Previous Chinese Characters of the Year by Good Characters

You can view and download the PDF featuring the Characters of the Year from 2017 to 2023 here: Character of the Year 2017-2023

We’re about to announce our choice for the Chinese Character of the Year 2024. If you were to pick a Word of the Year, what would your personal choice be?

The Good Characters Chinese Character of the Year 2023 was 生 (shēng), symbolizing birth and growth, and distinctly echoing the emergence and impact of generative (生成式, shēng chéng shì) AI, a defining technological advancement of the year.

The Good Characters Chinese Character of the Year 2022 was 滅 (miè, pronounced mieh), meaning to extinguish, to exterminate, or to perish.

Discover why 漲 (zhǎng, pronounced jahng), meaning to rise or to go upward, was chosen as the Good Characters Chinese Character of the Year 2021. This selection reflects significant trends and events of that year, offering a unique lens through which to view the cultural and societal shifts of the time. To delve into the story behind this intriguing choice, read the full analysis.

Explore the significance of 抗 (kàng, pronounced kahng)—embodying resistance, defiance, and the spirit of combat—chosen as the Good Characters Chinese Character of the Year 2020. This character captures the essence of a year marked by challenges and the global populace’s resilience. To understand the depth and context of this powerful symbol, delve into the full story.

The Good Characters Chinese Character of the Year 2020 was 抗 (kàng, pronounced kahng), meaning anti-, resist, fight, combat, disobey, defy, or refuse.

The Good Characters Chinese Character of the Year 2019 was 亂 (luàn, pronounced lwahn).

The Good Characters Chinese Character of the Year 2018 was 戰 (zhàn, pronounced jahn).

The Good Characters Chinese Character of the Year 2017 was 狂 (kuáng, pronounced kwahng).