HSK 1 3 What Do Chinese People Really Do On New Year s Eve 除夕到底在做什么 l Chinese Podcast

Hello everyone Welcome to Learn Chinese On The Go Today we're talking about what people actually do on Chinese New Year's Eve Xiao Mei how about we chat about Chinese New Year's Eve today Great Ming New Year's Eve is truly a special day Yes many people spend New Year's Eve with their families Exactly the most important thing is having the New Year's Eve dinner What dishes are usually served at the New Year's Eve dinner Dumplings are a must along with fish and meat Dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity while fish represents surplus every year These foods all carry beautiful meanings What else do people do on New Year's Eve besides eating Many people watch the Spring Festival Gala together The Spring Festival Gala truly is a cherished New Year memory for Chinese people I remember enjoying magic shows as a child I preferred listening to songs and watching skits more Keeping vigil on New Year's Eve is also an important tradition isn't it Yes you have to wait until the New Year's bell rings This signifies bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new one Isn't staying up late a bit tiring Haha Sometimes I feel sleepy but I'm happy Will fireworks and firecrackers still be set off on New Year's Eve They used to be common in many places but now it's less frequent It's for environmental and safety reasons isn't it Yes it's basically prohibited in cities now Still the festive atmosphere during the New Year remains strong The tradition of giving red envelopes to children on New Year's Eve is still alive That’s my favorite part ha back when I was a kid Now I also give red envelopes to the younger members of my family This is a elder's blessing and affection for the younger generation Is there still anyone who puts up spring couplets and the character fortune Yes pasting red couplets is very festive The character for "fortune" should be hung upside down meaning "fortune has arrived " These little details are both interesting and deeply traditional Is preparing the New Year's Eve dinner on New Year's Eve really exhausting Yes you have to prepare a lot of ingredients in advance Plus there are so many family members so there are lots of dishes to make But it's so much fun when everyone helps out together This busyness is also one of the joys of the Lunar New Year I feel that New Year's Eve is a day for reunion and gratitude Yes relatives who don't often see each other come over It's wonderful to all gather together chatting and laughing Sometimes small challenges arise too like ha yes arguing over what dish to eat These are all special memories of New Year's Eve So Xiao Mei what do you like most about New Year's Eve I love the time when the whole family is together Me too that warm feeling is great The true meaning of New Year's Eve is simply being together with family That's perfectly said—this is what matters most That concludes today's sharing thank you all By the way I'd like to ask you one more question What's the problem Hurry up and tell me What's the most special dish your family eats on New Year's Eve Wow that's such a great question I think the New Year's Eve dinner is really important We always eat fish at home symbolizing surplus every year That's right I know that too—it's very meaningful Do you still eat dumplings the kind you make yourself Of course we all pitch in together to make dumplings as a family It's my favorite activity I love it too—it really feels like the holidays Would you put a coin inside dumplings Yes whoever eats the one with the coin will be lucky Just be careful not to crack a tooth Yes that is indeed a small challenge What else do you do in the evenings besides eating After dinner everyone watches the Spring Festival Gala together Chatting staying up late and waiting for the arrival of the new year Staying up late is also significant symbolizing bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new Have you ever experienced a Spring Festival Gala that wasn't enjoyable Haha of course there are complaints—everyone chimes in But when the whole family's together everything feels great That's exactly right—what matters most is the atmosphere isn't it Have you ever experienced anything special on New Year's Eve Something special hmm let me think Once my dad suddenly dressed up as the God of Wealth Wow that must have been so fun—everyone was really surprised Yeah he even gave us red envelopes I still remember that scene very clearly How wonderful—these little details truly make a lasting impression Oh are there any other preparations needed before New Year's Eve Of course there is for example a thorough cleaning is very important You need to clean the house spotless Yes sweeping away the old dust to welcome a fresh new atmosphere I remember we also need to put up spring couplets and hang lanterns right Yes these are all essential elements of the festive atmosphere Putting up the bright red spring couplets instantly brings the feeling of the Lunar New Year into the home I didn't understand these much before but now I see they are a传承 of culture and extremely important Yes these traditions make the New Year more meaningful Have you ever noticed how New Year's Eve feels different from other days Of course it does—time just seems to slow down And the air itself was filled with the scent of happiness That's exactly it—such a unique atmosphere It's as if everyone's face was lit up with smiles Yes full of hope and new beginnings Have you thought about how you'll spend New Year's Eve in the future I hope I can still be with my family like this forever Keeping these wonderful traditions alive I feel the same—there's no substitute for this sense of togetherness I'm truly looking forward to the next New Year's Eve Yeah hearing you say that I'm even more excited now What part of New Year's Eve are you most looking forward to Dinner or something else I'm really looking forward to sharing the reunion dinner with my entire family Reunion dinners are wonderful—what do you eat at your house on New Year's Eve We have dumplings and rice cakes both of which carry great meanings Dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity while rice cakes represent rising success year after year Exactly eating these feels like filling your heart with hope We also prepare fish at home symbolizing surplus every year Wow this is truly fascinating—every dish carries a meaning Yes that’s probably what makes New Year’s Eve so special Will you watch the Spring Festival Gala on New Year’s Eve I feel the same—though I sometimes complain I still watch it Haha it's like background music the season just doesn't feel right without it You're right it's the happiest when the whole family laughs and chats together Have you ever received any special lucky money Of course getting money as a child always felt especially exciting It was like being blessed—so warm and comforting It's time for us to give red envelopes to our elders—what matters most is the thought behind it Exactly as long as the sentiment is there everyone will be happy By the way what do you think is the most special sound of New Year's Eve It must be the sound of family laughter and firecrackers Nowadays firecrackers are fewer in the city but the festive spirit remains Indeed safety is important too—we understand that Do you still remember the tradition of staying up on New Year's Eve Of course staying up is all about bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new one I could never stay awake as a kid always falling asleep in the middle of the night Haha me too but adults manage to stay up until the early hours They really are praying for their families aren't they Yes hoping everything goes smoothly in the new year The thorough cleaning before New Year's Eve is also an important part Sweep away the misfortunes of the past year and welcome a fresh start After each cleaning the house feels completely refreshed My mood lifts too making me feel wonderfully at ease Have you ever thought about what to do if New Year's Eve isn't spent at home Indeed many people working away from home can't return It must feel lonely missing that lively atmosphere Video calls today are convenient and make it easy to reunite with family online Indeed video chats with loved ones still bring love and warmth Technological advances have made distance no longer an issue—very beneficial What else do you think there is about New Year's Eve besides eating drinking and having fun It's a传承 of culture and a source of family unity That's beautifully said—it makes people feel connected to their roots It's a reflection on the past year and a hopeful look ahead Every time I finish celebrating New Year's Eve I feel renewed strength Yes with the love of my family I face new challenges Today's chat gave me a deeper understanding of New Year's Eve I feel the significance of New Year's Eve goes even deeper than I imagined May we all cherish every Lunar New Year's Eve moment By the way I'd like to ask you one more question Hmm what's the problem Go ahead and tell me What do you look forward to the most about New Year's Eve Definitely having dinner with my family—it's so heartwarming The New Year's Eve dinner is definitely the highlight—what's your family's signature dish We always make fish symbolizing abundance every year and dumplings Oh fish and dumplings are both essential—how wonderful What about your family Do you have any special New Year's Eve traditions We stay up late on New Year's Eve gathering as a family to watch the Spring Festival Gala and chat Staying up late I used to do that with my parents when I was young Stay up until midnight then set off fireworks and firecrackers—it's very lively Now in many cities they're no longer allowed making the festival feel a bit less festive Yes safety and environmental protection are also important but it's truly a pity So what do you think makes it special besides these Hanging spring couplets and paper cutouts brightens up the home with a festive atmosphere That's right as soon as those red couplets are hung up the festive spirit truly sets in And of course the lucky money given by adults to children—now that's my absolute favorite part Haha who wasn't That was always the highlight of childhood The New Year's money carries长辈's heartfelt blessings for the younger generation That's right it's a meaningful way of passing on love Back then wearing new clothes symbolized a fresh start for the new year didn't it Now I still buy new clothes to welcome the coming year Have you ever thought about how you'd spend New Year's Eve if you weren't at home Wow that would be quite different maybe even with friends Hmm but you'd still miss the feeling of home wouldn't you Of course that's why I always try to get home to celebrate New Year's Eve every year I think New Year's Eve is also a great time for reflecting on the past Exactly thinking about the gains and losses of the past year is very helpful Then planning out goals and plans for the coming year Yes giving yourself some positive mental affirmations is great Do you have any particularly unforgettable New Year's Eve experiences you'd like to share I remember once when there was a power outage at home and we lit candles Wow celebrating New Year's Eve by candlelight must have been really fun right The super special moment feels even more intimate and heartwarming Such unexpected experiences often become the most treasured memories Yes so New Year's Eve isn't just about tradition—it's about heartfelt intention Speaking of intention how do you think young people celebrate New Year's Eve nowadays Some choose to travel others rush to grab red envelopes—ha Technology has truly transformed many traditions—it's quite fascinating But at its heart it's still about reunion and hopeful wishes for the new year Yes the form may change but this sentiment must never be lost So what do you think we should do to pass these traditions on We could talk more with our elders and learn their stories We could also try making traditional foods ourselves and experience them firsthand Yes or tell your child about the origins and stories behind New Year's Eve These are all excellent ways to help children feel the spirit too New Year's Eve truly is a day filled with love and hope Every time we talk about New Year's Eve I feel a warm happy glow in my heart Yes it gives every Chinese person a sense of belonging to a home I think the charm of New Year's Eve lies precisely here—it's wonderful truly wonderful Yes the warmth and sense of belonging that home provides are truly priceless That's right What's the most memorable New Year's Eve you can recall Well I remember one time when we all stayed up late together making dumplings Wow that must have been so lively full of laughter and joy Yes that sense of a big family—just thinking about it now warms my heart Indeed nowadays many people might not have the chance to gather together like this anymore Yeah work's been hectic and we've been living farther and farther apart So what do you think—could there be any new ways to bridge that gap Video calls are definitely possible and you can also send some local specialties from home That's a great idea—letting flavors connect us is really creative Exactly or we could all agree on a time to cook and eat together online Ha ha a New Year's Eve dinner over the phone sounds pretty fun too The situation has changed but doesn't the exchange of heartfelt feelings still matter Hmm we really do need to think about how to pass these on to the next generation Beyond talking with our elders we can also share our own feelings more often That's right—let young people understand that New Year's Eve isn't just about holidays and fun but about gratitude and looking ahead a symbol of reunion and hope By the way I heard some places play special games on New Year's Eve Oh like what kind of games I’m not really familiar with that For example riddle guessing or certain regional traditional board games Wow that sounds really interesting—it can add fun and joy to family interactions Indeed interactive games strengthen bonds more than watching TV I think we could also create some New Year's Eve mini-games ourselves Hmm for example turn a family story into a riddle for everyone to guess Ha ha what a fantastic idea—fun and meaningful at the same time Not only will it pass on the story but it’ll also fill New Year’s Eve with laughter and joy That's right the charm of New Year's Eve lies in creating and sharing something beautiful I'd also like to know what do you think the festive spirit of New Year's Eve is The essence of the New Year to me is the aroma of my mother's home-cooked meals And the crackling sound of firecrackers outside the window and the children's laughter too Yes it's the anticipation of the old year ending and the new one about to begin It's that sense of warmth and peace when the whole family gathers around sharing the moment together So the essence of the New Year isn't material things—it's an atmosphere a feeling That was beautifully said—it influences each of us in ways that are无形 yet profound This emotional bond is the most precious treasure of Chinese New Year's Eve So how can we make this festive atmosphere even richer We can participate in more traditional customs even if just small ones such as posting Spring Festival couplets hanging lanterns or making decorations ourselves Yes or try making a traditional New Year dish you don’t usually prepare These all make the home feel truly festive Rituals are important—they make ordinary days feel special I think New Year's Eve is essentially a collection of annual ritualistic feelings That's an incredibly insightful summary—truly the concentrated expression of culture and emotion Every time we talk about New Year's Eve I feel so happy and full of strength Yes it reminds us that no matter how far we are home is always there This sense of belonging and being loved is what drives us forward May every New Year's Eve be filled with warmth love and hope Yes I hope these beautiful traditions can continue forever Such moments truly deserve our heartfelt appreciation and treasuring Indeed the true meaning of New Year's Eve goes far beyond feasting and festivities—it lies in the heart Yes this heartfelt intention is at the core of tradition It is also the best reason for families to come together Being with the one you love is happiness Welcoming the new year together full of hope This feeling is truly unique and beautiful Yes it brings our hearts even closer Every New Year's Eve marks a fresh beginning We can make new wishes and set fresh goals It's also a time to reflect on and be grateful for the past year We are grateful for everyone and everything that has helped us Especially for our hopes and dreams of a better future Every detail of New Year's Eve is filled with love For instance the scene of a family making dumplings together The moment of gathering around together to watch the Spring Festival Gala The joy of elders giving red envelopes to younger generations These are the unique heartwarming memories of New Year's Eve They are also an essential way our culture is passed down Letting children feel the strength of family from a young age Teach them to be grateful and cherish togetherness Indeed the warmth of home is the best education The New Year's Eve reunion dinner is the highlight of the celebration Each dish carries a meaningful wish For example fish symbolizes surplus every year—very auspicious Dumplings represent wealth and prosperity also very lucky Every bite carries the taste of home and love This flavor is unmatched by any delicacy whether mountain or sea Exactly it's an独一无二的家庭味道 Hearing the firecrackers outside my heart feels at peace It's as if all the year's weariness has been washed away Embracing a new beginning full of hope The evening of Chinese New Year's Eve is always so peaceful and serene yet brimming with laughter and anticipation—this is the romance unique to our Chinese people and a shared cultural memory I truly hope these traditions continue forever and are embraced by even more young people so our festive spirit can grow even stronger Every conversation leaves me wanting more—it's so enjoyable Yes New Year's Eve has so much to talk about It represents the past and connects us to the future It is also a significant symbol of Chinese culture Remind us to never forget our original aspirations and keep our mission in mind Today's sharing was truly meaningful Thank you Da Ming it was a pleasure chatting with everyone Time truly flies and the program is coming to an end May this bring everyone a fresh perspective on New Year's Eve So how do you celebrate a New Year's Eve full of traditional charm We welcome you to share your experiences and stories in the comments section Don't forget to subscribe see you in the next episode Wishing everyone a happy new year we'll talk again next time Today's discussion was really interesting—hope everyone learned something too Absolutely feel free to share your experiences and questions in the comments section Happy New Year to everyone