noun HSK 5
Traditional 歲月
years · time · the passage of time
Meaning
岁月 refers to the passage of time, especially over a long period. It carries a nostalgic or reflective tone, often evoking memories or contemplating how time changes things. Unlike neutral time words like 时间, 岁月 emphasizes the experiential quality of time flowing by.
Usage
This word is common in literary contexts, song lyrics, and reflective speech. Native speakers use it when talking about aging, memories, or the transformative effects of time. It appears frequently in phrases like 岁月流逝 (time flies) and 岁月静好 (peaceful years). The tone is often wistful or philosophical rather than matter-of-fact.
Examples
- 01岁月不饶人，转眼间我们都老了。, .Time spares no one; in the blink of an eye we've all grown old.
- 02那些美好的岁月永远留在我的记忆里。.Those wonderful years will remain in my memory forever.
Characters
Common collocations
- 岁月流逝time flies, years pass by
- 岁月静好peaceful and good years
- 蹉跎岁月to waste one's years
- 峥嵘岁月extraordinary years, eventful times
Origin
The compound combines 岁 (year) and 月 (month), together representing the basic units of time that make up one's life journey.