年夜饭
niányèfàn
Reunion dinner · trad. 年夜飯
年夜饭 (niányèfàn) is the traditional family reunion dinner held on Chinese New Year's Eve (除夕), considered the most important meal of the entire year. Families travel home from far and wide to share this special meal.
What does 年夜饭 (niányèfàn) mean?
年夜饭 (niányèfàn) means “reunion dinner” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “year night meal.”
When to use it
This term is culturally specific and refers to a highly significant family event. It's always used in the context of Chinese New Year's Eve.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "nyen-yeh-fahn." 年 rises (second tone), and 夜 and 饭 both fall (fourth tone).
Other ways to say it
- 团圆饭tuányuánfànreunion dinner (general term)
- 除夕ChúxīChinese New Year's Eve
- 春节ChūnjiéSpring Festival (Chinese New Year)
Examples
我们一家人每年都一起吃年夜饭。
wǒmen yì jiā rén měi nián dōu yīqǐ chī niányèfàn.
Our whole family eats reunion dinner together every year.
为了吃年夜饭，很多人都会回家乡。
wèile chī niányèfàn, hěn duō rén dōu huì huí jiāxiāng.
Many people travel back to their hometowns to eat the reunion dinner.
年夜饭上，鱼是必不可少的菜肴。
niányèfàn shàng, yú shì bì bù kě shǎo de càiyáo.
At the reunion dinner, fish is an indispensable dish.
Pro tip: The 年夜饭 is not just a meal; it symbolizes family unity and good fortune for the coming year, with dishes like fish (年年有余) and dumplings (in northern China) holding special meaning.
Related phrases
年糕 · New year cake (nian gao)汤圆 · Sweet rice balls (tang yuan)放鞭炮 · Set off firecrackers
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