年纪

• Pinyin: nián jì
• Hanzi breakdown: 年 = originally a person carrying grain, one harvest cycle; 纪 = 纟(silk/thread) + 己 (self), meaning to record

Meaning

Age. Refers to how old a person is, especially in a general or polite sense.

A common and slightly softer way to talk about someone's age compared to 岁 (which gives exact numbers). Often used in phrases like 年纪大了 (getting old), 年纪还小 (still young), and 上了年纪 (advanced in age). Used when discussing age in general terms rather than asking for a specific number.

Examples

1. 爷爷年纪大了，走路比较慢。 Grandpa is getting old and walks rather slowly.
2. 她年纪虽然小，但是很懂事。 Although she is young, she is very sensible.
3. 到了这个年纪，应该学会照顾自己。 At this age, you should learn to take care of yourself.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, family, polite conversation

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 他年纪不大，才二十几岁。(He is not old — only in his twenties.)
• 上了年纪的人需要多休息。(People who are getting on in years need more rest.)

Don't Say

• 你的年纪是多少？(This sounds unnatural — use 你多大了？ or 您多大年纪了？ to ask someone's age.)

Origin & History

年 means year (a harvest cycle); 纪 means record or discipline (纟thread + 己 self), originally meaning to mark or record. Together: a record of years — age.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal