拜年

• Pinyin: bài nián
• Hanzi breakdown: 拜 = 手 (hand) + 二 (two); 年 = year

Meaning

To pay a New Year visit; to wish someone a Happy New Year.

The traditional practice of visiting friends, relatives, and elders during Chinese New Year to offer greetings and good wishes. An essential part of Spring Festival customs, often accompanied by giving red envelopes.

Examples

1. 大年初一我们全家一起去给爷爷奶奶拜年。 On the first day of the New Year, our whole family goes to pay New Year respects to Grandpa and Grandma.
2. 现在很多年轻人选择用微信给朋友拜年。 Nowadays many young people choose to send New Year greetings via WeChat.
3. 春节期间走亲访友拜年是中国人最重要的传统习俗之一。 Visiting relatives and friends to exchange New Year greetings during Spring Festival is one of the most important Chinese traditions.

Usage Guide

Context: Spring Festival, family

Tone: festive

Do Say

• 给您拜年了！(Wishing you a Happy New Year!)
• 我们去舅舅家拜年吧。(Let's go pay a New Year visit to uncle's house.)

Don't Say

• 在非新年期间说'拜年' (Don't use 拜年 outside the New Year period — it specifically refers to New Year greetings)

Origin & History

拜 (to pay respects) + 年 (new year). Paying respects for the new year.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal