Chinese word

腊月

Pronunciation

Pinyinlà yuè

Meaning

  • nounthe twelfth lunar month

Example

春节前的腊月大家都很忙。chūn jié qián de là yuè dà jiā dōu hěn máng

Everyone is very busy in the twelfth lunar month before Spring Festival.

Illustration for 腊月 (the twelfth lunar month)

More examples

在腊月办年货的日子，超市里人很多。zài là yuè bàn nián huò de rì zi chāo shì lǐ rén hěn duō

On days when people buy New Year goods in the twelfth lunar month, supermarkets are very crowded.

Core concept

A year-end stretch on the lunar calendar when households prepare for Spring Festival.

Common phrases

  • 腊月办年货là yuè bàn nián huò

    buy New Year goods in the twelfth lunar month

  • 腊月回家过年là yuè huí jiā guò nián

    return home for New Year in the twelfth lunar month

  • 腊月二十三là yuè èr shí sān

    the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month

Similar words

农历nóng lì: The traditional Chinese calendar, which follows the phases of the moon.
春节chūn jié: A major festival for the lunar New Year, marked by family gatherings and celebrations.
阳历yáng lì: A calendar that follows the sun and is widely used in everyday life.
正月zhēng yuè: The first lunar month, when people celebrate the New Year and follow related customs.

Definition in Chinese

旧历（阴历）中的第十二个月，也可泛指春节前的一段紧张准备期。jiù lì yīn lì zhōng de dì shí èr gè yuè yě kě fàn zhǐ chūn jié qián de yí duàn jǐn zhāng zhǔn bèi qī

Word origin

The name 腊月 (làyuè, "twelfth lunar month") comes from 腊祭 (làjì, "year-end sacrifice"), the traditional ceremony associated with the closing part of the year.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, it can describe the busy pre-festival period as well as the calendar month, so context may point to preparations rather than a date.

Opposites

Word lists with this word