劳动节
Láodòngjié
Labor Day in Chinese is 劳动节 (Láodòngjié).
To greet people on Labor Day, you can use the phrase 劳动节快乐 (Happy Labor Day) or use the phrase 五一快乐 (Happy May Day).
Meaning: US holiday marking the end of summer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 劳动节 is composed of 劳动 (láodòng), meaning 'labor' or 'work' and 节 (jié), meaning 'festival' or 'holiday'.
Which one should you use?
While 劳动节 refers to the holiday, Chinese speakers frequently refer to it colloquially as 五一 (Wǔyī), literally 'May 1st'.
How do you pronounce it?
Láodòngjié
When do people say it?
In China, 劳动节 (May Day) is a major public holiday, whereas the US Labor Day occurs in September. When discussing the US holiday specifically, one might specify 美国劳动节 (Měiguó Láodòngjié).
Did you know?
- In China, the 劳动节 holiday is often shifted by the government to create a 'golden week' of travel, resulting in some of the highest pedestrian traffic levels globally.
- The character 节 (jié) in 劳动节 originally referred to the 'node' or 'joint' of a bamboo stalk, representing a break in a sequence.
- Using 劳动 (láodòng) can be a high compliment in Chinese, as it frames a person's work as an honorable contribution to society rather than a mere job.
Examples in context
- 五一劳动节是中国的重要节日之一。Labor Day, or May Day, is one of China's important holidays.
- 五一快乐！大家有什么计划？Happy May Day! Does anyone have any plans?
- 呼和浩特的人们都喜欢过劳动节。People in Hohhot all enjoy celebrating Labor Day.
- 四川的五一劳动节庆祝活动非常热闹。The Labor Day celebrations in Sichuan are very lively.
- 你有什么五一节的计划吗？Do you have any plans for Labor Day?
- 美国的劳动节在九月。Měiguó de Láodòngjié zài jiǔyuè.The US Labor Day is in September.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their holiday plans.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，你劳动节怎么过？Xiǎowén, nǐ Láodòngjié zěnme guò?Xiaowen, how are you spending Labor Day?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想去海边度假。Wǒ xiǎng qù hǎibiān dùjià.I want to go to the beach for a vacation.
- 浩然 Haoran听起来太棒了！Tīng qǐlái tài bàng le!That sounds great!
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你要一起去吗？Hàorán, nǐ yào yīqǐ qù ma?Haoran, do you want to come along?
