Why do People Stay up all Night on Chinese New Year?

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of joy, celebration, and cultural traditions. Among the many customs observed during this auspicious occasion, one stands out as particularly significant: staying up all night, known as "shou sui" (守岁) in Chinese. Now, we'll delve into the reasons why people stay up all night on Chinese New Year and explore the symbolism and significance behind this age-old tradition.

Welcoming the Arrival of the New Year (迎接新年的到来)

Staying up all night on Chinese New Year is believed to be a way of welcoming the arrival of the new year with open arms. As the clock strikes midnight, families gather together to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new one. By staying awake through the night, people symbolically guard against any misfortune or evil spirits that may try to enter their homes as the old year comes to a close. It's a time for reflection, anticipation, and renewed hope 希望 (xī wàng) for the year ahead.

希望 (xī wàng), noun, hope

Examples:

  1. Her eyes were full of hope as she waited for the exam results.
    她等待考试成绩的时候，眼睛里充满了希望。
    Tā děngdài kǎoshì chéngjī de shíhòu, yǎnjīng lǐ chōngmǎn le xīwàng.
  2. We never lose hope, even in the face of adversity.
    即使面对困境，我们也从不失去希望。
    Jíshǐ miàn duì kùnjìng, wǒmen yě cóng bù shīqù xīwàng.

Reunion and Unity (团圆和团结)

Staying up all night on Chinese New Year is also a time-honored tradition that emphasizes the importance of family reunion and unity. Families come together to share a special midnight feast, known as the "reunion dinner," during which they enjoy delicious food and engage in lively conversations. Staying awake 醒着 (xǐng zhe) together fosters a sense of closeness and togetherness among family members, reinforcing the bonds of love and kinship. It's a time for families to set aside their differences and come together in harmony to celebrate the start of a new chapter.

醒着 (xǐng zhe), adj, awake

Examples:

  1. She is still awake at this late hour.
    她在这个深夜仍然醒着。
    Tā zài zhège shēnyè réngrán xǐng zhe.
  2. The baby remained awake throughout the night.
    宝宝整夜都醒着。
    Bǎobao zhěng yè dōu xǐng zhe.

Cultural Heritage (文化遗产）

The tradition of staying up all night on Chinese New Year is deeply rooted in cultural heritage and superstitions. According to folklore, staying awake throughout the night is believed to bring good luck, longevity, and prosperity in the year ahead. Many people also engage in various activities and rituals during the night to ward off evil spirits and ensure a smooth transition into the new year. From setting off firecrackers to hanging red decorations, these customs are passed down from generation to generation as a way of preserving cultural identity and beliefs.

Key Sentences:

  1. We stayed up all night on Chinese New Year to welcome the arrival of the new year.
    我们在除夕夜守岁，迎接新年的到来。
    Wǒmen zài chúxī yè shǒusuì, yíngjiē xīnnián de dàolái.
  2. My family and I gather together to stay up all night on Chinese New Year.
    我和我的家人团聚在一起，在除夕夜守岁。
    Wǒ hé wǒ de jiārén tuánjù zài yīqǐ, zài chúxī yè shǒusuì.
  3. Staying up all night on Chinese New Year is a traditional practice believed to bring good luck.
    在除夕夜守岁是一种传统习俗，被认为能带来好运。
    Zài chúxī yè shǒusuì shì yī zhǒng chuántǒng xísú, bèi rènwéi néng dài lái hǎoyùn.

Related Articles

 

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

We offer highly flexible class schedules that cater to your needs, with lessons available from 7am to 10pm Beijing time, seven days a week.This allows you to conveniently take lessons at any time and from any location that suits your schedule.
Before starting any Chinese language course, the teacher will assess your Chinese language proficiency level through a placement test.This helps to determine your current level of understanding and ability in Chinese, and allows the teacher to tailor the course materials and teaching methods to your specific needs and goals. The placement test may include assessments of your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.Based on the results of the test, the teacher will be able to recommend an appropriate course of study for you.
Thank you for choosing Chinese Learning for your language learning needs.If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please do so at least 4 hours ahead of time. To request a cancellation, please send an email to ivy.wang @chineselearning.com or service @chineselearning.com.We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, and we look forward to providing you with the best learning experience possible."
We offer a referral program that rewards both you and your friend with free classes.To participate, simply refer a friend to our program and once they successfully enroll, both you and your friend will receive free classes.We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you and your friend achieve your language learning goals.
No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.
Our Chinese learning method is focused on personalized and interactive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher. The lessons are conducted live through our online teaching platform, which allows you to see and talk to the teacher. You can schedule the lessons at a time that suits you, and the teacher will tailor the lesson content to your specific needs and goals. During the lesson, you can ask questions and receive feedback from the teacher to ensure you understand and master the knowledge and skills being taught. We also have a student service team and academic coordinator team to assist you with your learning and provide any additional support you may need.Overall, our method is designed to be flexible, personalized, and interactive to help you achieve your language learning goals.