The Chinese Spring Festival is coming soon. The Spring Festival, commonly known as Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important festival for Chinese people.

春节就要到了，春节也叫做中国的农历年，对于中国人来说是最重要的节日。

The Chinese people always spend several days preparing abundant food for family reunion dinner and buying sweets and fruits to entertain guests. During the holiday, they will visit relatives and friends with gifts. The festival will last till the 15th of the first lunar month.

中国人经常要用好几天的时间为年夜饭采购食物，为客人准备糖果和水果。春节期间，大家会拿着礼物走亲访友。春节一直持续到正月十五。

With the development of economy and technology, the Spring Festival has undergone many changes. But many people complain that the festive atmosphere is fading.

随着经济的突飞猛进和科技的日新月异，春节也经历了很多变化。但那时如今许多人都抱怨年味变淡了。

Some say the attraction of Lunar New Year’s Eve dinner is not as strong as before because of improved living standards. In particular, people who live in Chinese coastal areas and urban cities become richer that they can enjoy big meals at ordinary times. They prefer to eat out instead of cooking at home on New Year’s Eve.

许多人说，随着大家生活水平的提高，年夜饭远不及以前那么有吸引力。尤其是对于居住在中国沿海地区和城市的人们来说，他们平时也可以经常吃一顿丰富的大餐。除夕相对于呆在家，他们更喜欢出去吃。

Some of Spring Festival customs have been changed. In the past, the Chinese people used to wear their new clothes in the holiday. Elders give younger generations “red envelope” – a monetary gift in red packets, delivering their best wishes.

春节的许多习俗也变了。过去人们会在春节穿新衣服，长辈给晚辈发红包表达心意。

But now, it is possible to distribute virtual red envelopes of money via smart phones. It’s more convenient and funny, but at the same time, there is lack of the milk of human kindness.

而如今，大家可以通过手机发红包，更方便也更有趣。但是与此同时，也就缺少了一点人情味。

In the past, most of Chinese people are more inclined to gather together at home, watching the CCTV (China Central Television) New Year’s Gala on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Today, people are spoilt for choice. Many youngsters in China are transfixed by the glare of mobile phone screens and other electronic products. They are indulged in computer games and disdain to look up at the television programs.

过去，在除夕晚上许多中国人会选择全家呆在家里看春晚。而如今他们有各种各样的选择。许多年轻人选择玩手机和其他电子产品。他们沉醉于电脑游戏，而不屑于看电视节目。

No matter how the Spring Festival customs change, the significance of the Spring Festival for the Chinese people remains unchanged. Their wishes for family reunion and happy life are also unchanged.

不管春晚的习俗如何改变，春节的意义对于中国人来说没有变。他们希望家人团聚，幸福安康的愿望也没有变。

（来源：爱语吧）