Year of the Rat
The Year of the Rat is 鼠年 (shǔ nián), the 1st sign of the twelve. The most recent Rat year began on 25 January 2020 (2020). The Rat is the first animal of the zodiac, and in everyday Chinese the rat is mostly a pest, which is why so many sayings about it are unflattering. As a zodiac sign, though, it is linked with quick wits and good fortune, and cartoon rats appear on decorations in its year.
The zodiac uses 鼠, while 老鼠 is the everyday spoken word. Neither word separates rat from mouse.
Rat years
| Year | Runs | Element and animal | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 25 January 2020 to 11 February 2021 | Metal Rat | 庚子 gēng zǐ |
| 2008 | 7 February 2008 to 25 January 2009 | Earth Rat | 戊子 wù zǐ |
| 1996 | 19 February 1996 to 6 February 1997 | Fire Rat | 丙子 bǐng zǐ |
| 1984 | 2 February 1984 to 19 February 1985 | Wood Rat | 甲子 jiǎ zǐ |
| 1972 | 15 February 1972 to 2 February 1973 | Water Rat | 壬子 rén zǐ |
| 1960 | 28 January 1960 to 14 February 1961 | Metal Rat | 庚子 gēng zǐ |
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 Rat in Chinese tradition
- traditionally said to be quick-witted
- associated with resourcefulness and adaptability
- said to be careful with money
- sometimes described as opportunistic
These are folk beliefs, not findings. Treat them as culture, not prediction.
Saying it in Chinese
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我属鼠 | wǒ shǔ shǔ | I was born in the Year of the Rat | 属 + animal is how you give your sign; the first shǔ is 属 (to belong to), the second is 鼠 |
| 鼠年 | shǔ nián | the Year of the Rat | animal + 年 names the year |
| 老鼠 | lǎo shǔ | rat, mouse | the everyday word; 老 here does not mean old |
| 鼠标 | shǔ biāo | computer mouse | the zodiac character in a modern word |
Idioms with 鼠
| Idiom | Pinyin | Literally | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 鼠目寸光 | shǔ mù cùn guāng | eyes of a rat that see an inch | Said of someone short-sighted who cannot see beyond the immediate moment. |
| 胆小如鼠 | dǎn xiǎo rú shǔ | as timid as a mouse | Describes a person who is very cowardly. |
| 投鼠忌器 | tóu shǔ jì qì | to hold back from throwing at a rat for fear of breaking the vase | To hesitate to act against a wrongdoer because of what might be damaged along the way. |
Compatibility
Best matches (三合): Dragon 龙 and Monkey 猴. Secret friend (六合): Ox 牛. Clash (六冲): Horse 马. This is the traditional scheme, see all twelve signs.
Other signs:
- 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
- Year of the Pig
- All twelve signs
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Rat first in the Chinese zodiac?
The order is fixed by tradition and no one knows its true origin. A popular folk story says the Rat won the Great Race by riding on the Ox's back and jumping off at the finish.
Is the Year of the Rat a good year?
Tradition generally treats it as a lively, prosperous year, since the Rat opens a new twelve-year cycle. Whether any year is lucky is a matter of belief, not something the calendar can show.
What years are Rat years?
Rat years include 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960. Each starts at Chinese New Year and the next one begins twelve years later.
Which signs suit the Rat?
Tradition names Dragon 龙 and Monkey 猴 as the best matches, Ox 牛 as the secret friend and Horse 马 as the clash. All twelve signs.
How do you say "I am a Rat" in Chinese?
我属鼠 (wǒ shǔ shǔ). 属 means "to belong to": you belong to the 鼠 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.
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