cing1 ming4 zit3清明節清明节
Jyutpingcing1 ming4 zit3
Yalechīng mìhng jit
Definition
Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as the Qingming or Ching Ming Festival.
neutralfestivaltime
How it's used
People often associate this day with rain, reflecting the melancholic atmosphere of visiting cemeteries. While the festival is a time for paying respects, it is not considered a joyous holiday like Lunar New Year, so avoid using festive greetings like happy.
Examples
Will you go back to visit the graves on Ching Ming Festival?
It is very common for it to rain on Ching Ming Festival.
Related words
Common phrases
the season of Ching Ming
grave sweeping during Ching Ming
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a public holiday where people celebrate, but it is a solemn occasion for ancestor worship. Do not use the word 快樂 when wishing someone a happy Ching Ming Festival, as it is culturally inappropriate.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
