Note: The spoken Chinese Mandarin language has 4 spoken tones. We have attempted to re-create those below where after each syllable we tell you (1), (2), (3), or (4) as they correspond to each of the 4 tones. We encourage you to complement your Xianzai.com Emergency Chinese newsletter with a good offline study program.

Spring Festival: chun(1) jie(2)

NEW WORDS
Spring Festival: chun(1) jie(2)
Full Moon: man(3) yue(4)
Dumplings: jiao(3) zi(1)
Bonus pay: jiang(3) jin(1)
Holiday: jie(2) ri(4)

LESSON

• When is Spring Festival this year?
  jin(1) nian(2) chun(1) jie(2) shi(4) shen(3) me shi(2) hou?
  
• I like the full moon.
  wo(3) xi(3) huan(1) man(3) yue(4).
  
• Can I help to make dumplings?
  wo(3) neng(2) bang(3) ni(3) bao(1) jiao(3) zi(1) ma?
  
• How much was your Spring Festival bonus?
  ni(3) de chun(1) jie(2) jiang(3) jin(1) you(3) duo(1) shao(3)?
  
• When will you go on holiday?
  ni(3) shen(3) me shi(2) hou(4) guo(4) jie(2)?

* Tip: Spring Festival is the major holiday for most Chinese like Xmas, Hanukah or New Year's in the west. Falling either in January or February depending on the cycle of the moon, this is a time when people travel hundreds and thousands of kilometers to be with their families.

As it is a real family holiday, streets in China can be deserted and feel a little lonely for foreigners here at the time. The best way to beat the blues is to get yourself invited to Spring Festival with a Chinese family and to help make dumplings (which I still think are the most delicious of all Chinese foods).