Thanksgiving is a special holiday celebrated primarily in the United States, Canada, and some other countries, where people come together to express gratitude for the good things in life.
In the U.S., Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, while in Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October. It’s a time for family reunions, delicious feasts, and reflecting on what we’re thankful for.
Let’s learn 10 key Chinese phrases that capture typical Thanksgiving activities! Each phrase comes with a literal meaning and an audio, making it easier to understand and use.
Family Reunion 家人團聚/家人团聚
Thanksgiving is a cherished time for families to come together, share a meal, and reconnect. Many people travel long distances just to spend the holiday with loved ones, making family reunions one of the most heartwarming aspects of the celebration. This gathering reminds us of the importance of togetherness and gratitude.
In Chinese, “family reunion” is 家人團聚/家人团聚 (jiā rén tuán jù):
- 家人 (jiā rén) – “family” or “family members”
- 團聚/团聚 (tuán jù) – “reunite” or “gather together”
Cultural insight: Family reunions hold deep significance in both Western and Chinese cultures. In China and other Chinese-speak countries, the Lunar New Year is a key time for family gatherings.
Watch A Parade 看遊行/看游行
Thanksgiving Day parades are a popular tradition in many cities, especially the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Floats, marching bands, and giant balloons bring excitement to the streets, making the parade a must-watch for many families.
In Chinese, “watch a parade” is 看遊行/看游行 (kàn yóu xíng):
- 看 (kàn) – “watch” or “see”
- 遊行/游行 (yóu xíng) – “parade” or “march”
Cultural insight: Parades are also part of many cultural celebrations worldwide. In China, grand parades are held on National Day, Oct 1st, to showcase the country’s achievements, with impressive military and cultural displays.
Watch American Football 看美式足球
Football is another big part of Thanksgiving, with families and friends gathering to watch NFL games. The competitive energy of American football adds a lively twist to the holiday’s relaxing atmosphere.
In Chinese, “watch American football” is 看美式足球 (kàn měi shì zú qiú):
- 看 (kàn) – “watch”
- 美式 (měi shì) – “American-style”
- 足球 (zú qiú) – “football” or “soccer”
Cultural insight: 足球 (zú qiú) literally translates to “foot ball.” The character 足 (zú) means “foot,” while 球 (qiú) stands for “ball.”
Cook a Feast 煮大餐
Cooking a feast is one of the most cherished Thanksgiving traditions. Families gather in the kitchen to prepare iconic dishes like roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. The kitchen becomes the heart of the home, filled with delicious aromas and laughter.
In Chinese, “cook a fest” is 煮大餐 (zhǔ dà cān):
- 煮 (zhǔ) – “to cook” or “to boil”
- 大餐 (dà cān) – “feast” or “big meal”
Cultural insight: Similar to Thanksgiving, the Chinese Lunar New Year (過年/过年; guò nián) is a time for families to come together and share a grand meal. Traditional dishes often include dumplings (餃子/饺子; jiǎo zi), fish (魚/鱼; yú) – symbolizing abundance, and rice cakes (年糕; nián gāo) – symbolizing growth and progress.
Play Board Games 玩桌遊/玩桌游
After the big meal, families often gather around to play board games, a fun way to bond and keep the holiday spirit going.
In Chinese, “play board games” is 玩桌遊/玩桌游 (wán zhuō yóu):
- 玩 (wán) – “to play”
- 桌遊/桌游 (zhuō yóu) – short for 桌上遊戲/桌上游戏 (zhuō shàng yóu xì), meaning “table games” or “board games”
Cultural insight: One of the most iconic Chinese table games is Mahjong (麻將/麻将; má jiàng), a tile game that originated in China hundreds of years ago. It continues to be popular worldwide, with fans enjoying its mix of strategy, skill, and luck. Mahjong is often played during Chinese New Year celebrations, where families and friends come together for friendly rounds of this centuries-old game.
Have a Feast 吃大餐
For many, Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and share a special meal, whether it’s a simple gathering or a grand feast. It’s not just about the food but about the connection and the moments shared around the table.
In Chinese, “have a feast” is 吃大餐 (chī dà cān):
- 吃 (chī) – “eat”
- 大餐 (dà cān) – “feast” or “big meal”
Cultural insight: Sharing food is a major part of social bonding in Chinese culture. Large, communal meals are enjoyed during special occasions like weddings, festivals, and family reunions. A famous example is the Chinese hotpot (火鍋/火锅; huǒ guō), where everyone gathers around a simmering pot to cook and eat together—a meal that symbolizes unity and togetherness.
Sing Karaoke 唱卡拉OK
For some, singing karaoke is a fun way to liven up Thanksgiving night! It adds an extra layer of entertainment after the meal.
In Chinese, “sing karaoke” is 唱卡拉OK (chàng kǎ lā OK):
- 唱 (chàng) – “sing”
- 卡拉OK (kǎ lā OK) – “karaoke”
Cultural insight: 卡拉OK (karaoke) is a direct phonetic translation of the Japanese word “karaoke.” It uses the characters 卡 (kǎ), meaning “card,” and 拉 (lā), meaning “to pull,” combined with the English word “OK” at the end. When you “卡拉,” you’ll be “OK”! Karaoke is hugely popular in Chinese-speaking countries, where families and friends gather at karaoke venues known as KTV (Karaoke Television) to enjoy a night of singing together.
Watch Movies 看電影/看电影
After the Thanksgiving meal, many families relax by watching movies together. A classic Thanksgiving movie is A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, the tenth prime-time animated television special. First aired in 1973, it continues to be a beloved family favorite during the holiday season. Whether it’s a holiday classic or a new release, watching a movie is a cozy way to end the day.
In Chinese, “watch movies” is 看電影/看电影 (kàn diàn yǐng):
- 看 (kàn) – “watch”
- 電影/电影 (diàn yǐng) – “movie” (literally, “electric shadow”)
Cultural insight: In Chinese-speaking cultures, watching movies is also a popular way to unwind, especially during festive occasions like the Lunar New Year.
Shopping Online 上網購物/上网购物
Black Friday deals usually kick off around Thanksgiving, and many people start shopping online. It marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, with discounts and sales driving people to their favorite websites.
In Chinese, “shop/shopping online” is 上網購物/上网购物 (shàng wǎng gòu wù):
- 上網/上网 (shàng wǎng) – “go online”
- 購物/购物 (gòu wù) – “shop” or “purchase”
上網購物/上网购物 can be shortened to 網購/网购 (wǎng gòu), which can also mean “online shopping.”
Cultural insight: Just like Black Friday in the U.S., China has its own shopping festival. One of the most famous is the “Singles’ Day” or “Double 11” festival, which takes place on November 11th each year. It has grown into one of the world’s largest online shopping events, with massive discounts and promotions.
Be Grateful 心存感恩
At its heart, Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for the good things in life—family, friends, health, and more. It’s a time to reflect and express gratitude.
In Chinese, “be grateful” is 心存感恩 (xīn cún gǎn ēn):
- 心存 (xīn cún) – “hold in the heart”
- 感恩 (gǎn ēn) – “gratitude” or “be grateful/thankful”
Cultural insight: Gratitude is an important concept in Chinese culture as well, where family and respect for elders play a central role in expressions of thanks.
Now that you’ve learned these 10 Chinese phrases, why not try using them while enjoying your favorite Thanksgiving activities? Whether you’re gathering with family (家人團聚/家人团聚), watching a parade (看遊行/看游行), or shopping online (上網購物/上网购物), practicing these terms will help you connect language learning with your holiday experience.
Wishing you a wonderful and joyful Thanksgiving—心存感恩 (xīn cún gǎn ēn), be grateful for all the special moments!
Credit: Photos courtesy of Unsplash.
