Chinese vocabulary — Văn hoá topic

steamed bun

New Year

the East; the Orient

to blow; to play (a wind instrument)

anniversary (measure word for years)

Spring Festival; Chinese New Year

red

holiday; festival

the West; the Western world

pronunciation

to celebrate the New Year

special topic; feature (column or program)

the Chinese nation

Beijing opera

in the past; formerly; once upon a time

great; mighty

to pass on; to transmit

legend; folklore

to be a guest; to visit someone's home

light; brightness

moving; touching

to transform; to change; -ize

ethnic Chinese (person)

National Day

picture; painting

woman; female

hometown; native place

to open; to open to the public

recording; clip (of sound or video)

colorful; multicolored

film and television

hometown; native place

culture

script; writing system; characters

civilization; civilized

clothing; attire

joyful; merry; happy

martial arts

ethnic group; nationality; nation

warm; enthusiastic

to love ardently; to be passionate about

distinctive feature; characteristic

toy

television station

good fortune; blessing; happiness

to be called; to be known as

to commemorate; commemorative item; souvenir

fine arts; art

delicious food; fine cuisine

super; extremely

contestant; player; athlete

postage stamp

the Great Wall

dragon

pleasure, enjoyment

colorful, multicolored

from then on

graceful, elegant

tradition; traditional

conservative

brothers

the Common Era (CE)

typical, exemplary

animated film, cartoon

meaning, implication

eldest brother

husband and wife, a married couple

wedding

the note 'chě' in the gongche musical notation system

to conquer

to imagine

bride

to hint, to imply

dream, aspiration

balloon

to spread, to circulate, to be handed down

trend, current of the times

lamplight, light

patriotic

jade

the surname Wang

mysterious

myth, mythology

fairy tale

symbol, sign

red envelope, bonus

classic work

color, hue

(written) work, book

to record, to write down

to be particular about

poem, poetry

poet

modern times

to greet, to send regards

noble, lofty

album

Mid-Autumn Festival

bumper harvest

the second Heavenly Stem (in the Chinese cycle)

calligraphy

runner-up

character, figure

the human world, the mortal world

as before, still the same

self-cultivation, character

idol

children

New Year's Day, the first day of the new year

glory, honor

ceremony, formal ritual

Chinese language (term for Chinese, common in Southeast Asia)

museum

fair, exposition, international exhibition

slogan

ancient

product

comedy

scene, situation

grand prize, major competition

giant panda

reward, award

women

polite; courteous

respect, venerate

years, time

to carry (characteristics, emotions...)

piece, sheet

rural area, hometown

form, shape

tragedy

play, joke

idiom

fan

to drape over the shoulders

to visit, to pay a visit (formal)

massage, a massage

remind, hint

prose; essay

literature and art

undoubtedly, certainly

scene, sight

mooncake

peach blossom

model, exemplar

to admire

song

example, analogy

writing brush

early morning, dawn

grilled meat, barbecue meat

prominent, popular

characteristic of

to offer, to present

pearl

precious, valuable

a (traditional) stringed instrument

first of the Heavenly Stems

crazy

baijiu (Chinese spirit)

vision, insight

to demonstrate, to set an example

gift, present

week

polite, courtesy

god, deity

mysterious, miraculous

competition, contest

bamboo

to inherit, to succeed

contact, get in touch

alley, small lane

footstep

to dance

tiger

cake, cream cake

liberate

explanation, theory

greeting card

to give (as a gift)

to donate, to give

generation

superstition

closing ceremony

Lunar New Year's Eve, the 30th day of the 12th lunar month

magnificent, grand

rainwater, rainfall

face, social standing

appearance, looks

scenery, landscape

high heels

ghost, spirit

drum (musical instrument)

to applaud, to clap

rat, mouse

consistent; all along

sandwich

God, the Lord

to premiere, to be shown

Zhonghua (a formal alternative name for China)

China and abroad, Chinese and foreign

skewer, string

host, presenter

mainstream, main current

protagonist, lead role

as if, seemingly

president, chairperson (of a club, association)

Buddha, the Buddha

Buddhism

late afternoon, dusk

vanguard; pioneer

radiance, glory

princess

to care for the elderly; to provide for one's aged parents

to appear, to come on stage or onto the field

to travel, to get around, to set out

to found, to establish

sword

animation

chef, cook

auspicious, lucky, fortunate

auspicious, propitious

harmonious, in harmony

distinguished guest, guest of honor

garden, grounds

national anthem

king, monarch

books; books and periodicals

Christmas

Christianity, Protestantism (a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ)

pagoda; tower

grave, tomb

coming from outside; foreign; alien

appearance; outward look

master, grandmaster

major competition, grand contest

all under heaven; the whole country

heaven; paradise

wonderful, marvelous

to dedicate, to devote

as if, like

like, as

wonderful

to have fun, entertainment

religion

household pet

palace, royal palace

banquet; feast

temple (Buddhist temple)

clever, ingenious

master, skilled craftsman

previous years; years past

apprentice; disciple

touching, moving

Chinese opera

outdoor, outdoors

to build, to create

ranking chart, leaderboard

to match, to coordinate

cultural and recreational activities; entertainment

ethnic group, nationality

period, era

season, weather

fashion, fashionable clothing

tomorrow

homeland, native land, local

bridge

plum blossom

to sing

pop star

lyrics

mother and daughter

folk music, folk song

foreign; Western

poster, banner

Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day)

game console

fireworks

especially; very

to sacrifice

queen

prince

jewelry, treasure

message

ball (made of leather, rubber, etc.)

popular, prevalent

well-known, famous

short film, short clip

motherland, homeland

to wish, good wishes

Dragon Boat Festival (the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, commemorating Qu Yuan).

laughter; the sound of laughing

arrow

fine work, high-end goods

to give, to grant

beauty care, cosmetology

artist, performer

holidays and festivals

flower vase; a pretty person with only looks

hero

blue sky

french fries

to integrate into, to merge into

to blend, to fuse

streets, the streets

pocket-sized; compact (book, dictionary, etc.)

to commentate, to explain

to vote for, to select

to welcome, to greet

to give a gift

to see someone off; to hold a farewell party

Taoism, Chinese Taoism

drinks, beverages

sauce, paste

wilderness; wild

to appraise, to authenticate

horse-drawn carriage

master, expert

dark night, night

early in the morning, at the crack of dawn

the surname Ding

everlasting, eternally enduring

to go on stage; to take the field

to release (a film); to screen (a film)

ending, outcome, fate

for generations, generation after generation

the third Heavenly Stem (bǐng)

host, host country

silk, silk fabric

girl, little girl

Chinese painting (a traditional Chinese art form)

rich and colorful, varied and vivid

abundant, sumptuous

protagonist, main character

to star, to play the lead role

Unrivaled in the world, matchless

world-famous, renowned

paradise; amusement park

custom, tradition

to write, to write characters

written, in written form

achievements, deeds

to enjoy, to be entitled to

highlight; standout feature

make an appearance; debut before the public

intimate, affectionate

humanistic; cultural

popularity; appeal

fairy; goddess

crane (a legendary bird, a symbol of longevity and the realm of immortals)

to imitate, to simulate

Islam

elegant, graceful

heir, inheritor (usually one who carries on a craft or skill)

legend

to impart, to pass on (knowledge, skills)

uncle (father's older brother).

accompaniment; musical accompaniment

festive occasion, holiday (usually refers to important traditional festivals).

envoy, emissary

to make offerings to, to enshrine and worship (gods, Buddha, ancestors)

chivalry, the spirit of gallantry and righteousness

popular, common, colloquial

proverb, common saying

proverb, folk saying

to bless; to protect

to count down

folk remedy, unofficial prescription

monk; Buddhist monk

Confucian studies; the system of thought and doctrine of the Confucian school (Confucius and his disciples).

Confucianism; the school of thought founded by Confucius

Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival)

glory; splendor; luster

ray of light; brilliant radiance

to enter (a venue, hall)

the Eight Trigrams (in the Book of Changes)

cemetery, memorial park

to arise, to emerge, to spring up

model, paragon

lunar calendar, China's traditional calendar

phoenix (a mythical bird, symbol of the empress, nobility, and good fortune)

Song of triumph

to excavate, to unearth (relics, antiquities from the ground)

to act in, to appear (on stage, in films...)

to originate from, to come from

to come from, to be of (a certain) origin

propriety, a sense of proportion

founder

for the first time, the first time

unique, distinctive

eve, the day before (a major event)

senior, predecessor

theater troupe

plot, storyline of a film or play

film crew, the cast and production staff

merit, contribution

melodious, pleasant to hear

sense of motion, dynamism

medal, decoration

diligent, industrious

cloth bundle; wrapped package

incarnation, embodiment

half the sky

gorgeous, magnificent

overseas Chinese

ethnic Chinese

to divine; divination, fortune-telling

cartoon, animation

printing technique

always; all along; from the past until now

course; process of development

original creation, original work

authentic and original, keeping the original flavor; unmixed and unaltered

hairstyle

to carry forward and make more glorious and greater

place of origin, birthplace

To go fetch the scriptures, to fetch Buddhist sutras (originally from Journey to the West)

the ancients; people of old

Of all times and all places; from ancient times to the present, from China to abroad.

rustic and classical, simple and antique

to be known as; to claim to be

a common occurrence, nothing unusual

to sing in chorus; choral singing

to take a photo together; a group photo

mascot

fan work (works created by fans based on an original)

classic work, masterpiece

famous saying

descendants

backstage; backing power

descendants, offspring of later generations

to yearn for, to long for

gentleman, a man of noble character

inspiration, lesson learned

to name

Buddhist monk

to sound, to ring out, to echo

cheerleading squad

happy occasion, joyful event

wedding candy

to cheer, to applaud

carnival, festival of revelry

siheyuan, courtyard house

the four seasons

to reunite, to gather together

Chinese classical learning (the traditional academic and cultural heritage of China)

national treasure

technical drawing, blueprint

sages and worthies (virtuous, talented people honored in history and culture).

hell, the underworld

altar, platform (a place for public activities or speeches)

grave, tomb

tomb, grave

city wall

to bury (talent), to let talent go unrecognized

can be called, can be regarded as, deserves to be called

to mold, to shape

cemetery, graveyard

gravestone, tombstone

to add, to increase

magnificent, majestic

summer camp

nickname

diverse, pluralistic

night, nighttime

extended family, big family

a renowned person, a big shot (in a field)

wild goose (a large migratory bird that flies in flocks)

Catholicism

heaven and earth, world

As enduring as heaven and earth; everlasting, eternal.

swan

tai chi chuan

to be lost, to no longer be passed down

exotic flowers and rare plants

prize, award (item)

trophy, prize cup

to lay the foundation, to establish a basis

hospitable

positive review; praise

as one wishes; satisfactory; according to one's wishes

monster, demon

surname (the collective term for the first part of a personal name, indicating the family line)

maternal grandmother (Beijing dialect, commonly used in speech)

wedding dress

dowry

Chang'e (a goddess in Chinese mythology who flew to the moon)

descendants, posterity

subtitles, scrolling text

wording, choice of words

to show filial respect

filial, dutiful

school (archaic/formal term)

magnificent, grand

clan, ancestry (lineage, religion)

treasure trove; treasury

treasure

imperial court, palace court

palace

known to every household, widely known

clan, family lineage

spacious; airy

comfortable; loose; roomy

to entrust, to place (hopes) in

hidden meaning, deeper message (of a story, symbol, or act)

to play chess (against each other)

symmetrical

couplet

temple

book cover, front cover

noble, honorable

clown, circus comedian

petty person, mean person

little tune, short song, ditty

young girl; maiden

Shaolin Temple

to one's heart's content, to the fullest

epilogue, finale, final stage

to display, to exhibit

exhibition, exhibition fair

mountain stronghold; mountain fortress

mountains and rivers; natural scenery

lofty, noble

brand new, completely new

peak, pinnacle

coincidental, by coincidence

witch, sorceress

sailboat

tent

invitation card, postcard

ordinary, dull, unremarkable

New Year's Eve dinner, year-end reunion dinner

New Year picture (a folk picture pasted up at home during the Lunar New Year)

manor, estate

celebration, grand ceremony

cultural and intellectual foundation

temple, shrine

temple fair

motto, maxim

vulgar, crude

to open, to begin (a show)

to promote, to carry forward, to uphold (a spirit, culture, values...)

disciple, student (of a teacher or predecessor)

Decorated with lanterns and festive streamers (describing the bustling, joyful scenery of a festival or celebration).

to fill, to permeate, to suffuse

to record (audio or video)

image, footage

past events, things that have gone by

virtue, morality

insight, knowledge gained from experience

To get whatever one wishes for, to have one's wishes come true.

effort, painstaking effort, devotion

to abstain from, to avoid (as a taboo)

taboo

to have the heart to; to be cruel enough to

to be loyal to

loyal and chaste, faithful and virtuous

to miss, to long for

strange; weird; bizarre

monster; strange creature

grievances and gratitude, love and hate

just right, perfect

long-standing, age-old

to hang, to hang up

to mourn, to grieve for, to commemorate

lovers, couple

feelings, sentiment (usually deep feelings or nostalgia for one's homeland, the past, ideals...)

to marvel, to be amazed

The Foolish Old Man Moves the Mountain. A metaphor for the spirit of perseverance and the determination to overcome any difficulty to reach a goal.

to visit and give gifts (to those who work hard or have made contributions)

ring (jewelry)

gesture, hand movement

craftsmanship, manual skill

poker, playing cards

to hunt

to criticize, to denounce

to bear, to support (weight, responsibility)

craft, artistic skill

aspiration; ideal

to draw lots, to draw divination sticks

to entertain, to receive guests

to pay New Year's greetings; to visit during the New Year

to call on; to pay respects to (someone of higher status)

to cup one hand in the other before the chest (as a greeting)

skilled, good at, adept

compass

to hold up, to cup in both hands

to award, to confer

to rehearse

to depict, to portray

to nominate; a nominee

to arrange; to lay out

rock music, rock

to alter, to change

to adapt, to rearrange

to screen (a film), to show

good breeding, upbringing, cultivation

to hand out; to give off; to emit

to respect, to revere

respect, reverence

to revere and love

to propose a toast, to pour wine in tribute (usually to show respect)

to respect, to esteem

writing (script, language)

man of letters, person learned in literature

diploma, degree certificate

elegant, refined

spot; speck

novel, strange

new trend, fashion, new fad

flag, banner, symbol

qipao, cheongsam (a Chinese-style dress)

fashion, style

fashionable, in vogue

the old days, in former times

constellation, zodiac sign

conspicuous, eye-catching

fortunate, lucky

clothing and accessories

puppet, marionette

true nature; inherent quality

arrive; approach; be upon us

origin; background; history

originate from; have its source in

to conceive, to compose (an idea)

dull; boring

cypress (an evergreen coniferous tree)

soft; supple

to tout; to extol

deeply rooted, firmly established and unchangeable

pattern, structure, configuration

incompatible, out of place

to cultivate, to nurture talent

dreamlike, fantastical

chess, board game (with a board and pieces)

chess piece

baseball

coffin

role model; example

style; design; model

to sing

song and dance

to praise, to extol

authentic, genuine, traditional

palace hall, palaces and halls (a grand, solemn place)

folk customs

imposing manner, momentum

bearing, mettle, courage

crystal, quartz

to propose marriage

tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls)

to be immersed in, to be absorbed in

sandy beach; sandy shore

salon; a cultural or artistic gathering

baptism

to be absorbed in, to relish

faction, clique, group

flowing water; turnover, revenue

to wander, to roam, to drift

to flow, to stream

smooth, flowing

rich, thick, intense

at home and abroad

beach

pirate

to be deeply rooted in people's hearts

profound; abstruse; hard to understand

origin, source, lineage (usually referring to a deep historical or cultural connection)

warm, cozy, tender

taste, flavor

to originate from, to derive from

source, wellspring

to act in a play, to act in a film

acting skills

the entertainment industry

to give a speech, a speech

torch

lantern

brilliant, splendid

stove, cooking stove

to comment, to review in detail

fireworks

wave, trend, craze

ardent, keen on, fervently devoted to

influence, gradual edification

firecracker (set off during festivals and the New Year)

to love so much one can't put it down

to be concerned about face; to value one's reputation

knight, nobleman; jazz

film, movie (a piece of footage)

excerpt, fragment, snippet

peony, a flower symbolizing wealth and nobility.

local specialty

specially made, custom-made

to specially invite; to extend a special invitation

Zhuangyuan (the person who placed first in the palace examination in feudal times)

revel; carnival; celebrate wildly

carnival

hunter

to guess riddles, to solve a riddle

secret, hidden mystery

kingdom

thing, object

rose

concept; philosophy; ideology

auspicious snow; timely snow

treasure; gem

sweet, happy

during one's lifetime, before one's death

lifeline (a line or thread symbolizing life, often found in fortune-telling, referring to a palm line)

origin

as a souvenir, as a keepsake

lily

emperor, His Majesty

royal palace

leather belt

flourishing, prosperous

grand gathering, grand event

magnificent, grand

to bloom, to be in full bloom

according to legend, it is said

to meet, to encounter

grandstand, stands for watching an event

to admire reverently, to gaze upon with respect

stone tablet; memorial stele

gift; present

formal dress; evening gown

to pray

passed down from ancestors

ancestors, forefathers

immortal; deity; celestial being

sacred; solemn

demeanor; bearing

expression; bearing; spirited air

peaceful and harmonious

box office (revenue)

to offer sacrifices, to worship (ancestors/spirits)

to hold a memorial ceremony for, to worship (the deceased)

to offer sacrifices, to perform sacrificial rites

Zen staff, a monk's staff

good fortune, blessing

bizarre; strange; weird

science fiction

Yangko, a traditional folk dance popular in northern China, usually performed during festivals.

accumulation, sedimentation

to be called, to be known as

Muslim (a follower of Islam)

attire, manner of dress

to pass through, to traverse

kiln, pottery kiln

three-dimensional; having depth

flute (traditional Chinese musical instrument)

simplified Chinese characters

concise, neat, succinct

tube; pipe

essence, cream of the crop

essence, quintessence

Formed by custom, accepted by everyone through long-standing practice

documentary film

anniversary, commemorative day

memorial, monument

memorial hall, commemorative museum

quality, attainment, ability cultivated through study and experience

material, source material

vegetarian food

simple and honest, unpretentious, plain

bond, link, tie

line, stroke

gentleman; a refined man

delicate, soft

ending, outcome

romance rumor

nickname, pet name

to bloom, to burst into bloom

to reminisce about, to commemorate

to compile; to write and edit

screenwriter; to write a screenplay

traditional Chinese characters

miniature, scaled-down image

beauty, beautiful woman

delicacy, delicious food

wonderful, marvelous

good-looking, aesthetically pleasing, attractive in appearance

wing

dazzling, blinding

elderly person; old gentleman/lady

time-honored brand; long-established shop

hold a get-together; have a social gathering

portrait

film (for photography)

the twelfth lunar month (the last month of the lunar year)

self-service

to strive for self-improvement without rest

to pay tribute, to express respect

to give a speech, to deliver words of welcome or gratitude

solar term (the 24 seasonal divisions of the year in the Chinese agricultural calendar)

petal

Moutai (a famous Chinese baijiu liquor, produced in the town of Maotai, Guizhou province)

the art of tea, tea ceremony

teahouse

honor; glory

lotus flower

chrysanthemum

Bodhisattva

white radish, daikon

to bury, to inter

devout, pious

to simulate, virtual

to fabricate, to make up

honeymoon

candle

To melt; to dissolve (matter)

to derive, to arise from something pre-existing

to dress up, to decorate

to experience, to broaden one's knowledge

to admire; to appreciate; to enjoy (a view)

rule; custom

to interpret, to analyze and explain

to narrate, to recount

forum

to satirize, to mock

to interview, to have a talk

member of a judging panel, judge

invitation card

invitation card, invitation letter

seasoning, sauce, condiment

riddle

modest, humble

seashell; conch shell

plain, simple, unadorned

to run through; to penetrate from beginning to end

VIP; honored guest

noble; aristocrat

valuable; precious; expensive

congratulatory letter

to grant, to entrust (authority, a task)

to praise endlessly, to extol without stopping

interest, delight

footprints, traces

figure; silhouette

soft power (the ability to influence and attract through culture, values, and foreign policy rather than force or economics)

braid; pigtail

to associate; to keep in contact

satisfying; enjoyable; to one's heart's content

to celebrate a festival; to celebrate the New Year

canal

memorial service

to trace back to the origin

easy to understand, popular

papermaking technique

last wish

evil, heterodox (the opposite of upright)

to dub

A large, upscale restaurant serving wine and food (usually larger in scale than an ordinary restaurant).

striking, eye-catching

to reappear, to recreate, to emerge again

to return to

heavyweight

barbaric, savage

pyramid

diamond

silk banner of brocade, usually given to a person/organization for merit or for helping oneself

to inlay, to set

the Long March, a long journey (usually refers to the Long March)

to be published, to come out

famous, renowned

Yama, King of the Underworld

lineup, roster

Arabic (language)

to display, to exhibit

to descend, to arrive, to befall

to cultivate, to nurture (the soul, character)

ceramics, pottery and porcelain

to be intoxicated, to be immersed

grand, solemn, magnificent

to carve; carving

snow-capped mountain

outdoor, open-air

to appear, to show one's face

to bow, to bow in greeting

firecracker

top-tier, top-grade

necklace

to award a prize; to present an award

to savor, to appreciate, to experience (beauty, meaning, etc.)

distinctive flavor, characteristic taste

fashion, trend

charm, allure

ethos, general atmosphere

feng shui (the art of arranging houses and tombs to harmonize with nature and bring good fortune)

extraordinary, exceptional

kite

appearance, look

demeanor, poise

to fly, to soar

filling, the inner stuffing of a bun or dumpling

jewelry

fragrance, aroma

perfume

circus

famous, renowned

to ride (a horse), to control, to harness

fine steed, good horse (usually a strong, fast horse)

moral integrity; backbone

noble, elegant

superb, masterful

refined, elegant

soul, spirit

charm, allure

devil, demon

pigeon, dove

eagle

deer

mahjong

dusk, twilight

right and wrong (truth and falsehood)

ink (the black substance used for writing and painting)

dragon boat

tortoise; turtle