The Nian Monster (年兽)
How red paper and firecrackers began — the legend behind Chinese New Year.
很久以前，有一只怪兽，名字叫“年”。Long, long ago, there was a monster named "Nian."每到冬天的最后一天，它就来村子里吓人。On the last day of every winter, it came to the village to frighten people.人们很害怕，都躲到山上去。The people were terrified, and everyone hid in the mountains.
有一年，一位老人来到村子。One year, an old man came to the village.他说：“别怕，年最怕红色和大声音。”He said, "Don't be afraid — Nian fears red and loud noises most of all."人们在门上贴红纸，还放鞭炮。The people pasted red paper on their doors and set off firecrackers.
“砰！砰！”年吓得跑回山里，再也不敢来了。"Bang! Bang!" Nian fled back into the mountains and never dared to come again.
从那天起，过年时人们都穿红衣服、贴春联、放鞭炮。From that day on, at New Year people wear red, paste spring couplets, and set off firecrackers.大家见面说：“新年快乐！”When people meet, they say, "Happy New Year!"这就是中国新年的故事。And that is the story of Chinese New Year.
Want to read along with audio? Every story in the Literate Chinese app is narrated by a native speaker — in Mainland or Taiwan Mandarin — so you can listen while you read, and tap any word to save it as a flashcard. See what's in the app.
