過年千萬別送這10種禮物
Giving somebody a sharp object insinuates that you want to cut off your relationship with them. A common Chinese saying goes "one slash and it’s in two parts" to mean the end of a relationship between people.
送給某人尖銳之物暗示著你想和對方斷絕關(guān)系。中國俗語“一刀兩斷”指的就是兩人斷絕關(guān)系。
2. The Number 4 — Sounds Like Death 含有數(shù)字四的東西——和“死”諧音
In Chinese, the number four (四 sì /srr/) sounds similar to the word for death (死 sǐ). Therefore, anything with the number 4 is considered unlucky — do not give gifts in sets of four.
中文里的“四”和“死”諧音。因此，任何帶有數(shù)字四的東西都被中國人認為不吉利，所以不要送數(shù)量為四的禮物。
That is why there is no floor four in some buildings and hotels, for example. Often a number 8 is added in front of the 4 for hotel rooms on the fourth floor.
這就是為什么在一些大樓和酒店中沒有樓層四。通常酒店第四層的房間號會在數(shù)字4前加一個8。
3. Shoes — Evil 鞋——邪
Shoes are a bad idea for a present for Chinese New Year because the word for 'shoes' (鞋 xié /syeah/) sounds exactly like a word for bad luck or 'evil' (邪 xié). On top of that, shoes are something that you step on, and are thus not good gifts. Avoid shoes at all costs.
過年送鞋作禮物是個壞主意，因為“鞋”和“邪”發(fā)音相同。除此以外，鞋子是你踩踏之物，所以用來送禮不合適。千萬別送鞋。
4. Handkerchiefs — A Symbol of Saying Goodbye Forever 手帕——象征著永別
People generally give handkerchiefs at the end of a funeral, and are a symbol of saying goodbye forever. Giving someone a gift like this insinuates you are saying goodbye forever, and severing all ties.
人們通常會在葬禮結(jié)束時分發(fā)手帕，手帕象征著永遠的離別。送給某人手帕當(dāng)禮物暗示著你是要和對方永別，從此切斷一切聯(lián)系。
5. Clocks — Bad Luck 鐘——厄運
In Chinese, saying 'giving a clock' (送鐘 sòng zhōng /song jong/) sounds exactly like the Chinese words for 'attending a funeral ritual' (送終 sòng zhōng) and thus it is bad luck to gift clocks or watches.
中文里，“送鐘”和“送終”發(fā)音一樣，所以送鐘表做禮物不吉利。
On top of that, clocks and watches also symbolize the running out of time. This is especially true for seniors. Giving a clock or watch as a gift is the biggest no-no in Chinese culture.
除此以外，鐘表還象征著剩下的時間不多了。對于老年人而言尤其如此。送鐘表當(dāng)禮物是中國文化中最大的禁忌。
6. Pears — Parting 梨——離別
Giving fruit is a good thing, but pears are taboo. This is because the Chinese word for 'pears' (梨 lí /lee/) sounds the same as the word for leaving or 'parting' (離 lí).
送水果挺好，但梨卻是禁忌。這是因為中文里“梨”和“離”發(fā)音相同。
7. Cut Flowers — Presents for Funerals 手捧花——葬禮的禮物
Cut flowers are generally presents for funerals, so do not give them on Chinese New Year! This is especially so for Yellow Chrysanthemums and any white flowers, which represent death. White is an unlucky (funeral) color in Chinese culture, so white flowers should be avoided.
手捧花通常是葬禮上的禮物，所以不要在過年時送!尤其是黃色菊花和任何白色的花，因為這些花代表死亡。白色在中國文化中是不吉利的(葬禮)顏色，所以應(yīng)避免送白花。
8. Umbrellas — Break Up 傘——分手
Umbrellas are a bad idea to give as gifts, because the Chinese word for 'umbrella' (傘 sǎn /san/) sound like the word for 'breaking up' (散 sàn). Giving somebody an umbrella may insinuate that you feel your relationship with them has fallen apart.
送傘作禮物是個壞主意，因為中文里“傘”和“散”諧音。送某人一把傘暗示著你覺得你和對方的關(guān)系已經(jīng)破裂了。
9. Black or White Objects — Often Used in Funerals 黑色或白色的東西——葬禮常用的顏色
Black and White are important colors in funerals, so avoid presents that are largely black or largely white, or wrapping paper or envelopes in these colors. Red, however, is believed to be a festive and fortunate color, so red is always a great option for envelopes, or gifts.
黑色和白色是葬禮上的主色調(diào)，所以避免送大面積白色或黑色的禮物，或者用這種顏色包裝的禮物。紅色則被認為是喜慶吉利的顏色，所以送紅色封套(包裝)的禮物或紅色禮物永遠是很好的選擇。
10. Mirrors — Attract Ghosts 鏡子——招鬼
Mirrors are a bad idea for gifts throughout much of Asia, as they are believed to attract malicious ghosts. On top of that, they are easily broken and breaking things is a bad omen.
亞洲的大部分地區(qū)都忌諱送鏡子當(dāng)禮物，因為很多亞洲人認為鏡子會招來惡鬼。除此以外，鏡子容易破碎，而打破東西則是不祥之兆。
