Chinese word

纪念日

Pronunciation

Pinyinjì niàn rì

Meaning

  • nounanniversary

Example

我们要庆祝这个纪念日。wǒ men yào qìng zhù zhè ge jì niàn rì

We are going to celebrate this anniversary.

Illustration for 纪念日 (anniversary)

More examples

他们在纪念日互送礼物。tā men zài jì niàn rì hù sòng lǐ wù

They exchange gifts on their anniversary.

Core concept

A marked date brings a person or event back to mind each year or at another set time, for celebration or remembrance.

Common phrases

  • 结婚纪念日jié hūn jì niàn rì

    wedding anniversary

  • 周年纪念日zhōu nián jì niàn rì

    anniversary

  • 纪念日礼物jì niàn rì lǐ wù

    anniversary gift

Similar words

生日shēng rì: A yearly celebration of the date when a person was born.
节日jié rì: A day that many people celebrate because of tradition, religion, or custom.
周年zhōu nián: A date observed when a set number of years has passed since an event.
忌日jì rì: A yearly day of remembrance for someone who has died.

Definition in Chinese

为纪念某人或某事而设定的日子，常在周年或特定时点重复举行，既可用于庆祝也可用于缅怀。wèi jì niàn mǒu rén huò mǒu shì ér shè dìng de rì zi cháng zài zhōu nián huò tè dìng shí diǎn chóng fù jǔ xíng jì kě yòng yú qìng zhù yě kě yòng yú miǎn huái

Word origin

纪 (jì, "record") + 念 (niàn, "keep in mind") + 日 (rì, "day") forms a date set aside for keeping someone or something in memory.

Usage tips

  • English anniversary often suggests a happy milestone, but this Chinese word also covers solemn occasions, so surrounding words show whether the event is festive or mournful.

Other meanings

  • memorial daynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word