英语课程计划-Chinese New Year's Day

Chinese New Year is the most important of the Chinese holidays. Many people who live outside China call it the Lunar New Year. People celebrate this holiday all across the world. Chinese New Year’s Day begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. It ends on the 15th day. This day is called the Lantern Festival and is another time to celebrate and have a party. Chinese New Year’s Day changes every year because of the Chinese zodiac. The exact day depends on if it is the year of the dragon, rat, horse, dog, etc. It is always some time between January the 21st and February the 20th. The Chinese are not in agreement which year it is. This year is one of three possibilities – depending on which scholar¹ you believe.

The first day of the Chinese New Year is when Chinese people welcome the different gods to their homes. There are many superstitions² on this day. Many people believe that not eating meat will bring them a long life. Others believe it is bad luck to light fires so many people cook the day before. Other bad luck things to do on New Year’s Day is getting a haircut³, sweeping⁴ the floor and buying books. The most important thing to do on this day is to visit your family. Children like this day because they get money from their older relatives. It is a very festive⁵ time. People hang red lanterns from their houses and cook all kinds of traditional food. It is also very noisy as people let off firecrackers and fireworks in the street to celebrate.

1 scholar   

n.学者，公费生，有文化者，学习者

参考例句：

• There was no doubt that he was a fine scholar.毫无疑问，他是位杰出的学者。
• To be a scholar is to be the top of society.万般皆下品，惟有读书高。

2 superstitions   

迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Old superstitions seem incredible to educated people. 旧的迷信对于受过教育的人来说是不可思议的。
• Do away with all fetishes and superstitions. 破除一切盲目崇拜和迷信。

3 haircut   

n.理发，剪发的方式

参考例句：

• Get yourself a haircut!快去理个发吧！
• He is going to have a haircut.他要去理发。

4 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

5 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。