Year of the Pig
The Year of the Pig is 猪年 (zhū nián), the 12th sign of the twelve. The most recent Pig year began on 5 February 2019 (2019). The next begins on 23 January 2031. The pig stands for plenty and a comfortable life, since a family with a pig had food and wealth. It is also teased as lazy and greedy, as in Zhu Bajie, the pig character in Journey to the West.
Pig years
| Year | Runs | Element and animal | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2031 | 23 January 2031 to 10 February 2032 | Metal Pig | 辛亥 xīn hài |
| 2019 | 5 February 2019 to 24 January 2020 | Earth Pig | 己亥 jǐ hài |
| 2007 | 18 February 2007 to 6 February 2008 | Fire Pig | 丁亥 dīng hài |
| 1995 | 31 January 1995 to 18 February 1996 | Wood Pig | 乙亥 yǐ hài |
| 1983 | 13 February 1983 to 1 February 1984 | Water Pig | 癸亥 guǐ hài |
| 1971 | 27 January 1971 to 14 February 1972 | Metal Pig | 辛亥 xīn hài |
Born in January or February of one of these years? You may belong to the previous animal: check the start date, or use the calculator.
The Pig in Chinese tradition
- traditionally said to be generous
- associated with sincerity and good nature
- said to be easygoing
- sometimes described as fond of comfort
These are folk beliefs, not findings. Treat them as culture, not prediction.
Saying it in Chinese
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我属猪 | wǒ shǔ zhū | I was born in the Year of the Pig | 属 + animal gives your sign |
| 猪年 | zhū nián | the Year of the Pig | animal + 年 names the year |
| 猪肉 | zhū ròu | pork | the most common meat in China; 肉 alone often means pork |
| 猪八戒 | zhū bā jiè | Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) | the greedy, lazy pig of Journey to the West |
Idioms with 猪
| Idiom | Pinyin | Literally | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 猪朋狗友 | zhū péng gǒu yǒu | pig friends and dog companions | Bad company; friends who are a bad influence. |
| 死猪不怕开水烫 | sǐ zhū bù pà kāi shuǐ tàng | a dead pig doesn't fear boiling water | Said of someone who no longer cares what happens because things are already as bad as they can get. |
Compatibility
Best matches (三合): Rabbit 兔 and Goat 羊. Secret friend (六合): Tiger 虎. Clash (六冲): Snake 蛇. This is the traditional scheme, see all twelve signs.
Other signs:
- Year of the Rat
- Year of the Ox
- Year of the Tiger
- Year of the Rabbit
- Year of the Dragon
- Year of the Snake
- Year of the Horse
- Year of the Goat
- Year of the Monkey
- Year of the Rooster
- Year of the Dog
- All twelve signs
Frequently asked questions
Is the Year of the Pig lucky?
It is traditionally associated with wealth and plenty, and the pig closes the cycle on a comfortable note. Like all zodiac luck, that is belief rather than fact.
Is calling someone a pig an insult in Chinese?
It can be, meaning lazy or stupid, though between friends and couples it is often affectionate. Saying 我属猪 is completely neutral.
What years are Pig years?
Pig years include 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971. Each starts at Chinese New Year and the next one begins twelve years later: the next is 2031, starting 23 January 2031.
Which signs suit the Pig?
Tradition names Rabbit 兔 and Goat 羊 as the best matches, Tiger 虎 as the secret friend and Snake 蛇 as the clash. All twelve signs.
How do you say "I am a Pig" in Chinese?
我属猪 (wǒ shǔ zhū). 属 means "to belong to": you belong to the 猪 year.
Zodiac words are everyday Chinese. GraphChinese teaches them, and the rest of Mandarin, in an order where each word builds on the last. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
Start at your true level