“年味儿”渐起，中国春节知识知多少？

刚刚过完了“国际化”的圣诞节和元旦，节日气氛却丝毫不见消散，那是因为——咱们中国传统的“春节”就要来临啦！那么，关于中国新年的知识，你们掌握了多少呢？知道怎么跟外国友人介绍各种习俗吗？快来看看【双语解惑】的春节知识大科普吧！

Q1: Which of the followings is NOT the English name of “春节”?

问题一：以下哪个不是“春节”的正确英语名称？


Answer: Lantern Festival

答案：元宵节
Explanations: Lantern Festival refers to the Jan. 15th of the lunar calendar. This day usually indicates the end of New Year’s celebration. The other three names “Chinese New Year”, “Spring Festival” and “Lunar New Year” can all be used as the English translation of “春节”。

解说：“Lantern Festival”指的是正月十五元宵节，这一天往往意味着新年庆祝活动的结束。而其他三个选项都可用作“春节”的英文翻译名称，分别是“中国新年”，“春节”以及“农历新年”的意思。

TIPS: Do you know when Spring Festival officially started to be celebrated?

小贴士：那你知道中国春节是什么时候正式被确立下来的吗？

Answer: Han Dynasty

答案：汉朝时期

Explanations: It was not until Han Dynasty that Spring Festival was finally fixed on the first day of the lunar calendar. Emperor Wu of Han (156 B.C – 87 B.C) officially made this influential decision.

解说：年一直没有固定在某一天，直到汉朝时期汉武帝（公元前156年 – 公元前87年）正式将农历正月初一设立为中国新年“春节”，从此开始定型。

Q2: How long is Spring Festival usually be celebrated?

问题二：中国春节传统上一般持续庆祝多久？​


Answer: 23 days

答案：23天

Explanations: Traditionally, Chinese people started to prepare for Spring Festival from December 23 on the lunar calendar of the last year. And all celebrating activities ended on the Lantern Festival – the 15thof the first lunar month. Each day during the 23-day period has specific customs and blessings.

解说：传统习俗，中国新年从腊月二十三开始准备，庆祝活动一直要延续到正月十五元宵节，春节才算结束。这23天中的每一天都蕴含着不同的特殊习俗和美好祝愿。

Q3: Which of the following is NOT the custom for Chinese New Year’s Eve?

问题三：哪一项不是除夕夜的习俗？


Answer: Guessing riddles

答案：猜灯谜

Explanations: Guessing riddles is a traditional Chinese activity for Lantern Festival. On the 15th of the first lunar month, people usually write some riddles on lanterns for others to guess. It could not only increase the happy atmosphere but also show their great intelligence.

解说：猜灯谜是元宵节的一项传统活动。在正月十五这一天，人们常常会把谜语写在灯笼上，以供他人进行竞猜。这项活动不仅能够增加节日的欢乐气氛，还能够展现人们的智慧。

Q4: Which date is celebrated for Mammon (Chinese god of prosperity)?

问题四：大年初几是庆祝财神爷的日子？


Answer: January 5th on the lunar calendar

答案：农历正月初五
Explanations: It is said that the fifth day of the first lunar month is Mammon’s birthday. Therefore, people usually open doors and set off firecrackers to welcome the Chinese god of prosperity on the early morning.

解说：相传正月初五是财神爷的诞辰。因此，人们通常在每年正月初五的凌晨就打开房门，放响炮仗，祈求全年财运兴旺，迎接财神的到来。

Q5: Do you know what the “NIAN” (年兽) is afraid of?

问题五：你知道“年兽”惧怕什么吗？​


Answer: Firecrackers

答案：鞭炮

Explanations: Accoring to the Chinese myth, “NIAN” is a savage beast that usually comes out on Chinese New Year’s Eve. Therefore, people need to set off firecrackers to frignten it away.

解说：中国传统神话故事中，“年兽”是一只凶猛的野兽，每到除夕夜就会出现做乱。所以人们只能放鞭炮来把它吓退。

TIPS: Instead of  firecrackers (sound), flame (light) and things in red (color) are also what the monster is afraid of.

小贴士：除了鞭炮（声音）之外，火光（亮度）以及红色物品（颜色），都是“年兽”害怕的物件。