过年 guònián to celebrate the Chinese New Year
How to remember 过年: 过 to cross + 年 year = to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Characters
How it is used
- To celebrate Chinese New Year / see in the new year - 回家过年 (huíjiā guònián) go home for the Spring Festival.
- Verb-object compound, so it splits: 过了个好年 (guò le ge hǎo nián) had a good new year.
- Refers to the festivities and the whole holiday period, not just the date; the festival itself is 春节 (Chūnjié).
Example sentences
- 过年吃饺子是一个传统。 Guònián chī jiǎozi shì yí gè chuántǒng.Eating dumplings is a Chinese New Year's tradition.