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岁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
岁
suì
years old
HSK 1, m, 6 strokes, radical 山, rank #309, Easy
岁
suì
classifier for years (of age)
HSK 1, m, 6 strokes, radical 山, rank #309, Easy
岁
suì
year
HSK 1, m, 6 strokes, radical 山, rank #309, Easy
岁
suì
year (of crop harvests)
HSK 1, m, 6 strokes, radical 山, rank #309, Easy
岁
suì
year; years old, age; harvest
HSK 1, m, 6 strokes, radical 山, rank #309, Easy
suì(sui4)sui T4
1years old
2classifier for years (of age)
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March 24, 2026
岁(嵗)suì(sui4)
The character 岁 (suì) primarily means 'year' and is commonly used to denote someone's age, such as 'I am 25 years old.' It can also refer to a year in terms of agricultural harvests. This character is often encountered in both formal and informal contexts when discussing age or time.
Strokes6Radical山Frequency#309DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, age is an important aspect of social interaction, often influencing respect and social hierarchy. The use of 岁 to indicate age reflects this cultural value, as age is often associated with wisdom and authority.
Memory tip
Imagine a tall mountain (山) with a tree (木) growing on it, representing the passing of years. The mountain signifies the stability of time, while the tree symbolizes growth and age. 'Suì' sounds like 'sway,' as the tree sways gently with the years.
Meanings of 岁
suì(sui4)
1years old
2classifier for years (of age)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 岁
岁Simplified
嵗Traditional
6Strokes
山Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#309Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 岁
Podcast: 岁
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AI study notes for 岁
Quick Contrast
年龄 (niánlíng) refers specifically to 'age' in a more general sense, while 岁 (suì) is used to denote age in years, particularly in counting. 岁 (suì) is often used in conjunction with a number to indicate someone's age, whereas 年龄 (niánlíng) can refer to age more abstractly.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 岁 (suì) with 年 (nián), which both mean 'year' but are used differently. 岁 is specifically used for age, while 年 can refer to any year. Remember to use the correct measure word when stating age: '我十岁' (Wǒ shí suì) means 'I am ten years old.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 岁 connects to other basic vocabulary related to time and age, such as 年 (nián) and 生日 (shēngrì, birthday). Focus on practicing sentences that express age and time using 岁 to reinforce your understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 岁 to refer to years in general instead of age. For example, saying '我有五岁' (Wǒ yǒu wǔ suì) is incorrect; it should be '我五岁' (Wǒ wǔ suì) without '有'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 岁
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Phonosemantic compound. 步 represents the meaning and 戉 represents the sound. The simplified character 岁 was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character 歲.
The character 岁 (suì) primarily means 'year' and is commonly used to denote someone's age, such as 'I am 25 years old.' It can also refer to a year in terms of agricultural harvests. This character is often encountered in both formal and informal contexts when discussing age or time.
When to use 岁
A common mistake is confusing 岁 (suì) with 年 (nián), which both mean 'year' but are used differently. 岁 is specifically used for age, while 年 can refer to any year. Remember to use the correct measure word when stating age: '我十岁' (Wǒ shí suì) means 'I am ten years old.'
岁 or something close to it
年龄 (niánlíng) refers specifically to 'age' in a more general sense, while 岁 (suì) is used to denote age in years, particularly in counting. 岁 (suì) is often used in conjunction with a number to indicate someone's age, whereas 年龄 (niánlíng) can refer to age more abstractly.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 岁 to refer to years in general instead of age. For example, saying '我有五岁' (Wǒ yǒu wǔ suì) is incorrect; it should be '我五岁' (Wǒ wǔ suì) without '有'.
Write 岁
岁
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Grammar patterns of 岁
岁 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Helen is also 25 and from Birmingham, but the similarity ends there.
5
他们的休闲服系列瞄准的是追求时髦的13到25岁青少年。
tāmen de xiūxián fú xìliè miáozhǔn de shì zhuīqiú shímáo de13 dào25 suì qīngshàonián。
Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
6
括号中的价格是年龄在18岁以下的消费者可以享受的特别优惠价。
kuòhào zhōng de jiàgé shì niánlíng zài18 suì yǐxià de xiāofèizhě kěyǐ xiǎngshòu de tèbié yōuhuì jià。
The prices in brackets are special rates for the under 18s.
7
他14岁起就知道自己日后干什么了。
tā14 suì qǐ jiù zhīdào zìjǐ rìhòu gànshénme le。
He knew what he wanted to do from the age of
8
对于两个七十几岁的人来说，这段路太远了。
duìyú liǎng gè qī shí jǐsuì de rén lái shuō， zhè duàn lù tài yuǎn le。
It's a long way to go for two people in their seventies.
9
15岁的丹尼从地方当局的收容所逃跑了。
15 suì de dān ní cóng dìfang dāng jú de shōu róng suǒ táopǎo le。
Fifteen-year-old Danny is on the run from a local authority home.
10
逝去的岁月让他们平添了几分魅力。
shì qù de suìyuè ràng tāmen píng tiān le jǐ fēn mèilì。
It infected them with some of the magic of a lost age.
11
我妹妹今年十岁了。
Wǒ mèimei jīnnián shí suì le.
My younger sister is ten years old this year.
12
你奶奶多大岁数了？
Nǐ nǎinai duō dà suìshu le?
How old is your grandmother?
myear4
13
我弟弟今年五岁了。
Wǒ dìdi jīnnián wǔ suì le.
My younger brother is five years old this year.
14
她的女儿两岁会说话。
Tā de nǚ'ér liǎng suì huì shuōhuà.
Her daughter could speak at two years old.
15
你几岁开始上学？
Nǐ jǐ suì kāishǐ shàngxué?
At what age did you start school?
16
这个比赛适合六岁以上的孩子。
Zhège bǐsài shìhé liù suì yǐshàng de háizi.
This competition is suitable for children over six years old.
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Cultural Notes for 岁
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, age is often stated in a more casual context, whereas in Chinese culture, age can carry significant social weight and influence interactions.
Word Family of 岁
Compounds4
秽huìdirty, unclean; immoral, obscene
刿guìto cut, to injure, to stab; to stick on
哕huìto belch; to vomit
翙huì
Words containing this character17
岁suìyear歲
万岁wànsuìYour Majesty萬歲
岁月suìyuèyears歲月
岁数suìshuage (number of years old)歲數
贺岁hèsuìto pay a New Year's visit賀歲
压岁钱yāsuìqiánmoney given to children as new year present壓歲錢
岁末suìmòend of the year歲末
太岁tàisuìTai Sui, God of the year太歲
年岁niánsuìage年歲
周岁zhōusuìone full year (e.g. on child's first birthday)週歲
守岁shǒusuìto see in the New Year守歲
虚岁xūsuìas opposed to 足歲|足岁[zúsuì]虛歲
去岁qùsuìlast year去歲
岁首suìshǒustart of the year歲首
岁暮suìmùend of the year歲暮
岁入suìrùannual revenue歲入
今岁jīnsuì(literary) this year今歲
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 岁
What does 秽 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 岁
You can ask '你几岁?' (Nǐ jǐ suì?), which means 'How old are you?'.
No, 岁 is specifically used to refer to age, while 年 (nián) is used for general years.
You would say '我三十岁' (Wǒ sānshí suì).
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