外國人看中國:關于農歷新年不得不知的11件事

Red packets of money will change hands and dragon dances will roar through the streets as people around the world, predominately of Chinese descent, usher in the Year of the Horse.紅包會易主，全世界大街上都會出現舞龍，這些都是中國的炎黃子孫，迎接馬年的到來Beyond the usual Lunar New Year traditions, however, is a holiday full of interesting quirks and customs.除了慣有的新年傳統，農歷新年還充滿了有趣的怪癖和風俗1.Locals dont call it Chinese New Year1．當地人不稱之為中國新年In China, the festivities are known as spring festival (春節) or Lunar New Year (農歷新年) -- the new year is determined by the lunar calendar.在中國，最多的說法是春節和農歷新年—新年是由陰歷決定的And the Chinese arent the only ones who observe it.而中國不是唯一慶祝農歷新年的人From late January to mid-February, Korea, Vietnam, Japan and other countries celebrate Lunar New Year.從一月到二月中期，韓國，越南，日本和其他國家都會慶祝農歷新年

2. Traffic is chaos2.交通混亂Lunar New Year is basically like having an entire country throw a family reunion -- all at once.農歷新年就像是所有的家庭都突然之間團聚在了一起Traffic Armageddon inevitably strikes.交通的末日也不可避免的會到來In China, the Spring Festival travel rush period (chun yun) is the countrys, if not the worlds, biggest season of human migration.在中國，春節的旅行期間（春運）是整個國家，如果不是世界的話，最大規模人口遷移的季節Whether pushing their way into packed buses, buying black- market tickets from scalpers or standing for hours on a crowded train, travelers do whatever it takes to see loved ones.無論是擠進充滿人的長途車，還是從黃牛那兒買黑市車票，在擁擠的車廂站上數個小時，旅行者想盡辦法回家見自己愛的人With commuters and migrant workers returning home, the government expects 3.62 billion journeys to take place this year, according to Xin hua news.根據新華社報道，隨著乘客和農民工回家過年，政府預計今年的旅客人數是36.2億In Korea last year, nearly 30 million people visited their home towns by car, bus, train or plane, according to the Korea Expressway Corporation.根據韓國道路公社的報道，去年在韓國，將近有3000萬人通過汽車，公車，火車或者飛機探訪故鄉。3. Its not just one day3.不只是一天Lunar New Year lasts 15 days, starting from January 31, 2024.農歷新年持續15天，從2024年1月31日開始This year its last day falls on Valentines Day.今年農歷新年的最后一天正好是情人節Its an action- packed holiday -- you can bet on horse races, watch parades, bargain in bazaars and fight for prime worship spot at the temple.這是一個令人興奮又忙碌的假期—你可以為賽馬下賭注，看檢閱，在集市場討價還價，以及為在寺廟的首次拜神奮斗4. Its a season of superstitions4.這是一個迷信的季節During L N Y, you live like a college student on the first day -- which means no showers, laundry or cleaning.在農歷春節期間，你就像是第一天入學的大學生—不能洗澡，洗衣服或者大掃除Above all, theres no taking out the trash -- doing so is said to wash away your luck and prosperity.特別是不能往外面倒垃圾—這么做會帶走自己的好運和興旺You hang out with family (especially in-laws) on the second day, which is considered the beginning of the year.新年第二天要和家人一起出去逛逛（特別是親家），這被認為是新年的開始On the third day, visiting friends and family is frowned upon, because its a day prone to arguments.第三天，拜訪朋友和家人被認為是不悅的，因為這是容易引起爭論的一天On the seventh day, its time to party in celebration of every ones birthday.第七天，是時候參加派對慶祝每一個人的生日了5. You can rent a boy friend5.你可以租一個男友Lunar New Year can be rough for singles, especially females.農歷新年對于單身來說很艱難，特別是女性Many family reunions are highlighted by dreaded interrogations of singles who havent settled down.很多家庭的團聚會有對還未安定的單身者恐懼的審問Now theres a solution – boy friend rentals.現在有一個解決辦法了—租借男友Chinas largest online retailer, Tao bao, has a section for fake boy friend rentals, so parents and relatives can finally stop nagging.中國最大的網上銷售商淘寶專門可以進行男友租賃，這樣家人和親戚就會停止嘮叨了Renting a bogus marriage prospect ranges from RMB 500 ($82) to 8,000 ($1,321) per day.租賃假結婚的價錢從每天8000元到500元不等The package comes with a free embrace, hand holding and a good bye kiss on the cheek, as well as a list of additional specific service charges.這一租賃套餐包括“免費擁抱，拉手和分別的時候臉頰上親吻”以及其他詳細的服務收費According to Peoples Daily, dinner costs RMB 50 ($8) an hour and a trip to the movies is RMB 30 ($5) -- double if its a thriller.根據人民日報的報道，一頓飯花費50元一小時，看電影是30元—如果是驚悚片則要翻倍6. Odd linguistic customs are observed奇怪的語言風俗In Parts of China, there are a few things you can and cant do over the Lunar New Year holiday -- simply because of how they sound.在中國部分地區，有一些事情是在農歷新年期間不能做的—只是因為他們聽起來不吉利而已Footwear purchases are off limits for the entire lunar month, as the term for shoes (haai) sounds like losing and sighing in Cantonese.整個新年期間鞋類的購買都是禁止的，因為鞋子的發音在廣東話里就像是失敗和嘆息一樣You can however, turn the Chinese character for luck (fu) upside down to make dao (which sounds like arrival) and put it on your door to bring in good fortune for the new year.但你可以把中國的漢字福字倒貼在門上（聽起來像是福到）這樣就能在新年帶來好運了7. Firecrackers are for scaring away monsters7.鞭炮是用來嚇走怪獸的Legend says the half- dragon, half- lion monster Nian comes out of hiding and attacks people (especially children) during the Lunar New Year.傳說半龍半獅的怪獸“年”回在農歷新年出來躲著供給人類（特別是兒童）His weakness? Sensitive ears.他的弱點？敏感的耳朵In the old days, people would light bamboo stalks on fire to frighten the monster.在過去，人們會點燃竹子的莖來嚇走怪獸Nowadays, you can watch spectacular fireworks display along the Hong Kong waterfront or play with firecrackers in a Beijing hutong.現在你可以在香港的海灘邊觀看精彩的煙火表演，或者在北京的胡同放炮仗8. Red undies are critical for some8.紅色內衣對一些人至關重要Red is associated with luck and prosperity, but its used mainly for protective purposes.紅色與好運和興旺相關，但其重要是用于保護目的的In addition to being spooked by loud noises, Nian is frightened by the color red, which explains all the red you see on Lunar New Year decorations.除了會受巨大聲音的驚嚇，“年”還會受到紅色的驚嚇，這就解釋了為什么你能在所有的新年裝飾上看到紅色For those born in the Year of the Horse -- turning 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96 this year -- red undergarments are a must.對于那些出生在馬年的人—今年12,24,36,48,60,72,84,96歲的人—紅色的內衣是必要的Not because that pesky L N Y monster has X- ray vision, but because red undies supposedly fend off misfortune in this unlucky year.不是因為這個討厭的新年怪獸有X光視線，而是因為紅色的內衣能夠在不夠幸運的一年抵擋厄運Interestingly, the Cantonese term for pants (fu) sounds exactly like the word for wealth.有趣的是，廣東話里褲子的發音（福）就像是福的發音9. Its a time for sweets9.是時候吃糖了Food is central to all Chinese festivals, but sugary snacks are especially important for L N Y, since they sweeten up prospects for the coming year.食物對于中國佳節來說至關重要，但甜食對于農歷新年特別重要，因為他們能讓新的一年更加的甜蜜Traditional holiday treats include nian gao (rice pudding), ba bao fan (eight treasure rice), jau goks (crispy dumplings), candied fruits and seeds.傳統的佳節食物包括年糕，八寶飯，餃子，果脯和瓜子10. It has its own movie genre10.新年有自己的影片類型China and Hong Kong have a film genre called hesuipian devoted to Lunar New Year.中國和香港在農歷新年有自己的影片類型叫做“賀歲片”The films are usually illogical, uplifting comedies, with a focus on families and happy endings to make viewers feel warm and fuzzy. Similar to Christmas movies, really.這類影片通常是不合邏輯，能夠振奮喜劇性，通常重點在于家庭和快樂的結局，讓觀影者感到溫暖和溫馨，這和圣誕節的影片相似，真的Holiday favorites include the Alls Well, Ends Well series (the 1992 classic stars Stephen Chow and Maggie Cheung), Fat Choi Spirit and Its a Mad Mad World.新年最受歡迎的影片包括“家有喜事”（1992年的經典影片，主演是周星馳和張曼玉），“嚦咕嚦咕新年財”和“富貴逼人”11. Customs are flexible11.風俗是可以變通的Customs and superstitions arent set in stone.風俗和迷信也不是一成不變的Theres room for flexibility in interpretation and application.對于理解和實施也有靈活性Banning shoes for the entire lunar month?整個新年期間禁止買鞋？That depends on how you read the rules -- the word for shoe might sound like sighing, but it also sounds like harmony (he xie).這取決于你怎么理解規則—鞋一字聽起來像是嘆氣，但是也可以聽起來像和諧Not showering for the sake of Lunar New Year?農歷新年不能洗澡？Many pass on that for obvious hygienic reasons.很多人因為衛生問題沒有繼續這個風俗In the end, Lunar New Year is really about having a great time with family and friends, so many opt not to sweat the details.最終，農歷新年是和家人和朋友團聚的美好時光，不必糾結于一些細節