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年初 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
年初niánchūbeginning of the yearHSK 5, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #32481, Hard
niánchū(nian2chu1)nian chu T2
  1. 1beginning of the year
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March 24, 2026

年初niánchū(nian2chu1)

年初 (nián chū) refers to the beginning of the year, often used to denote the early months when new beginnings and resolutions are typical. It is commonly used in contexts related to planning, resolutions, and annual events, such as '年初的计划' (plans for the beginning of the year).

Strokes13Frequency#32481DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the beginning of the year, especially around the Lunar New Year, is a significant time for family gatherings, setting resolutions, and starting fresh. Many people engage in rituals and traditions that symbolize renewal and hope.

Memory Tip

Think of '年' (nián) as representing a 'year' with the image of a calendar turning over, and '初' (chū) meaning 'initial' or 'first'. Visualize the first pages of a fresh, new calendar marking the start of exciting opportunities.

Meanings of 年初

niánchū(nian2chu1)
1beginning of the year
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About 年初

年初Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

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Podcast: 年初

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AI Study Notes for 年初

Quick Contrast

年末 (niánmò) — use 年初 for the beginning of the year, while 年末 refers to the end of the year.

Usage Notes

When using 年初, be mindful that it is typically used in a formal context, such as in business planning or discussions about annual goals. A common mistake is to confuse it with '年末' (nián mò), which means 'end of the year'.

HSK Study Tips

While 年初 is not explicitly part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK level 3 themes of time and planning. Students should focus on understanding time-related vocabulary to enhance their ability to discuss plans and events.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 年初 with 年底 (nián dǐ), which means 'end of the year'. For example, saying '在年初我去旅行' (I travel at the end of the year) is incorrect; it should be '在年末我去旅行'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 年初

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Component Characters

年niányear
HSK 16 strokes干
View full entry
初chūat first
HSK 57 strokes刀
View full entry

How to say beginning of the year in Chinese

“beginning of the year” in Chinese is年初niánchū

年初 (nián chū) refers to the beginning of the year, often used to denote the early months when new beginnings and resolutions are typical. It is commonly used in contexts related to planning, resolutions, and annual events, such as '年初的计划' (plans for the beginning of the year).

When to use 年初

When using 年初, be mindful that it is typically used in a formal context, such as in business planning or discussions about annual goals. A common mistake is to confuse it with '年末' (nián mò), which means 'end of the year'.

年初 or something close to it

年末 (niánmò) — use 年初 for the beginning of the year, while 年末 refers to the end of the year.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 年初 with 年底 (nián dǐ), which means 'end of the year'. For example, saying '在年初我去旅行' (I travel at the end of the year) is incorrect; it should be '在年末我去旅行'.

Write 年初

年
初

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Frequently Asked Questions about 年初

No, 年初 can refer to the beginning of any calendar year, but it is often associated with the time following the Lunar New Year.

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