February 14th of each year is 情人节 (Valentine’s Day). It is a traditional festival in Western countries. Young people in China also like this festival very much. This is a celebration of love and romance traditionally expressed with flowers and chocolates. The couple in love give each other gifts on this day to express their affection for each other.
In China, people take the traditional Double Seventh Festival as Chinese Valentine`s Day. This festival draws back to the Han dynasty, but the traditional celebration has nothing to do with activities such as dating. It was borne of the legend of the cowherd牛郎(niú láng) and the weaver girl 织女(zhīnǚ), and how their love was forbidden, so they were banished to opposite sides of The Silver River. However, once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of magpies would form a bridge to reunite th two. This gave the meaning of Chinese Valentine` Day to this festival.
Traditionally, Chinese people also take the Lantern Festival (元宵节 yuánxiāojié) as Chinese Valentine`s Day. It is the first night of the year in which the moon is full and hanging high. This is a great chance for young people to go out and date while enjoying the lanterns on the streets.
Here are some words and expressions about Valentine`s Day and love in Chinese.
The words and stuff about the western Valentine`s Day:
| 情人节 | qíngrén jié | Valentine’s Day |
| 爱情 | àiqíng | love |
| 浪漫 | làngmàn | romantic |
| 鲜花 | xiānhuā | flowers |
| 巧克力 | qiǎokèlì | chocolate |
| 酒 | jiǔ | liqueur |
| 烛光晚餐 | zhúguāng wǎncān | candlelight dinner |
| 情书 | qíngshū | love letter |
| 告白 | gàobái | Confess love |
| 珠宝 | zhūbǎo | Jewelry |
| 丘比特 | qiūbǐtè | Cupid |
| 我爱你 | wǒ ài nǐ | I love you |
| 你是唯一 | nǐ shì wéiyī | You’re the only one. |
The relationship:
| 男朋友 | nán péngyǒu | Boyfriend |
| 女朋友 | nǚ péngyǒu | Girlfriend |
| 恋人/情人 | Liànrén / qíngrén | Lovers |
| 谈恋爱 | tán liàn’ài | Fall in love |
| 丈夫 | zhàngfū | Husband |
| 妻子 | qīzi | Wife |
| 夫妻 | fūqī | Couple |
The words about the Chinese Valentine`s Day:
| 七夕节 | Qīxì jié | The Qixi Festival |
| 牛郎 | niú láng | Cowherd |
| 织女 | zhī nǚ | Weaver girl |
| 鹊桥 | quèqiáo | The bridge of magpies, which the Weaver girl crosses to meet the Cowherd on the 7th of the Seventh lunar month. |
| 乞巧 | qǐqiǎo | The legend says that women pray for cleverness every seventh evening of the seventh lunar month. |
| 元宵节 | Yuánxiāo jié | The Lantern Festival |
| 灯笼 | dēnglóng | Lanterns |
| 灯谜 | dēngmí | Lantern riddles |