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新 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
新xīnnewHSK 1, a, 13 strokes, radical 斤, rank #229, Easy
新xīnabbr. for Xinjiang 新疆[Xīn jiāng] or Singapore 新加坡[Xīn jiā pō]HSK 1, a, 13 strokes, radical 斤, rank #229, Easy
新xīnnewlyHSK 1, a, 13 strokes, radical 斤, rank #229, Easy
新xīnmeso- (chemistry)HSK 1, a, 13 strokes, radical 斤, rank #229, Easy
新xīnnew, recent, fresh, modernHSK 1, a, 13 strokes, radical 斤, rank #229, Easy
新xīnabbr. for Xinjiang 新疆[Xin1 jiang1] or Singapore 新加坡[Xin1 jia1 po1]HSK 1, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 斤, rank #229, Easy
新xīnsurname XinHSK 1, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 斤, rank #229, Easy
xīn(xin1) T1
  1. 1new
  2. 2abbr. for Xinjiang 新疆[Xīn jiāng] or Singapore 新加坡[Xīn jiā pō]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
新xīn(xin1)

The character 新 (xīn) means 'new' or 'recent' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to describe things that are fresh, modern, or recently created, making it a versatile term in everyday language. You might encounter it in contexts relating to new products, experiences, or ideas.

Strokes13Radical斤Frequency#229DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

新 is prominently used in celebrations like the Spring Festival (春节, Chūnjié), where it symbolizes new beginnings and hope for the coming year. It reflects the cultural importance of renewal and fresh starts in Chinese tradition.

Memory Tip

Imagine a brand new 'shin' (sounds like xīn) shining brightly under the sun. The character 新 has a radical that resembles a sprouting plant, symbolizing new growth and beginnings. Picture planting a seed to grow something new and fresh.

Meanings of 新

xīn(xin1)
1new
2abbr. for Xinjiang 新疆[Xīn jiāng] or Singapore 新加坡[Xīn jiā pō]
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 新

新Simplified
13Strokes
斤Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#229Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 新

JasonAmy

Podcast: 新

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AI Study Notes for 新

Quick Contrast

新 (xīn) vs 最新 (zuì xīn) — use 新 for general 'new', while 最新 specifically means 'latest' or 'most recent'.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a brand new 'shin' (sounds like xīn) shining brightly under the sun. The character 新 has a radical that resembles a sprouting plant, symbolizing new growth and beginnings. Picture planting a seed to grow something new and fresh.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 新 (xīn), as the first tone is crucial for correct meaning. It is often used in compound words such as 新年 (xīnnián, New Year) or 新鲜 (xīnxiān, fresh). Avoid confusing it with 旧 (jiù), which means 'old.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 2 word, 新 connects with other basic vocabulary related to time and quality. Students should focus on using it in simple sentences and phrases. Practice combining 新 with other words to expand vocabulary, like 新的 (xīn de, new) and 新颖 (xīnyǐng, novel).

Cultural Note

新 is prominently used in celebrations like the Spring Festival (春节, Chūnjié), where it symbolizes new beginnings and hope for the coming year. It reflects the cultural importance of renewal and fresh starts in Chinese tradition.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 新 (xīn) with 旧 (jiù) and mistakenly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '这本书是新' (Zhè běn shū shì xīn) when referring to an old book is incorrect; instead, it should be '这本书是旧的' (Zhè běn shū shì jiù de).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 新

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Etymology of 新

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 斤 represents the meaning and 辛 represents the sound. The 木 (wood) component was added later. Based on the original meaning "firewood", now written as 薪. The current meaning "new" is a phonetic loan.

Memory Hint

A freshly chopped 斤 tree 亲

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 新?

Decomposition of 新

IDS Structure⿰亲斤
新Full Character
=
亲qin1
left
斤jin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 新?

Write 新

新

Practice writing 新 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 新

新 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

____书包很好看。

The new backpack looks great.

Example Sentences for 新 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我一直乐于尝试新产品。

wǒ yī zhí lè yú cháng shì xīn chǎn pǐn。

I'm always pleased to try out a new variety.
2
我一直坚持用新鲜水果做甜点。

wǒ yī zhí jiān chí yòng xīn xiān shuǐ guǒ zuò tián diǎn。

I tend to stick to fresh fruit for pudding.
3
日新月异的世界使这家公司感到了压力。

rì xīn yuè yì de shì jiè shǐ zhè jiā gōng sī gǎn dào le yā lì。

A changing world has put pressures on the corporation.
4
这家公司生产一系列的新型轻便自行车。

zhè jiā gōng sī shēng chǎn yī xì liè de xīn xíng qīng biàn zì háng chē。

The company manufactures a range of innovative light-weight cycles.
5
1981年，新型的日产汽车平均每升汽油能跑13千米。

1981 1981， nián ， xīn xíng de rì chǎn qì chē píng jūn měi shēng qì yóu13 néng pǎo。

New Japanese cars averaged 13 km to the litre in
6
我用短波收音机收听最新的战事新闻。

wǒ yòng duǎn bō shōu yīn jī shōu tīng zuì xīn de zhàn shì xīn wén。

I use the short-wave radio to get the latest war news.
7
军官们打算重新夺回该市的防御区。

jūn guān mén dǎ suàn zhòng xīn duó huí gāi shì de fáng yù qū。

Officers were going to retake sectors of the city.
8
新的购物中心耗资110万建成。

xīn de gòu wù zhōng xīn hào zī110 110 wàn jiàn。

The new shopping centre was constructed at a cost of 1 million.
9
应该让母亲来重新安排自己紧张的日程。

yīng gāi ràng mǔ qīn lái zhòng xīn ān pái zì jǐ jǐn zhāng de rì chéng。

It is the mother who is expected to reorganize her busy schedule.
10
这些钱根本不够用来开始全新的生活。

zhè xiē qián gēn běn bù gòu yòng lái kāi shǐ quán xīn de shēng huó。

It's just not enough money to start life over.

Cultural Notes for 新

🏮Cultural insight

新 is prominently used in celebrations like the Spring Festival (春节, Chūnjié), where it symbolizes new beginnings and hope for the coming year. It reflects the cultural importance of renewal and fresh starts in Chinese tradition.

Word Family of 新

Compounds2
薪xin1fuel
噺
Words Containing This Character20
新xīnnew
重新chóngxīnagain
新闻xīnwénnews新聞
新华社Xinhua News Agency新華社
创新chuàngxīninnovation創新
最新latest
新鲜xīnxiānfreshness新鮮
新浪Sina, Chinese web portal and online media company
全新quánxīnall new
新年xīnniánNew Year
新娘xīnniángbride
更新gēngxīnto renew
新人xīnrénnewcomer
新型xīnxíngnew type
新疆Xinjiang
清新qīngxīnQingxin county in Qingyuan 清远, Guangdong
新生xīnshēngnew
新华网Xinhua News Network新華網
新加坡Singapore
新增newly added
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 薪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 新

You can say '我买了一个新的手机' (Wǒ mǎile yīgè xīn de shǒujī), meaning 'I bought a new phone.'