Chinese word

圣诞节

Pronunciation

Pinyinshèng dàn jié

Meaning

  • nounChristmas

Example

今年的圣诞节我们回家过。jīn nián de shèng dàn jié wǒ men huí jiā guò

This year, we are going home for Christmas.

Illustration for 圣诞节 (Christmas)

More examples

我们在圣诞节互送礼物。wǒ men zài shèng dàn jié hù sòng lǐ wù

We exchange gifts at Christmas.

Core concept

A yearly occasion that brings a religious story into public seasonal life through family gatherings, decorations, and exchange of gifts.

Common phrases

  • 过圣诞节guò shèng dàn jié

    spend Christmas

  • 庆祝圣诞节qìng zhù shèng dàn jié

    celebrate Christmas

  • 圣诞节晚会shèng dàn jié wǎn huì

    Christmas party

Similar words

节日jié rì: A day or period reserved for a special celebration.
礼物lǐ wù: Something given to another person as a present.
平安夜píng ān yè: The night before December 25, when families may gather and share a meal.
装饰zhuāng shì: Something used to make a building, tree, or other place look festive.

Definition in Chinese

每年12月25日纪念耶稣诞生的节日，也可指当日的聚会、装饰和商业活动。měi nián 12 yuè 25 rì jì niàn yē sū dàn shēng de jié rì yě kě zhǐ dāng rì de jù huì zhuāng shì hé shāng yè huó dòng

Word origin

The name 圣 (shèng, "holy") + 诞 (dàn, "birth") + 节 (jié, "festival") presents Christmas as a festival of a holy birth.

Usage tips

  • In modern Chinese, the word appears in shop promotions and public event names as well as in family or religious talk, so the surrounding setting often shows which aspect is meant.

Related words

  • 圣诞shèng dànChristmasnoun
  • 圣诞老人shèng dàn lǎo rénSanta Clausnoun
  • 圣诞树shèng dàn shùChristmas treenoun

Word lists with this word