元旦
yuán dàn HSK 5

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

元旦是中国的法定假日。
Yuándàn shì Zhōngguó de fǎdìng jiàrì.
New Year's Day is a legal holiday in China.
我们全家在元旦聚餐。
Wǒmen quánjiā zài yuándàn jùcān.
Our whole family has a meal together on New Year's Day.
元旦那天商店很热闹。
Yuándàn nà tiān shāngdiàn hěn rènào.
The stores are very lively on New Year's Day.
元旦是节日。
Yuándàn shì jiérì.
New Year's Day is a holiday.
我们庆祝元旦。
Wǒmen qìngzhù yuándàn.
We celebrate New Year's Day.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 元 (yuán) sounds like 'yuan' (money/start), and 旦 (dàn) looks like the sun rising over a horizon (the top line is the sun, the bottom is ground). Think: 'The first sunrise' of the new year.

📝 Usage Notes

元旦 is used in both formal and informal contexts, in spoken and written Chinese. It commonly appears in greetings (e.g., 元旦快乐 - Happy New Year), holiday announcements, and discussions about plans or events on January 1st. It is distinct from the Lunar New Year (春节).

📖 Grammar Points

元旦 is typically used as a time noun in sentences, often with time markers like 那天 (that day) or 期间 (during). Example: 元旦那天我们去了公园。 (On New Year's Day, we went to the park.)

🏯 Cultural Notes

元旦 is a public holiday in China, often celebrated with gatherings, TV specials, and leisure activities. While it is recognized, it is less culturally significant than the traditional Lunar New Year (春节), which involves extensive family reunions and customs.

🔄 Similar Words

元旦 specifically refers to January 1st (Gregorian calendar). 春节 (Chūnjié) is the Lunar New Year, a more significant traditional festival in China. 新年 (xīnnián) can mean 'new year' generally, often referring to both Gregorian and Lunar New Years depending on context.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 元旦 in CILI →

Related Words