time noun / adverb HSK 2
měi nián
every year · each year · annually

Meaning

每年 is a time expression meaning 'every year' or 'annually.' It's formed by combining 每 (each/every) with 年 (year). This word is used to describe actions, events, or situations that happen once per year or on a yearly basis.

Usage

每年 typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb to indicate annual frequency. It's common in both spoken and written Chinese. Native speakers use it to talk about yearly traditions, annual events, or recurring situations. Can be followed by specific time details like 每年春天 (every spring) or 每年的这个时候 (this time every year).

Examples

  1. 01
    每年都回家过春节。
    měi nián dōu huí jiā guò Chūn Jié.
    I go home every year to celebrate Spring Festival.
  2. 02
    这个城市每年吸引上百万游客。
    Zhège chéngshì měi nián xīyǐn shàng bǎi wàn yóukè.
    This city attracts millions of tourists every year.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 每年一次
    měi nián
    once a year
  • 每年
    měi nián dōu
    every year (without fail)
  • 每年春节
    měi nián Chūn Jié
    every Spring Festival

Origin

Straightforward compound of 每 (every) + 年 (year), following the common Chinese pattern of 每 + time unit to express regular recurrence.

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