June 12, 2026 · 星期五
The Twelve Animals
十二生肖· year
Today’s episode with Jason & AmyThe Twelve Animals symbolize different traits and influence cultural traditions.
The Twelve Animals
十二生肖shí èr shēng xiāo
The Twelve Animals, known as 十二生肖 (shí èr shēngxiào), play a significant role in Chinese culture. This ancient system assigns an animal to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle, starting with the Rat and concluding with the Pig. Each animal is believed to represent certain personality traits and, in some traditions, influence the events of the year. The Year of the Horse, which 2026 falls under, is associated with energy, independence, and enthusiasm.
This system, deeply rooted in Chinese folklore, is more than just a calendar. It influences various aspects of Chinese life, from astrology to cultural expressions. People often identify with their birth year's animal, believing it impacts their personality and destiny. For example, those born in the Year of the Horse are thought to be active and free-spirited.
Today, June 12, 2026, is a part of the Year of the Horse, making it a perfect time to reflect on how these animals influence culture and personal identity. The word 年 (nián) not only means 'year' but also signifies the passage of time in the shēngxiào cycle. Understanding the Twelve Animals can offer insights into cultural traditions and personal characteristics, enriching one's appreciation of Chinese culture.
The Twelve Animals symbolize different traits and influence cultural traditions.
今年是马年。
Jīnnián shì mǎ nián.
This year is the Year of the Horse.
- Traditional almanac / Public record — The cycle and characteristics are well-documented in cultural references.
Jason & Amy on 年
Podcast: Daily Chinese: 年 — The Twelve Animals
Jason & Amy on 年 and The Twelve Animals
New here?
这是新年。
Zhè shì xīnnián.
This is New Year.
A simple sentence using 年 to indicate 'year'.
每年都有不同。
Měinián dōu yǒu bùtóng.
Every year is different.
Shows the use of 年 to describe annual change.
今年是马年。
Jīnnián shì mǎ nián.
This year is the Year of the Horse.
Connects the current year to the zodiac animal.
根据生肖，马年的人很活跃。
Gēnjù shēngxiào, mǎ nián de rén hěn huóyuè.
According to the zodiac, people born in the Year of the Horse are very active.
Uses 年 in a nuanced context related to personality traits.
Using 年 to indicate time
今年 + 是 + [Animal]年
This structure is used to specify the zodiac year in which the current year falls.
Use this pattern to state the zodiac animal of the current year.
今年是兔年。
jīn nián shì tù nián
This year is the Year of the Rabbit.
今年是龙年。
jīn nián shì lóng nián
This year is the Year of the Dragon.
今年是狗年。
jīn nián shì gǒu nián
This year is the Year of the Dog.
What does 年 mean?
How is 年 pronounced?
How do you write "surname Nian" in Chinese?
Listen. What does the sentence mean?
这是新___。
这是新年。 — What does this sentence mean?
Which animal is believed to symbolize independence in the Chinese zodiac?
Arrange into a correct sentence
Frequently asked questions about the word 年
'Last year' is '去年' (qùnián).
The character is still '年' (nián) in both simplified and traditional Chinese.
'年' can also refer to a person's age or be used in the context of harvests.
Today's Mandarin word: 年 (nián) — year.
Learn it on Mandarin Temple's Dragon Daily 🐉