Chinese word

年画

Pronunciation

Pinyinnián huà

Meaning

  • nounnew year picture

Example

商店里卖很多年画。shāng diàn lǐ mài hěn duō nián huà

The store sells many new year pictures.

Illustration for 年画 (new year picture)

More examples

春节时，人们常在门上贴年画。chūn jié shí rén men cháng zài mén shàng tiē nián huà

During the Spring Festival, people often put up new year pictures on their doors.

Core concept

A seasonal decorative image displayed at home to mark the start of a new year.

Common phrases

  • 收藏年画shōu cáng nián huà

    collect new year pictures

  • 贴年画tiē nián huà

    put up new year pictures

  • 年画展nián huà zhǎn

    new year picture exhibition

Similar words

春联chūn lián: A pair of paper strips with auspicious words posted on both sides of a doorway.
福字fú zì: A decorative good-fortune character written on paper or cloth as a wish for happiness.
门神mén shén: A picture of a warrior or deity placed on a doorway to guard against evil spirits.
灯笼dēng lóng: A red paper or cloth lantern hung during the New Year for light or decoration.

Definition in Chinese

作为迎春装饰的绘画作品，传统以木版年画为主，现代也常见印刷或海报化的图样。zuò wéi yíng chūn zhuāng shì de huì huà zuò pǐn chuán tǒng yǐ mù bǎn nián huà wéi zhǔ xiàn dài yě cháng jiàn yìn shuā huò hǎi bào huà de tú yàng

Word origin

The name 年画 (niánhuà, "New Year picture") joins 年 (nián, "year") with 画 (huà, "picture"), reflecting its origin as a folk print made for New Year celebrations.

Usage tips

  • The word remains suitable when the design is a modern commercial print, so it does not require an old-fashioned woodblock style.

Other meanings

  • new year decorationnoun

Related words

  • 年画家nián huà jiānew year picture artistnoun
  • 年画展nián huà zhǎnnew year picture exhibitionnoun
  • 年画收藏nián huà shōu cángnew year picture collectionnoun

Word lists with this word