Chinese New Year 2023

What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year) is one of the most important and well-known celebrations within the Chinese calendar, and is celebrated by around 20% of the world’s population.

The date of the celebrations changes every year as it is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar, however it always falls somewhere between January 21^st to February 20^th.

Each year is associated with an animal sign based on the Chinese Zodiac, which features 12 types of animal: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The animal signs also each have their own elements assigned to them; Fire, Earth, Metal, Wood and Water. Much like the signs of the zodiac in Western astrology, the animals of Chinese astrology are thought by many to dictate personality traits or, in a wider scope, even impact world events. Those born under the sign of the rabbit, and those with compatible signs, are thought to benefit from luck or good fortune during the Rabbit year. These include 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023.

How long is Chinese New Year?

This year’s festivities are due to start on January 22^nd 2023. This year will be known as the “Year of the Rabbit”, which belongs to the Wood element. The Rabbit represents the 4th year in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

After the welcoming of the New Year, preparations will start for what is known as the Lantern Festival (or Yuan Xiao Festival), which is a holiday celebrated in China that honours late ancestors on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar. The Lantern Festival aims to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.

Do you require Chinese voiceover and translation for Chinese New Year?

Matinée will still be offering Chinese translation, voice over and subtitling services during this time, but they may take a little longer to turn-around than usual due to the festivities.

Here at Matinée, we’re proud of our impressive roster of voiceover talent, with speakers covering over 80 languages. We have over 30 years’ experience of recording all sorts of voice over, from audiobooks, to advert narration, to IVR prompts. Whatever it is you’re looking to record; we’ll no doubt be able to help you.

We also offer expert subtitling  and translation services, and we understand the linguistic, cultural and technical challenges that come with translating content. We only work with trusted translation specialists, so you can be sure that whatever you need translating, be it a voiceover script or a set of subtitles, you will be receiving the most accurate and high-quality product.

Why not get in touch with us today and find out more about how we can help you?

Call us on +44 (0) 118 958 4934

Or email project@matinee.co.uk