年轻

• Pinyin: nián qīng
• Hanzi breakdown: 年 (nián) — year, age; 轻 (qīng) — light, slight

Meaning

Young; youthful. Describes someone who is young in age or appears youthful.

Primarily used for people, not objects. Often implies energy, vitality, or inexperience depending on context. Can be used as a compliment when telling someone they look younger than expected. Commonly appears in phrases like 年轻人 (young person).

Examples

1. 这位老师看起来很年轻。 This teacher looks very young.
2. 年轻人应该多运动。 Young people should exercise more.
3. 她妈妈比我妈妈年轻五岁。 Her mother is five years younger than my mother.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, compliment, description

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 你看起来很年轻！(You look very young!)
• 他还年轻，有很多时间学习。(He is still young and has plenty of time to learn.)

Don't Say

• 不要对小孩子说'你很年轻' (Don't tell children they are 年轻 — the word is for adults or teenagers; for children, use 小 or 年纪小)

Origin & History

Compound of 年 (year, age) and 轻 (light, slight). The metaphor of age being 'light' conveys youth.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal