鞭炮

• Pinyin: biān pào
• Hanzi breakdown: 鞭 = 革 (leather) + 便 (convenient); 炮 = 火 (fire) + 包 (wrap)

Meaning

Firecrackers; fireworks (the small explosive kind strung together).

Traditional Chinese firecrackers typically strung together and lit during celebrations, especially Chinese New Year. The loud popping sounds are believed to ward off evil spirits. Many cities now ban them due to safety and pollution concerns.

Examples

1. 小时候过年最期待的就是放鞭炮，那声音又响又热闹。 As a kid, what I looked forward to most during New Year was setting off firecrackers — so loud and lively.
2. 现在城市里禁止燃放鞭炮了，年味儿都淡了不少。 Now firecrackers are banned in cities, and the festive atmosphere has faded quite a bit.
3. 婚礼上放鞭炮是为了图个热闹和喜庆。 Setting off firecrackers at weddings is meant to create a lively and festive atmosphere.

Usage Guide

Context: festival, celebration, tradition

Tone: festive

Do Say

• 过年的时候放鞭炮。(People set off firecrackers during New Year.)
• 鞭炮声此起彼伏。(The sound of firecrackers rose and fell.)

Don't Say

• 把烟花叫鞭炮 (Don't call aerial fireworks 鞭炮 — those are 烟花; 鞭炮 are small ground-level crackers)

Origin & History

鞭 (whip — from the cracking sound) + 炮 (cannon/explosive). Explosive that cracks like a whip.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal