#ChineseTraditionsAndCustoms

3 Ways to Celebrate Christmas Chinese-Style

Christmas has come to China, and if you are a celebrator of Christmas then your festivities don’t have to stop when you leave home. A study on Chinese society showed that people aged 15-45 celebrate Christmas in China. This doesn’t mean Christmas will be the same as back home though—instead of a family dinner, people usually go out together as a group of friends to the movies, bar, karaoke or to dinner.…

Admiring the full moon and eating moon cake (Beginner)

Key Learning Points (Preview): 赏月 (shǎngyuè):

v.

to admire the full moon

月饼 (yuèbǐng): n. moon cake

On Mid-autumn Festival, the custom of “赏月 (shǎngyuè) admiring the full moon” began with people in ancient China, and is still maintained. In the Zhou Dynasty, on the night of the Mid-autumn Festival, people would offer sacrifices to the moon with “月饼(yuèbǐng) moon cake” and fruit that was in season such as watermelon, apples and so on.…

Chinese brides: The Cinderella’s of China’s past

You are probably very familiar with the fairytale Cinderella, but did you know there was a custom in ancient China much like this story? The bridegroom in China would actually use a shoe to tell if it’s his bride! Much like in the children’s story, the bridegroom would place the shoe upon the bride’s foot, and if it fits he knew she was the one!…

Why Chinese “拔火罐 (báhuǒguàn)” has gained attention at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Another Olympic season has passed, and the same as the past few Olympics since 2008 in Beijing, swimming dominated the headlines. Particularly, the swimmers themselves made headlines from Rio to around the world. The most famous swimmer, 25-time gold medal winner Michael Phelps drew attention this summer with not only his speed in the pool, but also by the purple, leopard-like spots on his back.…

What you should know for Valentine’s Day in China?

1. What day is the “七夕节(qīxījié) Chinese Valentine’s Day (lunar calendar)?” A. July 1st B. July 7th C. June 1st D. June 7th 2. All of the following are traditional activities on “七夕节(qīxījié)” EXCEPT: A. 表白 (biǎobái) B. 求婚 (qiúhūn) C. 烛光晚餐 (zhúguāng wǎncān) D. 加班 (jiābān) See Answer Analysis Know more about the Chinese Valentine’s Day-“七夕节 (qīxījié): Greetings on Valentine’s Day Celebrating Chinese Valentine’s Day (Beginner) Read Chinese Story about 七夕节 (Qīxījié) Double Seven Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day) Chinese Culture General Chinese (Intermediate Level) 

What to be careful of when you are in China

Seen regularly near low ceilings and doorways, many foreigners would be confused by a sign asking them to “carefully bang head.” This is just one of the many wonderful ways “小心碰头 (xiǎoxīn pèng tóu)” has been mistranslated – others include “carefulness bump head,” “carefully hits to the forehead,” and the more threatening “look out, knock-head.”…

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