| Hi, everybody! Do you know how people celebrate New Year's Day in Hong Kong? In this lesson, you'll learn some important phrases about the New Year in Hong Kong and some valuable cultural tips. |
| In Cantonese, New Year's day is called... |
| 新年 (san1 nin4) |
| [slowly] 新年 (san1 nin4) |
| On 新年, people in Hong Kong greet each other by saying 新年快樂！(san1 nin4 faai3 lok6!) |
| (slow) 新年快樂！ (san1 nin4 faai3 lok6!) |
| This means "Happy New Year." |
| When you meet someone for the first time in the new year, be sure to greet them with this phrase. |
| People in Hong Kong also celebrate the holiday with special events and customs. The most popular one is... |
| 團年飯 (tyun4 nin4 faan6) |
| (slow) 團年飯 (tyun4 nin4 faan6) |
| This means "family reunion dinner." |
| On New Year's Eve, family members gather and have a festive dinner called 團年飯 (tyun4 nin4 faan6). In Hong Kong, people visit their parents and wish for good luck at shrines by burning incense. On the second day of the New Year, the visits continue, and everyone watches fireworks in the evening. |
| On this special day, Cantonese people exchange 利是 (lei6 si6) |
| (slow) 利是 (lei6 si6) |
| This means "red packets." |
| These small red or golden envelopes are filled with money. Every married person prepares numerous red packets to give to their unmarried relatives and friends as well as to the people who help them frequently in daily life, such as doormen and cleaners. Giving people red packets is seen as a way to share blessings and good luck with others. |
| Let's wrap up this lesson by recapping what you've learned. Listen to the expression and repeat after me. |
| "New Year's Day" |
| 新年 (san1 nin4) |
| * beep |
| 新年 (san1 nin4) |
| "Happy New Year!" |
| 新年快樂！(san1 nin4 faai3 lok6!) |
| * beep |
| 新年快樂！(san1 nin4 faai3 lok6!) |
| "family reunion dinner" |
| 團年飯 (tyun4 nin4 faan6) |
| * beep |
| 團年飯 (tyun4 nin4 faan6) |
| "red packets" |
| 利是 (lei6 si6) |
| * beep |
| 利是 (lei6 si6) |
| Well done! [pause] Here's a fun fact! |
| What color should you wear during the Lunar New Year? |
| You should wear red during the Lunar New Year, because in Chinese culture, the color of red represents “joy” and “good luck.” Black and white, on the other hand, represent death, so make sure not to wear all black or white during this time! |
| You just learned how Cantonese people celebrate "New Year's Day" and some important facts about the holiday. |
| And if you want to learn Cantonese twice as fast, just click the link in the description and download tons of PDF lessons for FREE! |
| I'll see you next time. 多謝收睇，下次見！(do1 ze6 sau1 tai2, haa6 ci3 gin3!) |
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