Chinese Conversation · Level 1
86 words
Chinese word
新
Pronunciation
Pinyinxīn
Meaning
- adjectivenew
Example
这件衣服是新的。zhè jiàn yī fú shì xīn de
This item of clothing is new.
More examples
我们家每年都过新年。wǒ men jiā měi nián dōu guò xīn nián
My family celebrates New Year every year.
Core concept
A thing or idea has become fresh, different, or closer to the present than what came before.
Common phrases
过新年guò xīn nián
celebrate New Year
买新书mǎi xīn shū
buy new books
穿新衣服chuān xīn yī fú
wear new clothes
Similar words
新的xīn de: Describes something that is unused or in brand-new condition.
Definition in Chinese
表示从旧状态改变为新的状态，或指在时间上靠近现在、比以前更新的事物或想法。biǎo shì cóng jiù zhuàng tài gǎi biàn wéi xīn de zhuàng tài huò zhǐ zài shí jiān shàng kào jìn xiàn zài bǐ yǐ qián gēng xīn de shì wù huò xiáng fǎ
Word origin
新 (xīn, "new") combines 亲 (qīn, "close"), which mainly supplies the sound, with 斤 (jīn, "axe"), linked to cutting wood, and the character later came to express newness.
Usage tips
- English speakers often connect new only with an unused object, but this Chinese adjective also describes recent changes in plans, methods, and other nonphysical things.