When you think of Chinese New Year, you might picture traditional foods, huge fireworks displays, and vibrant red decorations. Sure, those are important parts of the celebration, but what else do you know? Read on to learn more!
When is it?
New Year’s Day 2024 falls on February 10. The date changes every year because it’s based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar.
The holiday, also known as the Spring Festival, ends on February 15 this year. The last day is celebrated with a lantern festival.
Year of the Dragon
On the Chinese calendar, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon symbolizes power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success in traditional Chinese culture. The people born in the year of the tiger are said to be natural leaders. Past Years of the Dragon are 2012, 2000, and 1988. If you were born in one of those years, you’re a Dragon
Superstitions
Chinese New Year comes with some superstitions. Here are just a few New Year’s taboos!
Native words
You won’t have good luck if you say negative words on New Year’s Day.
Sweeping
If you sweep on New Year’s Day, you’ll sweep your good fortune away.
Sharp objects
You will cut your wealth if you use scissors or knives during the Spring Festival.
Medicine
If you take medicine during the Spring Festival, you will be unhealthy all year.
Washing
If you wash your hair or clothes on New Year’s Day, you’ll wash your luck away.
Dishes
If you break dishes during the Spring Festival, you won’t have good fortune.
Money
You’ll fall into debt if you lend or borrow money during the Spring Festival.
Needlework
If you do needlework on New Year’s Day, you will decrease your wealth.
Tools
You will lose wealth if you break tools during the Spring Festival.
Wrapping it up
Chinese New Year is a holiday with fascinating traditions and superstitions. Don’t forget to avoid those taboos!
Exercise
Choose the correct option using the words from the video.Chinese New Year Reading Comprehension
Grammar
First Conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about future possibilities or things that are likely to happen in the future. For example:
If I have enough money, I will go to Boston this summer.
The structure of the first conditional is:
If + present simple verb, will + infinitive
If the teacher is good, the class will be easy to follow.
We can also use the first conditional in the NEGATIVE FORM. For example:
If the hotel is not available, I won’t book it.
If + don’t / doesn’t + present simple verb, won’t + infinitive
In this case, both parts of the sentence are negative, but we might find sentences where one part is negative and the other is affirmative. For example:
If she doesn’t study, she’ll fail her exam.
If + don’t / doesn’t + present simple verb, will + infinitive
If it rains, I won’t go to the concert.
If + present simple verb , will not / won’t + infinitive
Related Course Units
Atef
China have the power.
Some similar with Chinese superstitions are common in many parts of the would. For example, in my country at the holly days of the year it is sinn to do housework.
Great!