Definition
岁 (suì) is a classifier used specifically for years of age, as in 'I am 10 years old' (我十岁). 年 (nián) is the general word for 'year' as a unit of time (e.g., 今年 'this year'). They are not interchangeable: 岁 counts age; 年 measures calendar time.
classifier
years of age
Easily confused
- 多duōlook-alike(adjective) many, much, a lot
- 随suísound-aliketo follow (physically or in sequence)
- 名mínglook-alikename
- 碎suìsound-alike(verb) to break into pieces; to shatter
- 虽suīsound-alikealthough, even though
Examples
- 岁。Wǒ jīnnián shí suì.I am ten years old this year.
- 岁？Nǐ jǐ suì?How old are you?
- 岁。Tā wǔ suì.He is five years old.
Grammar
Browse more HSK 1 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.