Today was like flipping through a colorful storybook of Chinese traditions with Zichen, my language partner. We chatted about celebrations that sounded like lively festivals, not just holidays.
First up was 春节 (Chun Jie), the Chinese New Year. Imagine families getting together, taking a break from work, and just enjoying each other’s company. Then there’s the Lantern Festival on the first full moon night and the Qingming Festival, a time for remembering ancestors. It felt like being part of these special moments, even in conversation.
Dumplings turned out to be the rockstars of Chinese celebrations. Zichen explained how making and sharing dumplings isn’t just about tasty bites; it’s a friendly gesture. If someone invites you over for dumplings, that’s a big, warm welcome.
We also dived into the fascinating distinctions between how names are given and family names are handled in China and Russia. Besudes, I had an opportunity to practice pronuciation with Zichen.
Learning more about the culture, people, their values and language structure and history is vital for learning a new language. Having an awesome partner like Zichen, who shares valuable insights into Chinese language and culture, makes this language journey even more enjoyable!
5th Meeting. 11.11.2023
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