新 (xīn) - New — fresh, recent, modern & to renew, to innovate

新Tone 1

xīn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

新 · xīn

New — fresh, recent, modern;

to renew, to innovate;

newly, recently;

also refers to the Xin dynasty.

New — fresh, recent, modernto renew, to innovatenewly, recently

Usage highlights

New YearNewsNew styleNew productInnovationRenewal

Synonyms

  • 鲜— fresh (as in food or experience)
  • 初— initial, beginning
  • 现代— modern, contemporary

Antonyms

  • 旧— old, former
  • 老— old, aged
  • 陈— stale, old (as in ideas or items)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is a new book (新书).
  • We bought a new car (新车).
  • She lives in a new house (新房子).
  • They are newly married (新婚).
  • This is breaking news (新闻).

Collocations

  • New Year(新年)
  • News(新闻)
  • New style(新式)
  • New product(新产品)
  • Innovation(创新)
  • Renewal(更新)

Idioms

  • To reform and innovate(改革创新)
  • To break new ground(开创新局)
  • To welcome the new and discard the old(迎新弃旧)
  • A new broom sweeps clean(新官上任三把火)
  • To see everything with fresh eyes(焕然一新)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Associated with renewal and progress in Chinese culture, especially during Lunar New Year celebrations.
  • Historically linked to the short-lived Xin dynasty (9–23 AD) established by Wang Mang.
  • Represents modernity and innovation in contemporary contexts, often used in brand names and technological terms.

FAQ