年

• Pinyin: nián
• Hanzi breakdown: 年 = originally a pictograph of a person carrying grain, symbolising the annual harvest

Meaning

Year. Used to count years and in dates. Also a measure word for years.

One of the most essential time words. Used in dates (2024年), to count years (三年), and in many compounds like 今年 (this year), 明年 (next year), 去年 (last year), 新年 (New Year). Also the name of the mythological beast in Chinese New Year legends.

Examples

1. 今年是二零二六年。 This year is 2026.
2. 我学了两年中文。 I've studied Chinese for two years.
3. 新年快乐！ Happy New Year!

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你来中国几年了？(How many years have you been in China?)
• 去年我去了北京。(I went to Beijing last year.)

Don't Say

• 三个年。(Wrong measure word — 年 is itself a measure word for years; say 三年, not 三个年)

Origin & History

Originally a pictograph of a person carrying grain, representing the harvest cycle — one full year of farming. The character later came to represent the concept of a year.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal