If your child can count to ten in Mandarin but freezes when someone asks “What year is it?” or “How was school this year?”, you’re not alone. “year in chinese” sounds simple, but kids often mix up 年 (year) with 岁 (age), or they know the word but don’t know how to use it in a real sentence.
This 2026 cheat list is built for busy parents: quick phrases your child will actually hear at school, with short examples you can practice in the car or at dinner. You’ll learn the one rule for reading years like 2026年, the top “this year/last year/next year” phrases, and a few mini-dialogues that make speaking feel less scary.
how to say 2026年 and any years in chinese
In Mandarin, years are usually read digit by digit, then add 年 (nián).
2026年 = 二零二六年 (èr líng èr liù nián)
don’t over-teach this. Say it once, have your child repeat it once, then move on to the phrases below. Confidence beats perfection.
How do you say any years in Chinese?
Year (Number) | Chinese (digit-by-digit) | Pinyin (digit-by-digit) | English meaning | Quick “say-it” hint |
1998 | 一九九八年 | yī jiǔ jiǔ bā nián | year 1998 | “one-nine-nine-eight year” |
2005 | 二零零五年 | èr líng líng wǔ nián | year 2005 | “two-zero-zero-five year” |
2010 | 二零一零年 | èr líng yī líng nián | year 2010 | “two-zero-one-zero year” |
2016 | 二零一六年 | èr líng yī liù nián | year 2016 | “two-zero-one-six year” |
2020 | 二零二零年 | èr líng èr líng nián | year 2020 | “two-zero-two-zero year” |
2024 | 二零二四年 | èr líng èr sì nián | year 2024 | “two-zero-two-four year” |
2026 | 二零二六年 | èr líng èr liù nián | year 2026 | “two-zero-two-six year” |
2030 | 二零三零年 | èr líng sān líng nián | year 2030 | “two-zero-three-zero year” |
2035 | 二零三五年 | èr líng sān wǔ nián | year 2035 | “two-zero-three-five year” |
many kids understand these numbers but won’t speak because they need guided, low-stress conversation practice. If you’d like a structured way to build speaking confidence , a short trial lesson can help—LingoAce’s Chinese classes are designed around real conversation prompts, feedback on pronunciation, and age-appropriate pacing. You can book a trial class as a next step when your child is ready to practice with a teacher.
A quick “year in chinese” table you can screenshot
Phrase | Pinyin | What it means | When you’ll use it | One kid-friendly example |
年 | nián | year | talking about years in general | 我喜欢这一年。 (I like this year.) |
今年 | jīnnián | this year | current year plans/school | 今年我们学中文。 |
明年 | míngnián | next year | future plans | 明年我想去夏令营。 |
去年 | qùnián | last year | past events | 去年我学了很多。 |
每年 | měinián | every year | routines/traditions | 我们每年回外婆家。 |
The 25 most-used “year in chinese” phrases
The “top 5” you’ll say constantly
1) 年 (nián) — year Why it matters: This is the core word you’ll see on forms, calendars, and school notes. Try it: 这一年很忙。 (This year has been busy.)
2) 今年 (jīnnián) — this year Why it matters: Kids hear it in simple questions: “How are you doing this year?” Example: 今年我在三年级。 (This year I’m in third grade.)
3) 明年 (míngnián) — next year Why it matters: Great for goals and plans (sports, camps, classes). Example: 明年我想学游泳。 (Next year I want to learn swimming.)
4) 去年 (qùnián) — last year Why it matters: Helps kids tell stories and reflect (“last year I…”). Example: 去年我参加了比赛。 (Last year I joined a competition.)
5) 每年 (měinián) — every year Why it matters: Builds routine language: every year, every summer, every winter. Example: 我们每年都做月饼。 (Every year we make mooncakes.)
School, growing up, and family routines
6) 新年 (xīnnián) — New Year Why it matters: Kids will hear it around winter break and family gatherings. Example: 新年快乐！ (Happy New Year!)
7) 过年 (guònián) — to celebrate the New Year Why it matters: A super common family verb—more natural than “celebrate.” Example: 我们回家过年。 (We go home to celebrate New Year.)
8) 学年 (xuénián) — school year / academic year Why it matters: Shows up in school communications and schedules. Example: 这个学年我学得更认真。 (This school year I study more seriously.)
9) 一年级 / 二年级 / 三年级… (…niánjí) — grade level Why it matters: Kids get asked this all the time by relatives and friends. Example: 你今年几年级？我今年四年级。 (What grade are you this year? I’m in fourth.)
10) 这一年 (zhè yì nián) — this year (as a whole period) Why it matters: Useful for “overall” feelings, not just the calendar. Example: 这一年我交了新朋友。 (This year I made new friends.)
Planning and “time markers” that sound natural
11) 明年见 (míngnián jiàn) — see you next year Why it matters: Short, friendly, and easy for kids to say. Example: 祝你假期愉快，明年见！ (Have a great break, see you next year!)
12) 去年这个时候 (qùnián zhège shíhou) — this time last year Why it matters: Makes storytelling richer with one phrase. Example: 去年这个时候我们在海边。 (This time last year we were by the ocean.)
13) 年底 (niándǐ) — end of the year Why it matters: Useful for school deadlines and family plans. Example: 年底我们要去旅行。 (At the end of the year we’ll travel.)
14) 年初 (niánchū) — beginning of the year Why it matters: Pairs naturally with 年底 for simple timelines. Example: 年初我定了一个小目标。 (At the start of the year I set a small goal.)
15) 在2026年… (zài èr líng èr liù nián…) — in 2026 Why it matters: Helps with writing and speaking: “In 2026, I will…” Example: 在2026年，我想把中文说得更自然。 (In 2026, I want my Chinese to sound more natural.)
Mini-dialogues kids can actually say
21) 今年你几岁？今年我___岁。 Why it matters: This is where many kids mix 年 and 岁. Remember: 年 = year, 岁 = age. Practice: 今年你几岁？今年我九岁。 (How old are you this year? I’m nine.)
22) 今年你喜欢什么？今年我喜欢___。 Why it matters: Easy “this year” talk without heavy grammar. Example: 今年我喜欢画画。 (This year I like drawing.)
23) 明年我们去___吧。 Why it matters: Turns “next year” into a fun planning sentence. Example: 明年我们去迪士尼吧。 (Next year let’s go to Disneyland.)
24) 去年我学会了___。 Why it matters: Builds confidence through “I can say a full sentence!” Example: 去年我学会了骑自行车。 (Last year I learned to ride a bike.)
25) 今年是什么年？2026年是二零二六年。 Why it matters: A simple “what year is it?” pattern your child can answer. Example: 今年是什么年？2026年是二零二六年。 (What year is it? It’s 2026.)
FAQ: year in chinese
How do you say “year in chinese”? The most common word is 年 (nián). In everyday talk, you’ll often hear it inside phrases like 今年 (this year) or 明年 (next year).
How do you say “this year / last year / next year” in Chinese? 今年 (jīnnián) = this year, 去年 (qùnián) = last year, 明年 (míngnián) = next year. These three cover most kid conversations.
How do you read 2026年 in Chinese? Usually digit by digit: 2026年 = 二零二六年 (èr líng èr liù nián).
What’s the difference between 年 and 岁? 年 means “year” (time). 岁 means “years old” (age). So “How old are you this year?” is 今年你几岁？
What’s the Chinese order for writing dates? A common format is Year–Month–Day, using 年 / 月 / 日 (or 号), like: 2026年3月13日.
Conclusion
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
年 (nián) is the word for year, and the “big three” are 今年 / 明年 / 去年.
Years like 2026年 are usually read digit by digit: 二零二六年.
Don’t let 年 and 岁 blur together: 今年你几岁？ uses 岁 for age, not 年.
If you’d like your child to go from “I know the words” to “I can answer without freezing,” consider a guided speaking routine. A LingoAce trial class can give you a clear sense of your child’s level and what to practice next—without you having to play teacher at home.
