It means Happy New Year in Mandarin. (Which Mom is this? Because if it’s the one that lived a number of years in Mandarin-speaking countries then you should know this – if it’s the other Mom, then you’re off the hook!)
My real question is “How is the Year of the Rat Russ’ year?” I had figured out the Happy New Year part. I need to know more about the Chinese Culture you know and this seemed like a teachable moment.
Thanks Peg, I needed that. Gail Debenport (the Texas mom)
oh, I see. It’s Russ’ year because he was born in the year of the rat. I’m the year of the rabbit. I think you’re the year of the monkey (I think that’s my mom’s year and you would be the same as her). While living in Asia, my favorite part of Chinese New Year was the “red packets” (with money inside) given by relatives and getting off of school! Not so big on some of the cakes that are served for Chinese New Year though.
To the Texas mom — I have to chuckle because I had a feeling that your question was about the year of the rat being Russ’s year. In the context of our culture, who wants to hear that about their kid?
It’s kind of funny that my year would be the year of the monkey. Once when Russ was young, we had taken his sister for a youth get together. When we went to pick her up, they were playing a game where they told the person next to them what animal they reminded them of. (excuse the bad grammar) Russ and I decided to play (quietly). Russ was 9 or 10 years old. Russ said I reminded him of a “monkey.” However, I don’t think he reminded me of a rat. I need to learn the better qualities of those little rodents……
Gong Xi Fa Cai (pronounced Gong Shi Fa Chai) is the mandarin translation of a common Cantonese greeting (pronounced Gong Hey Fard Choy) during New Year. It literally means “May you have great wealth and prosperity” (in the coming year). Gong Xi means congratulation, Fa means expanding, Cai is money or wealth.
In recent years, that has been considered too mercenary and materialistic. So Shin Nien Kuai Le (pronounced shin nien kuai ler) meaning Happy New Year have been more common and considered refined and more noble. However with the rush to materialism and consumerism in the New China, money is once again no long considered vernal and praetorian.
I think we should greet each other with “give us (only) our daily bread”-each day.
As for the animals, it would be more appropriate to say “Year of the Rodent”. You should look at the ascribed characteristics of the various animals in the zodiac. They don’t have the same implications as in the Western context.
I guess horoscopes are not confined to the superstitious?
What does that mean?
It means Happy New Year in Mandarin. (Which Mom is this? Because if it’s the one that lived a number of years in Mandarin-speaking countries then you should know this – if it’s the other Mom, then you’re off the hook!)
She’s off the hook
My real question is “How is the Year of the Rat Russ’ year?” I had figured out the Happy New Year part. I need to know more about the Chinese Culture you know and this seemed like a teachable moment.
Thanks Peg, I needed that. Gail Debenport (the Texas mom)
oh, I see. It’s Russ’ year because he was born in the year of the rat. I’m the year of the rabbit. I think you’re the year of the monkey (I think that’s my mom’s year and you would be the same as her). While living in Asia, my favorite part of Chinese New Year was the “red packets” (with money inside) given by relatives and getting off of school! Not so big on some of the cakes that are served for Chinese New Year though.
To the Texas mom — I have to chuckle because I had a feeling that your question was about the year of the rat being Russ’s year. In the context of our culture, who wants to hear that about their kid?
It’s kind of funny that my year would be the year of the monkey. Once when Russ was young, we had taken his sister for a youth get together. When we went to pick her up, they were playing a game where they told the person next to them what animal they reminded them of. (excuse the bad grammar) Russ and I decided to play (quietly). Russ was 9 or 10 years old. Russ said I reminded him of a “monkey.” However, I don’t think he reminded me of a rat. I need to learn the better qualities of those little rodents……
I attached a graphic to this post that will hopefully clear a few things up. Long live the rats!
-Russ
Gong Xi Fa Cai (pronounced Gong Shi Fa Chai) is the mandarin translation of a common Cantonese greeting (pronounced Gong Hey Fard Choy) during New Year. It literally means “May you have great wealth and prosperity” (in the coming year). Gong Xi means congratulation, Fa means expanding, Cai is money or wealth.
In recent years, that has been considered too mercenary and materialistic. So Shin Nien Kuai Le (pronounced shin nien kuai ler) meaning Happy New Year have been more common and considered refined and more noble. However with the rush to materialism and consumerism in the New China, money is once again no long considered vernal and praetorian.
I think we should greet each other with “give us (only) our daily bread”-each day.
As for the animals, it would be more appropriate to say “Year of the Rodent”. You should look at the ascribed characteristics of the various animals in the zodiac. They don’t have the same implications as in the Western context.
I guess horoscopes are not confined to the superstitious?
So much for lesson around the dinner table. Dad
Thanks Rebecca, Russ, and David. I am beginning to understand.