年关 niánguān
[end of the year(formerly time for settling accounts;Spring Festival was like a barrier for the poor to tide over in the old society)] 指农历年底。旧时欠租、负债的人必须在这时清偿债务,过年像过关一样,所以称为年关
旧例在旧历年底结帐,令人觉得像关卡一样,故称为「年关」。 如:「今年收成不好,田租又重,看来这个年关不好过了。」