摘要：过年啦！在这个重要的节日里，要做的事情可多了！打扫卫生、采购年货、吃团圆饭、分发红包、放鞭炮等等。今年你会做些什么来迎新年呢？预祝大家吃好喝好，蛇年大吉。

过年啦！在这个重要的节日里，要做的事情可多了！打扫卫生、采购年货、吃团圆饭、分发红包、放鞭炮等等。今年你会做些什么来迎新年呢？预祝大家吃好喝好，蛇年大吉。

Long ago, on a fateful night just as the new year began, a mythical beast called Nian emerged from the darkness and onto the land.

很久以前，在新年伊始的一个决定命运的夜晚，一头名为“年”的恶兽从黑暗中出现，来到了大地上。

Nian began hunting people and animals and destroying their homes.

年兽开始伤害人和动物，毁坏人们的家园。

It was utter chaos.

人间一片混乱。

People had no idea how to protect themselves from the beast.

人们不知该如何从年兽爪下保护自己。

Eventually they discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, fire and the color red.

最终他们发现年兽害怕巨大的噪音、火焰和红色。

So from then on, before New Year's Day people would post red couplets which contain blessings and wishes they have for the new year on the front of their houses.

所以从那时起，在春节之前，人们会在房门上张贴红色的对联，上面写着他们对新一年的祝愿。

They would also light loud and bright firecrackers and hang lanterns to scare the beast away just in case he was still around.

人们还会点燃响亮又明亮的鞭炮和挂灯笼来吓跑年兽，以防它还在附近。

Did you know that this story actually tells us the legend of how Chinese New Year began?

你知道吗？这个故事实际上告诉了我们中国春节的起源。

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a festival celebrated every year by Chinese communities worldwide.

中国春节，又称农历新年（注：中国新年为Chinese New Year，Lunar New Year泛指东亚多国的农历新年）是一个全世界华人社区每年都会庆祝的节日。

From Hong Kong to London, and Sydney to San Francisco.

从中国香港到伦敦，再从悉尼到旧金山。

It is a very important festival to Chinese people because they believe that a good start to the year will lead to a lucky and prosperous year.

这对中国人来说是一个非常重要的节日，因为他们相信一个好的开始会带来一个幸运和繁荣的一年。

Chinese New Year starts on the very first day of the lunar calendar.

中国新年从农历的第一天开始。

This day usually falls in January or February.

这一天通常在一月或二月。

Like a lot of celebrations around the world and in different cultures, there are special traditions that are observed during Chinese New Year.

就像世界各地和不同文化中的许多庆祝活动一样，中国的新年期间有一些特殊的传统。

One of the most obvious traditions is the use of the color red.

最明显的传统之一是使用红色。

This is because red represents good fortune and happiness.

这是因为红色代表好运和幸福。

That is why you'll see lots of red decorations, such as lanterns and couplets hanging around streets, buildings and in houses as well.

所以你会看到很多红色的装饰物，比如挂在街上、建筑物上和家里的灯笼和对联。

One of the exciting parts of Chinese New Year are all the red envelopes.

中国新年令人兴奋的部分之一还有红包。

These envelopes have money inside and are given to children by married adults, which bless them with a peaceful new year.

这些信封里装着钱，由已婚成年人送给孩子们，祝福他们有一个平安的新年。

Firecrackers are also set off to sound out the old year and welcome in a better new year.

人们会燃放鞭炮来辞旧迎新。

Are they loud?

它们大声吗？

Chinese New Year is an important time for families to be together.

中国新年是家人团聚的重要时刻。

People come home from all around the world to celebrate the festival with their families.

在除夕夜，人们从世界各地回家与家人一起庆祝这个节日。

On Chinese New Year's Eve, families sit together at round tables for a reunion dinner and enjoy a feast.

除夕夜这天，家人围坐在圆桌前吃团圆饭，享受盛宴。

Some foods are extra popular at this time because their names or appearances carry positive symbolic meanings.

有些食物在这个时候特别受欢迎，因为它们的名字或外观具有积极的象征意义。

These foods include dumplings, mandarins, and rice balls. Yum!

这些食物包括饺子、柑橘和饭团。美味！

During Chinese New Year you can say "Xinnian Kuaile Wanshi Ruyi," which means "Happy new year! May all your wishes be fulfilled!"

在中国新年期间，你可以说“新年快乐，万事如意”，意思是新年快乐！希望你一切愿望都实现！”

Everyone celebrates special days in their own way.

每个人都以自己的方式庆祝特殊的日子。

Different people have different traditions that they enjoy during their festivals.

不同的人在他们的节日里有不同的传统。

And these are just some of the common ones seen during Chinese New Year.

而这些只是中国新年期间常见的一些习俗。

来源：英语东