Halloween, that enchanting time of the year when eerie costumes, haunting decorations, and overflowing bags of candy come to life, is celebrated across the globe. This beloved holiday, with deep-seated roots in Celtic and Christian traditions, has woven itself into the cultural fabric of people from diverse corners of the world. Remarkably, Taiwan, a nation renowned for its diverse tapestry of traditions and festive celebrations, has recently embraced the enchantment of Halloween.
Within this article, we’ll not only guide you in saying “Halloween” in Chinese but also provide you with a treasure trove of essential vocabulary related to this captivating holiday.
How to Say Halloween in Chinese
In Mandarin Chinese, Halloween is typically referred to as “萬聖節” (ㄨㄢˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ – wàn shèng jié). This term translates to “All Saints’ Day,” which is closely related to the Western Christian tradition of honoring saints and the departed. As Halloween is closely tied to All Saints’ Day, this term effectively encapsulates the essence of the holiday.
Another common way to say Halloween in Chinese is “萬聖夜” (ㄨㄢˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄧㄝˋ – wàn shèng yè). This term, “All Saints’ Night,” is often used to refer to the night of the 31st of October, as it is reminiscent of the eve before All Saints’ Day, when the Halloween festivities usually take place.
Vocabulary Related to Halloween in Chinese
Now that we know how to say Halloween in Chinese, it’s time to explore some related vocabulary:
| Chinese | Bopomofo | Pinyin | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 南瓜 | ㄋㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄚ | nán guā | Pumpkin |
| 南瓜燈 | ㄋㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄉㄥ | nán guā dēng | Jack-o-lantern |
| 糖果 | ㄊㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄛˇ | táng guǒ | Candy |
| 不給糖，就搗蛋！ | ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄟˇ ㄊㄤˊ ， ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄉㄠˇ ㄉㄢˋ ！ | bù gěi táng, jiù dǎo dàn! | Trick or Treat (literally, “if you don’t give me candy, I will mess around!”) |
| 蜘蛛 | ㄓ ㄓㄨ | Zhī zhū | Spider |
| 蜘蛛網 | ㄓ ㄓㄨ ㄨㄤˇ | zhī zhū wǎng | Spider web |
| 鬼 | ㄍㄨㄟˇ | guǐ | Ghost |
| 鬼屋 | ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄨ | guǐ wū | Haunted house |
| 骷髏 | ㄎㄨ ㄌㄡˊ | kū lóu | Skeleton |
| 骷髏頭 | ㄎㄨ ㄌㄡˊ ㄊㄡˊ | kū lóu tóu | Skull |
| 蝙蝠 | ㄅㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˊ | biān fú | Bat |
| 吸血鬼 | ㄒㄧ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄟˇ | xī xuè guǐ | Vampire |
| 巫婆 | ㄨ ㄆㄛˊ | wū pó | Witch |
| 男巫 | ㄋㄢˊ ㄨ | nán wū | Wizard |
| 服裝 | ㄈㄨˊ ㄓㄨㄤ | fú zhuāng | Costume |
While Halloween in Taiwan may not be as deeply rooted in tradition as some other festivals, it’s clear that the holiday is making its mark on the country. The allure of dressing up, indulging in sweets, and embracing the supernatural is universal, and Taiwan is no exception.
So, whether you’re celebrating Halloween in a major Taiwanese city, interacting with Taiwanese friends, or simply interested in the holiday’s global reach, knowing how to say “Halloween” in Chinese and related vocabulary can be a fascinating cultural experience. Halloween might be a Western holiday at its core, but it’s a holiday that knows no borders, transcending cultural boundaries and inspiring celebration worldwide.
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