The Vietnamese phrase "ăn tết" translates to "to celebrate the New Year" in English. However, it specifically refers to the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, known as "Tết Nguyên Đán" or simply "Tết." It is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture, marking the arrival of spring and a new year according to the lunar calendar.
Usage Instructions:
Basic Usage: "ăn tết" is used when talking about participating in the festivities of the Lunar New Year, such as family gatherings, traditional foods, and various cultural activities.
Example Sentence: "Năm nay gia đình tôi sẽ ăn tết cùng nhau." (This year my family will celebrate Tết together.)
Advanced Usage:
Word Variants:
"Tết": This is the short form of "Tết Nguyên Đán" and is commonly used in everyday conversation.
"Chúc tết": This means "to wish someone a Happy New Year," which is often done during the holiday.
Different Meanings:
While "ăn tết" primarily means to celebrate the New Year, it can also imply enjoying the festive foods and activities associated with this celebration. It emphasizes the act of partaking in the joyful aspects of the holiday.
Synonyms:
"Mừng tết": This means "to celebrate Tết" and can be used interchangeably with "ăn tết."
"Đón tết": This translates to "to welcome Tết," focusing more on the arrival of the New Year rather than the celebration itself.
Cultural Note:
During Tết, people often clean and decorate their homes, prepare special foods like "bánh chưng" (square sticky rice cake), and pay respects to ancestors. It is a time for family reunions and expressing good wishes for the coming year.