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岁月 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
岁月suìyuèyearsHSK 6, t, 10 strokes, rank #7843, Hard
岁月suìyuètimeHSK 6, t, 10 strokes, rank #7843, Hard
suìyuè(sui4yue4)sui yue T4
  1. 1years
  2. 2time
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March 24, 2026

岁月(歲月)suìyuè(sui4yue4)

岁月 (suìyuè) refers to the passage of years and time, often evoking a sense of nostalgia or reflection on the past. It is commonly used in both literary contexts and everyday speech to express the idea of time passing and its impact on life and experiences.

Strokes10Frequency#7843DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 岁月 is often associated with the idea of filial piety and the importance of honoring one’s ancestors, reflecting on how time shapes familial relationships and values across generations.

Memory tip

Imagine a tree growing over the years (岁), as its rings represent the passage of time (月). Each ring tells a story of the seasons, much like how岁月 captures the essence of life’s journey through time.

Meanings of 岁月

suìyuè(sui4yue4)
1years
2time
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 岁月

岁月Simplified
歲月Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#7843Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 岁月

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Podcast: 岁月

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AI study notes for 岁月

Quick Contrast

光阴 (guāngyīn) - use 岁月 when emphasizing the emotional or reflective aspects of time, whereas 光阴 often highlights the fleeting nature of time.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 岁月, as it often carries a poetic or reflective tone. Avoid using it in overly casual settings, and remember that it typically pairs with expressions about life experiences or memories, such as '流逝的岁月' (the years that have passed).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 岁月 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to time and life experiences. Focus on using it in sentences that discuss personal growth or reflections on the past to enhance your understanding and usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 岁月 with 时间 (shíjiān), thinking they are interchangeable. However, 岁月 carries a connotation of nostalgia, while 时间 is more neutral. For example, saying '我喜欢岁月' (I like years) sounds awkward; instead, use '我喜欢时间' for neutrality.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 岁月

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Component characters

岁suìyears old
HSK 16 strokes山
View full entry
月yuèmoon
HSK 14 strokes月
View full entry

How to say years in Chinese

“years” in Chinese is岁月suìyuè

岁月 (suìyuè) refers to the passage of years and time, often evoking a sense of nostalgia or reflection on the past. It is commonly used in both literary contexts and everyday speech to express the idea of time passing and its impact on life and experiences.

When to use 岁月

Be mindful of the context in which you use 岁月, as it often carries a poetic or reflective tone. Avoid using it in overly casual settings, and remember that it typically pairs with expressions about life experiences or memories, such as '流逝的岁月' (the years that have passed).

岁月 or something close to it

光阴 (guāngyīn) - use 岁月 when emphasizing the emotional or reflective aspects of time, whereas 光阴 often highlights the fleeting nature of time.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 岁月 with 时间 (shíjiān), thinking they are interchangeable. However, 岁月 carries a connotation of nostalgia, while 时间 is more neutral. For example, saying '我喜欢岁月' (I like years) sounds awkward; instead, use '我喜欢时间' for neutrality.

Write 岁月

岁
月

Practice writing 岁月 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 岁月

岁月 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

逝去的____让他们平添了几分魅力。

It infected them with some of the magic of a lost age.

Example sentences for 岁月 (10)

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1
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.
2
他们互相关心,关系牢固,这才熬过了艰难岁月。

tāmen hùxiāng guānxīn, guānxì láogù, zhè cái áo guò le jiānnán suìyuè。

The warmth and strength of their relationship carried them through difficult times.
3
这次胜利勾起了他对往昔那些夺冠岁月的美好回忆。

zhè cì shènglì Gōu qǐ le tā duì wǎng Xī nàxiē duóguàn suìyuè de měihǎo huíyì。

The win revived glorious memories of his championship-winning days.
4
他描述了被俘4个月里挣扎求生的艰难岁月。

tā miáoshù le bèi fú4 gè yuè lǐ zhēngzhá qiú shēng de jiānnán suìyuè。

He described the difficulties of surviving for four months as a captive.
5
岁月催人老。

suìyuè cuī rén lǎo。

Old age beckons.
6
那老人脸就是岁月的写照.

nà lǎorén liǎn jiùshì suìyuè de xiězhào.

The old man's face is a map of time.
7
历经岁月淘洗,某些文章终成经典。

lìjīng suìyuè táo xǐ, mǒu xiē wénzhāng zhōng chéng jīngdiǎn。

Time has winnowed out certain of the essays as superior.
8
无数的是非颠倒使过去的岁月伤痕累累。

wúshù de shìfēi diāndǎo shǐ guòqù de suìyuè shānghén lèi lèi。

The past has been scarred by countless perversions of justice.
9
以后的长久的岁月只是无终局的苦刑.

yǐhòu de chángjiǔ de suìyuè zhǐshì wú zhōng jú de kǔ xíng.

In the long years ahead there would be only endless pain and misery.
10
随着岁月的流逝,他觉得受困于婚姻的某些现实问题。

suízhe suìyuè de liúshì, tā juéde shòu kùn yú hūnyīn de mǒu xiē xiànshí wèntí。

As the years passed he felt trapped by certain realities of marriage.

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Frequently asked questions about 岁月

You can say '岁月如歌', which means 'Time flows like a song', to express how time is both beautiful and transient.

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