同年

• Pinyin: tóng nián
• Hanzi breakdown: 同 = same; 年 = 禾 + 千 — year

Meaning

The same year; of the same age; in that same year.

Can refer to events occurring in the same calendar year, or to people born in the same year. Also historically referred to successful candidates from the same imperial examination year, creating a special bond.

Examples

1. 我们是同年出生的，都属龙。 We were born in the same year — we're both dragons in the Chinese zodiac.
2. 公司成立和上市是同年发生的，发展速度惊人。 The company was founded and went public in the same year — their growth rate is astonishing.
3. 他和我是同年进公司的，现在他已经是总监了。 He and I joined the company in the same year — now he's already a director.

Usage Guide

Context: time reference, age, career

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我们同年。(We're the same age.)
• 同年入职。(Joined the company the same year.)

Don't Say

• 把'同年'和'同龄'完全混用 (同年 emphasizes the same specific year — 同龄 means same age more generally)

Origin & History

同 means same, 年 means year — the same year.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal