Christmas Songs in Chinese Movies

Thursday, December 12, 2024

When December arrives in China, movies become a window into how Chinese society embraces Christmas music. From bustling city scenes to intimate family gatherings, Chinese films showcase the unique blend of Western holiday tunes with Chinese cultural elements.

Modern Chinese films often depict Christmas carols 圣诞颂歌(shèngdàn sònggē) as background music in restaurant scenes, shopping montages, and romantic moments. These musical choices reflect the growing popularity of Christmas celebrations in urban China.

Christmas Carol, noun, 圣诞颂歌

  1. The children learned a Christmas carol at school. 
    孩子们在学校学习圣诞颂歌。
    háizimen zài xuéxiào xuéxí shèngdàn sònggē.
  2. Everyone sang Christmas carols at the party. 
    每个人在派对上唱圣诞颂歌。
    měi gè rén zài pàiduì shàng chàng shèngdàn sònggē.

Family gatherings in movies often include heartwarming scenes of holiday music 节日音乐(jiérì yīnyuè). Grandparents, parents, and children share special moments as both Chinese and English Christmas songs play in the background.

Holiday Music, noun, 节日音乐

  1. Holiday music fills the room. 
    节日音乐充满房间。
    jiérì yīnyuè chōngmǎn fángjiān.
  2. They dance to holiday music. 
    他们随着节日音乐跳舞。
    tāmen suízhe jiérì yīnyuè tiàowǔ.

School celebrations in films often show children performing holiday music (节日音乐, jiérì yīnyuè). These scenes highlight how young students learn English through festive songs while having fun with their classmates.

Useful expressions in school settings: 

  1. Good job everyone! 
    大家表现得很好！ 
    dàjiā biǎoxiàn de hěn hǎo!
  2. Let's practice one more time. 
    让我们再练习一次。 
    ràng wǒmen zài liànxí yī cì.

In Chinese cinema, here are some notable examples of Christmas songs featured in movies:

"Finding Mr. Right" (北京遇上西雅图, 2013)

Scene: Tang Wei's character shops in a mall playing "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

Setting: Seattle mall decorated for Christmas

Common phrases in the scene: 

  1. Shopping feels so festive! 
    购物感觉真有节日气氛！ 
    gòuwù gǎnjué zhēn yǒu jiérì qìfēn!

"Love in the Buff" (春娇与志明, 2012)

Scene: Miriam Yeung sings "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" at office party

Setting: Hong Kong office Christmas celebration

Typical dialogue: 

  1. Your singing is wonderful! 
    你唱得真好听！ 
    nǐ chàng de zhēn hǎotīng!

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