Usage note
明年用于表示未来的一年，通常指从现在开始的下一年。
míngnián yòng yú bǎogù wèifutōng de yī nián, tōngcháng zhǐ chūnà kāi shǐ de xià yī nián.
明年 is used to indicate the future year, usually referring to the next year starting from now.
Context note
明年常用于计划未来的事情，如学习、旅行等。
míngnián cháng yòng yú gěi huà wèifutōng de shìqīng, rú xuéxué, lǚxínɡ děnɡ.
明年 is often used for planning future events, such as studying, traveling, etc.
5 examples
我们明年去北京玩。
wǒ men míng nián qù běi jīng wán。
We will go to Beijing to play next year.
明年我要学画画。
míng nián wǒ yào xué huà huà。
Next year, I want to learn painting.
妈妈说明年带我去旅行。
mā ma shuō míng nián dài wǒ qù lǚ xíng。
Mom said she would take me on a trip next year.
我们计划明年去日本旅游。
wǒ men jì huà míng nián qù rì běn lǚ yóu。
We plan to go on a tour to Japan next year.
明年这个时候，我们在公园里放风筝。
míng nián zhè ge shí hòu， wǒ men zài gōng yuán lǐ fàng fēng zheng。
At this time next year, we will fly kites in the park.
5 mini stories
明年我们一起去旅行。妈妈说好。
míng nián wǒ men yì qǐ qù lǚ xíng。 mā ma shuō hǎo。
Next year, we are going on a trip together. Mom said it's okay.
我告诉朋友明年再来玩。
wǒ gào sù péng yǒu míng nián zài lái wán。
I told my friend I would come to play next year.
妈妈说明年给我买新玩具。
mā ma shuō míng nián gěi wǒ mǎi xīn wán jù。
Mom said she would buy me a new toy next year.
我们计划明年去海边度假。
wǒ men jì huà míng nián qù hǎi biān dù jià。
We plan to go on vacation by the sea next year.
明年这个时候，我们在公园里放风筝。
míng nián zhè ge shí hòu， wǒ men zài gōng yuán lǐ fàng fēng zheng。
At this time next year, we will fly kites in the park.
Mini dialogue
明年上小学
A
你明年上小学吗？
Nǐ míngnián shàng xiǎoxué ma?
Will you go to primary school next year?
B
是的，我明年就上小学了。
Shì de, wǒ míngnián jiù shàng xiǎoxué le.
Yes, I will go to primary school next year.
明年的计划
A
明年你想学什么？
Míngnián nǐ xiǎng xué shénme?
What do you want to learn next year?
B
明年我想学画画儿。
Míngnián wǒ xiǎng xué huà huàr.
Next year I want to learn drawing.
Related words and contrasts
contrast
今年
jīnnián
this year
the current year, compared with next year
opposite
去年
qùnián
last year
the year before this one