Monster Nian and Chinese New Year

This beginner story tells the legend of Monster Nian and how red decorations, bright lights, firecrackers, family dinners, and red envelopes became part of Chinese New Year. It shows the Spring Festival as a celebration of courage, hope, and family reunion.

HSK 1–2

Illustration inspired by Monster Nian and Chinese New Year.

Story preview

  1. 很久很久以前，有一只怪兽，名字叫“年”。

    hen3 jiu3 hen3 jiu3 yi3 qian2 you3 yi1 zhi3 guai4 shou4 ming2 zi5 jiao4 nian2

    Long, long ago, there was a monster named Nian.

  2. 年住在大山里。

    nian2 zhu4 zai4 da4 shan1 li3

    Nian lived in the mountains.

  3. 它身体很大，眼睛很亮，声音很可怕。

    ta1 shen1 ti3 hen3 da4 yan3 jing5 hen3 liang4 sheng1 yin1 hen3 ke3 pa4

    Its body was very big, its eyes were very bright, and its voice was very frightening.