======= 習(xí)俗 Customs =======

過(guò)年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival
對(duì)聯(lián) poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry
春聯(lián) Spring Festival couplets
剪紙 paper-cuts
年畫(huà) New Year paintings
買(mǎi)年貨 special purchases for the Spring Festival ;

do Spring Festival shopping
敬酒 propose a toast
燈籠 lantern: a portable light
煙花 fireworks
爆竹 firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.)
舞獅 lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.)
舞龍 dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests)
戲曲 traditional opera
雜耍 variety show; vaudeville
燈謎 riddles written on lanterns
燈會(huì) exhibit of lanterns
守歲 staying-up
拜年 pay New Year’s call; give New Year’s greetings;

New Year’s visit
禁忌 taboo
去晦氣 get rid of the ill- fortune
祭祖宗 offer sacrifices to one’s ancestors
壓歲錢(qián) gift money;

money given to children as a lunar New Year gift
Culture Note: In the old days, New Year’s money was given in the form of one hundred copper coins strung together on a red string and symbolized the hope that one would live to be a hundred years old. Today, money is placed inside red envelopes in denominations considered auspicious and given to represent luck and wealth
辭舊歲 bid farewell to the old year
掃房 spring cleaning; general house-cleaning


======= 祝福語(yǔ) Blessings =======

金玉滿堂 Treasures fill the home
生意興隆 Business flourishes
歲歲平安 Peace all year round
恭喜發(fā)財(cái) Wishing you prosperity
和氣生財(cái) Harmony brings wealth
心想事成 May all your wishes come true
吉祥如意 Everything goes well
國(guó)泰民安 The country flourishes and people live in peace
招財(cái)進(jìn)寶 Money and treasures will be plentiful
一帆風(fēng)順 Wishing you every success
步步高升 Promoting to a higher position
出入平安 Safe trip wherever you go
祝您新的一年快樂(lè)幸福！

Wish you happiness and prosperity in the coming year!
祝您事業(yè)成功，家庭美滿 ！

Wish you success in your career and happiness of your family!