The Traditions of Chinese New Year 農曆新年習俗談
全民英檢102年(2013)施測日程表
About a month before the Lunar New Year, people start to prepare for the biggest holiday in Asia. This includes getting their fortunes read so that they know what the upcoming year has in store for them. Barbershops and beauty salons are booked many days in advance because it is bad luck to cut anything during Chinese New Year.
Malls, stores, and markets all have sales leading up to the New Year. Customers happily fill the aisles to part with their hard-earned money. The hottest items before the start of the holiday are food and red clothing. Also before the New Year, people's homes get a thorough cleaning. All old furniture and belongings are taken out with the trash as well. This is so that during Chinese New Year, no one sweeps away any good luck.
On the eve of the New Year, a family reunion is held, with a feast as the main focus. There are dumplings which symbolize wealth, a fish dish, and a variety of other foods. This meal is comparable to Christmas dinner in the West.
Words & Phrases |
- upcoming a. 即將來臨的，即將發生的
Cindy and her boyfriend are very excited about their upcoming trip to Europe.
辛蒂和她的男友都為即將進行的歐洲之旅感到興奮不已。
- have...in store 有……將要出現∕發生
We have a few surprises in store for the birthday boy tonight.
今晚我們準備了許多驚喜要給壽星。
- lead up to… 發生在……之前；是……的先導
Lucy studied extra hard in the weeks leading up to her big exam.
露西在大考的前幾週特別用功讀書。
- part with... 捨棄∕放棄……；與……道別
The boy couldn't bear to part with his favorite toy, so his mom let him keep it.
那個男孩捨不得放棄他最愛的玩具，所以他媽就讓他留著。
- sweep away.../sweep...away 掃除∕帶走……
The joy of seeing my dog happy and healthy swept my pain away.
看到我家狗狗快樂又健康的這份喜悅，將我的苦痛一掃而空。
- symbolize vt. 象徵
Easter eggs symbolize new life and are often given out during the holiday.
復活節彩蛋象徵了新生，並且常在該節日發放。
- a variety of... 各式各樣的……
This shop carries a huge variety of candy, so there is something for everyone.
這間店出售各式各樣的糖果，每個人都挑得到自己喜歡的。
- comparable a. 可相比的，相當的
The movie version is hardly comparable to the novel it is based on.
這本小說的電影版與原著幾乎無法相提並論。
Extra Words |
- fortune n. 命運，時運（常用複數）
- barbershop n. 理髮店
- beauty salon n. 美容院
- reunion n. 團聚，重聚
- feast n. 盛宴
- dumpling n. 餃子糖
|
中文翻譯 |
大約在農曆新年的前一個月，人們便會開始為這個亞洲最重大的節慶張羅準備。這包括去給人算命，這麼一來他們就能得知未來的一年會有什麼在等著他們。理髮廳及美容院在好幾天前就被預訂一空，因為在過年期間剪掉任何東西都是不吉利的。
購物中心、商店和市場都舉辦各種促銷活動，直至新年的到來。顧客們興高采烈地擠滿走道，要花掉他們辛苦賺來的錢。節日開始前最熱銷的產品莫過於食物和紅色衣物了。不僅如此，民眾在新年前夕也會給家裡來個徹底的大掃除。所有的老舊傢俱和物品都會跟垃圾一起拿出去丟。這是因為在農曆新年期間，沒人會想把好運掃走。
除夕夜時，全家都會團聚在一起，而滿桌的豐盛佳餚則成了當晚的焦點。桌上會出現象徵財源滾滾的水餃、一道魚類料理，以及其他各式各樣的美食。這頓大餐可足以媲美西方的聖誕晚宴呢。
|
引用自：長春藤英語http://www.ivy.com.tw/ |
留言列表
食況報導 (4)