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来年 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
来年láiniánnext yearHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #29358, Very Hard
来年láiniánthe coming yearHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #29358, Very Hard
láinián(lai2nian2)lai nian T2
  1. 1next year
  2. 2the coming year
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March 24, 2026

来年(來年)láinián(lai2nian2)

来年 (lái nián) means 'next year' or 'the coming year' in Mandarin. It is commonly used when discussing future events or plans that will take place in the following year. This term can be utilized in both casual and formal contexts.

Strokes13Frequency#29358DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, planning for the next year is significant, especially around the Lunar New Year when families discuss goals and aspirations. The concept of 来年 is often tied to traditions and hopes for prosperity in the upcoming year.

Memory tip

Think of '来' (lái) as 'coming' and '年' (nián) as 'year'. Imagine a calendar page flipping to the next year, symbolizing what's 'coming' ahead. The sound 'lái' is similar to 'lie,' as in lying down in the future, which helps you remember it refers to something that will come soon.

Meanings of 来年

láinián(lai2nian2)
1next year
2the coming year
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About 来年

来年Simplified
來年Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 来年

Quick Contrast

明年 (míng nián) - use 明年 for 'next year' in the immediate sense, while 来年 emphasizes a more general future context.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is to confuse 来年 with 明年 (míng nián), which also means 'next year' but is more commonly used in conversation. Keep in mind that 来年 might feel slightly more formal. Ensure you use the correct tone; both characters are pronounced with the second tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 来年 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is relevant for learners at HSK 3 and above, as it involves talking about future events. Students should focus on using time-related vocabulary and constructing sentences that discuss future plans.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 来年 interchangeably with 明年. For example, saying '明年我搬家' (Míng nián wǒ bān jiā) instead of '来年我搬家' can confuse the listener if one intends to emphasize formality or the context of the discussion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 来年

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Component characters

来láito come
HSK 17 strokes木
View full entry
年niányear
HSK 16 strokes干
View full entry

How to say next year in Chinese

“next year” in Chinese is来年láinián

来年 (lái nián) means 'next year' or 'the coming year' in Mandarin. It is commonly used when discussing future events or plans that will take place in the following year. This term can be utilized in both casual and formal contexts.

When to use 来年

A common mistake is to confuse 来年 with 明年 (míng nián), which also means 'next year' but is more commonly used in conversation. Keep in mind that 来年 might feel slightly more formal. Ensure you use the correct tone; both characters are pronounced with the second tone.

来年 or something close to it

明年 (míng nián) - use 明年 for 'next year' in the immediate sense, while 来年 emphasizes a more general future context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 来年 interchangeably with 明年. For example, saying '明年我搬家' (Míng nián wǒ bān jiā) instead of '来年我搬家' can confuse the listener if one intends to emphasize formality or the context of the discussion.

Write 来年

来
年

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Frequently asked questions about 来年

You can say, '来年我打算去旅行' (Lái nián wǒ dǎsuàn qù lǚxíng), meaning 'Next year, I plan to travel.'

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