The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, and what better way to spread festive cheer than by learning how to say “Merry Christmas” in different languages? If you’re interested in extending your holiday greetings to friends or colleagues who speak Chinese, you’re in luck. In this article, we’ll explore the various ways to convey the spirit of the season in Chinese, along with a glimpse into how Christmas is celebrated in Taiwan and some essential Chinese vocabulary related to the holiday.
Merry Christmas in Chinese
Christmas in Chinese is 聖誕節 (ㄕㄥˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ – shèngdàn jié). 聖誕 means “Christmas,” or more literally, the birth (誕) of the Saint (聖), while 節 means celebration or festival. “Merry” or “happy” in Chinese is 快樂 (ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄌㄜˋ – kuàilè).
To wish someone a Merry Christmas in Chinese, you can say 聖誕節快樂, or simply 聖誕快樂.
How is Christmas Celebrated in Taiwan?
While Christmas is not traditionally a Chinese holiday, its celebration has gained popularity in Taiwan over the years, especially in urban areas and among the younger generation.
Similar to many Western countries, Taiwan is adorned with Christmas decorations during the holiday season. Shopping malls, streets, and public spaces sparkle with colorful lights, ornaments, and festive displays. One particularly notable location for Christmas decorations is the New Taipei City Christmasland in the heart of Banqiao District, featuring a different theme every year, complete with light shows, spectacles, a Christmas market, and more.
In Taiwan, Christmas Eve is also often considered a romantic holiday. Many couples celebrate by going out for a special dinner, exchanging gifts, or participating in festive activities.
Finally, much like around the world, there is a significant commercial push during Christmas with hundreds of discounts and limited-time offers available, both in physical stores and, more importantly, on popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopee or PCHome.
Chinese Vocabulary Related to Christmas
Here are some essential Chinese vocabulary words related to the holiday:
| Chinese | Bopomofo | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 聖誕樹 | ㄕㄥˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄕㄨˋ | Shèngdàn shù | Christmas tree |
| 平安夜 | ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄢ ㄧㄝˋ | Pínɡ ān yè | Christmas Eve |
| 聖誕老人 | ㄕㄥˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄌㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ | Shènɡdàn lǎorén | Santa Claus |
| 聖誕老公公 | ㄕㄥˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄌㄠˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄥ | Shèngdàn lǎogōnggōng | Santa Claus |
| 慶祝 | ㄑㄧㄥˋ ㄓㄨˋ | Qìngzhù | Celebrate |
| 禮物 | ㄌㄧˇ ㄨˋ | Lǐwù | Gift |
| 雪花 | ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄏㄨㄚ | Xuěhuā | Snowflake |
| 鈴鐺 | ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄤ | Língdāng | Bell |
| 雪人 | ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄖㄣˊ | Xuěrén | Snowman |
| 煙囪 | ㄧㄢ ㄘㄨㄥ | Yāncōng | Chimney |
| 燭光 | ㄓㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄤ | Zhúguāng | Candlelight |
| 耶穌 | ㄧㄝˊ ㄙㄨ | Yēsū | Jesus Christ |
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