Meaning
春节 is the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. It is a time for family reunions, feasting, and celebrating new beginnings. The festival typically lasts for about two weeks, from New Year's Eve through the Lantern Festival.
Usage
Native speakers use 春节 to refer specifically to the Chinese lunar new year celebration, as opposed to 元旦 (the Western/solar New Year on January 1st). Common activities include giving red envelopes (红包), setting off fireworks, eating dumplings, and visiting relatives. In formal contexts, it is often called 春节, while in casual conversation people might simply say 过年 (to celebrate the New Year).
Examples
- 01我们每年春节都回老家和家人团聚。.Every Spring Festival we return to our hometown to reunite with family.
- 02春节期间，街上到处都贴着红对联。, .During Spring Festival, red couplets are pasted everywhere on the streets.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个春节
Common collocations
- 过春节to celebrate Spring Festival
- 春节期间during Spring Festival
- 春节联欢晚会Spring Festival Gala (CCTV New Year's Gala)
- 春节假期Spring Festival holiday
Origin
The name literally means 'Spring Festival' because it marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring according to the traditional agricultural calendar. The celebration has origins dating back thousands of years to ancient harvest festivals and legends about warding off evil spirits.