端午节

• Pinyin: Duān wǔ jié
• Hanzi breakdown: 端 = beginning; 午 = noon/fifth; 节 = festival — the festival at the start of the fifth month

Meaning

Dragon Boat Festival. Traditional Chinese holiday on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, featuring dragon boat races and eating zongzi.

One of China's most important traditional festivals, commemorating the poet Qu Yuan who drowned himself in protest of corruption. Customs include racing dragon boats, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), wearing sachets with herbs, and hanging mugwort. It became a national holiday in 2008.

Examples

1. 端午节我们全家一起包粽子，奶奶的手艺最好。 During Dragon Boat Festival, our whole family makes zongzi together — Grandma's craftsmanship is the best.
2. 每年端午节，我们这儿都会举办龙舟比赛，热闹得很。 Every Dragon Boat Festival, we hold dragon boat races here, and it's very lively.
3. 端午节前后正好是考试季，学生们一边吃粽子一边复习。 Around Dragon Boat Festival is exam season, so students eat zongzi while studying.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, holidays, family

Tone: festive

Do Say

• 端午节快乐！(Happy Dragon Boat Festival!)
• 端午节你们吃甜粽子还是咸粽子？(Do you eat sweet or savory zongzi on Dragon Boat Festival?)

Don't Say

• 祝别人端午节'快乐'在某些传统观点里不恰当 (Some traditionalists consider 端午节快乐 inappropriate since it commemorates a tragedy — they prefer 端午安康, but in modern usage both are acceptable)

Origin & History

Named for the timing: 端 (beginning) + 午 (noon/fifth) + 节 (festival). The fifth day of the fifth month marks the height of yang energy in the lunar calendar.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal