How Many Chinese Words Do You Know To Express “Halloween” in China? Let's Turn World Festival Halloween Into Chinese

Five Different Chinese Words To Express "Halloween" In China

五种中文表达 [Wǔ zhǒng biǎo dá]

Although Halloween is not a popular festival in China, especially in Chinese mainland, it gives a splendid excuse for people going out to have more funs at night. If you are learning standard Chinese or take a short stay in the Autumn of China, it's proper to know some Chinese words that are used to express "Halloween" in China, as below.

在中国，尤其大陆地区，Halloween 不算是个很热门的节日，但是它仍然成为了一个绝佳的在这一天晚上出门找乐子狂欢一夜的理由。如果你正在学中文（普通话），或正在中国当地停留，可以了解以下关于 Halloween的中文词汇。

"万圣夜"

The Shortest Chinese Of "Halloween" In China

最简短的中文表达：“万圣夜” [Wàn shèng yè]

如果要用最简洁的中文表达“Halloween”，那么一定是“万圣夜”这三个字。

As Halloween is abbreviated from the full name "All Hallows' Eve", the three characters 万, 圣, 夜 among the Chinese name respectively respond to each word of the English name.

正如 “Halloween” 是 “All Hallows' Eve” 的缩写，万圣夜中包含的三个汉字：“万”、“圣”、“夜”也分别与英文名中的单词一一对应。

• 万 - (wàn) - A common Chinese numeration unit for "Ten Thousand". And it's also used to describe the great number of objects or creatures in Standard Chinese (Putonghua, aka. Standard Mandarin), herein implying the meaning of 所有 (suǒ yǒu), see below.
• 圣 - (shèng) - a Chinese adjective is used to describe a holy person or master who is full of acknowledgement and wisdom. For example, Confucius 孔子 (kǒng zi), the founder of Confucianism in China, is respectfully addressed as "孔圣人" in Chinese.
• 夜 - (yè) - The word is easy to understand since it means the dark time or night in Chinese.

Other Simple Chinese Words Related to "Halloween" in China

其他相关中文词汇

• 所有 - (suǒ yǒu) - The word "All" in Standard Chinese (Putonghua, aka. Standard Mandarin)
• 圣人 - (shèng rén) - The word to describe "Hallow", a saint or holy person in Standard Chinese (Putonghua, aka. Standard Mandarin)
• 夜晚 - (yè wǎn) - The word "night" in Standard Chinese (Putonghua, aka. Standard Mandarin)

"万圣节前夜"

The Most Popular Translation For "Halloween" In Chinese

最常见的中文译名：“万圣节前夜” [Wàn shèng jié qián yè]

将“万圣夜”完整展开来的意思即是“万圣节前夜”。它也是针对“All Hallows' Eve”或“Halloween”最常见的中文翻译。

And 万圣节 is also known as the common name of the "All Hallow's Day" or "All Saint's Day" festival in Chinese.

而且，“万圣节”三个字也正是“All Hallows' Day”或“All Saints' Day”的中文名。

• 前夜 - (qián yè) - The word "Eve" in Standard Chinese (Putonghua)
• 节 - (jié) - it's used to mark the day of festival or the day of anniversary in Standard Chinese (Putonghua), although it originally means a knot on the bamboo or wood. Secondly, it often describes a section or a part of something in Chinese.

"万圣节前夕"

A Literal Substitute Of "Halloween" In Chinese

略文艺的中文说法：“万圣节前夕” [Wàn shèng jié qián xī]

“万圣节前夕”和前一个“万圣节前夜”只有一字之差。

Broadly to say, both words are connected with the night time, but the character 夕 usually specifies the eve of an important festival or event, more elegant and official than the other in the Chinese language, e.g. the phrase 国庆前夕 (Guó qìng qián xī), refering to the big National festival "China' National Day Eve".

两个词都泛指夜晚，但是“夕”字通常用在指重要节日或时间的前一个夜晚或前段时间，更正式和优雅文艺，比如“国庆前夕”。

• 夕 - (xī) - In modern time, it usually describes the "sunset time" in Standard Chinese (Putonghua), e.g. the word 夕阳 (xī yáng), equal to sunset in Chinese.
  But in ancient China, 夕 mostly referred to the night time, such as the big traditional folk festival 除夕 (chú xī) in China, pointing to the important night before the Chinese New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year's Eve.
• 夜 - (jié) - means the dark time or night in Chinese.

"诸圣节前夕"

Seldom-Used But Based On Orthodox Religious Festival & Christian Holiday

不太常见的宗教译名：“诸圣节前夕” [Zhū shèng jié qián xī]

“诸圣节”指西方的宗教节日“All Saints' Day”。那么这个节日的前一夜在中文里也可被称作“诸圣节前夕”。不过这个词在中国并不常见，少有人知道。

"西方鬼节"

A Different Term For "Halloween" As Compared To Chinese Festival

与中国鬼节相对的“西方鬼节” [Xī fāng guǐ jié]

Last but not least, wish you a Happy Halloween and Happy November!

And most importantly, remember to make your Halloween and November safe, then keep fun!