春节要做什么？用英语怎么说？

Spring Festival is the most important festival in China and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm. In this article, we will discuss what people usually do during the Spring Festival and how to say it in English.

一、Preparing for the Spring Festival

1. Cleaning the House: According to Chinese tradition, cleaning the house before the Spring Festival is very important as it symbolizes getting rid of bad luck and attracting good luck for the New Year. We call it “sao chen” (扫尘) or “da sai” (大扫除) in Chinese.

2. Shopping for the New Year: People usually buy new clothes, food, decorations, and gifts for their families and friends. It is called “gou wu” (购物) or “mai dong xi” (买东西) in Chinese.

3. Decorating the House: Red is the main color used for decorations as it represents good luck and happiness. People usually decorate their homes with red lanterns, couplets, “fu” (福) characters, and paper-cut decorations. We call it “zhuang xiu” (装修) or “dian liang” (点亮) in Chinese.

二、Celebrating the Spring Festival Eve

1. Eating the Reunion Dinner: The Spring Festival Eve is the most important moment of the festival, and the Reunion Dinner is the most important meal of the year for Chinese families. It is a time when all family members get together to enjoy a feast and catch up with each other. We call it “tuan nian fan” (团年饭) in Chinese.

2. Watching the Spring Festival Gala: The Spring Festival Gala is broadcasted by China Central Television (CCTV) on the evening of the Spring Festival. It is a widely watched variety show that showcases traditional and popular Chinese culture, including music, dance, comedy, and acrobatics. We call it “chun wan” (春晚) in Chinese.

3. Setting off Fireworks: Fireworks are a popular way to celebrate the Spring Festival and are believed to scare away evil spirits. However, due to noise and pollution, many Chinese cities now have restrictions on when and where fireworks can be set off. We call it “pao huo” (放火) or “da yan huo” (打烟火) in Chinese.

三、Exchanging Greetings and Gifts

1. Saying “Happy New Year” in Chinese: During the Spring Festival, people greet each other by saying “Xin nian kuai le” (新年快乐) or “Gong xi fa cai” (恭喜发财), which means “Happy New Year” and “Wishing You Wealth and Prosperity” respectively.

2. Giving Red Envelopes: Red envelopes filled with money, or “hong bao” (红包) in Chinese, are given by older people to younger people as a New Year gift, to wish them good luck and to help them start the year with more prosperity.

3. Exchanging Gifts: In addition to red envelopes, people also exchange other gifts, such as snacks, tea, and ornaments, to show their love and respect for each other. We call it “song li wu” (送礼物) or “huan xing” (还礼) in Chinese.

四、Visiting Relatives and Friends

1. Paying New Year Visits: Visiting relatives and friends is an important part of the Spring Festival. People usually visit their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and close friends to wish them a happy New Year. We call it “baiban” (拜年) or “fang wen” (访问) in Chinese.

2. Eating Traditional Food: During the Spring Festival, people also enjoy traditional foods, such as dumplings, glutinous rice cakes, and fish, which carry special meanings and blessings.

3. Activities for Children: Children also have their own games and activities during the Spring Festival, such as solving riddles and guessing lantern riddles.

五、Conclusion

In conclusion, the Spring Festival is a time for family reunions, exchanging greetings and gifts, and visiting relatives and friends. By understanding the traditions and customs of the Spring Festival, we can better appreciate the rich culture and history of China.