年画

年畫

niánhuà

noun HSK 7

Measure Word

一张年画 zhāng

Meanings

1 New Year picture; Spring Festival print

Characters

picture; painting

Literally 'New Year picture' — colorful prints hung during Spring Festival for good luck and festive decoration.

Examples

过年的时候，家家户户都贴年画。

Guònián de shíhou, jiājiā-hùhù dōu tiē niánhuà.

During Spring Festival, every household puts up New Year pictures.

这幅年画上画着一个胖娃娃抱鲤鱼。

Zhè fú niánhuà shàng huà zhe yí gè pàng wáwa bào lǐyú.

This New Year picture shows a chubby baby holding a carp.

Tips

culture

The most classic 年画 image is a chubby child holding a fish — symbolizing 年年有余 (niánnián yǒu yú, 'abundance year after year'). Tianjin's 杨柳青 (Yángliǔqīng) is the most famous center for traditional New Year prints, with a history going back to the Ming Dynasty.

Stroke Order

年 nián

画 huà