Chinese word

年初

Pronunciation

Pinyinnián chū

Meaning

  • nounbeginning of the year

Example

年初公司举办了聚会。nián chū gōng sī jǔ bàn le jù huì

The company held a party at the beginning of the year.

Illustration for 年初 (beginning of the year)

More examples

工厂一般在年初检修设备。gōng chǎng yì bān zài nián chū jiǎn xiū shè bèi

The factory usually inspects and repairs its equipment at the beginning of the year.

Core concept

A calendar year viewed at its earliest point, when its first days and weeks are still unfolding.

Common phrases

  • 每到年初měi dào nián chū

    at the start of each year

  • 在年初举行zài nián chū jǔ xíng

    be held at the beginning of the year

  • 年初之后nián chū zhī hòu

    after the beginning of the year

Similar words

新年xīn nián: The beginning period of the new year as the old year gives way to it.
春节chūn jié: A major traditional festival held for the beginning of the lunar year.
元旦yuán dàn: January 1, the date that starts the Gregorian year.

Definition in Chinese

指一年的开始阶段，通常指公历新年后的最初几天或最初数周。zhǐ yì nián de kāi shǐ jiē duàn tōng cháng zhǐ gōng lì xīn nián hòu de zuì chū jǐ tiān huò zuì chū shù zhōu

Word origin

年初 (niánchū, "beginning of the year") is formed from 年 (nián, "year") and 初 (chū, "first"), linking the idea of a year with its first stage.

Usage tips

  • The word can cover several opening weeks, so it suits statements about plans or deadlines without identifying an exact date.

Opposites

Related words

  • 年初一nián chū yīLunar New Year's Daynoun
  • 年初二nián chū èrsecond day of the Lunar New Yearnoun

Word lists with this word