The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to unite over seasonal delicacies and indulge in moon cakes while giving thanks to the harvest and praying for good fortune in the future. For those fortunate enough to be in China during this festival, take the opportunity to sample the traditional dishes and activities that form part of this unique holiday. Whether you choose to go it alone, or if you are lucky enough to be invited to a family gathering, here are some phrases to help you navigate the harvest festival.
Vocabulary
Mid-Autumn Festival
中秋节
Zhōng qiū jié
The moon
月亮
Yuè liàng
Mooncake
月饼
Yuè bǐng
Moon watching
赏月
Shǎng yuè
Reunion
团圆
Tuán yuán
The Moon Goddess
嫦娥
Cháng é
The God of Archery
后羿
Hòu yì
Lantern
灯笼
Dēng lóng
Lantern riddle
灯谜
Dēng mí
The lunar calendar
农历
Nóng lì
The Fifteenth Day of the Eighth Lunar Month
八月十五
Bā yuè shí wǔ
Osmanthus wine
桂花酒
Guì huā jiǔ
Phrases
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival
中秋快乐
Zhōng qiū kuài lè
Wishing you and your family a happy Mid-Autumn Festival
祝你和你的家人中秋快乐
Zhù nǐ hé nǐ dejiā rén zhōng qiū kuài lè
No matter how far apart we are, may we live a long and peaceful life, as we admire the moon together.
但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
Dàn yuàn rén cháng jiǔ, qiān lǐ gòng chán juān 。
May your life be as the Autumn moon, complete and fulfilled.
愿你的生活像十五的月亮一样，圆圆满满。
Yuàn nǐ de shēng huó xiàng shí wǔ de yuè liàng yī yàng,yuán yuán mǎn mǎn 。
I would like to buy some mooncakes
有月饼吗？
Yǒu yuè bǐng ma？
How much do the mooncakes cost?
月饼多少钱？
Yuè bǐng duōshǎo qián?
What is the filling of the mooncake?
月饼是什么馅儿的？
Yuè bǐng shì shén me xiàner de？
- Red bean paste
豆沙馅
Dòu shāxiàn
- Lotus seed paste
莲蓉馅
Lián róng xiàn
Salted egg yolk
咸蛋黄馅
Xián dàn huáng xiàn
Pork
猪肉馅
Zhūròu xiàn
Cantonese-style/Suzhou-style
广式/苏式
Guǎng shì/Sūshì
I miss my family very much
我很想念我的家人
Wǒ hěn xiǎng niàn wǒ de jiā rén
How is your family?
你的家人还好吗？
Nǐ de jiā rén hái hǎo ma？
Tonight the moon is very beautiful
今晚的月亮真美
Jīn wǎn de yuè liàng zhēn měi
What is the origin of these customs?
这些习俗的起源是什么？
Zhè xiē xí sú deqǐ yuán shì shénme？
[Title image via Flickr]
For more useful Mandarin phrases, click here.
