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Spring Festival

China's most important traditional festival

January/February
1st day of 1st lunar month

Tourist

Navigate Spring Festival like a local

Reunion dinner etiquetteRed envelope customsFestival greetingsTemple visits
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Student

Celebrate with friends and classmates

Spring Festival party conversationsNew year wishes for peersHoliday activities with friendsSocial media posts
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Worker

Master workplace Spring Festival

Boss and colleague greetingsCompany年会 (annual party)Year-end bonus etiquetteHoliday work arrangements

Essential Phrases

5 expressions to learn

新年快乐

Xīn nián kuài lè

Happy New Year

General New Year greeting

恭喜发财

Gōng xǐ fā cái

Wishing you wealth and prosperity

Traditional blessing for prosperity

万事如意

Wàn shì rú yì

May everything go as you wish

Formal New Year wishes

身体健康

Shēn tǐ jiàn kāng

Wishing you good health

Health wishes for elders

阖家欢乐

Hé jiā huān lè

Wishing your family happiness

Family-oriented blessing

Holiday Foods

5 traditional foods with ordering phrases

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Fish

Whole fish is essential, representing abundance

Meaning: Surplus and prosperity

Qǐng gěi wǒ yì tiáo hóng shāo yú

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Dumplings

Shaped like ancient gold ingots, symbolizing wealth

Meaning: Wealth and treasure

Wǒ yào jiǎo zi

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Noodles

Uncut noodles represent long life

Meaning: Longevity

Lái yí wèi cháng shòu miàn

Tangyuan

Sweet rice balls symbolizing reunion

Meaning: Family togetherness

Wǒ yào tāng yuán

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Niangao

Sticky rice cake for advancement

Meaning: Yearly progress

Etiquette & Customs

What to do and what to avoid

What to Do

Traditional customs and practices

  • Cleaning house to sweep away bad luck
  • Decorating with red couplets and paper cuttings
  • Reunion dinner on New Year's Eve
  • Giving red envelopes (hongbao) with money
  • Setting off fireworks and firecrackers
  • Visiting relatives and friends
  • Wearing new clothes in red
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What to Avoid

Traditional taboos and customs

  • Don't wash hair or clothes on New Year's Day
  • Don't use scissors or sharp objects
  • Don't break things
  • Don't say negative words
  • Don't clean or sweep on day one

Gift Ideas

Appropriate gifts for the occasion

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Red Envelope

Money in red paper

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Fruits Basket

Oranges for luck

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Tea

Quality tea leaves

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Snacks

Nuts and candies