Chinese Customs and Traditions

Unit One: Families and Community - 中国人过生日的风俗 feng su (custom)

  • Life consists of four parts: birth, aging, illness, and death.
    • Birth is the beginning of life and is considered especially important.
    • Chinese people celebrate birthdays, especially for the elderly and children.
    • 出生 (chū shēng): born
    • 开始 (kāi shǐ): start
    • 庆祝 (qìng zhù): celebrate
    • 老人 (lǎo rén): old people
    • 小孩 (xiǎo hái): children
    • 部分 (bù fen): part
    • 组成 (zǔ chéng): consist of
    • 因此 (yīn cǐ): so

Grabbing Test (抓周 zhuā zhōu)

  • When a child turns one year old, parents hold a "grabbing test" (抓周).
  • Toys symbolizing different professions are presented to the child.
    • If the child picks up a book, it indicates they might become a teacher.
    • If the child picks up a calculator, it suggests they might become a businessman.
    • 抓周 (zhuā zhōu): grabbing test on a baby’s first birthday
    • 象征 (xiàng zhēng): symbolize
    • 表示 (biǎo shì): means
    • 计算器 (jì suàn qì): calculator
    • 生意人 (shēng yì rén): businessman

Birthday Banquets for the Elderly

  • In the past, living to sixty was considered rare, so families would hold birthday banquets for the elderly.
  • Many customs are associated with these banquets.
    • 寿桃 (shòu táo): peach-shaped birthday cake and noodles are traditionally eaten.
      • Peaches symbolize immortality.
      • Noodles symbolize longevity.
      • It's important to eat the noodles without biting them to ensure a long life.
    • 难得的 (nán dé de): difficult
    • 通常 (tōng cháng): usually
    • 举办 (jǔ bàn): hold
    • 宴会 (yàn huì): party
    • 讲究 (jiǎng jiu): pay attention to
    • 传统 (chuán tǒng): traditional
    • 寿桃 (shòu táo): peach-shaped birthday cake
    • 面条 (miàn tiáo): noodles
    • 桃子 (táo zi): peach
    • 长生不老 (cháng shēng bù lǎo): immortality
    • 咬断 (yǎo duàn): bite

Gift Giving Customs

  • Give a red envelope (红包 hóng bāo) as a gift.
    • The money inside should be an even number, symbolizing "good things come in pairs" (好事成双 hǎo shì chéng shuāng).
    • The numbers six and eight are considered lucky.
    • Avoid the number four because it sounds like the word for death.
    • Do not give a clock as a gift because "送钟" (sòng zhōng: send a clock as a gift) sounds like "送终" (sòng zhōng: bury a parent).
    • Avoid giving umbrellas (伞 sǎn) or fans (扇子 shàn zi) because they sound like "散" (sàn: break up), implying separation or breaking up of a relationship.
    • 能够 (néng gòu): can
    • 长寿 (cháng shòu): longevity

Birthday Greetings

  • People say congratulatory phrases such as "福如东海，寿比南山" (fú rú dōng hǎi, shòu bǐ nán shān).
    • This means wishing elders luck as vast as the East Sea and a life as long as the South Mountain.
    • 祝贺的 (zhù hè de): congratulatory
    • “福如东海寿比南山” (fú rú dōng hǎi, shòu bǐ nán shān)
    • 祝福 (zhù fú): wish
    • 长辈 (zhǎng bèi): older generation
    • 晚辈 (wǎn bèi): younger generation
    • 福气 (fú qi): luck
    • 寿命 (shòu mìng): life span
    • 寓意 (yù yì): mean
    • 寿命像南山一样长久，福气像大海一样广大。(Shòu mìng xiàng nán shān yī yàng cháng jiǔ, fú qi xiàng dà hǎi yī yàng guǎng dà.): Life span is as long as the South Mountain, and luck is as vast as the sea.

Numbers and Superstitions

  • Chinese people favor the numbers eight and six.
  • The number four is associated with death.

Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 zhōng qiū jié)

  • A traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.
  • People eat mooncakes and watch the moon.

Legend of Hou Yi and Chang'e

  • In ancient times, there were ten suns in the sky, causing drought and suffering.
  • A man named Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns with his bow and arrow, saving the earth.
  • As a reward, he received an immortality elixir from the gods.
  • His wife, Chang'e, consumed the elixir to prevent it from being stolen and floated to the moon.
    • 体验 (tǐ yàn): invented
    • 后羿 (hòu yì): Hou Yi
    • 弓箭 (gōng jiàn): bow and arrow

Different Education Systems

  • 聊天 (liáo tiān): chat
  • 熬夜 (áo yè): stay up
  • 复习 (fù xí): review
  • 为了 (wèi le): for the purpose
  • 高考 (gāo kǎo): College entrance exam
  • 压力 (yā lì): pressure
  • 多保重身体 (duō bǎo zhòng shēn tǐ): Take care of yourself
  • 过分数线 (guò fēn shù xiàn): Over score line
  • 过不了分数线 (guò bù liǎo fēn shù xiàn): Can’t pass the score line
  • 修学分 (xiū xué fēn): Earn Credits
  • 不是而是 (bù shì ér shì): No… Rather…
  • 申请 (shēn qǐng): Apply
  • 提交 (tí jiāo): Submit
  • 包括 (bāo kuò): Include
  • 羡慕 (xiàn mù): to envy
  • 成绩 (chéng jì): grade
  • 课外活动 (kè wài huó dòng): Extracurricular activities
  • 社区服务 (shè qū fú wù): Community Service
  • 以及 (yǐ jí): As well as
  • 推荐信 (tuī jiàn xìn): Letter of Recommendation
  • 理想 (lǐ xiǎng): ideal
  • 轻松 (qīng sōng): easy
  • 奖学金 (jiǎng xué jīn): scholarship
  • 此外 (cǐ wài): Also
  • 要求 (yāo qiú): require

Unit Two: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

  • Why are tea/teahouses important in China?
    1. People enjoy drinking tea, chatting, and watching performances with friends in teahouses.
    2. Almost everyone in China drinks tea. Tea is a traditional Chinese beverage (饮料 yǐn liào).
    3. Teahouses are unique to China, attracting many visitors who want to learn about Chinese culture.
      • 打麻将 (dǎ má jiàng): Play mahjong
      • 吃小吃 (chī xiǎo chī): Eat snacks
      • 看表演 (kàn biǎo yǎn): Watch performances
      • 下象棋 (xià xiàng qí): Play Chinese chess
      • 谈生意 (tán shēng yì): Discuss business
  • Southern China is a tea-producing area, while Northern China is too cold to produce tea.
  • However, northerners also enjoy drinking tea.
  • Types of Tea:
    • Three popular types of tea in China: black tea, oolong tea, and green tea.
      • 酸奶 (suān nǎi): Yogurt
      • 泡菜 (pào cài): Pickles
      • 酸黄瓜 (suān huáng guā): Sour cucumber
      • 酱油 (jiàng yóu): Soy sauce
  • Famous Teas: Certain regions produce very famous teas representative of their kind.
    • Green tea, oolong tea, red tea, etc., each have famous representatives.

Unit Three: Influences of Beauty and Art

Beijing Opera (京剧 Jīngjù)

  • Four main roles in Beijing Opera: 生 (shēng), 旦 (dàn), 净 (jìng), 丑 (chǒu).
    • 生 (shēng): Male roles.
      • 小生 (xiǎo shēng): Young male roles.
      • 武生 (wǔ shēng): Male martial roles.
    • 旦 (dàn): Female roles.
      • 正旦 (zhèng dàn) / 青衣 (qīng yī): Virtuous female roles.
      • 花旦 (huā dàn): Lively, unmarried female roles. Particularly beautiful women.
      • 刀马旦 (dāo mǎ dàn): Female warrior roles; women who know Kung Fu.
    • 净 (jìng): Powerful male roles.
      • 武净 (wǔ jìng): Male martial roles with painted faces.

Beijing Opera Facial Masks (京剧脸谱 liǎnpǔ)

  • Colors represent different characteristics:
    • Red: Loyalty
      • Dogs are considered the most loyal animals.
    • Black: Uprightness/Integrity
      • Upright people don't lie.
    • Green: Violent/Brutal
      • Brutal people kill.
    • White: Treachery/Deceitfulness
      • Treacherous people only do bad things.
    • Other colors: blue, yellow, purple

丑 (chǒu): Clown/Comedian Roles

  • 文丑 (wén chǒu): Civil clown.
  • 武丑 (wǔ chǒu): Martial clown.

Kung Fu (功夫 gōngfu)

  • Kung Fu = 武术 (wǔshù)
    • Can be used for fighting or self-defense (防身 fángshēn).
    • Also for physical exercise (锻炼身体 duànliàn shēntǐ).
    • Monks (僧人 sēngrén) imitate animal movements (动作 dòngzuò) when practicing:
      • Forming unique (独特 dútè) Kung Fu styles.
        • Monkey Fist (猴拳 hóu quán): Agile like a monkey (灵活 línghuó).
        • Snake Fist (蛇拳 shé quán): Imitates snake movements.
        • Tiger Fist (虎拳 hǔ quán): Full of power (力量 lìliàng).
  • Shaolin Temple (少林寺 Shàolínsì) is the place of origin (发源地 fāyuándì) of Chinese Kung Fu.
    Famous Kung Fu figures: Bruce Lee (李小龙 Lǐ Xiǎolóng) and Jackie Chan (成龙 Chéng Lóng).

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

  • Artificial Intelligence (人工智能 Réngōng Zhìnéng - A.I)
  • Robots:
    • Receive packages
    • Change batteries
    • Take care of people
    • Do housework
    • Dispense medicine
    • Alleviate loneliness
    • Provide companionship
  • Feelings associated:
    • Sad when they leave
  • In daily life:
    • Sweeping
    • Cleaning
    • Household tasks.

WeChat (微信 Wēixìn)

  • Technology:
    • One of the most popular mobile apps in China.
    • Used for:
      • Chatting with friends and sending messages.
      • Making payments.
        • Can pay without credit cards or cash in stores and supermarkets.
        • Can pay for tickets, takeout, and taxis.
  • Important part of Chinese culture.
    • When people think about tech in China, they think about WeChat.
  • 正面影响 (zhèngmiàn yǐngxiǎng): Positive influence

Unit 5: Factors that Impact the Quality of Life

Travel (旅行 lǚxíng)

  • 交通工具 (jiāotōng gōngjù): Means of transportation
  • 航班 (hángbān): Scheduled flight
  • 登机 (dēngjī): Boarding gate
  • 起飞 (qǐfēi): To take off
  • 到达 (dàodá): To land
  • 取消 (qǔxiāo): To cancel
  • 推迟 (tuīchí): Postpone
  • 列车 (lièchē): Train
  • 开往/飞往 (kāiwǎng/fēiwǎng): To go to/fly to
  • 邮轮 (yóulún): Cruise
  • 地铁 (dìtiě): Subway
  • 乘客 (chéngkè): Passenger
  • 游客 (yóukè): Visitors
  • 旅行 (lǚxíng): Vacation
  • 打算 (dǎsuàn): Intend
  • 城市 (chéngshì): City
  • 准备 (zhǔnbèi): Prepare
  • 特色 (tèsè): Feature
  • 护照 (hùzhào): Passport
  • 机票 (jīpiào): Plane ticket
  • 订酒店 (dìng jiǔdiàn): Book hotel
  • 附近 (fùjìn): Nearby
  • 旅游景点 (lǚyóu jǐngdiǎn): Tourist attractions
  • 特色食物 (tèsè shíwù): Specialty food

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

Environmental Protection (环境保护 huánjìng bǎohù)

  • 环保 (huánbǎo): Environmental protection
  • 节约 (jiéyuē): To save
  • 多/少 V: More/less + Verb
  • 回收垃圾 (huíshōu lājī): Recyclable trash
  • 宣传 (xuānchuán): To propagate
  • 污染 (wūrǎn): Pollution
  • 气候变化 (qìhòu biànhuà): Climate change
  • 越来越 Adj: More and more + Adjective

Vocabulary

  • 垃圾 (lājī): Trash
  • 塑料盒 (sùliào hé): Plastic box
  • 罐子 (guànzi): Jar
  • 纸制品 (zhǐ zhìpǐn): Paper products
  • 扔到 (rēng dào): Throw to
  • 可回收 (kě huíshōu): Recyclable
  • 垃圾桶 (lājī tǒng): Trash can
  • 玻璃瓶 (bōlí píng): Glass bottle
  • 洗干净 (xǐ gānjìng): Wash clean
  • 其他 (qítā): Other
  • 过几天 (guò jǐ tiān): In a few days
  • 交给 (jiāo gěi): To leave/hand over
  • 便利 (biànlì): Convenient
  • 野生动物 (yěshēng dòngwù): Wildlife
  • 原料 (yuánliào): Raw material
  • 超市 (chāoshì): Supermarket
  • 最重要 (zuì zhòngyào): Super important
  • 提高～意识 (tígāo~yìshí): Raising awareness
  • 分类 (fēnlèi): Classification
  • 提供 (tígōng): Supply
  • 建议 (jiànyì): Suggestion
  • 免费 (miǎnfèi): Free
  • 环保俱乐部 (huánbǎo jùlèbù): Environment club
  • 俱乐部 (jùlèbù): Club
  • 组织 (zǔzhī): Organize
  • 安排 (ānpái): Arrange
  • 海报 (hǎibào): Poster
  • 午餐 (wǔcān): Lunch
  • 演讲 (yǎnjiǎng): Speech
  • 提前 (tíqián): In advance
  • 附近的公园 (fùjìn de gōngyuán): Nearby parks
  • 捡垃圾 (jiǎn lājī): Picking up trash
  • 扫菜园 (sǎo cài yuán): Sweeping the vegetable garden
  • 干垃圾 (gān lājī): Residual waste
  • 可回收 (kě huíshōu): Recyclable
  • 湿垃圾 (shī lājī): Household waste
  • 有害垃圾 (yǒuhài lājī): Hazardous waste
  • 拼车 (pīnchē): Carpool
  • 浪费 (làngfèi): Waste
  • 抹布 (mābù): Rag
  • 纸巾 (zhǐjīn): Tissue
  • 一次性 (yīcìxìng): Disposable
  • 餐具 (cānjù): Tableware
  • 鼓励 (gǔlì): encourage
  • 解决 (jiějué): Solve

Locations (地点 dìdiǎn)

  • 旅馆 (lǚguǎn): Hotel
  • 宿舍 (sùshè): Dormitory
  • 餐厅 (cāntīng): Restaurant
  • 飞机场 (fēijīchǎng): Airport
  • 老人中心 (lǎorén zhōngxīn): Elderly center
  • 回家路上 (huí jiā lùshàng): On the way home
  • 公园 (gōngyuán): Park
  • 网球场 (wǎngqiúchǎng): Tennis court
  • 商店 (shāngdiàn): Store
  • 超市 (chāoshì): Supermarket
  • 教室 (jiàoshì): Classroom
  • 沙滩/海边 (shātān/hǎibiān): Beach/Seaside
  • 在社区里 (zài shèqū lǐ): In the community
  • 在前院/后院 (zài qiányuàn/hòuyuàn): In the front yard/backyard
  • 医院 (yīyuàn): Hospital

Online Shopping (网购 wǎnggòu)

  • 现金 (xiànjīn): Cash
  • 支付 (zhīfù): Pay
  • 无现金社会 (wú xiànjīn shèhuì): Non-cash society
  • 应用 (yìngyòng): App
  • 智能手机 (zhìnéng shǒujī): Smart phone
  • 互联网 (hùliánwǎng): The Internet
  • 网上 (wǎngshàng): Online
  • 网购 (wǎnggòu): Online buying
  • 订 (dìng): Buy/Order
  • 订外卖 (dìng wàimài): Order food online
  • 剁手党 (duòshǒu dǎng): Someone addicted to online buying/shopping
  • 快递员 (kuàidìyuán): Delivery person
  • 双十一 (shuāngshíyī): Double 11 (Nov. 11th, the Chinese Cyber Black Friday)
  • 扫 (sǎo): Scan
  • 二维码 (èrwéimǎ): QR code
  • 扫码 (sǎomǎ): Scan a code
  • 信用卡 (xìnyòngkǎ): Credit card

Mobile Payment Popularity in China (移动支付在中国的流行 yídòng zhīfù zài zhōngguó de liúxíng)

  • 现金支付 (xiànjīn zhīfù): Cash payment
  • 信用卡支付 (xìnyòngkǎ zhīfù): Card payment
  • 手机/移动支付 (shǒujī/y mobile paymentdòng zhīfù): Phone payment
  • 影响 (yǐngxiǎng): Influence
  • 方便 (fāngbiàn): Convenient
  • 优点 (yōudiǎn): Pros
  • 缺点 (quēdiǎn): Cons
  • 应该注意 (yīnggāi zhùyì): Should pay attention to
  • 聪明 (cōngmíng): Smart
  • 幽默 (yōumò): Humorous
  • 收银员 (shōuyínyuán): Cashier
  • 有责任心 (yǒu zérènxīn): Responsible
  • 工人 (gōngrén): Workers
  • 工资 (gōngzī): Salary

Chinese New Year (中国的新年 Zhōngguó de xīnnián)

  • 春节 (chūnjié): Spring Festival
  • 春 (chūn): Spring
  • 福 (fú): Luck/Good fortune
  • 农历 (nónglì): Lunar calendar
  • 正月初一 (zhēng yuè chū yī): First day of the first lunar month
  • 饺子 (jiǎozi): Dumplings
  • 年糕 (niángāo): New Year cake
  • 鱼 (yú): Fish
  • 鸡 (jī): Chicken
  • 年夜饭 (niányèfàn): New Year's Eve dinner
  • 贴 (tiē): Paste
  • 春联 (chūnlián): Spring Festival couplets
  • 收 (shōu): Receive
  • 红包 (hóngbāo): Red envelope
  • 舞狮 (wǔshī): Lion dance
  • 舞龙 (wǔlóng): Dragon dance
  • 恭喜发财 (gōngxǐ fācái): Wish you prosperity
  • 身体健康 (shēntǐ jiànkāng): Good health
  • 万事如意 (wànshì rúyì): Everything goes well
  • 放烟花 (fàng yānhuā): Set off fireworks
  • 除夕 (chúxī): New Year's Eve
  • 拜年 (bàinián): New Year's greetings
  • 过年 (guònián): Celebrate the New Year
  • 大扫除 (dàsǎochú): Spring cleaning
  • 年货 (niánhuò): New Year's goods
  • 聚在一起 (jù zài yīqǐ): Gather together
  • 必不可少 (bì bùkě shǎo): Indispensable
  • 传说 (chuánshuō): Legend
  • 猛兽 (měngshòu): Fierce beast
  • 抢 (qiǎng): Snatch/Rob
  • 压岁钱 (yāsuìqián): New Year money (for children)
  • 热闹 (rènào): Lively/Festive
  • 走运 (zǒuyùn): Have good luck
  • 团聚 (tuánjù): Reunite