年画

年畫

niánhuà

noun HSK 7-9

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

HSK 7-9

过年的时候，家家户户都贴年画。

Guònián de shíhou, jiājiāhùhù dōu tiē niánhuà.

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

HSK 7-9

这幅年画上画着一个胖娃娃抱鲤鱼。

Zhè fú niánhuà shàng huà zhe yīgè 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