Meaning
年夜饭 is the most important meal of the Chinese year, eaten on New Year's Eve (除夕) when family members gather together. This dinner symbolizes family unity and marks the transition from the old year to the new. It typically features dishes with auspicious meanings, such as fish for abundance and dumplings for wealth.
Usage
This term is used specifically for the dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve, not just any festive meal. It carries deep cultural significance and is considered the most important family gathering of the year. The meal usually includes many courses and dishes chosen for their symbolic meanings related to prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.
Examples
- 01除夕那天，全家人聚在一起吃年夜饭。, .On New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers together to eat the reunion dinner.
- 02妈妈准备了一桌丰盛的年夜饭，有鱼、鸡、饺子等很多菜。, , , .Mom prepared a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner with many dishes including fish, chicken, dumplings, and more.
Characters
Measure words
- 顿一顿年夜饭
- 桌一桌年夜饭
Common collocations
- 吃年夜饭to eat the New Year's Eve dinner
- 准备年夜饭to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner
- 丰盛的年夜饭sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner
Origin
The term literally means 'year night meal,' directly referring to the dinner eaten on the night of New Year's Eve. This tradition dates back thousands of years in Chinese culture as the reunion meal before the new lunar year begins.