#AP Chinese Exam Study Guide: Holidays and Celebrations 🏮

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the AP Chinese exam with a super focused review of Chinese holidays. Think of this as your cheat sheet for tonight – clear, concise, and totally designed to help you ace it! 💪

#Chinese New Year (春节 Chūnjié)

#Key Celebrations and Traditions

• Timing: Based on the Lunar calendar, usually in January or February. 🗓️
• Duration: Workers and students get about 2-3 weeks off. ✈️
• Core Activities:
  • Family gatherings (家庭聚会 jiātíng jùhuì) - The world's largest annual migration! 🌍
  • Putting up red decorations (红色装饰 hóngsè zhuāngshì)
  • Giving out red envelopes (红包 hóngbāo)

#Family Gatherings

• Travel: Expect massive travel via planes, trains, and cars. 🚄🚗
• Food: Big family meals are a must! 🍲 * Common Foods:
  • Fish (鱼 yú): Symbolizes surplus (年年有余 nián nián yǒuyú). Eat with leftovers! 🐟

* Dumplings (饺子 jiǎozi): Symbolize wealth because of their shape like silver ingots. 💰 * Spring rolls (春卷 chūnjuǎn) * Sweet rice balls (汤圆 tāngyuán) * Longevity noodles (长寿面 chángshòu miàn) * Round and golden fruits (水果 shuǐguǒ) 🍊

#The Legend of Nian (年)

• The Story: A monster named “Nian” (年) would come to harm people every year. 👹
• Solution: People discovered that Nian was afraid of red, fire, and loud noises. 🔥🧨
• Traditions: * Putting up red couplets (红对联 hóng duìlián) * Lighting lanterns (灯笼 dēnglóng) * Setting off firecrackers (爆竹 bàozhú)

#Red Envelopes (红包 Hóngbāo)

• Purpose: Given to children for good luck (好运 hǎoyùn). 🧧
• Money: Always an even number (avoid odd numbers, which are for funerals). 💰
• Avoid: The number four (四 sì) because it sounds like death (死 sǐ).

#QingMing Festival (清明节 Qīngmíng Jié)

#Honoring Ancestors

• Timing: Typically in April (四月 sì yuè). 🗓️
• Purpose: To honor ancestors (祖先 zǔxiān) by visiting graves (墓地 mùdì). 🪦
• Also known as: Tomb Sweeping ...