Qin Laoshi : 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A3lgaAtrHw

许多禁忌，年轻人都已淡漠了，实际上，春节的许多习俗也都在变化。
Many young people pay less and less attention to taboos during the Spring Festival. In fact, many customs during the Spring Festival have also changed.
原来到过年啊，蒸馒头，包包子，现在不是，什么也不做，如果来了人，都想好了，上大街上，楼下就有饭馆，到那儿点几个菜。
In the past, people would steam Mangtou and make baozi for the Spring Festival. But now people do not make them anymore. If a guest comes, they will go out and have a nice meal in a restaurant.
小时候就是吃好吃的，放鞭炮，穿新衣服。现在呢，也无所谓了吧，这个好吃的也老能吃，新衣服想什么时候穿什么时候穿。
In my childhood, we can enjoy delicious food, fire crackers and wear new dresses during Spring Festival. Nowadays, these things are not so special. We can always eat delicious food and wear new clothes anytime we want.
现在过年其实也就是图个团圆，图个热闹。
Now to celebrate the Spring Festival is to get together and have a great time.
以前八十代初，到年末，一定要看春节晚会，这个是我们过春节的一个很重要的一项，可现在呢，这个春节晚会，电视台的，有时也看，看挑挑，有时候就不看了。
In 1980s, at the eve of the Spring Festival, one must watch Spring Festival Party by CCTV. It was a very important part of our celebration. But now, sometimes we watch it on television. Sometimes, we don’t.
1983年中央电视台第一次播出了“春节联欢晚会”，汇聚了国内最知名的艺术家，代表着最高的节目水平。从那以后，除夕夜全家人吃着年夜饭，看春节联欢晚会，成了一个新的习俗。春节联欢晚会也成了每年电视台最重视的节目之一。
In 1983, Spring Festival Party was broadcast on CCTV for the first time. It gathered the most renowned artists all over China and represented the highest level of a TV program. Since then, a new tradition came into Beijing. At Spring Festival Eve, the whole family will have dinner together and watch Spring Festival Party. Spring Festival Evening also becomes one of the most important TV program for CCTV.
为什么会形成这个习俗，很多专家也在研究。也许是因为它可以通过电波把全国甚至全世界的华人联系在一起，营造一个“举国同庆”的时刻，让每个电视机前的人分享共同的快乐吧。
Why this new custom came into being? Many experts carry research on it. Maybe it can connect Chinese people all over the world together and create a moment of nationwide celebration, and let everyone in front of TV share this moment of joy.
现在孩子们，不怎么愿意在家过年。三十弄完了，初一就踮了，就跑了，就跟朋友旅游去了，去玩去了。
Nowadays, children do not like to celebrate the Spring Festival at home. When the Spring Festival eve is over, they will get out and go travelling with friends.
过年的那个内容吧，它好多是亲情吧，（大家）凑在一起。现在啊，好多人，我周围好多人，都觉得现在过年的味儿怎么越来越淡呢？
The celebration of the Spring Festival in the past contains a lot of family affection. People would get together. Now many people, many people around me all feel that, why the flavor of Spring Festival is not as strong as before?
城市的人呢，这种无论是这种工作的节奏、生活的水平有很大的提高，所以这种感觉只是说城市的人感觉到。这个年的味道越来越少了，那么另一方面就要看农村，中国的城乡差别还是比较大的，所以我们看到农村里边去过年呢，你就不感到那个年味好像是有多淡了。
This feeling is only sensed by urban citizens, no matter how fast working pace goes and how good the life condition improves. On the other hand, we should look at the countryside. There are a lot of differences between rural area and urban area in China. If we look at the celebration of the Spring Festival in the countryside, you will not feel the flavor of the Spring Festival is weakened.
不管形式怎么变化，春节的意义对于中国人来说都始终没有改变。对于幸福生活和美好生活的憧憬也是不会变的。春节假期过后，人们在各自忙碌的生活中，期盼着下一个春节的到来，再次挤入返乡的人流，回家过年。
Now matter how the forms change, the meaning of the Spring Festival for Chinese people still remains unchanged. Their wishes for happy life are also unchanged. After the Spring Festival holiday, people will go back to their busy life. They are looking forward to the next Spring Festival. They will join the returnees to go back to their hometown and celebrate it with their family.

中国春节（四）：节庆活动 - Chinese Spring Festival（IV）:Activities

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRimc6q1TeU

从农历正月初一开始的节庆活动可谓丰富多彩，多种多样。
A series of colorful celebration activities begin on the first day of the first lunar month.
春节过了以后，就是在过去中国的农村里边，文艺的活动逐渐地展开了，有各种的文艺节目，像我们现在看到的北京花会一样，高跷呐，旱船呐，另外就是唱戏。
After the Spring Festival, all kinds of entertainment programs used to be given in the rural area in China. Just like the flower exhibition in Beijing now, the entertainment programs includes walk on stilts, take a boat on ground and operas.
不管是城里人，还是在农村，人们都要做的一件事就是拜年。民间流行的拜年活动先是从家里开始的。
No matter in the city or in the countryside, all the people will do one thing that is to extend Spring Festival greetings. This activity begins at first between family members.
一般是我们晚辈要给长辈拜年，比如给我的父母和父母的兄弟姐妹，大爷、大妈等拜年。
Normally we will extend our Spring Festival greetings to our elders, such as my parents, uncles and aunts.
亲戚之间在春节期间走动，有互拜平安的意思。
Relatives will drop each other a visit during the Spring Festival to give their best wishes.
给亲戚拜年，出门之后就作揖、问安，说点吉祥话，恭喜过年呐，恭喜发财呀，说点吉祥话，预示着第二年有个好的，这就是新一年来了以后有好运。
To drop a Spring Festival visit is to give your new year greetings when you are out. Have a luck talk. Happy new year! May you come into a good fortune! A luck talk can bring luck to people in the new year.
中国全景初级汉语三第30课
The 30th lesson, in China Panorama, Basic Level
杨丽：雪芹，过年好！
Yang Li：Xue Qin, happy new year!
方雪芹：过年好！
Fang Xueqin: Happy new year!
田、赵：恭喜发财
Tian, Zhao: May you come into a good fortune!
方雪芹：同喜、同喜！快请进。
Fang Xueqin: The same to you. Come on in.
身体非常重要，所以春节的问候往往加上“身体健康”。
Health is very important. So new greetings normally have “Good health!”
万事如意，心想事成。
Hope everything goes your way. May you succeed at whatever you try.
事业有成！
Have a successful career!
原来拜年呐，亲戚朋友互相串门，就是坐一会儿，各家都摆一点糖果、瓜子，让大家尝尝，就走。这种人际的交往吧，初一初二这家里边闲不住，老是人来人往，这和现代化这个手段还是有区别的。
The Spring Festival visits in the past meant that relatives and friends will drop each other a visit. Everyone had candies and sunflower seeds for guests. They sat together and talked for a while. In the first and second day of the first lunar month, nobody would stay at home. They were all busy visiting each other. This social act is different from the modern way.
除了以往的到家里拜年，或寄贺年卡，近年来，人们也开始通过电话、电子邮件和手机短信拜年。
The tradition way of extending Spring Festival greetings includes to drop a visit or to send new year cards. In recent years, people began to use telephone, email and sms to extend their Spring Festival wishes.
虽然拜年的方式变化了，但对孩子们来讲，有一件事是不变的，那就是拜年时长辈们会给压岁钱，因为压岁钱多是放在红纸袋里的，所以人们也称之为“红包”。
Although people have different ways of extending the Spring Festival wishes now, for children, one thing still remains unchanged. This is, when they pay a Spring Festival visit to their elders, elders will give them Yasuiqian, like gift money. Since Yasuiqian is money put into a small red paper envelope, people also call it “red bag”.
一般是这样，家里给压岁钱就是给我们这小孩子。磕头拜年，父母给压岁钱。
Normally, our elders give us children new year money. We kowtow to them and give them our best wishes. They will give us new year money.
递一个小红包，就很少一点钱，那时候小孩就很高兴了。
I received a small red bag, which contains little money in it. But I was so happy.
其实这个“岁”呢，就是那个鬼鬼祟祟的“祟”，原来不是这个年岁的岁，它是一个谐音，就是祛除这个“鬼祟之气”、“晦气”，是吧，“霉运”。于是就给点压岁钱。实际上最早不是钱，它是一些象征性的物，那么后来呢，就给点钱，不管多少，有那么个意思。
Actually, “sui” in yasuiqian has a phonetic synonym which means evil spirit. Yasuiqian is to get rid of this evil spirit and bad luck. So people give some money to bring good luck. In fact, at first people did not give money but other symbolic gifts. Then, they give money. No matter how big or small the amount is, it has symbolic meaning.
春节的时候，能收好多压岁钱。嗯，就是差不多大概一千多，两千元，我在外面课外班上课，然后就是用压岁钱，要交学费。
During the Spring Festival, I can receive a lot of money, about 1 or 2 thousand Yuan. I use it to pay the tuition fee for my afterschool classes.
农历正月初十过后，人们便开始准备庆祝元宵节的活动。元宵节是正月十五，是过年的另一个高潮。赏灯和吃元宵是元宵节活动的两个主要内容。这一天，人们在夜里悬挂彩灯猜灯谜，一起吃顿丰富的晚餐来庆祝。元宵节赏灯活动中的猜谜游戏，充满了智慧和趣味。
After the 10th day of the first lunar month calendar, people begin to celebrate Yuanxiao festival. Yuanxiao festival is the 15th day of the first lunar month, another climax during Spring Festival celebration. Watching lanterns and eating Yuanxuan are two main activities for Xuanxiao festival celebration. On this day, people to go to guess riddles on lanterns at night and have a sumptuous dinner for celebration. The riddles games are full of wisdom and fun.
十五观灯很热闹，外国朋友可以从灯里了解什么是年年有余，可以了解许多文化。很多传说和民间故事都在灯里，吉祥的谚语也都在灯里。
It is really bustling to watch lanterns on Xuanxiao Festival. Foreign friends will get to know what “Nian Nian You Yu” means, and other Chinese cultural phenomena. Lanterns contain many, legends and stories and auspicious idioms.
过年时，言行要特别谨慎，因为中国人希望一年的开始能够事事顺利，有个好兆头。所以春节时期有许多禁忌。有些话、有些事是不能说，不能做的。
During the Spring Festival, one must be extremely careful in his or her acts and words. Because Chinese people want to have a nice start at the beginning of each year. Therefore there are many taboos during the Spring Festival. Some words should not be spoken and some things should not be done.
春节里边有很多禁忌，你初一这一天最好不要扫地，要扫地的话，你要从门口往门里扫，从外往里扫啊，因为这些垃圾（被人们认为）都是财富啊。在一个呢就是如果这一天打碎了东西，你不能责备孩子们，你得说“岁岁平安”。打碎了嘛，“碎”跟那个年岁的“岁”不正好谐音，岁岁平安。如果小孩子不注意说了这种骂人的话啊什么，叫做“童言无忌”。
There are many taboos during the Spring Festival. One should one sweep on the first day of the first lunar month. If you sweep on that day, you should sweep from outdoors to indoors, but not from indoors to outdoors. If a child breaks something on that day, you should not blame him or her. You should say “To break is great for next year!” Break in Chinese has a phonetically synonym means Year. If a child says something bad, it is “Children words are no taboos.”
说实在的不知道。以前老人好像说过一些，像那个，正月里不能剃头啊。这些。现在反正在也都不在乎了年轻人。
Actually I don’t know. Old people used to say the don’ts during the Spring Festival. For example, one should not have hair cut in the first lunar month. Things like this. But nowadays young people do not care much about these.

中国春节（三）：除夕之夜 - Chinese Spring Festival（III）:The Eve

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCsGY-kHRwU
春节的前一天人们俗称为“大年三十”，这一天的晚上，称作除夕，也叫“大年夜”。大年三十这一天在过年的过程中是最最重要的，若是有谁没有赶上在这一天与家人一起吃年夜饭，会感到非常遗憾。
The Spring Festival Eve is called the 30th of the year. This evening is called Chuxi, or the night of the year. The last day of the last lunar month is the most important day in the whole Spring Festival. If one missed the dinner with his or her family in this day, he or she would feel very sorry.
特别是年三十，这一定要合家团聚
Especially on the last day of the last lunar month, the whole family must get together.
跟父母一块儿团聚吃团圆饭
I am having a get reunion dinner with my parents.
这一天，所有的准备工作必须完成。这是大人孩子都兴奋的时刻，准备了大半个月，为的就是这一天的到来。
On this day, all the preparation must be completed. It is the moment of joy for all adults and children. The more than half month preparation is for this day.
哎哟，我小时候，盼着过年
Ouch, in my childhood, I was always looking forward to the Spring Festival.
喜欢能放炮，吃好东西什么的
I like to fire crackers, eat delicious food and so on.
除夕最重要的仪式，就是祭祖和吃年夜饭，然后一家人团团圆圆的在一起“守岁”，守岁，就是一晚上不睡，这种习俗，有对逝去岁月的留恋，也有对新年的美好希望。
The most important ceremonies in the eve of the Spring Festival are the ceremony of ancestor worship and the Spring Festival eve dinner. According to custom, each family will stay up to “guard the year”, which means to stay up to see the New Year in. This custom contains the nostalgic feelings for the past days and also good hopes for the new year.
我对春节印象最深厚感情的就是年三十晚上供饭，祭祀祖先。
The most impressive thing for me during the Spring festival is to provide sacrifices in the Spring Festival eve to worship our ancestors.
第一个就是祭祖的仪式，不忘记祖先的意思。祖先在家里面一年四季都供着的，但是在过春节的这个时候，我们要准备贡献的东西，比如说吃的东西什么都在摆在祖先的这个牌位面前。
The first is a ceremony to worship ancestors, which means not to forget ancestors. Ancestors are worshipped at the home all around the year. But during the Spring Festival, we will prepare something to sacrifice. For example, we will place some food in front of the name boards of our ancestors.
大多数人在家中将祖先牌位摆在房内，供上食物供品，然后由长至幼依序上香跪拜。
Most people place the name boards of ancestors at home. After placing food and other sacrifices, they will kneel down to worship ancestors according to their position in the family hierarchy.
把祖先的牌位都供和祖先的那个，我爷爷奶有的相片什么的，都供在那儿。然后给他们上上菜，什么的，完了我们这才能够吃团圆饭。
We will place the name boards of ancestors, and photos from my grandparents there. Then we will place dishes and other sacrifices for them. After that, we can enjoy the family union dinner.
团圆饭就是人们常说的年夜饭，这一餐无论如何都一定是丰盛的，在每一种饭里都融进了人们对幸福和吉祥的憧憬。
The reunion dinner is the Spring Festival Eve dinner, which is luxurious anyway. Every dish contains people’s wishes for auspiciousness and happiness
传统上说，一般的必须得有饺子，有的家讲究点的还得有年糕啊什么的。
A traditional reunion dinner normally must have jiaozi. Some families which pay more attention to tradition also have niangao (New Year cake made of glutinous rice flour) on this occasion.
这个饺子呢，做出来像个元宝形，那么也预示着发财
The shape the shape of jiaozi is like a gold ingot from ancient China. So people eat them and wish for money and treasure.
过年的时候，晚上包那个饺子呀，其中有一个两个饺子里头包上那个，北京叫钢蹦，实际上硬币，哪个小孩大人吃到了一咬，咬到了，今年他就有钱了，他有福。
In the Spring Festival, we make jiaozi in the evening and put coins into one or two of them. Whoever gets one of these special pieces will be especially lucky.
而在中国南方的有些地方，年夜饭多是吃汤圆，这是用糯米粉做成皮儿，里面包上各种馅，或糖的，或芝麻的，或豆沙的。
In Southern China, people have Tangyuan for the dinner at the eve of Spring Festival. Tangyuan are glutinous rice balls. It has different stuffing, such as sugar, sesame or sweetened bean paste.
这个春节，它求吉祥，你比如说年糕，这年糕什么意思呢，是年年高。这年年高啊，不仅仅是指这个孩子一年比一年长得高，运也高，运气好。
The Spring Festival is also a time for people to pray for happiness and auspiciousness. For example, as a homophone, niangao means higher and higher, one year after another. To be higher does not only refer that a child will grow higher each year. It also refers to better luck.
除了这几样，年夜饭还要有鱼，有肉，也差不多是一年中最丰盛的。
Except the above mentioned food, there are also fish and meat dishes in the dinner. It might be the most sumptuous dinner in the whole year.
守岁就是从吃年夜饭开始的。这顿饭要慢慢地吃，从掌灯时分入席，有的人家一直要吃到深夜。然后，全家人围坐在一起，茶点瓜果放满一桌，一家老小，边吃边乐，说说笑笑。也有的人家聚在一起打扑克，搓麻将，喧哗笑闹之声持续整晚。
To guard the year starts with the Spring Festival eve dinner. This dinner need to be enjoyed slowly. People start to take a seat in the evening. Some people even eat till midnight. Then the whole family will sit together. The whole table is full of refreshments and fruits. The whole family will eat, talk and enjoy the time together. Some families like to play poker or majiang and chat the whole night.
当除夕夜的午夜12点，新年钟声敲响，孩子们纷纷跟随着大人跑出屋子，或到楼下空旷处或在自家院子里放着爆竹烟花，高兴地活蹦乱跳，用爆竹声迎接新的一年的到来。顿时，整个中华大地上空，爆竹声声，烟花灿烂。这时屋内是通明的灯火，庭前是灿烂的火花，屋外是震天的响声，夜空亮如白昼，把除夕的热闹气氛推向了最高潮。
At the midnight of the Spring Festival eve, when the new year bell rings. Children will follow adults and run out of their home. They will fire fireworks and crackers in an empty ground near their residence or in their own yards. They are so happy. They want to welcome the new year with the sounds of fireworks. Suddenly, thousands of fireworks give a beautiful performance in the sky. The night looks like daytime. The atmosphere of the Spring Festival reaches its climax.

中国春节（二）：准备 - Chinese Spring Festival（II）: Preparation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB9EtzUNldE

wèi le qìnɡ zhù chūn jié zhè ɡe zhònɡ yào de jié rì ， zhōnɡ ɡuó zhènɡ fǔ ɡuī dìnɡ
为了庆   祝春   节这个重    要的节日，中    国政    府规定
chūn jié fànɡ jià qī tiān ， zhè shì zhōnɡ ɡuó rén yì nián zhōnɡ zuì chánɡ de xiū jiǎ 。
春   节放   假七天   ，这是中    国人一年   中    最长    的休假。
qí shí ， zǎo zài chūn jié qián bàn ɡè yuè zuǒ yòu ， rén men jiù kāi shǐ
其实，早在春   节前   半个月左右，人们就开始
mánɡ lù zhe zuò ɡè zhǒnɡ zhǔn bèi 。
忙   碌着做各种    准   备。
In order to celebrate this important festival, the Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year. In fact, half month before Spring Festival, people are already busy with all kinds of preparations.

wǒ men cónɡ là yuè chū bā ， jiù shì měi nián de （ nónɡ lì ） shí èr yuè
我们从   腊月初八，就是每年   的（农   历）十二月
de chū bá shì là bā jié ， là bā jié ɡuò le yǐ hòu jiù kāi shǐ mánɡ nián
的初八是腊八节，腊八节过了以后就开始忙   年
le ， jiù mánɡ zhe lái zhǔn bèi ɡuò nián 。
了，就忙   着来准   备过年   。
On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, many families make laba porridge, a delicious kind of porridge. After that, people begin to prepare for the coming new year.

zhǔn bèi nián huò ， nónɡ cūn lái jiǎnɡ jiù shì shā zhū zǎi yánɡ ， ɡè jiā dōu shì
准   备年   货，农   村来讲    就是杀猪宰羊   ，各家都是
mǎi ròu ， zhǔn bèi zhè xiē ɡè ɡuò nián de nián huò 。
买肉，准   备这些个过年   的年   货。
Special purchases for the Spring Festival in the rural area mean to slaughter pigs and sheep. Each household will buy meat and other goods to celebrate Spring Festival.

bú shì kuài ɡuò chūn jié le me ， ɡěi jiā lǐ mǎi yì xiē ɡuò nián zhǔn bèi de
不是快   过春   节了么，给家里买一些过年   准   备的
yì xiē chī de yɑ ， hái yǒu yì xiē tánɡ ɡuǒ shén me de 。
一些吃的呀，还有一些糖   果什   么的。
The Spring Festival is coming. We will buy something to eat for the celebration and also some candies.

wù zhì kuì fá de shí hou zhǐ nénɡ mǎi èr liǎnɡ huā shēnɡ ， ɡuā zǐ hé shuí ɡuǒ
物质匮乏的时候只能   买二两    花生    ，瓜子和水   果
tánɡ 。 xiàn zài wù zhì shì jí dà de fēnɡ fù le ， rén men mǎi de dōnɡ xi
糖   。现   在物质是极大的丰   富了，人们买的东   西
fēi chánɡ fēnɡ fù ， yú ròu jiù bú yònɡ shuō le ， yǒu yǐn liào 、 bǎo jiàn pǐn 、
非常    丰   富，鱼肉就不用   说   了，有饮料   、保健   品、
shū cài děnɡ děnɡ ， mǎi dé hěn xì zhì 。
蔬菜等   等   ，买得很细致。
In the days of material scarcity, we could only afford to buy 100 grams of peanuts, some sunflower seeds and some fruit candies. Nowadays, we enjoy all kinds of goods. People can buy a variety of things, such as drinks, health care products and vegetables. People like to choose carefully.

wǒ men mǎi le hěn duō hónɡ sè de dōnɡ xi ， hónɡ sè de yī fu ， dài biǎo
我们买了很多红   色的东   西，红   色的衣服，代表
hónɡ hónɡ huo huǒ mɑ 。
红   红   火火嘛。
We bought a lot of things of red color, such as red clothes. Red symbolizes prosperity.

ɡuò qù ， zhōnɡ ɡuó rén bǎ cónɡ là yuè chū bā kāi shǐ de ɡuò nián de zhǔn bèi
过去，中    国人把从   腊月初八开始的过年   的准   备
ɡuò chénɡ ， hái biān chénɡ le yí ɡè shùn kǒu liū ：
过程    ，还编   成    了一个顺   口溜：
In the past, Chinese people started the preparation at the 8th of the last lunar month. There was even a piece of doggerel about the preparation.

èr shí sān ， tánɡ ɡuā zhān ； èr shí sì ， sǎo fánɡ rì ； èr shí wǔ ，
二十三，糖   瓜粘   ；二十四，扫房   日；二十五，
niǎn bái shǔ ； èr shí liù ， dùn niú ròu ； èr shí qī ， zǎi ɡōnɡ jī ；
碾   白薯；二十六，炖牛肉；二十七，宰公   鸡；
èr shí bā ， bǎ miàn fā ； fā miàn ，（ jiù shì ） fā jiào mɑ ， èr
二十八，把面   发；发面   ，（就是）发酵   嘛，二
shí jiǔ ， zhēnɡ mán tou ；
十九，蒸    馒头；
On 23, make candies; on 24, make a thorough cleanup; on 25, make sweet potatoes; on 26, brew beef; on 27, slaughter a rooster; on 28, prepare dough (To prepare dough means to make fermented dough); on 29, steam Mantou.

dānɡ rán ， suí zhe shí dài de biàn qiān ， rén men de shēnɡ huó nèi rónɡ yǒu le
当   然，随着时代的变   迁   ，人们的生    活内容   有了
biàn huà ， suó yǐ xiàn zài rén men ɡuò nián zhǔn bèi nèi rónɡ yǔ ɡuò chénɡ yě biàn
变   化，所以现   在人们过年   准   备内容   与过程    也变
huà le ， dàn shì yì xiē chuán tǒnɡ hái bǎo liú zhe 。 zhēnɡ yuè èr shí sì ，
化了，但是一些传    统   还保留着。正    月二十四，
sǎo fánɡ rì ， shí jì shànɡ jiù shì dà ɡǎo jiā tínɡ huán jìnɡ wèi shēnɡ ， zhè yī
扫房   日，实际上    就是大搞家庭   环   境   卫生    ，这一
tiān ， jiā jiā hù hù kāi shǐ sǎo fánɡ 、 cā chuānɡ 、 qīnɡ xǐ yī wù 、 shuā
天   ，家家户户开始扫房   、擦窗     、清   洗衣物、刷
ɡuō xǐ piáo ， jìn xínɡ ɡān jìnɡ chè dǐ dì wèi shēnɡ dà sǎo chú 。
锅洗瓢   ，进行   干净   彻底地卫生    大扫除。
Of course, there are many changes in people’s life with the time. Therefore, the process and contents of the preparation for Spring Festival also changed. However, some traditional customs are still kept. The 24th day on the last lunar month is the day for cleanup. Every household will do home cleaning, sweep their home, clean windows, wash clothes and clean dishes and have a spring-cleaning.

suó yǐ zhè ɡe shí hou ne ， nián de huó dònɡ dōu yǐ jīnɡ zhǔn bèi hǎo le ，
所以这个时候呢，年   的活动   都已经   准   备好了，
xīn yī fu zuò hǎo le ， chī de dōnɡ xi 、 nián yè fàn de dōnɡ xi ， zhè
新衣服做好了，吃的东   西、年   夜饭的东   西，这
xiē dōnɡ xi dōu zuò hǎo le ， rán hòu kāi shǐ tiē chūn lián ， mén kǒu yào tiē
些东   西都做好了，然后开始贴春   联   ，门口要贴
duì lián ， tiē mén shén ， tiē chuānɡ huā ， zhè yì qiè dōu zhǔn bèi hǎo yǐ hòu ，
对联   ，贴门神   ，贴窗     花，这一切都准   备好以后，
cái dào le chú xī zhè tiān wǎn shɑnɡ 。
才到了除夕这天   晚上    。
Therefore, at this moment all the preparations are done. New clothes have been made. All the things for eat and the spring festival dinner are ready. People begin to paste couplets and pictures of door gods, and paper cuttings on door panels. When everything is ready, it is the eve of Spring Festival.

chí xù bàn ɡè duō yuè de chūn jié zhǔn bèi huó dònɡ ， shuō dào dǐ ， qí shí
持续半个多月的春   节准   备活动   ，说   到底，其实
jiù shì liǎnɡ fānɡ miàn de shì ： yí ɡè shì chú jiù ， qù chú ɡuò qù yì nián
就是两    方   面   的事：一个是除旧，去除过去一年
lǐ zānɡ de 、 jiù de 、 bù yú kuài de dōnɡ xi ， lìnɡ yí ɡè shì wéi yínɡ
里脏   的、旧的、不愉快   的东   西，另   一个是为迎
jiē xīn de yì nián ér zhǔn bèi 。
接新的一年   而准   备。
The half month continuous preparation for the Spring Festival is in indeed preparation in two aspects. One is to get rid of the old things. To get rid of the dirty, old and unpleasant things. The other is to prepare to welcome the new year.

中国春节（一）：年 Chinese spring festival(1): Year

Those videos may made years ago, but it is very good information about Chinese Spring Festival. Hope you enjoy!
Happy New Year!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthqBi552_s

每年都有那么一段时间，全中国的各大火车站长途汽车站、飞机场都会异常忙碌，在外地工作的人们，拖着行李，有的携着年幼的孩子，带着一年收获，迫切地要赶回到家乡、赶到父母的身边，和家人团聚，这段时间里，包含着一个中国人最隆重的节日——春节。

Every year in China, there is always a period of time. During which, all railway stations, long-distance bus stations and airports are extremely busy. People, who work away from hometown, will take their luggage and their children, hurriedly come back to their hometown, and get together with their parents and family members. During this period Chinese people will celebrate their most important festival- the Spring Festival.

在中国，春节是一年中最重要的节日，它既是旧的一年的结束，更是新的一年的开始。据记载，除了汉族，中国还有38个少数民族在过这个节日而且其历史非常悠久。

In China, the Spring Festival is the most important festival in a year. It marks the end of the previous year and the beginning of the new year. According to historical records, along with Han people, 38 ethnic minorities in China also celebrate this festival since a long time.

春节这种习俗，在中国已经传承了几千年了，起源于农业的祭祀，就是说一年的收成完了以后，大家都要庆祝一番。

The Spring Festival as a custom has been celebrated in China for thousands of years. It originated from sacrifice ceremonies in the agricultural society. It is to say, after the harvest, people would have a celebration.

过春节，中国人也叫过年。为什么又叫过年呢？刚才说到，中国春节最初的含意来自于农业。古时候，人们把谷的生长周期称为“年”。

The celebration of the Spring Festival is also called the celebration of Nian (Year) in China. Why so? Just now, we know that the Spring Festival originated from agriculture. In ancient times, people will call a growth circle of corps as Nian.

中国的汉字写这个“年”的时候，按照古老的这个习俗就是一个人拿着一个麦穗，拿着一个禾苗、麦子。

The writing of the Chinese character, Nian(年), in the tradition way, looks like a person with a wheatear, a seedling and a wheat.

从这一点上也说明了中国春节与农业的关系。其实，关于“年”的来历还有很多传说，其中一个传说是这样的。

It also explains the relationship between Chinese Spring Festival with agriculture. In fact, there are many legends about Nian. One of them goes like this.

老人说，“年”本来是个海里的怪兽，一到年三十（春节前夜），怪兽上岸后会破坏谷物和牲畜，弄得一团糟，怪兽最怕火光，鞭炮声，大家就把门都关上了，在院里放炮。

Old people say that, “Nian” was a monster in the sea. Every year at the eve of new year, this monster will climb ashore to destroy crops and animals. But it was afraid of fire and the sound of firecrackers. People all closed the door and fired firecrackers in the yards.

虽然这是个传说，不过，过年放鞭炮的习俗确至今保持着。现在，人们放炮放花，主要是图个喜庆，用热热闹闹的鞭炮声宣告新的一年的到来。那么，什么时候过春节呢？

Although it is only a story, the custom of firing fireworks during the Spring Festival is still popular today. Now, people fire crackers to announce the arrival of the new year. Then, when do people celebrate the Spring Festival?

中国现在用的是两种历法，一个是公元历，一个就是农历，从汉代（公元前206—公元220）开始一直到今天我们都是按照农历的正月初一来过（春节）。

Now people in China still use two calendars. One is the Gregorian calendar. The other is the lunar calendar. From Han Dynasty, 206 BC -220 AD, people all celebrate Spring Festival at the first day of the first lunar month every year.

农历是中国传统的历法，相传始创于公元前2000多年前的夏朝，全年有354或355天。虽然从1911开始中国采用了现在国际通行的格里高利历法，但是农历现在依然在中国人的生产和生活中起着重要的作用。

The lunar calendar is the traditional calendar in China. It is said the lunar calendar was created more than 2000 years ago in Xia dynasty. The whole year has 354 or 355 days. Although, since 1911, China has adopted the internationally general calendar- the Gregorian calendar. But the lunar calendar still plays an important role in the life of Chinese people.

春节是在农历每年的一月一日，但在公历上，春节日期却不是固定的，大约在公历的一月下旬到二月上旬这个阶段。

The Spring festival is the first day of the first lunar month each year. However, the Spring Festival does not have a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar. It ranges from the last ten days of January to the first ten days of February.

Friday, January 18, 2013

story: 蛇偷吃了我的蛋

The video is not very clear, but the voice is great to hear. And please put it into the full screen, then watch it (or just hear it). Some video on the side may not good for your kid to watch.

http://video.sina.com.cn/v/b/54350660-1274639255.html

Monday, May 6, 2013

Friday, April 12, 2013

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Friday, March 15, 2013

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Monday, January 28, 2013

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Friday, January 18, 2013

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Friday, January 4, 2013