Common Meanings
1
nián年
A year; a period of twelve months. It also refers to a duration of multiple years, for example, 'three to five years'.
我们在一起很多年了。
We have been together for many years.
Used to indicate something that happens or is calculated once a year; annual or yearly.
我们公司的年会通常在十二月举行。
Our company's annual meeting is usually held in December.
The beginning of a year, often referring to New Year's Day or the New Year celebrations.
大年初一，家家户户都挂上了红灯笼，喜气洋洋过大年。
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, every household hangs red lanterns, joyfully celebrating the New Year.
related to New Year's festivities (e.g., goods, gifts, or decorations)
我们去超市买年货吧！
Let's go to the supermarket to buy New Year's goods!
Refers to a period or an era, often denoting a specific time frame or age.
近年来的科技发展速度惊人。
The pace of technological development in recent years has been astonishing.
Harvest; year's crop; the result of a year's farming.
今年年成很好，农民们都非常高兴。
This year's harvest is very good, and the farmers are all extremely happy.
Age; years old. Refers to the number of years a person has lived, often used in phrases like '年纪' (age), '年事' (years of age, often indicating advanced age), '年高' (advanced in years), and metaphorically '年轮' (tree rings, representing years).
爷爷年事已高，需要家人多加照顾。
Grandpa is advanced in years and needs more care from his family.
Refers to the different stages of a person's life, such as childhood, youth, middle age, and old age.
人在青年时期应该努力学习，为未来打下基础
During their youth, people should study hard to lay a solid foundation for the future.
Refers to a peer who passed the imperial examinations in the same year, often used to describe the special bond or friendship between them (e.g., 'nian xiōng' for a 'senior fellow examinee' or 'nian yì' for a 'fellow success' bond).
当年与他一同金榜题名，我们便成了有深厚年谊的朋友。
Having both successfully passed the imperial examinations in the same year, we became friends with a deep 'nian yi' bond.