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实用!教你用这些英文单词、短句介绍中国春节!

春节是中国四大传统节日之一，是一年之岁首，传统上的农历新年。春节俗称“年节”，传统名称为新年、大年、岁首、新岁，口头上又称度岁、过年。春节历史悠久，是由上古时代岁首祭祀活动演变来，其起源蕴含着深邃的人文与自然文化内涵。

今天就为大家整理一下关于中国春节的英文单词和短句。

1、过年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival

2、除夕 New Year's Eve;

3、初一 the beginning of New Year

4、元宵节 The Lantern Festival

5、饺子 dumpling

6、辞旧岁 bid farewell to the old year

7、扫房spring cleaning; general house-cleaning Blessings

8、守岁staying-up

9、饺子 dumpling

10、放鞭炮： squibbing firecrackers

11、贴春联： paste the New Year couplets

12、吃年夜饭： take/have New Year's Eve Dinner

13、看春节晚会：watch Spring Festival Gala on TV

14、发红包： hand out red envelopes

15、买年货： special purchases for the Spring Festival ; do Spring Festival shopping

16、敬酒： propose a toast

17、守岁： staying-up

18、拜年： give New Year's greetings; New Year's visit

19、吃汤圆： eat Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)

20、灯会： exhibit of lanterns

21、祭祖宗 offer sacrifices to one's ancestor

22、舞狮 lion dance

23、舞龙 dragon dance

24、剪纸 paper-cuts

25、年画 New Year paintings

I like the Chinese new year better than any other festival. This is a time especially for rest and joy. I need not study. I wear good clothes and eat good food. I have a good time from morning till night. I am as happy as a king.

我喜欢中国新年比喜欢其它任何节日更甚。这是一个专为休息和欢乐的时间。我不需要读书。我穿好衣服，吃好东西。我每天从早到晚日子过得轻松愉快。我和上帝一样快乐。

春节是中国民间最隆重的传统节日。在夏历正月初一，又叫阴历年，俗称“过年”、“新年”。春节的历史很悠久，它起源于殷商时期年头岁尾的祭神祭祖活动。按照我国农历，正月初一古称元日、元辰、元正、元朔、元旦等，俗称年初一，到了民国时期，改用公历，公历的一月一日称为元旦，把农历的一月一日叫春节。Lunar New Year , the most solemn of traditional Chinese folk festivals.

First day of the first lunar month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, known as the Moon, commonly known as "New Year" and "New Year." The long history of the Spring Festival, which originated in the Shang period the year draws to a close servicemen and the memorial activities. According to China's Lunar, the first day of the first lunar month yen ancient name, Yuan-chen, a copy, is Emperor, the New Year Day, which is commonly known as Day of the Republic. switch to the Gregorian calendar, the calendar on January 1 as New Year's Day, January 1st called the Lunar Spring Festival.

Spring festival is coming.Spring Festival is on the traditional Chinese festivals.People used to call it "the Lunar New Year".It always starts between january the first and february the twentieth.

Shortly before the festival ,Chinese people are busy shopping . They buy vegetables,fish,meat and new clothes and many other things.They clean the houses and decorate them.

春节到了,春节是中国的传统节日,人们习惯上成作农历年.这个节日总是在每年的一月初到二月中旬之间.

春节前的一段日子,中国人早早地开始买年货.他们买蔬菜.鱼和肉.新衣服和种种其他的东西.他们打扫房屋,把自己的家布置一新.

The Chinese New Year is a festival whose Chinese are most important.The history of the Chinese New Year is very long.Stanza front stick in an on the face the New Year's Day of the implied meaning of the yellow word in red paper in top send message by word and the god of wealth resembles with hang deep red lantern etc.. The Chinese New Year is a close relatives the festival of the family reunion.The not far a long distance in child that leave the house returns to the home.The family rounds to sit together a

dumpling, use the dumpling symbol family reunion.The beginning of January is on thering is fiesta cooking stove etc. rites before;In the stanza make New Year's visit the child New Year's Money, friend etc.

春节是汉族最重要的节日。春节的历史很悠久。节前就在门脸上贴上红纸黄字的寓意的新年寄语及财神像和挂大红灯笼等. 春节是个亲人团聚的节日。离家的孩子不远千里回到家里。家人围坐在一起包饺子,用饺子象征团聚。正月初一前有祭灶等仪式；节中有给儿童压岁钱、亲朋好友拜年等.

中国春节的英文简介

Spring Festival is on the traditional Chinese festivals.People used to call it "the Lunar New Year".It always starts between january the first and february the twentie its the most important festival in China Spring Festival The most important festival in China is the Spring Festival. It is said that the Spring Festival evolved from an activity known as the Winter Sacrifice. It was a custom practiced by the people of primitive society. The Spring Festival marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year,so the first meal is rather important. People usually eat Jiaozi or dumplings shaped like a crescent moon on that special day. As for recreational activities during the Sping Festival, the Dragon Dance and Lion Dance are traditionally performed . One legend goes that the beast Nian had a very big mouth that would swallow a great many people with one bite. People were very scared. 传说有一个叫“年”的怪兽，有一个大嘴，能一口吞下很多人。人们都很怕它。The custom of putting up red paper and firing fire-crackers is to scare away Nian. 贴红纸和方鞭炮的习俗就是为了吓跑年。 However, people today have long forgotten why they are doing all this, except that they feel the color and the sound add to the excitement of the celebration. 但是，现在人们大多忘记了为什么这么做的原因，只是觉得色彩和响声增加了过节的气氛罢了！ Traditions of Chinese New Year Before New Year's Eve The celebration actually starts on New Year's Eve with the family reunion dinner. By New Year's Eve, you should have done the following: Clean the entire home to get rid of all the things that are associated with the old year. Put away all brooms and brushes. Pay all your debts. Resolve differences with family members, friends, neighbors and business associates. Buy the following: Red money envelopes, Oranges and/or tangerines, Fill a "Cheun hup(a circular red tray separated in eight compartments) with melon seedslotuschocolate coinsnuts etc. Flowers (especially plum blossoms, peach blossoms, water lilies), A new set of clothes and shoes for children, preferably something red or orange. Get new dollar bills from the bank. Insert the new dollar bills into the red envelopes. Now the red envelope is called a lai see or lucky money envelope. On New Year's Eve

春节中英文简介

春节是中国传统的新年，它从中国农历正月的第一天开始到第十五天结束，一共十五天。春节也预示着春天的来临。在新年的前一段时间，人们开始准备食物、买新衣服和打扫房间。很多家庭会在门上贴上春联。按照习俗，所有的准备是希望新的一年会带来幸福和好运。在中国，红色是好运的象征。 Spring Festival is the Chinese New Year. It starts on the 1st and ends on the 15th of lunar January. Spring Festival celebrates the coming of spring. Several days before the New Year, every family prepares rich food, buys new clothes, and cleans the house. Many families buy or write Spring Festival couplets and put them on the door. People believe that everything must be new and clean for the Spring Festival celebration so that the New Year will bring happiness and good luck. In China, red represents luck.

在除夕夜，人们通常要到十二点以后才睡觉，这叫“守岁”，“岁”也是“年”的意思，通常人们用岁表示年龄，即一年是一岁。守岁是送走旧的一年迎来新的一年，所以在晚上12点时，很多家庭都会放鞭炮以示新的一年的到来。新年的第一天，也就是初一，人们基本上都呆在家里。从年初二开始，人们起的很早，互相拜年并致以新年的祝福等。 On New Year’s eve, people set off fireworks from around midnight to see out the end of the previous year and welcome in the New Year, called “shǒusuì” .“suì”means year. On the first day of the New Year people usually stay at home. On the 2nd day people get up early and exchange New Year’s greetings with relatives, friends, neighbors, etc.

关于春节的英文介绍

关于春节的英文介绍 Spring Festival ○1The Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese people and is when all family members get together, just like Christmas in the West. All people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival. Airports, railway stations and long-distance bus stations are crowded with home returnees. (春节是中国人民最重要的节日，所有家庭成员聚在一起，在西方圣诞节一样。所有远离家乡的人都要回家，成为了为期半个月左右的运输系统最繁忙的时间——春运。机场，火车站和长途巴士站都挤满了回家的人。) ○2The Spring Festival falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar. It originated in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-c. 1100 BC) from the people's sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. （春节落在正月的第一天，往往比公历晚一个月。它起源于商朝（西元1600 BC-C。公元前1100年）从人民祭祀神灵和祖先，在旧的一年结束和一个新的开始。） ○3Strictly speaking, the Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and will last till the mid-1st lunar month of the next year. Of them, the most important days are Spring Festival Eve and the first three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year. （严格地说，春节是指从腊月初开始一直到第二年中旬的一个月。其中，最重要的日子是除夕和一年的前三天。现在中国政府规定，人民在中国农历新年有七天的休假。） ○4Many customs accompany the Spring Festival. Some are still followed today, but others have weakened. （春节的时候有不少传统习俗。有的人至今还在保持，不过有的人已经慢慢淡化了这种习俗。） ○5On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, many families make laba porridge, a delicious kind of porridge made with glutinous rice, millet, seeds of Job's tears, jujube berries, lotus seeds, beans, longan and gingko. （腊月的第8天，许多家庭做腊八粥，糯米，小米，薏苡种子，红枣浆果，莲子，豆类，龙眼，银杏制成美味的粥样。）○6The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve（小年）. At this time, people offer sacrifice to the kitchen god. Now however, most families make delicious food to enjoy themselves. （腊月23日，被称为小年。在这个时候，人们祭祀灶神。但是现在，大多数家庭做出美味的食物来过节。） ○7After the Preliminary Eve, people begin preparing for the coming New Year. This is called "Seeing the New Year in". （过了小年之后，人们开始为新年做准备。

大吉大利过新年：过春节必用的英文表达

大吉大利过新年：过春节必用的英文表达 Spring Festival Words Greeting Season: 春节 The Spring Festival 农历 lunar calendar 正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar 除夕New Year’s Eve; eve of lunar New Year 初一 the beginning of New Year 元宵节 The Lantern Festival Food names: 年糕 Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake 团圆饭 family reunion dinner 年夜饭the dinner on New Year’s Eve 饺子 Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli 汤圆 Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with either sweet or spicy fillings 八宝饭 eight treasures rice pudding

糖果盘 candy tray 什锦糖 assorted candies - sweet and fortune 蜜冬瓜 candied winter melon - growth and good health 西瓜子 red melon seed - joy, happiness, truth and sincerity 金桔 cumquat - prosperity 糖莲子 candied lotus seed - many descendents to come 糖藕 candied lotus root - fulfilling love relationship 红枣 red dates - prosperity 花生糖 peanut candy - sweet 祝你新的一年快乐幸福 Wish you happiness and prosperity in the coming year! Customs: 过年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival 对联 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry 春联 Spring Festival couplets 剪纸 paper-cuts 年画 New Year paintings

Spring Festival春节的英文介绍

Spring Festival is the most important festival in China . 春节是中国最重要的节日 It’s to celebrate the lunar calendar ‘s new year . 它是为了庆祝农历新年 In the evening before the Spring Festival ,families get together and have a big meal . 在春节前夜,家人聚在一起享用丰盛的一餐 In many places people like to set off firecrackers . 在许多地方人们还放鞭炮 Dumplings are the most traditional food . 饺子是最传统的食物 Children like the festival very much ,because they can have delicious food and wear new clothes . 孩子们非常喜欢春节,因为他们可以吃好吃的东西和穿新衣服 They can also get some money from their parents. 他们也可以领到压岁钱 This money is given to children for good luck . 给孩子的这些钱是为了(来年的)好运气 People put New Year scrolls on the wall for good fortune . 人们也用贴年画的方式来乞求好运 The Spring Festival lasts about 15 days long . 春节持续近15天

春节常见英语词汇

春联Spring Festival couplets 春酒 [wine brewed in spring] 春季酿制的或春季酿成的酒;也指民间习俗,春节时宴请亲友叫吃春酒春色满园 [a garden full of the beauty of spring] 春日的景色充满家园。形容生机勃勃、繁荣兴旺的气象春山如笑[hills as if smiling in the spring] 形容春天山区风景的优美动人春节 The Spring Festival 农历 lunar calendar 正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar 除夕 New Year's Eve; eve of lunar New Year 初一 the beginning of New Year 元宵节 The Lantern Festival Food names：年糕 Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake 团圆饭 family reunion dinner 年夜饭 the dinner on New Year's Eve 饺子 Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli 汤圆 Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with either sweet or spicy fillings 八宝饭 eight treasures rice pudding 糖果盘 candy tray: 什锦糖 assorted candies - sweet and fortune 蜜冬瓜 candied winter melon - growth and good health 西瓜子 red melon seed - joy, happiness, truth and sincerity 金桔 cumquat - prosperity 糖莲子 candied lotus seed - many descendents to come 糖藕 candied lotus root - fulfilling love relationship 红枣 red dates - prosperity 花生糖 peanut candy - sweet Customs: 过年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival 对联 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry 春联 Spring Festival couplets 剪纸 paper-cuts 年画 New Year paintings 买年货 special purchases for the Spring Festival ; do Spring Festival shopping

中国春节常用词语的英语表达

中国春节常用词语的英语表达过年 celebrate the spring festival 春联 spring festival couplets 剪纸paper-cuts 年画new year paintings 买年货do shopping for the spring festival do spring festival shopping 敬酒propose a toast 灯笼lantern 烟花fireworks 爆竹firecrackers (people scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.) 红包 red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming year.) 舞狮 lion dance (the lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.) 舞龙dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests) 戏曲traditional opera 杂耍variety show 灯谜riddles written on lanterns 灯会exhibit of lanterns 守岁staying-up 拜年pay new year's call; give new year's greetings; pay new year's visit 禁忌taboo 去晦气get rid of the ill- fortune 祭祖宗offer sacrifices to one's ancestors 压岁钱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 c o i n s s t r u n g t o g e t h e r o n a r e d s t r i n g a n d s y m b o l i z e d t h e h o p e t h a t o n e w o u l d l i v e t o b e a h u n d r e d years old. today, money is placed inside red envelopes in denominations considered ausp icious and given to represent luck and wealth 辞旧岁bid farewell to the old year 扫房spring cleaning; general house-cleaning 年糕 nian-gao; rise cake; new year cake 团圆饭family reunion dinner 年夜饭the dinner on new year's eve The Chinese lunar new year is coming. This new year is called "The Year of the Horse".

中国春节英文介绍

中国春节英文介绍 Spring Festival The Spring festival is the most important festival in China. It is on January 1st according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It's China's New year's Day So usually a month before the festiva,people begin to buy food clothes and decorations for houses. On New Year Eve,each family will gather together eating, talking and watching TV for almost the whole night.The children are the happiest of all because they can get presents from their parents or grand-parents. On Lunar New Year's Day.pepole will eat dumplings. When they meet their neighbours or friends,they'll say：”Happy New Year!”The New Year celebrating activitise will last about half a month.

春天的节日春节是我国最重要的节日.它是根据1月1日在中国农历日历.它是中国中国新年一个月前的一天,通常是在节日,人们开始为装修房子买衣服和食品.新年前夕,每个家庭都会聚在一起吃饭、谈话、看电视几乎整个晚上.孩子们兴的,因为他们能够得到来自父母或带来大的父母.农历新年中国人喜欢吃饺子.他们的邻居和朋友聚会时,他们会说新年快乐!新年庆祝会历时约半个月. The Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn is a very important Chinese festival. It falls on the 15th day of August.A few days before the festival, everyone in the family will help to make the house clean and https://www.wendangku.net/doc/8b5769145.html,nterns will be hung in front of the house. On the evening there will be a big family dinner.People who work far away from their homes will try to come back for the union. After dinner,people will light the lanterns which are usually red and round.Children will play with their own toy lanterns happily. 中秋节是中国一个很重要的节日,在八月十五号.在节日来临的前几天,家庭中的每一个人都帮着打扫房子,把房子装扮得漂漂亮亮的,灯笼挂在屋前.

中国节日介绍中英文对照

中国节日介绍英文版中国节日介绍英文版一、农历节日农历正月初一春节(the Spring Festival) 农历正月十五元宵节(Lantern Festival) 农历五月初五端午节(the Dragon-Boat Festival) 农历七月初七乞巧节(中国情人节）(Double-Seventh Day) 农历八月十五中秋节(the Mid-Autumn Festival) 农历九月初九重阳节(the Double Ninth Festival) 农历腊月初八腊八节(the laba Rice Porridge Festival) 二、阳历节日 1月1日元旦（New Y ear's Day) 2月2日世界湿地日(World Wetlands Day) 2月14日情人节(Valentine's Day) 3月3日全国爱耳日 3月5日青年志愿者服务日 3月8日国际妇女节(International Women' Day) 3月9日保护母亲河日 3月12日中国植树节(China Arbor Day) 3月14日白色情人节(White Day) 3月14日国际警察日(International Policemen' Day) 3月15日世界消费者权益日(World Consumer Right Day） 3月21日世界森林日（World Forest Day) 3月21日世界睡眠日(World Sleep Day) 3月22日世界水日(World Water Day) 3月23日世界气象日(World Meteorological Day) 3月24日世界防治结核病日(World T uberculosis Day) 4月1日愚人节(April Fools' Day) 4月5日清明节（T omb-sweeping Day) 4月7日世界卫生日(World Health Day） 4月22日世界地球日(World Earth Day) 4月26日世界知识产权日(World Intellectual Property Day) 5月1日国际劳动节(International Labour Day) 5月3日世界哮喘日(World Asthma Day) 5月4日中国青年节（Chinese Y outh Day) 5月8日世界红十字日(World Red-Cross Day) 5月12日国际护士节(International Nurse Day) 5月15日国际家庭日(International Family Day) 5月17日世界电信日(World T elecommunications Day) 5月20日全国学生营养日 5月23日国际牛奶日(International Milk Day) 5月31日世界无烟日(World No-Smoking Day) 6月1日国际儿童节(International Children's Day) 6月5日世界环境日(International Environment Day)

过春节必用的英文

过春节必用的英文春节 The Spring Festival 农历 lunar calendar 正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar 除夕 New Year's Eve; eve of lunar New Year 初一 the beginning of New Year 元宵节 The Lantern Festival Food names: 年糕 Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake 团圆饭 family reunion dinner 年夜饭 the dinner on New Year's Eve 饺子 Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli 汤圆 Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuff ed with either sweet or spicy fillings 八宝饭 eight treasures rice pudding 糖果盘 candy tray: 什锦糖 assorted candies - sweet and fortune 蜜冬瓜 candied winter melon - growth and good health 西瓜子 red melon seed - joy, happiness, truth and sincerity 金桔 cumquat - prosperity 糖莲子 candied lotus seed - many descendents to come 糖藕 candied lotus root - fulfilling love relationship 红枣 red dates - prosperity 花生糖 peanut candy - sweet

关于春节的资料英语

关于春节的资料英语以下关于春节的资料英语是由聘才网的小编为各位整理收集的，希望能给大家一个参考，欢迎阅读与借鉴。 like the Chinese new year better than any other festival. This is a time especially for rest and joy. I need not study. I wear good clothes and eat good food. I have a good time from morning till night. I am as happy as a king. 我喜欢中国新年比喜欢其它任何节日更甚。这是一个专为休息和欢乐的时间。我不需要读书。我穿好衣服，吃好东西。我每天从早到晚日子过得轻松愉快。我和上帝一样快乐。 2.春节是中国民间最隆重的传统节日。在夏历正月初一，又叫阴历年，俗称“过年”、“新年”。春节的历史很悠久，它起源于殷商时期年头岁尾的祭神祭祖活动。按照我国农历，正月初一古称元日、元辰、元正、元朔、元旦等，俗称年初一，到了民国时期，改用公历，公历的一月一日称为元旦，把农历的一月一日叫春节。 Lunar New Year , the most solemn of traditional Chinese folk festivals. First day of the first lunar month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, known as the Moon, commonly known as "New Year" and "New Year." The long history of the Spring Festival, which

过春节必用的英文

过春节必用的英文 Spring Festival is the most important festival in China .It?s to celebrate the lunar calendar …s new year .In the evening before the Spring Festival ,families get together and have a big meal .In many places people like to set off firecrackers .Dumplings are the most traditional food .Children like the festival very much ,because they can have delicious food and wear new clothes .They can also get some money from their parents. This money is given to children for good luck . People put New Year scrolls on the wall for good fortune . The Spring Festival lasts about 15 days long .People visit relatives and friends with the words “Have all your wishes ”. People enjoy the Spring Festival ,during this time they can have a good rest . Greeting Season: 春节The Spring Festival 农历lunar calendar 正月lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar 除夕New Year's Eve; eve of lunar New Year 初一the beginning of New Year 元宵节The Lantern Festival Food names: 年糕Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake 团圆饭family reunion dinner 年夜饭the dinner on New Year's Eve 饺子Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli 汤圆Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with

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中国春节介绍（英文中文） Spring Festival The Spring festival is the most important festival in China. It is on January 1st according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It's China's New year's Day So usually a month before the festiva,people begin to buy food clothes and decorations for houses. On New Year Eve,each family will gather together eating, talking and watching TV for almost the whole night.The children are the happiest of all because they can get presents from their parents or grand-parents. On Lunar New Year's Day.pepole will eat dumplings. When they meet their neighbours or friends,they'll say：”Happy New Year!”The New Year celebrating activitise will last about half a month.

春节手抄报关于春节的英文资料文字稿

春节手抄报关于春节的英文资料 1.I like the Chinese new year better than any other festival. This is a time especially for rest and joy. I need not study. I wear good clothes and eat good food. I have a good time from morning till night. I am as happy as a king. 我喜欢中国新年比喜欢其它任何节日更甚。这是一个专为休息和欢乐的时间。我不需要读书。我穿好衣服，吃好东西。我每天从早到晚日子过得轻松愉快。我和上帝一样快乐。 2.春节是中国民间最隆重的传统节日。在夏历正月初一，又叫阴历年，俗称“过年”、“新年”。春节的历史很悠久，它起源于殷商时期年头岁尾的祭神祭祖活动。按照我国农历，正月初一古称元日、元辰、元正、元朔、元旦等，俗称年初一，到了民国时期，改用公历，公历的一月一日称为元旦，把农历的一月一日叫春节。 Lunar New Year , the most solemn of traditional Chinese folk festivals. First day of the first lunar month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, known as the Moon, commonly known as "New Year" and "New Year." The long history of the Spring Festival, which originated in the Shang period the year draws to a close servicemen and the memorial activities. According to China's Lunar, the first day of the first lunar month yen ancient name, Yuan-chen, a copy, is Emperor, the New Year Day, which is commonly known as Day of the Republic. switch to the

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用英语介绍春节习俗 Preceding days 春节前 On the days before the New Year celebration Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. There is a Cantonese saying "Wash away the dirt on ninyabaat" (年廿八，洗邋遢), but the practice is not usually restricted on nin'ya'baat (年廿八, the 28th day of month 12). It is believed the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good luck. Brooms and dust pans are put away on the first day so that luck cannot be swept away. Some people give their homes, doors and window-frames a new coat of red paint. homes are often decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets. Purchasing new clothing, shoes, and receiving a hair-cut also symbolize a fresh start. In many households where Buddhism or Taoism is prevalent, home altars and statues are cleaned thoroughly, and altars that were adorned with decorations from the previous year are also taken down and burned a week before the new year starts, and replaced with new decorations. Taoists (and Buddhists to a lesser extent) will also "send gods" (送神), an example would be burning a paper effigy of Zao Jun the Kitchen God, the recorder of family functions. This is done so that the Kitchen God can report to the Jade Emperor of the family household's transgressions and good deeds. Families often offer sweet foods (such as candy) in order to "bribe" the deities into reporting good things about the family. The biggest event of any Chinese New Year's Eve is the dinner every family will have. A dish consisting of fish will appear on the tables of Chinese families. It is for display for the New Year's Eve dinner. This meal is comparable to Christmas dinner in the West. In northern China, it is customary to make dumplings (jiaozi 饺子) after dinner and have it around midnight. Dumplings symbolize wealth because their shape is like a Chinese tael. By contrast, in the South, it is customary to make a new year cake (Niangao, 年糕) after dinner and send pieces of it as gifts to relatives and friends in the coming days of the new year. Niangao literally means increasingly prosperous year in year out. After the dinner, some families go to local temples, hours before the new year begins to pray for a prosperous new year by lighting the first incense of the year; however in modern practice, many households hold parties and even hold a countdown to the new lunar year. Beginning in the 1980s, the CCTV New Year's Gala was broadcast four hours before the start of the New Year.