过年

• Pinyin: guò nián
• Hanzi breakdown: 过 = 辶 (walk) + 寸 (inch) — to pass through; 年 = originally depicted a person carrying grain — the harvest, marking a year's cycle

Meaning

To celebrate the New Year; to spend the New Year holiday. Primarily refers to Chinese New Year (Spring Festival).

In Chinese culture, 过年 almost always refers to celebrating 春节 (Spring Festival/Chinese New Year). It involves family reunions, festive meals, fireworks, and red envelopes. The most important holiday period in China.

Examples

1. 今年你在哪里过年？ Where are you spending New Year this year?
2. 过年的时候大家都回家。 Everyone goes home during the New Year.
3. 小朋友最喜欢过年了。 Children love New Year the most.

Usage Guide

Context: holidays, family, traditions

Tone: festive, warm

Do Say

• 过年好！(Happy New Year!)
• 你们怎么过年？(How do you celebrate the New Year?)

Don't Say

• 不要对中国人说'过年'指的是元旦 — in Chinese, 过年 almost always means the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), not January 1st.

Origin & History

Compound of 过 (to pass, to spend) and 年 (year, New Year). Legend says 年 was originally a monster that people had to survive each winter — 'passing the Nian.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal