外国人看中国:关于农历新年不得不知的11件事

7. Firecrackers are for scaring away monsters
7.鞭炮是用来吓走怪兽的

Legend says the half- dragon, half- lion monster "Nian" comes out of hiding and attacks people (especially children) during the Lunar New Year.
传说半龙半狮的怪兽“年”回在农历新年出来躲着供给人类（特别是儿童）

His weakness? Sensitive ears.
他的弱点？敏感的耳朵

In the old days, people would light bamboo stalks on fire to frighten the monster.
在过去，人们会点燃竹子的茎来吓走怪兽

Nowadays, you can watch spectacular fireworks display along the Hong Kong waterfront or play with firecrackers in a Beijing hutong.
现在你可以在香港的海滩边观看精彩的烟火表演，或者在北京的胡同放炮仗

8. Red undies are critical for some
8.红色内衣对一些人至关重要

Red is associated with luck and prosperity, but it's used mainly for protective purposes.
红色与好运和兴旺相关，但其重要是用于保护目的的

In addition to being spooked by loud noises, "Nian" is frightened by the color red, which explains all the red you see on Lunar New Year decorations.
除了会受巨大声音的惊吓，“年”还会受到红色的惊吓，这就解释了为什么你能在所有的新年装饰上看到红色

For those born in the Year of the Horse -- turning 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96 this year -- red undergarments are a must.
对于那些出生在马年的人—今年12,24,36,48,60,72,84,96岁的人—红色的内衣是必要的

Not because that pesky L N Y monster has X- ray vision, but because red undies supposedly fend off misfortune in this unlucky year.
不是因为这个讨厌的新年怪兽有X光视线，而是因为红色的内衣能够在不够幸运的一年抵挡厄运

Interestingly, the Cantonese term for pants (fu) sounds exactly like the word for wealth.
有趣的是，广东话里裤子的发音（福）就像是福的发音

9. It's a time for sweets
9.是时候吃糖了

Food is central to all Chinese festivals, but sugary snacks are especially important for L N Y, since they sweeten up prospects for the coming year.
食物对于中国佳节来说至关重要，但甜食对于农历新年特别重要，因为他们能让新的一年更加的甜蜜

Traditional holiday treats include nian gao (rice pudding), ba bao fan (eight treasure rice), jau goks (crispy dumplings), candied fruits and seeds.
传统的佳节食物包括年糕，八宝饭，饺子，果脯和瓜子

10. It has its own movie genre
10.新年有自己的影片类型

China and Hong Kong have a film genre called "hesuipian" devoted to Lunar New Year.
中国和香港在农历新年有自己的影片类型叫做“贺岁片”

The films are usually illogical, uplifting comedies, with a focus on families and happy endings to make viewers feel warm and fuzzy. Similar to Christmas movies, really.
这类影片通常是不合逻辑，能够振奋喜剧性，通常重点在于家庭和快乐的结局，让观影者感到温暖和温馨，这和圣诞节的影片相似，真的

Holiday favorites include the "All's Well, Ends Well" series (the 1992 classic stars Stephen Chow and Maggie Cheung), "Fat Choi Spirit" and "It's a Mad Mad World."
新年最受欢迎的影片包括“家有喜事”（1992年的经典影片，主演是周星驰和张曼玉），“呖咕呖咕新年财”和“富贵逼人”

11. Customs are flexible
11.风俗是可以变通的

Customs and superstitions aren't set in stone.
风俗和迷信也不是一成不变的

There's room for flexibility in interpretation and application.
对于理解和实施也有灵活性

Banning shoes for the entire lunar month?
整个新年期间禁止买鞋？

That depends on how you read the rules -- the word for shoe might sound like sighing, but it also sounds like harmony (he xie).
这取决于你怎么理解规则—鞋一字听起来像是叹气，但是也可以听起来像和谐

Not showering for the sake of Lunar New Year?
农历新年不能洗澡？

Many pass on that for obvious hygienic reasons.
很多人因为卫生问题没有继续这个风俗

In the end, Lunar New Year is really about having a great time with family and friends, so many opt not to sweat the details.
最终，农历新年是和家人和朋友团聚的美好时光，不必纠结于一些细节