Qingming Festival is both a time for tomb-sweeping and remembrance, and a time for spring outings and welcoming spring, so whether to say “Happy Holiday” depends on the occasion.清明节能说快乐吗 - Can You Say “Happy Qingming Festival”? [HSK 5]Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》刘娜: Yuko, yesterday in class a student asked me, "Can we actually say 'Happy Qingming Festival'?" When I heard that, I thought it was a very interesting question.优子: I’ve been wanting to ask that too! Because when I watch Chinese dramas, some people look very solemn when they go tomb-sweeping, but on social media some people write "Peace and health on Qingming," and others even say "Happy Qingming Festival."刘娜: Actually, Qingming Festival is very special. It is half a festival and half a solar term. In ancient times, people did not just sweep tombs; whole families would also go on spring outings and fly kites, because they did not want to miss the best time of spring.优子: So it is not only about sadness. I used to think Qingming Festival was just about going to cemeteries, and that the atmosphere had to be very heavy. I did not expect it to have such a springlike side too.刘娜: That’s right. So experts say that when sweeping tombs and honoring ancestors, of course you should be more solemn; but when going on outings and enjoying spring, saying "Happy Qingming Festival" is not necessarily wrong either. It depends on the occasion, and you cannot apply one rule to everything.优子: That reminds me of a saying: when you speak, you should consider the time and the place. If someone smiled and loudly offered cheerful greetings in front of a grave, that probably would not be very appropriate.刘娜: You understand it very well. Qingming Festival places remembrance and new life together. On the one hand, it reminds people where they come from; on the other hand, it reminds them that spring has arrived. This feeling is very much like what Chinese people often call "慎终追远".优子: No wonder this festival is so special. It is not simply about being happy, nor is it only about sadness. It lets people remember the past while living the present seriously. I think that is exactly what is most worth learning from Qingming Festival.

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