Meaning and Usage
"拜年" literally means "to bow and greet the New Year." It is a traditional Chinese custom where people visit family, friends, or acquaintances during the Lunar New Year to express good wishes.
Common Contexts
This term is often used in the context of the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). It can refer both to the act of visiting in person and to sending greetings, though the former is more traditional and considered more sincere.
Typical Collocations
- 拜年拜访 (bàinián bàifǎng): to pay a New Year visit
- 给长辈拜年 (gěi zhǎngbèi bàinián): to pay New Year respects to elders
- 拜年红包 (bàinián hóngbāo): red envelopes given during New Year visits
Cultural Notes
Face-to-face 拜年 is a sign of respect and strengthens social bonds. While digital greetings are common nowadays, traditional visits remain highly valued in many families.
Common Confusion
Don't confuse 拜年 with simply sending a greeting message. 拜年 implies a more formal or traditional act, often involving physical presence or a respectful gesture.