年底

• Pinyin: nián dǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 年 = originally a person carrying grain, one harvest cycle; 底 = 广 (shelter) + 氐 (low/base), meaning bottom or end

Meaning

End of the year; year-end. The final part of a calendar year.

Refers to roughly November-December of a year. Contrasts with 年初 (beginning of the year). Very common in work and business contexts where year-end is associated with reviews, bonuses, and deadlines. Also used in personal contexts for holiday planning around the end of the year.

Examples

1. 年底的时候公司会发奖金。 The company gives out bonuses at the end of the year.
2. 这个项目必须在年底前完成。 This project must be completed before the end of the year.
3. 年底了，大家都很忙。 It's the end of the year and everyone is very busy.

Usage Guide

Context: work, business, planning

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 年底我打算回老家过年。(I plan to go back to my hometown for New Year at the end of the year.)
• 年底公司会做总结。(The company will do a year-end review.)

Don't Say

• 今天是年底。(Don't use 年底 for a specific date — it describes a period. Say 今天是十二月三十一号 for a precise date.)

Origin & History

年 means year (a harvest cycle); 底 means bottom or end (广 shelter + 氐 low/base). Together: the bottom or end of the year.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal