of the rabbit" in Chinese is 兔年 (tù nián).
兔年 refers to the specific year within the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac that is associated with the rabbit.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 兔 (tù), meaning 'rabbit' and 年 (nián), meaning 'year'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, the modifier (rabbit) precedes the noun (year) without needing a preposition like 'of'.
How do you pronounce it?
tù nián
When do people say it?
The term is used to refer to one specific year within the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.
Did you know?
- In Vietnam, the zodiac cycle uses the cat instead of the rabbit, so the equivalent year is known as the 'year of the cat'.
- In some regional folklore, the rabbit is not a terrestrial animal but a lunar one, as the 'Jade Rabbit' is believed to live on the moon pounding elixir of life.
- If you are celebrating the arrival of the 'year of the rabbit', you might see the phrase 兔 used as a pun for 图, which means 'to seek' or 'to pursue' in certain festive contexts.
Examples in context
- 明年是兔年。Míngnián shì tùnián.Next year is the year of the rabbit.
- 我出生在兔年。Wǒ chūshēng zài tùnián.I was born in the year of the rabbit.
- 大家都在庆祝兔年。Dàjiā dōu zài qìngzhù tùnián.Everyone is celebrating the year of the rabbit.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their zodiac signs during Chinese New Year.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你是哪一年出生的？Nǐ shì nǎ yì nián chūshēng de?What year were you born in?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我是兔年出生的。Wǒ shì tùnián chūshēng de.I was born in the year of the rabbit.
- 佳怡 Jiayi难怪你性格这么温柔。Nánguài nǐ xìnggé zhème wēnróu.No wonder your personality is so gentle.
- 志强 Zhiqiang哈哈，谢谢夸奖。Hāhā, xièxiè kuājiǎng.Haha, thanks for the compliment.
