Christmas is not a public holiday in China.However,with the increasing globalization of Western culture,it is widely celebrated by a lot of people, especially young people.For young people, it’s a better chance to meet up with friends and have Christmas parties. These might be held at a friend’s house, McDonald’s or KFC, coffee shop, restaurant, or bar. There is a festive atmosphere, and people like the decorations and unusual music. Many younger people take it as a romantic holiday for couples to exchange gifts and date.

You’ll see many of the same decorations up: Christmas trees, Merry Christmas banners, colorful lights, and other Christmas ornaments.


How to say merry christmas in chinese?
Merry Christmas!
(圣诞节快乐 – shèng dàn jié kuài lè)
 
The Chinese word for Christmas is 圣诞节 (shèng dàn jié). Let’s see what each character mean to better help you understand the word:
  • 圣 (shèng) means “saint.”the usefull Chinese phrase is “神圣的 (shénshèng de)” means sacred.
  • 诞 (dàn) means “birth.”we usually say “诞生 (dànshēng)” which mean to be born in Chinese.
  • 节 (jié) means “festival” or “holiday.” we usually say “节假日(dànshēng)”holiday in Chinese.
So, “圣诞节 (shèngdànjié)”refers to“the birth of a saint holiday.”
In Chinese, a simple way to wish someone a “happy” or “merry” holiday is simply to add the words 快乐 (kuài lè). Unlike in English, where we’d say “Happy New Year” or “Merry Christmas,” the word for “happy/merry” follow the name of the holiday when you say it in Chinese.
  • “快 (kuài)” means quick or fast. For example, he ran very “快 (kuài)” fast
  • “乐 (lè)” means to be happy or cheerful
So “快乐 (kuàilè)” which means to be happy in Chinese.
平安夜(píng ān yè)VS 苹果(píng guǒ)
A tradition that’s becoming more and more popular among young people in China, on Christmas Eve, is giving apples. Many stores and hawkers have big apples wrapped up in delicated colored paper for sale. People send apples as gifts on Christmas Eve because Christmas Eve is named “Ping’an Ye” (平安夜)in Chinese, which means peaceful or quiet evening.And the phrase for apple in Mandarin Chinese is “píngguǒ” (苹果) which sounds similar to the word of “peace”.

Chinese Christmas Words and Phrases
Christmas trees
(圣诞树-shèng dàn shù )
Snowman
(雪人-xuě rén)
Skating
(滑冰-huá bīng)
Santa Claus
(圣诞老人-shèng dàn lǎo rén)
sledge
(雪橇-xuě qiāo)
Christmas gift
(圣诞礼物-shèng dàn lǐ wù)
Christmas ornaments
(圣诞装饰-shèng dàn zhuāng shì)
Greeting card
(贺卡-hè kǎ)