春节 The Spring Festival
农历 lunar calendar
正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar
除夕 New Year‘s Eve; eve of lunar New Year
初一 the beginning of New Year
元宵节 The Lantern Festival
【Customs】：
过年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival
对联 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry
春联 Spring Festival couplets
剪纸 paper-cuts
买年货 special purchases for the Spring Festival ; do Spring Festival shopping
年画 New Year paintings
敬酒 propose a toast
灯笼 lantern: a portable light
烟花 fireworks
爆竹 firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.)
红包 red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming year.)
舞狮 lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.)
舞龙 dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests)
戏曲 traditional opera
杂耍 variety show; vaudeville
灯谜 riddles written on lanterns
灯会 exhibit of lanterns
守岁 staying-up
禁忌 taboo
拜年 pay New Year‘s call; give New Year‘s greetings; New Year‘s visit
去晦气 get rid of the ill- fortune
祭祖宗 offer sacrifices to one‘s ancestors
压岁钱 gift money; money given to children as a lunar New Year gift
【Culture Note】：Inthe old days, New Year‘s money was given in the form of one hundredcopper coins strung together on a red string and symbolized the hopethat one would live to be a hundred years old. Today, money is placedinside red envelopes in denominations considered auspicious and givento represent luck and wealth
辞旧岁 bid farewell to the old year
扫房 spring cleaning; general house-cleaning
【Food names】：
年糕 Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake
团圆饭 family reunion dinner
年夜饭 the dinner on New Year‘s Eve
饺子 Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli
八宝饭 eight treasures rice pudding
汤圆 Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with either sweet or spicy fillings
糖果盘 candy tray:
什锦糖 assorted candies - sweet and fortune
蜜冬瓜 candied winter melon - growth and good health
西瓜子 red melon seed - joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
金桔 cumquat - prosperity
红枣 red dates - prosperity
糖莲子 candied lotus seed - many descendents to come
糖藕 candied lotus root - fulfilling love relationship
花生糖 peanut candy - sweet
【Blessing】:
Treasures fill the home 财源广进
Business flourishes 事业兴隆
Peace all year round 岁岁平安
Wishing you prosperity 恭喜发财
Harmony brings wealth 家和万事兴
May all your wishes come true 心想事成
Everything goes well 万事如意
The country flourishes and people live in peace 国家富强、人民安康
Money and treasures will be plentiful 财源茂盛
Wishing you every success Promoting to a higher position 事业有成、更上一层楼、蒸蒸日上
Safe trip wherever you go 一帆风顺
Wish you happiness and prosperity in the coming year! 祝你新的一年快乐幸福
Wish you success in your career and happiness of your family! 事业成功，家庭美满(阖家欢乐)
