Sherpa's Blog

What to Eat During Spring Festival！经典美味席卷春节！

Friday

Jan

17

By:David A.Howard

What to Eat

Spring rolls, Tangyuan, Dumplings…

I’m hungry now!

It wouldn’t be a Chinese festival without stuffing yourselves silly with loads of great food. Some of these foods might be weekday-dinner staples while you’re living in China – but as they’re said to bring luck around this time of year, there’s all the more reason to eat them.

With Spring Festival just around the corner, here are seven symbolic foods to get on your celebratory menu – and the good fortune they can bring you in the Lunar Year 4718.

不胡吃海喝怎么叫过春节呢！有的食物被赋予了福运，那么就更应该大吃特吃！以下是7道春节经典美味：

FISH

Image by J c via Unsplash

Fish is seen as a must-have on the CNY dinner table, and is most commonly served steamed. In Chinese, fish (鱼 yú) has the same pronunciation as 余, which means ‘surplus’ or ‘extra’. There are a lot of customs when it comes to eating fish during Spring Festival, like eating it over two days, not eating the head or tail, having the head pointing at the eldest or most distinguished guests and not digging in until said VIPs have had a nibble. Jump straight in at the deep end and try out all of these customs, and these pescetarian practices will bring you a year of plenty (don’t say that with a mouthful).

鱼是春节必备品，最常见的是清蒸鱼。“鱼”的发音与“余”相同，意思是“富余”。春节期间吃鱼还是有很多讲究的哦，比如至少要吃两天，不吃鱼头鱼尾，鱼头摆放要指向最年长或最尊贵的人。

DUMPLINGS

Image by @alexandwich via Unsplash

It’s not like any of us need another excuse to eat dumplings – but we’ll give you one anyway. In appearance, the humble dumpling isn’t too far away from silver ingots, the form of currency once used in China. Dumpling making is also a great little get together alternative if you’ve overspent on bottomless brunch this month – just make sure to include plenty of pleats when folding the dumplings, or you may be in for more financial woes this coming year.

这种不起眼的饺子很像古时的银锭。选择自制饺子也非常不错哦——包饺子的时候一定要包很多褶皱，这意味着来年财运会被牢牢包住。

SPRING ROLLS

Image by @mrthetrain via Unsplash

The crispy, delicious outer shell on these deep-fried dim sum rolls have a delightful golden colour, said to represent money and a wish for prosperity throughout the year.

香脆可口的春卷呈现食欲满满的金色，代表着财运滚滚和来年顺利。

TANGYUAN

Image by @zhengyuan via Unsplash

You may recognise tangyuan from China’s Lantern Festival, but these are also chowed down during Spring Festival too. Their round shape and pronunciation sounding a lot like ‘group round’ in Chinese, associate these balls with reunions and being together.

汤圆源自中国的元宵节，春节也可以吃！圆圆的形状加上发音听起来很像“团圆”，于是人们把汤圆和团圆联系在一起。

LUCKY FRUIT

Image by @sharonmccutcheon

This can refer to a number of different fruits, including the likes of tangerines, oranges and pomelos. You may have noticed a trend amongst Chinese foods for pronunciation and appearance giving certain symbolism to fruits, and these are no different; these fruits’ round and golden colour represent fullness and wealth, while the Chinese names for tangerine, orange and pomelo sound a lot like luck, success, and the verb ‘to have’, respectively.

这可以指很多种水果包括橘子，橙子和柚子。发音和外观给食物赋予了一定的象征意义，而金色代表着丰满和财富。

NIANGAO

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Here’s a free Chinese lesson for you: the nián here means year, and the gāo means cake (New Year cake), but also sounds exactly the same as the Chinese world meaning tall or high. Put them both together, and you’re left with the idea of achieving higher each year, be it in business, exam results or even height.

年的意思是新年糕点，“糕”音同“高”。吃年糕会保佑你职场高，考试高，长高高。

NOODLES

Image by @goodeats_yqr via Unsplash

More specifically chángshòu miàn, meaning longevity noodles. These are extra long, and shouldn’t be cut or even chewed – so prepare your ears for an onslaught of slurping.

长寿面都是很长的面条，入口不应该嚼断一口吸入！

Locations: Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou

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Is There Anyone Who Doesn’t Get to Go Home for CNY? 春节不回家的人在干嘛？

Tuesday

Jan

14

By:David A.Howard

2020

BEST WISHES

Spring Festival is just around the corner. For most people it’s a time to travel back to their hometown and celebrate the arrival of a new year with their loved ones. However, not everyone gets to enjoy the festivities.

春节临近，人们都会回到家乡和家人团聚，但不是每个人都能赶到家。

There’re many important roles that just can’t be put on hold, not even for a few hours. If you’re a white-collar worker enjoying a whole seven days of rest, consider yourself lucky!

有很多岗位甚至不能休息，现在想想七天假期也很满足了。

Xi’an

via news.163.com

Zhang, a traffic warden in Xi’an, must stick to his post just outside of the ancient city wall during Spring Festival. His children, aged 7 and 9, have a break from their rigorous school schedule and will miss their baba, but they understand the importance of his job. “Of course I’d rather be with my wife and kids, but it’s an important job, especially during this busy time, so I’ll stay at my post and ensure others can get home safely and smoothly to be with their families. I’ll definitely make sure to send my wife a few hongbaos though – a happy life needs a happy wife.”

西安交通指导员张先生春节期间轮班，两个孩子已经7岁和9岁了，繁忙的学期结束十分想念老爸，但小小年纪也理解爸爸工作的重要。“我当然很想回去和家人团聚，尤其春节的交通十分繁忙，所以我留下来保障交通安全，好让更多的人顺利回家团圆，一定给老婆包个大红包，感谢她的温柔和理解。”

It’s not only traffic wardens and police officers that need to be on call through the holiday though.

随时待命的可不只有交警哦。

Beijing

via vobao.com

Xiang, a neurosurgeon in a top hospital in Beijing, also won’t get to return to his hometown of Chengdu for the lunar new year, “I must perform two critical procedures during Spring Festival. What can I say, I’m too busy saving lives to be at home with my family, it’s the life I chose. Without these complicated surgeries, my patients might not ever be able to see their families again. It’s tough, but my family understands my position. My 10 year anniversary is coming up though, so I’ve set aside some time for my wife and I to travel.”

神经外科项医生今年也没办法回家，“春节还有两台重要的手术呢，虽然不能赶回成都吃团圆饭，但在北京能帮助病人摆脱痛苦，好让他们健康的团圆也挺好。感谢家人对我的理解和支持，我和老婆结婚快十周年了，我们打算年后一起度蜜月。”

Guangzhou

via chinanews

Let’s not forget the hardworking train drivers making sure everyone gets back to their hometowns. Jin, a train driver from Guangzhou, will be up and down the country for most of the holiday. This is his 3rd year on the job, and although the trains are busy at this time of the year, he enjoys the festive atmosphere and the happy faces that are eager to go home. “Although I will get to spend some time with family, first it’s my duty to make sure others get home to their loved ones safely. I love driving trains, it’s my passion, I wouldn’t give up my job for the world. Choo choo, all aboard! I’ll get everyone home first and then I can relax over a cup of maofeng tea and a game of mahjong with my grandparents in Nansha.

广东乘务员金先生春节也需要在列车上度过，今年是他工作的第三年。即便春节会变得更忙，但他很喜欢这种喜庆的氛围和每个人的笑脸，“工作嘛，得保证大家伙都平安回家团圆，上车咯！到家后我想喝毛峰茶，再陪爷爷奶奶打打麻将。”

Shanghai

Although not as mission critical as police, doctors, and train drivers, we’d like to highlight one more person who isn’t going back to his hometown for the holiday – Wang moved to Shanghai from Binhai County nearby Yancheng City in Jiangsu almost 5 years ago. You guessed it, he found a job as a Sherpa’s courier! His wife and daughter are staying with his parents while his daughter finishes kindergarden. He chose to earn some extra cash during the holiday to save up for his daughter’s education. “It’s true, I’ll miss my family during the new year, but it’s great to set aside some extra money for my daughter’s schooling. Fortunately, the bus ride back home doesn’t take too long, so it’s pretty easy to visit my family. I’ll probably go back home to catch up in February.”

除了警察、医生和列车员以外，还有一部分派送员也不会回家。王先生来上海食派士快五年了，妻子、女儿和爸妈待在江苏，如今女儿也快幼稚园毕业了。春节他打算留在上海挣更多钱。“我很想他们，想给他们最好的，还好从上海到江苏用不了多久，大概两月份回去和他们团聚。”

However you’re spending the holiday, whether it’s on a beach, with family, or staying at home, don’t forget the hardworking people who are still on duty all across the country!

无论你和家人度假或宅在家中，不要忘记努力工作的人们哦！

We wish everyone a happy year ahead!

提前祝大家春节快乐！

Locations: Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou

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Celebrate Spring Festival Like the Locals 怎样过一个地道的春节

Saturday

Jan

11

By:David A.Howard

HAPPY NEW YEAR

新春快乐

Image by @good_citizen via Unsplash

We’re sure you’ve got plenty of your own important Spring Festival customs – like taking well-deserved time off work, going on travels and having a few celebratory drinks – but how about the more traditional Chinese New Year customs? From gift giving to flat decoration, here’s a handful of other practices to help you ring in the new year like the locals.

我们知道你肯定有自己的春节习俗——

比如休假、外出旅行、按时喝酒等——

但是传统的春节习俗都有些什么呢？

从送礼到装饰，以下是一些小贴士，

希望能帮助您过一个地道的春节。

Red Envelopes 红包

Image via Unsplash

Known to the locals as hongbao, these little red envelopes are filled with cash and given to friends and family during Spring Festival – this much you probably knew already. But there are a couple of other things you should know when it comes to handing out hongbaos:

小红包里会装满现金，

用于在春节期间送给朋友和家人。

但在给红包时有以下几点需要注意哦：

•During Spring Festival, red envelopes are known as yasuiqian, which translates literally to ‘money used to supress the devil’ – even more reason to hand them out.

春节期间红包被称为压岁钱，

字面意思是“用来压制魔鬼的钱”——

我看谁还敢拒绝收红包。

•It’s good luck to put an even amount of money in the envelope – but it’s the first number that should be even. For example, 600RMB brings good luck, but 700RMB is said to do the opposite.

红包可能会带来好运哦——

但总数需要是偶数。

例如600元人民币就很合理，

而700元则不会，好事成双嘛。

•In spite of this, single notes like 10 or 50RMB are perfectly acceptable and frequent amounts to find in a hongbaos.

10元或50元这样的小额单张钞票也是可以的。

•However, figures like 400RMB should be avoided. The number 4 (si) in Chinese sounds similar to the word for death.

然而像400元这样的数字应该避免。

汉语中的数字4(si)听起来类似于“死”。

•On the flipside, 6s and 8s are positive – 6 (liu) sounds similar to the word for smooth, while 8 (ba) sounds like the word for wealth.

6和8也有特殊的寓意——

6(liu)的发音类似于表示顺利的词“溜”，

8(ba)的发音类似于“发”，象征着富有。

Gifts 礼物

Image via Wikimedia Commons

As well as red envelopes, it’s customary to exchange gifts like fruit, chocolate, cakes, biscuits and sweets too. Don’t go handing out any old pressies though – there are lots of symbols and hidden meanings to some items that make them less than desirable gifts:

除了红包外，人们还会赠送果篮、

巧克力、蛋糕、饼干和糖果等礼物。

不过礼物都需要全新的——

有些东西有很多不好的寓意，

所以一般不会作为礼物送出：

•White or black items, as they’re often associated with funerals

• 白色或黑色的东西，因为它们经常与葬礼有关

•Clocks or watches, as they suggest that time is running out

• 钟表，这代表着时日不多

•Sharp objects

• 锋利的东西

•Shoes or sandals, as they symbolise walking away from a relationship

• 鞋类，因为鞋象征着会离开你

Clothing 着装

It will probably come as little surprise that it’s good luck to wear red during the Spring Festival period. New clothes are also worn to symbolise the new year too.

在春节期间穿红色衣服是十分常见的，

人们也会穿着新衣服象征的新的开始。

Decorations 装饰品

You’ll start to notice a running trend with the auspicious red colour scheme here. There are red, oval-shaped lanterns hanging as far as the eye can see at this time of year. Feel free to hang some up inside to bring some of the festive spirit into your home.

代表着吉祥的红色依然延续，

春节会把红色灯笼挂在任何地方。

可以挂一些在自己家里哦，

把喜庆的氛围传播到生活中。

Dragon and Lion Dances 舞龙舞狮

An exciting way to welcome in the new year is by watching traditional dragon and lion dances. The high-energy, loud drum-backed dances are said to ward off evil spirits for the year ahead.

迎接新年最好玩的就是看舞龙和舞狮。

据说热闹、鼓声长鸣的舞龙舞狮能在新年赶走恶魔。

Food 美食

Image by @noah0220 via Unsplash

Of course, no Chinese festival would be complete without a whole load of customary food – stay tuned for next week’s article where we’ll give you the low-down on how to chow down during Spring Festival.

当然少不了传统美食啦——是不是馋了！

下周我们会带给你色香味俱全的春节美食！

Locations: Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou

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Funniest/Weirdest Google Searches 谷歌搜索大赏

Tuesday

Jan

07

By:David A.Howard

Google, what’s that? We thought everyone used Bing, the top search engine in the world! Ah, naughty naughty – you have your VPN locked, loaded, and ready to go.

谷歌？是啥玩意儿？

我们还以为每个人都用必应，

这简直是最棒的搜索引擎！

via giphy

We were slacking off the other day at the office, killing time by looking for interesting, weird stuff on Google. Here’s a couple of the funnier/stranger things that we ended up encountering:

前几天我们在办公室摸鱼，

发现了一些谷歌中有趣的搜索：

How many people die a year from coconuts?

每年有多少人被椰子砸死？

Uhhh, that’s a lot higher than we were initially guessing. Be careful on those tropical beach vacations!

150个！比我们想象的多很多。

在热带沙滩度假要小心一点哦！

Overweight Sheep

超重绵羊

via pinterest

Lol, looks like its time for salad.

感觉有被冒犯到，给我多吃点沙拉吧！

Eel Slap

鳗鱼扇巴掌

You’ll find this website where you can literally control an eel with your cursor and slap this guy in the face. It’s actually rather therapeutic – just pretend he’s your boss.

你可以在这个网站控制一条鳗鱼来打这个人的脸。

还蛮治愈的——把他想象成你老板。

Cornhub

玉米站

It’s amazing how much things change when you swap out a single letter.

空欢喜一场。

换一个字母简直天差地别。

Wizard of Oz

绿野仙踪

Search for ‘Wizard of Oz’ and then go click those sparkling shoes in the bottom right hand corner to find out what happens…

搜索绿野仙踪，点击右下角闪闪发光的鞋，

猜猜会发生什么呢。

Koalas with Circles

圈圈树袋熊

Some people have way too much time on their hands. How do you even make something like this?

太强了吧，你能做出这样的东西吗！

Dogs in Duds

穿衣服的狗狗

Pretty much just what it sounds like. All animal fans can lose themselves for hours just looking at pictures of dogs all dressed up.

谁看到穿着可爱衣服的狗狗，

都会眼冒桃花。

Staggering Beauty

然并卵游戏

Wow, this is intense. Don’t visit if you have an aversion to crazy flashing colours and flashing lights. We made it about ten seconds…

疯了，人没了，

我们至少缓了十秒钟…

Askew

半弯不直

This might drive the OCD in you a little bit crazy.

这页面和词会让强迫症崩溃。

Any of the Friends characters

老友记中的角色

Search for ‘Friends + any of the characters’ names’ and you’ll get a special hidden Easter Egg for them all. Just click on the pizza for Joey and see what happens.

搜索“老友记+任何一个人物的名字”，

你会得到一个隐藏复活节彩蛋。

点击披萨给乔伊看看会发生什么呢。

Have any weird/funny search recommendations for us? Let us know in the comments below!

你有什么有趣的搜索吗？

在评论区分享一下！