san1 zeng1 tau4新正頭新正头

Jyutpingsan1 zeng1 tau4

Yalesān jēng tàuh

Definition

The beginning of the first month of the lunar calendar; the start of the Lunar New Year.

colloquialfestivaltime

How it's used

Refers specifically to the first few days of the Lunar New Year, typically the first to the fifth or seventh day. It carries a festive and slightly formal tone, often used when discussing customs or taboos that should be observed during this period. It is rarely used to describe the entire month, focusing instead on the immediate, celebratory start of the year.

Examples

san1新zing1正tau2頭m4唔hou2好gong2講maai4埋di1啲m4唔gat1吉lei6利ge2嘅je5嘢。

Do not say anything unlucky during the start of the Lunar New Year.

nei5你san1新zing1正tau2頭jau5有mou5冇heoi3去bin1邊dou6度wun6玩aa4呀？

Did you go anywhere fun during the start of the Lunar New Year?

Common phrases

san1新zing1正tau2頭baai3拜nin4年

visiting relatives during the start of the Lunar New Year

Common mistake

Avoid using this term to refer to the entire month of January or the general start of the year, as it is strictly tied to the Lunar New Year period. It is also not used to describe the calendar date itself, but rather the festive atmosphere and time frame.