Today’s Episode
Lunar New Year’s around the corner, so today we’re spilling the tea on gift-giving in China—what’s a hit, what’s a miss, and what’s downright taboo!
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On Tuesday 28th January MaoMi Chinese+, we’re diving into a thought-provoking topic: why do some people choose not to return to their hometown for Chinese New Year? From family pressures to financial stress, we’ll explore the hidden challenges behind this festive season. Tune in for real stories, cultural insights, and key vocabulary to deepen your understanding of modern Chinese life!
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大家好，欢迎回来MaoMi Chinese！很快又要到春节了。在春节，人们会去看家人，看朋友，送礼物。今天我们要聊一聊，在中国送礼物时要注意什么。今天我们一起看看，送礼的时候有哪些禁忌。禁忌，意思是一些不能做的事情。
在中国，送礼很常见。无论是节日、生日，还是去别人家做客，送礼是表达感情的一种方法。送得好，可以让关系更近。但是，送礼时有些东西不能送，不然可能会让对方不开心。
在中国的文化里，如果你想送礼物，一定要小心一些禁忌。在中国，我们一般不送这些礼物。第一个：钟（zhōng）。钟是不能送的东西。在中文里，钟和“终”字的发音很像，意思是“结束”。所以送钟给别人，可能让他们觉得是祝福“结束”或者“死亡”，这在中国是不好的意思。还比如：伞（sǎn）。伞的发音和“散”字很像，意思是分开。送伞给别人，可能让他们觉得你希望你们的关系“分开”或者“疏远”，所以也不太合适。又比如：鞋（xié）鞋子也是不太适合送的礼物。在中文里，“鞋”和“邪”字发音很像，邪有不好的意思。比如，我们说一个人很邪恶，意思是这个人很坏。送鞋子给别人，可能让他们觉得你带来不好的运气。
那么，什么是适合送的礼物呢？其实有很多好的选择。比如，茶叶是很常见的礼物，特别是给老人或者你的老板。茶叶代表着健康、长寿和尊重。酒也是中国很常见的礼物，特别是节日的时候，送酒表示祝福。白酒、红酒都很受欢迎。水果也很适合，尤其是一些包装漂亮的水果篮。
今天我们聊了一些在中国送礼时的禁忌。记得最好不要送钟、伞、鞋这些东西。但是茶叶、酒、水果是比较好的礼物。
在你的国家，送礼物有没有什么禁忌呢？欢迎给我们留言，和我们分享哦！
Hello everyone, and welcome back to MaoMi Chinese! It’ll soon be Chinese New Year again. During Chinese New Year, people visit family and friends and exchange gifts. Today, we’re going to talk about what you should be mindful of when giving gifts in China. We’ll take a look at some taboos associated with gift-giving. A taboo refers to something that should not be done.
In China, giving gifts is very common. Whether it’s for festivals, birthdays, or visiting someone’s home, giving a gift is a way to express your feelings. A well-chosen gift can strengthen a relationship. However, there are certain things you should avoid giving as gifts, as they might upset the recipient.
In Chinese culture, if you plan to give a gift, it’s important to be mindful of certain taboos. There are some items we generally avoid giving as gifts. For example, clocks are considered unsuitable. In Chinese, the word for “clock” (钟, zhōng) sounds similar to the word for “end” (终), which implies “ending” or even “death.” Giving a clock could make the recipient feel like you’re wishing for the end of something, which is seen as inauspicious. Similarly, umbrellas are another item to avoid. The word for “umbrella” (伞, sǎn) sounds like the word “scatter” (散), which suggests separation. Giving someone an umbrella might make them feel you’re hoping for the relationship to fall apart. Shoes are also not an ideal gift. The word “shoes” (鞋, xié) sounds similar to the word for “evil” (邪), which has negative connotations. If we say someone is evil, it means someone is very bad. Giving shoes might be interpreted as bringing bad luck to the recipient.
So, what are some good gifts to give? There are plenty of great options. For instance, tea is a very common gift, especially for elders or your boss. Tea symbolises health, longevity, and respect. Alcohol is another popular gift in China, particularly during festivals. Giving alcohol expresses good wishes, and both white wine and red wine are well-received. Fruit is also an excellent option, especially beautifully packaged fruit baskets.
Today we’ve learned about some of the taboos around gift-giving in China. Remember, it’s best to avoid giving clocks, umbrellas, shoes. However, tea, alcohol, and fruit are generally good choices.
Are there any taboos around gift-giving in your country? Feel free to leave us a comment and share your thoughts!
在意大利不应该送礼物的东西是：刀，剪刀，等，也不应该送菊花。
真有意思！看起来意大利和中国的送礼习惯很像。
在巴西我们也不应该送菊花，因为我们在葬礼的时候用这种花。
在美国，我们常见送给巧克力，酒，或者花（各种各样的花）。 注意“玫瑰“有一些”浪漫的意思“。