---
title: "Wangnian Meaning: 往年 (wǎngnián) Means “in former years”"
description: "往年 (wǎngnián) means “in former years; previous years”. Hear its tones, see what 往 and 年 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/wangnian"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 往年 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

往年 wǎngnián

## in former years; previous years

## Its characters

1. 往 wǎng past
2. 年 nián year

## In a sentence

今年冬天比往年冷。 This winter is colder than in previous years.

[More about 往年](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E5%BE%80%E5%B9%B4)

## More words with 往 or 年

- [常年 chángnián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/changnian)
- [成年 chéngnián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/chengnian)
- [当年 dāngnián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dangnian)
- [过年 guònián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/guonian)
- [交往 jiāowǎng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jiaowang)
- [今年 jīnnián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jinnian)
- [近年来 jìnniánlái](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jinnianlai)
- [老年 lǎonián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/laonian)
- [明年 míngnián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/mingnian)
- [年报 niánbào](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/nianbao)

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