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清明
The Qingming Festival
清明節(jié)是中國四大傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日（春節(jié)、清明節(jié)、端午節(jié)、中秋節(jié)）之一，是中國傳統(tǒng)歲時體系中唯一與節(jié)氣合一的節(jié)日，通常在4月4日、5日或6日。唐以前，清明主要作為二十四節(jié)氣之一，反映自然時節(jié)的變化，與農事息息相關。唐宋以后，清明節(jié)取代寒食節(jié)而成為節(jié)日，寒食節(jié)原有的祭祖掃墓、吃冷食等成為清明節(jié)俗的內容。此時萬物生氣旺盛，人們順應季節(jié)的變化，又有郊游踏青、插柳、放風箏、蕩秋千等活動。時至今日，清明仍是中國人生活中具有特殊意義的節(jié)日。2006年5月20日，經(jīng)國務院批準，清明節(jié)被列入中國第一批國家級非物質文化遺產(chǎn)名錄。
Qingming Festival is one of the four major traditional festivals, namely, the Spring Festival, the Qingming Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, that are celebrated by the Chinese. It is the only Chinese festival which occurs on one of the solar terms of the traditional calendar, usually on April 4, 5 or 6. Prior to the Tang Dynasty, Qingming functioned primarily as one of the 24 solar terms that reflected natural changes of seasons and were closely associated with timing of agricultural activities. After the Tang and Song dynasties, Qingming took the place of the Hanshi ("Cold Food") Festival, and the practices of sweeping ancestral graves and eating cold food became prominent features of the Qingming Festival. At this time of year, with the coming of spring, all living things are bursting with vitality, and people go on country outings, plant willows, fly kites and play on swings. Today, Qingming has remained a festival of special significance to the Chinese. On May 20, 2006, it was put on the first list of national-level intangible cultural heritages by the Chinese government.
引例 Citations：
◎清明時節(jié)雨紛紛，路上行人欲斷魂。
借問酒家何處有？牧童遙指杏花村。
——（杜牧《清明》）
清明時節(jié)下著紛紛小雨，
路上的行人十分惆悵。
向別人詢問什么地方有酒家？
牧童遙遙地指向杏花村。
In the drizzling rain of Qingming,
A traveler walks with a heavy heart.
He asks, "Where can I find an inn?"
In response, a cowherd points to a village where apricot trees are in bloom.
(Du Mu: Qingming)
◎燕子來時新社，梨花落后清明。
——（節(jié)選自晏殊《破陣子·春景》）
燕子飛來的時候是春社，梨花飄落后就到了清明節(jié)。
When the swallows return, it is the Spring Observance;
And after the pear blossoms fall, it is Qingming.
(Yan Shu: Pozhenzi)
推薦：教育部 國家語委
供稿：北京外國語大學 外語教學與研究出版社
責任編輯：錢耐安
