What You Need to Know About Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié) is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month by the lunar calendar — when the moon is at its fullest. 🌕

This year, it falls on September 10, Saturday.

What do you know about Mid-Autumn Festival?

中秋节 Zhōngqiū Jié

Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival is an important festival in Chinese Culture. Zhōngqiū Jié is based on the legend of Cháng’e, the Chinese goddess of the Moon.

On this day, people traditionally eat mooncakes, which resemble the shape of the full moon. They decorate the houses with lanterns, guess riddles, and have dinner with family and friends.

01. Mooncakes

月饼
yuèbǐng
mooncake(s)

*Did you know?
People from the North of China eat one whole mooncake per person. People from the South prefer to share the mooncake with family and friends. 🥮

02. Lanterns

灯谜
dēngmí
lantern(s)

猜灯谜
cāi dēngmí
to guess riddles on hanging lanterns

03. Admiring the Full Moon

赏月
shǎng yuè
to admire the full moon

To find out more interesting and useful Chinese vocabulary, check out one of our blog posts 5 Ways to Eat in Chinese: Takeouts, Dine-in and More