后年

• Pinyin: hòu nián
• Hanzi breakdown: 后 = simplified form of 後, meaning after; 年 = pictograph of a grain plant, extended to mean year (harvest cycle)

Meaning

The year after next. Refers to two years from the current year.

A fixed time expression that specifically means 'the year after next year.' It follows the pattern of Chinese time words: 去年 (last year), 今年 (this year), 明年 (next year), 后年 (the year after next). It is commonly used when discussing future plans that are not immediate.

Examples

1. 她打算后年去美国留学。 She plans to study abroad in America the year after next.
2. 后年我们的孩子就上小学了。 The year after next, our child will start primary school.
3. 这个项目后年才能完成。 This project can only be completed the year after next.

Usage Guide

Context: time, planning, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 后年我想去日本旅游。(I want to travel to Japan the year after next.)
• 他后年大学毕业。(He will graduate from university the year after next.)

Don't Say

• 后年的后年我要结婚。(Don't stack 后年 — for 'two years after next year,' say 大后年 or state the specific year instead.)

Origin & History

Compound of 后 (after, behind) and 年 (year). Literally 'after-year,' meaning the year that comes after next year.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal