What is your best Chinese New year memory?
The best moment I’ve ever had is playing with fire crackers in the yard with my friends when I was young (maybe 7 or 8 years old?) The crackers are so beautiful and I loved to share and exchange special crackers with my friends.
How do you usually celebrate Chinese New Year at your place?
My home town is Changde city in the Hunan province. For Chinese people, eating together is the most important partof CNY festival. But before we start eating, my family will put some dishes on the table, recall the members of the family who passed away, and tell them it is time to eat good food. Nobody can touch the food before we carry out this small ceremony. My family will also cook a golden fish, but it is not for eating. This fish means that every year we will have some food and money left for the next year. It is also called “年年有余” (Nian nian you yu).
What is your favourite Chinese New Year dish?
My favourite dish is 八宝饭 (ba bao fan). It means Eight Precious Pudding.
Which expression will you teach your students for Chinese New year?
I will teach them to say 恭喜 发财, 红包 拿来 (gong xi fa cai, hong bao na lai)! why means “trick or treat”! 🙂
