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How do Chinese show love on Father’s Day?


Father's Day falls on the third Sunday of June every year. It honors all fathers for their contribution to their family and society. There are various ways to show gratitude, respect and love to a father. The Westerners will hug their father and say "I love you, dad", while most Chinese are too shy to say that directly. So how do Chinese usually show love toward their father, if not the sentimental phrases?   

每年六月的第3个星期日是父亲节,以此感谢所有父亲对家庭和社会所做出的贡献。向父亲表达感激、敬重和爱的方式可以有很多种。西方人会拥抱父亲,向父亲说"我爱你",但大部分中国人羞于直白表达感情。那么,除了煽情的话,中国人通常是怎么表达对父亲的爱呢?

The Chinese parents usually expect respect and care from their children, which is part of filial piety. Therefore, it's perhaps the most "Chinese" way to love their parents by obeying them and showing care for their parents' needs. 

对于中国父母而言,往往他们希望从孩子身上得到的是尊重和关心,这也是孝顺的其中一种。所以,关心父母的需要以及顺从他们恐怕是最中国式的爱意表达方式了。

Here are some phrases the Chinese might use to show love on Father's Day:

下面是中国人在父亲节可能会用到的几句话:

1. bà, wǒ qǐng nǐ chī fàn

爸,我请你吃饭。

Hey dad, let's go out for a meal— it's on me!

This is probably the most popular Father's Day gift in China: having a special meal. Chinese culture is definitely a food-centric culture. Food represents gathering, unity, connection, care and love in China. 

在中国,这或许是父亲节这天最受欢迎的礼物了:吃一顿特别的饭。中国文化可谓是饮食文化,食物对于中国人意味着团聚、统一、联结、关心和爱。

Apart from food, a Chinese father commonly receives gifts 红包 (hóng bāo, a red envelop with money inside), expensive wines, expensive teas, expensive cigarettes or cigars, or luxury items.

除了请客吃饭,中国父亲常收到的礼物还有红包、名贵的酒类、茶类和烟类,或是其他名牌商品。

  

    

2. bà, wǒ jìng nǐ yì bēi

爸,我敬你一杯!

Dad, allow me to toast you.

Toasting is another common way to honor or thank someone, especially someone older or of higher rank. When eating with their fathers on Father's Day, the children will toast them. During the toast, it's an opportunity to say nice things, usually good wishes such as "I wish you great health" and "I wish you a long life". These are both common Chinese blessings, which reflect what Chinese value — health and longevity.

敬酒是另一种常见的向别人(尤其是年长者或辈分高的人)表示尊重和感谢的方式。假如父亲节这天一起吃饭,中国的子女会向父亲敬酒。敬酒时可以说些祝酒词,通常都是些美好的愿望,比如"祝您身体健康"和"祝您长命百岁"。这两个都是中国人常用的祝福语,体现出中国人所看重的健康和长寿。

3. bà,  nǐ xīn kǔ la

爸,你辛苦啦!

Dad, thank you for all that you've done for me.

This is equivalent of "I love you" for Chinese people. Instead of talking about feelings, Chinese are more likely to recognize others' hard work and sacrifice. They thank or show love to people by pointing out perseverance and effort. So saying "爸,你辛苦啦 " is very thoughtful. It will make a Chinese dad feel that his children appreciate and value his effort and sacrifice. 

对中国人而言,这句话就相当于"我爱你"。中国人不直接表达情感,而更倾向于认同对方的辛勤工作和牺牲。他们通过肯定对方的坚持和努力来表达感谢或爱意。所以,"爸,你辛苦啦 " 是非常体贴的一句话,会让一个中国父亲觉得孩子尊重且珍惜他的努力和付出。

4. wǒ bāng nǐ àn mó 

爸,我帮你按摩!

Dad, may I give you a shoulder massage?

Another very "Chinese" thing to do on this day is to give a Chinese father a massage. Grandparents especially love this. But as Chinese generally tend not to be verbally sentimental, they may just say "here, let me help you" instead. Or when their dad or grandfather is sitting in a chair, they come up and gently hammer their fathers' shoulders, back or knees.

在这天,还可以做一件非常有"中国味" 的事情,就是给父亲按摩。祖父母尤其喜爱。不过,一般中国人嘴上说不出感性的话,他们可能只会说"来,我帮您吧"。或者当父亲或祖父坐在椅子上时,他们会过去轻轻地帮忙捶捶肩膀,后背或膝盖什么的。

These are a handful of awesome Chinese phrases to appreciate and honor fathers on Father's Day! With all these meaningful words, plus your voluntary love and care, any father will be deeply touched.

以上就是中国人在父亲节会用来感谢父亲的几句话了。有了这些隽永的话语,再加上积极主动的关爱和照顾,相信任何一位父亲都会深受感动的!

The article is translated and editted by Chinlingo. Please indicate the source for any use, reproduction or transfer. 

本文由Chinlingo编译后发布,如需转载,请标明来源。


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2016-06-21

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