July 2, 2026 · 星期四
The Twelve Animals
十二生肖· year
Today’s episode with Jason & AmyThe Chinese zodiac is not just astrology; it is a cultural tradition that influences festivals, relationships, and self-identity.
The Twelve Animals
十二生肖shí èr shēng xiāo
The Twelve Animals, known in Chinese as 十二生肖 (shí èr shēngxiào), is a fascinating aspect of Chinese culture and astrology. This system assigns each year in a twelve-year cycle an animal, starting with the Rat and concluding with the Pig. The cycle is believed to influence personality traits, compatibility, and even fortunes of individuals born in each animal's year. The 十二生肖 system is deeply rooted in Chinese folklore and mythology, with each animal carrying its own stories and symbolism.
The origins of the Chinese zodiac are shrouded in legend, one popular version being the Great Race organized by the Jade Emperor[1]. In this tale, the order of the animals was determined by their arrival at the emperor's party. The Rat, clever and resourceful, secured the first position by hitching a ride on the Ox and jumping off just before the finish line. Each animal in the zodiac has characteristics associated with it, and these are believed to influence the personalities of people born under that sign. For instance, those born in the Year of the Horse, like 2026, are often seen as energetic, independent, and confident.
The Twelve Animals are not only a cultural symbol but also play a role in daily life and festivities. During Chinese New Year, many people wear red or carry charms of their zodiac animal for good luck. Compatibility between zodiac signs is also considered when forming relationships, whether romantic, business, or friendship. While modern society may not rely on the zodiac as much as in ancient times, it remains a cherished tradition that adds a layer of cultural richness to Chinese society. Understanding the 十二生肖 provides insight into how deeply interconnected culture and belief systems can influence daily life and traditions in China.
The Chinese zodiac is not just astrology; it is a cultural tradition that influences festivals, relationships, and self-identity.
2026年是马年。
2026 nián shì mǎ nián.
2026 is the Year of the Horse.
- [1] 《中国古代神话》 Chinese Mythology, a collection of myths and legends including the story of the Great Race.
Jason & Amy on 年
Podcast: Daily Chinese: 年 — The Twelve Animals
Jason & Amy on 年 and The Twelve Animals
New here?
今天是新年。
Jīntiān shì xīnnián.
Today is New Year.
This sentence uses the word '年' to refer to the year.
今年是什么年？
Jīnnián shì shénme nián?
What year is it this year?
Asking about the current zodiac year.
他出生在龙年。
Tā chūshēng zài lóng nián.
He was born in the Year of the Dragon.
Describes a birth year using the zodiac.
年复一年，他的决心从未动摇。
Nián fù yī nián, tā de juéxīn cóng wèi dòngyáo.
Year after year, his determination never wavered.
Uses '年' abstractly to express time passing.
Using '是' to indicate identity or attributes
是 + noun
The verb '是' is used to equate two nouns, often to indicate identity or attribute.
Use '是' to state facts or identify something.
他是老师。
Tā shì lǎoshī.
He is a teacher.
这是苹果。
Zhè shì píngguǒ.
This is an apple.
她是我的朋友。
Tā shì wǒ de péngyǒu.
She is my friend.
What does 年 mean?
How is 年 pronounced?
How do you write "year" in Chinese?
Listen. What does the sentence mean?
每___都有新希望。(Every ___ brings new hope.)
今年是虎年。 — What does this sentence mean?
Which animal is NOT part of 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 🐉