jyun4 siu1元宵
Jyutpingjyun4 siu1
Yaleyùhn sīu
Definition
Lantern Festival; the traditional festival on the fifteenth night of the first lunar month.
neutralfestivalfood
How it's used
While often called the Chinese Valentine's Day, the focus remains heavily on family reunion and the symbolic roundness of the moon and the food. It marks the final celebration of the Lunar New Year period, effectively bringing the festive season to a close. People typically associate this day with the specific act of solving riddles written on lanterns, a traditional game that is still popular in public parks.
Examples
On the night of the Lantern Festival, we went to Victoria Park to see the lanterns.
Do you have plans to go eat glutinous rice balls with anyone on the Lantern Festival?
Related words
Common phrases
Lantern Festival
eat glutinous rice balls
solve lantern riddles
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with the Mid-Autumn Festival, as both involve lanterns and moon-viewing. Remember that 元宵 occurs in early spring, whereas the Mid-Autumn Festival takes place in the autumn.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
