Learn all about New Year's Day
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in China Series at ChineseClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Chinese holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 1, New Year's Day. In Chinese, it’s called 元旦 (Yuándàn). |
| In this lesson, I’ll tell you how people in China celebrate the Lunar New Year. To most Chinese people, you truly begin a brand new year only when you experience a traditional Spring Festival celebration. So even though there is a one-day public holiday for New Year’s Day in January, it doesn’t really have a New Year’s celebratory atmosphere. However, in recent years, various kinds of countdown activities have become very popular among young people, and the day has become a kind of romantic holiday. |
| Now before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question? |
| What are the lyrics to the Chinese version of the song “Happy New Year,” or Xin Nian Hao, 新年好 (xīnniánhǎo)? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Just as in many countries in the West, the most important activity when celebrating the coming new year in China is, of course, a countdown or 倒数计时 (dàoshǔ jìshí). In the bustling city areas, you will see many kinds of celebratory events. The big screens in financial districts will display the numbers as they count down, and when they hit zero, fireworks or 烟花 (yānhuā) are set off in many places to celebrate. Young people go to bars, themed restaurants hold gatherings, and people drink and dance. |
| In recent years, the end of the year has become the time when people go shopping because this is the day that malls offer big discounts known as Chinese Black Friday or 黑色星期五 (hēisè Xīngqīwǔ). Malls will usually extend their shopping hours and sales shifts until late at night, and their product racks will look as though a robbery has taken place overnight because they’ll be almost empty! |
| New Year’s Day is, of course, a good opportunity to connect with family and friends who you haven’t seen for a long time. Some years ago, it was popular to exchange New Year’s cards, called 贺年卡 (hèniánkǎ). |
| In recent years, more and more people have been conveying their wishes and greetings via email or text message due to a desire to save trees and avoid sending physical cards. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question! |
| Do you know the lyrics to the Chinese version of the song “Happy New Year,” or 新年好, (Xīn Nián Hǎo)? |
| The song says 新年好呀，新年好呀，祝福 大家新年好；我们唱歌，我们跳舞，祝福大家新年好 |
| (xīnniánhǎo yā , xīnniánhǎo yā , zhùfú dàjiā xīnniánhǎo ；wǒmen chànggē, wǒmen tiàowǔ, zhùfú dàjiā xīnniánhǎo) |
| Meaning “Happy new year, happy new year, wishing everyone a happy new year; we sing, we dance, wishing everyone a happy new year!” Almost everyone in China can sing it! |
| What did you think of this lesson? Did you learn lots of interesting things? |
| How is the New Year celebrated in your country? |
| Please leave a comment telling us at ChineseClass101.com, and I’ll see you in the next lesson! |
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