The oldest forms show a grain plant on top and a walking person below. Bring the harvest in, and one year is done — that's why 年 means 'year'. Today's 年 has worn down, so don't bother hunting for the parts in the modern shape.
年 counts calendar time, not how old you are. Age needs 岁.
下一年 only shows up in reports and sequencing. Everyday 'next year' is 明年.
年 is already the counting word. Slapping 个 on it doubles up the counter.
年 tracks calendar time; 岁 tracks how old a living thing is.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Stating your age | 我二十岁 | 我二十年 |
| Stating a duration | 我学了三年中文 | 我学了三十岁中文 |
| Asking someone's age | 你多大？/ 你几岁？ | 你几年？ |
Months and weeks use 上/下; years use 去/明 and 前/后 instead.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Talking about last year | 去年 | 上年 |
| Talking about next year | 明年 | 下一年 |
| Talking about months | 上个月 / 下个月 | 去个月 / 明个月 |
过年 is the activity of celebrating Spring Festival; 新年 is just the name.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Going home for the holiday | 回家过年 | 回家过新年 (songlike) |
| Greeting someone | 新年快乐 | 过年快乐 |
| January 1 specifically | 元旦 / 新年 | 过年 |
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
我 去年 住在上海的时候，去一个汉语学校学习汉语，学了一个月。
B：我学汉语 四年 了。
A： 四年 ，五级，这是很快吧？
大学里面的学生，每天学四个学时， 四年 要学两千八百个学时。
他们 四年 能过HSK六级。
我这 四年 要忙工作，说真话，没有很多时间学汉语。
我这 四年 上网跟老师上课，学了最多四百个学时。
Follow a day from waking at six-thirty to coming home at eight, then leap across days, months, and years. This simple story helps you practice speaking about routines and life changes with clear time words.
年月日 ，前后天。
上下午，去 明年 。
前年 我去上大学。
去年 买了新电脑。
今年 有了新工作。
明年 我想买新车。
后年 可以买新房。
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
在他的 晚年 ，有一位卖饼干的小人物成了他的朋友，给他带来一点意外和许多快乐。
这是 一九五九年 十月间的事。
你信上说的那个”杜鲁门没有带走一个人”的故事，也正和邱吉尔在 一九四五年 离开唐宁街十号时没有带走一个人，是一样的。
胡之适接过饼干，微笑着拿起一个便吃，脸上现出 近几年 来很少见的欢愉。
胡之适仍不忘对他的 忘年交 讲杜威的哲学。
Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.
可是 今年 很奇怪，天上很少有云，也很少下雨，一直非常热。
新闻里还说，最近 这些年 ，美国西部 每年 都出现的森林大火是气候变化的结果。
爸爸说， 今年 还好，就是有一点儿干。
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
他说 今年 出口不好做，运费涨了三成，利润压到五个点以下。
他说，我 这些年 养成的习惯，饭局上少吃，特别是不碰荤菜，碰了脑子就不清醒。
他忽然说， 十多年前 他第一次跟大客户吃饭。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
可是，根据 前几年 的有关数据，中国方便面的 年人平均 消费量是三十五份，远不如日本，甚至还不到韩国的一半。
近年来 ，中国关于方便面的各种说法几乎全部都是“方便面是一种不健康的食物，是垃圾食物”。
事实上，油炸方便面的含油量比中国人传统常吃的油条，以及现在 年轻人 喜欢的炸薯条、炸土豆片什么的低很多，只是它们的二分之一不到。
This playful poem turns numbers into a rhythm of daily life. As you read, practice counting, days of the week, and common time words in a fun, memorable way.
年 月日点半。
工作两三 年 ，休息四五天，读书一小时，吃饭五分钟。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
故事发生在距离今天大约1700 年 的东晋时代。
当年 乔布斯被踢出苹果公司， 十年 后，他又重回苹果，这件事也可以说“乔布斯东山再起了。”
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
A：小明 去年 上小学了。
小花 明年 上学。
Step through a full day—from morning routines to bedtime—and pick up practical phrases for telling time and talking about your own schedule with a typical Chinese rhyme.
二零二六年 ，十月三十号。
In this HSK 1 story, two old friends from Britain and China share a meal with their girlfriends. A simple question about who pays leads to a clever and funny solution.
我们认识 十多年 了，很好的朋友。
This rhythmic poem helps you practice numbers from one to ten and larger units. Listen to the beat and count along!
十亿人， 年月日 。
Meet Dr. Mi, a doctor and teacher at Sichuan University. This simple HSK 1 story shows his daily routine from morning to night, helping you learn time expressions and everyday activities.
他是我的同学米中家的爸爸， 今年 五十五岁。
This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.
他 今年 二十九岁。
This humorous dialogue follows a man who spends all his savings on his girlfriend's Apple phone and a lucky number, leaving him broke. A fun read for HSK 3 learners.
我们 明年 十月就结婚。
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
老先生看看大中，对大中说：“ 五年 前，我儿子也在这家饭店工作。
Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.
二零一九年 ，八月十六日，回国第七日，生病第一天。
Welcome! This short poem helps you practice the months, weekdays, and mealtimes in Chinese. Read it aloud and notice the rhythm. You already know many of these words!
一年 十二月，爱你也想你。
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