How to Say “My New Year Resolution Is…” in Chinese

In Chinese, we often start our goals with the phrase “我打算…” (wǒ dǎ suàn), which means “I plan to…” or “我想学…” (wǒ xiǎng xué ), which means “I want to learn how to…”. Using these structures helps children feel ownership over their learning journey.

Practical Resolutions for Young Learners

If your students are looking for ideas, here are a few kid-friendly resolutions that are perfect for daily practice:

“多说中文” (duō shuō Zhōng wén):

Speak more Chinese. This is a classic! Encourage them to use Mandarin for simple requests like “water” or “thank you.”

“每天阅读十分钟” (měi tiān yuè dú shí fēn zhōng):

Read for ten minutes every day. Whether it’s a comic book or a picture book, consistency is the key to literacy.

“结交新朋友” (jié jiāo xīn péng yǒu):

Make new friends. This is a wonderful social goal that can be practiced in any language.

“早睡早起” (zǎo shuì zǎo qǐ):

Go to bed early and wake up early. A healthy body leads to a sharp mind!

Tips for Success

Setting the goal is the easy part—keeping it is where the real learning happens. Here are three tips to help your young learners cross the finish line this year:

1. The “Visual Reminder” Rule

In Chinese culture, we often hang “春联” (chūn lián) or red banners around the house during the New Year. You can do the same with resolutions! Have your child write their goal on a piece of bright paper and stick it on the fridge or the bathroom mirror. Seeing the characters every morning reinforces the memory.

2. Use the “Add-On” Method

Instead of creating a whole new routine, “stack” the new resolution onto an old habit. For example, if they already brush their teeth every night, tell them that “brushing time” is also “Chinese nursery rhyme time.” In Chinese, we call this “顺便学习” (shùn biàn xué xí)—learning “along the way.”

3. Celebrate the Small Wins

Don’t wait until the end of the year to celebrate. Use “Micro-Encouragement.” If a student uses a new word correctly, give them a “点赞” (diǎn zàn)—a “thumbs up” or a “like.” Small bursts of praise create a positive feedback loop that makes children want to keep practicing.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Remember the phrase “持之以恒” (chí zhī yǐ héng), which means to persevere or to stay constant. Language learning isn’t a sprint; it’s a beautiful, scenic walk. As long as we keep moving forward, no matter how slowly, we are succeeding.

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