Meaning
春运 refers to the massive annual migration of people in China during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) period. It is considered the world's largest human migration, when hundreds of millions of people travel home to reunite with their families. The travel rush typically lasts about 40 days, starting 15 days before New Year's Eve and extending through the holiday period.
Usage
This term is deeply embedded in Chinese culture and society. It's used in news reports, transportation planning, and everyday conversation when discussing holiday travel. The phenomenon creates enormous strain on transportation infrastructure, and getting tickets during this period is notoriously difficult. Native speakers often use it to describe travel difficulties and the importance of family reunion.
Examples
- 01今年春运期间预计有三十亿人次出行。.This year's Spring Festival travel period is expected to see 3 billion trips.
- 02春运的火车票很难买，要提前预订。, .Spring Festival travel train tickets are very hard to get; you need to book in advance.
Characters
Measure words
- 次一次春运
Common collocations
- 春运期间during the Spring Festival travel period
- 春运高峰Spring Festival travel rush peak
- 春运票Spring Festival travel ticket
- 春运大军Spring Festival travel masses
Origin
春运 is a compound formed from 春 (Spring, referring to Spring Festival) and 运 (transport). The term emerged in the 1980s as China's economy reformed and migrant workers began traveling en masse between cities and rural hometowns during Chinese New Year.