Usage note
周年指的是一个事件发生满一年的日子，比如生日或节日。
Zhōu nián zhǐ de shì yī gè shì jiàn fā shēng mǎn yī nián de rì zi, bǐ rú shēng rì huò jié rì.
Anniversary refers to the day when an event has been completed for one year, such as a birthday or holiday.
Context note
我们经常用周年来庆祝重要的日子，比如结婚周年或学校成立周年。
Wǒ men jīng cháng yòng zhōu nián lái qìng zhù zhòng yào de rì zi, bǐ rú jié hūn zhōu nián huò xué xiào chéng lì zhōu nián.
We often use anniversary to celebrate important days, like a wedding anniversary or a school founding anniversary.
5 examples
今天是爸爸妈妈结婚十周年。
jīn tiān shì bà ba mā ma jié hūn shí zhōu nián。
Today is the tenth anniversary of Mom and Dad's wedding.
学校举办了二十周年校庆活动。
xué xiào jǔ bàn le èr shí zhōu nián xiào qìng huó dòng。
The school held activities for its twentieth anniversary.
我们庆祝了爷爷的生日周年。
wǒ men qìng zhù le yé ye de shēng rì zhōu nián。
We celebrated Grandpa's birthday anniversary.
这个公园开放五周年了。
zhè ge gōng yuán kāi fàng wǔ zhōu nián le。
This park has been open for its fifth anniversary.
图书馆的周年纪念日有很多活动。
tú shū guǎn de zhōu nián jì niàn rì yǒu hěn duō huó dòng。
The library's anniversary has many activities.
5 mini stories
今天是我们学校的十周年纪念日。大家一起唱歌跳舞庆祝。
jīn tiān shì wǒ men xué xiào de shí zhōu nián jì niàn rì。 dà jiā yì qǐ chàng gē tiào wǔ qìng zhù。
Today is our school's tenth anniversary. Everyone sings and dances to celebrate together.
爸爸妈妈的结婚周年到了。我画了一张贺卡送给他们。
bà ba mā ma de jié hūn zhōu nián dào le。 wǒ huà le yì zhāng hè kǎ sòng gěi tā men。
Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary has arrived. I drew a greeting card to give them.
小明的宠物狗一周年生日。他给小狗准备了蛋糕。
xiǎo míng de chǒng wù gǒu yì zhōu nián shēng rì。 tā gěi xiǎo gǒu zhǔn bèi le dàn gāo。
Xiao Ming's pet dog has its first anniversary birthday. He prepared a cake for the puppy.
这个图书馆的周年活动很有趣。小朋友们一起听故事。
zhè ge tú shū guǎn de zhōu nián huó dòng hěn yǒu qù。 xiǎo péng yǒu men yì qǐ tīng gù shì。
This library's anniversary activities are very fun. The children listen to stories together.
我们社区公园的周年庆典很热闹。大家玩游戏和吃零食。
wǒ men shè qū gōng yuán de zhōu nián qìng diǎn hěn rè nào。 dà jiā wán yóu xì hé chī líng shí。
Our community park's anniversary celebration is very lively. Everyone plays games and eats snacks.
Mini dialogue
生日派对
A
今天是我爷爷的八十周年生日。
Jīntiān shì wǒ yéye de bāshí zhōu nián shēngrì.
Today is my grandpa's 80th birthday anniversary.
B
哇，祝他生日快乐！
Wa, zhù tā shēngrì kuàilè!
Wow, happy birthday to him!
学校校庆
A
我们学校下个月庆祝五十周年。
Wǒmen xuéxiào xià gè yuè qìngzhù wǔshí zhōu nián.
Our school is celebrating its 50th anniversary next month.
B
太好了，会有活动吗？
Tài hǎo le, huì yǒu huódòng ma?
Great, will there be activities?
Related words and contrasts
related
生日
shēng rì
birthday
a personal anniversary
related
庆祝
qìng zhù
to celebrate
what people do on an anniversary
similar
纪念
jì niàn
to commemorate
similar to anniversary, but more about remembering
related
节日
jié rì
festival; holiday
special days that are often celebrated yearly