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March 24, 2026
去年qùnián(qu4nian2)
去年 (qùnián) means 'last year' and is used to refer to the calendar year preceding the current one. It is commonly used in conversation and writing to discuss past events, experiences, or timelines in relation to the present.
Frequency#1469DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussing the past year often involves reflecting on achievements or challenges, particularly around the Lunar New Year when people share their experiences from the previous year.
Memory Tip
Think of 去 (qù) as 'to go' and 年 (nián) as 'year'. Imagine going back in time to the previous year, hence 'last year'. Visualize a time machine that takes you to last year's important events.
Meanings of 去年
qùnián(qu4nian2)
1last year
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About 去年
去年Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#1469Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 去年
Podcast: 去年
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AI Study Notes for 去年
Quick Contrast
前年 (qiánnián) - use 去年 (qùnián) when referring specifically to the year immediately before the current one, not the year before that.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 去 (qù) as 'to go' and 年 (nián) as 'year'. Imagine going back in time to the previous year, hence 'last year'. Visualize a time machine that takes you to last year's important events.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 去年 with 今年 (jīnnián), which means 'this year'. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, such as discussing personal experiences or historical events. Remember that it is always used in the past tense.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 去年 connects with other time-related vocabulary such as 今年 (this year) and 明年 (next year). Focus on using these terms together in sentences to describe events in a timeline.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussing the past year often involves reflecting on achievements or challenges, particularly around the Lunar New Year when people share their experiences from the previous year.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to pair 去年 with a past verb, leading to sentences like '去年我去北京' without the necessary context. Always ensure your verb indicates a past action.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 去年
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Grammar Patterns of 去年
去年 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
The nation's unemployment rate has been climbing steadily since last June.
9
他们在去年选举中如此糟糕的表现并不奇怪。
tā mén zài qù nián xuǎn jǔ zhōng rú cǐ zāo gāo de biǎo xiàn bìng bù qí guài。
It is not surprising they did so badly in last year's elections.
10
我是个工厂工人，去年的总收入为12,900英镑。
wǒ shì gè gōng chǎng gōng rén， ， qù nián de zǒng shōu rù12,900 wéi 12,900。
I'm a factory worker who grossed £12,900 last year.
Cultural Notes for 去年
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussing the past year often involves reflecting on achievements or challenges, particularly around the Lunar New Year when people share their experiences from the previous year.
Frequently Asked Questions about 去年
You can say, '去年我去了北京' (Last year, I went to Beijing).
Yes, 去年 can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
