新

• Pinyin: xīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 新 = 亲 (phonetic component) + 斤 (axe) — freshly cut wood, hence new

Meaning

New. Describes something recently made, acquired, or experienced for the first time.

One of the most common adjectives in Chinese. Used to describe objects, situations, people, or relationships that are new or fresh. Opposite of 旧 (old/used) or 老 (old/long-standing). Frequently used in compound words: 新年 (New Year), 新闻 (news), 新鲜 (fresh). Also used as an adverb meaning 'newly' before past participles in some contexts.

Examples

1. 我买了一件新衣服。 I bought a new piece of clothing.
2. 她有一个新手机。 She has a new mobile phone.
3. 明天是新的一天。 Tomorrow is a new day.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这是我的新同学。(This is my new classmate.)
• 你买了新书包吗？(Did you buy a new schoolbag?)

Don't Say

• 用'新'形容人的年纪。(Don't use 新 to mean 'young' — use 年轻 for age; 新 only means 'new' in the sense of recently arrived or recently acquired)

Origin & History

The character 新 shows 亲 (related/parent, phonetic) combined with 斤 (axe), originally depicting the act of cutting fresh wood — something newly cut is new. The meaning generalised to 'new' broadly.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal