The lantern is a quintessential symbol of Chinese culture, blending functional lighting with festive decoration.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A traditional Chinese lighting tool made of paper or silk.
- Commonly used as festive decoration during holidays.
- Often carried by hand or hung for ambient light.
Overview
- 1概览：灯笼是中国传统文化中极具代表性的物品，历史悠久。它不仅是一种实用的照明工具，更是节日气氛的营造者。2) 用法模式：通常与动词“挂”、“提”、“点”搭配。例如“挂灯笼”表示悬挂装饰，“提灯笼”表示手持行走，“点灯笼”表示点燃内部光源。3) 常见语境：最常出现在春节、元宵节、中秋节等传统节日，也常见于古镇旅游景点、中式餐厅的装饰中。4) 近义词辨析：“灯”是一个广义词，指所有照明设备；“灯笼”特指这种外罩纸或布的传统灯具。与“手电筒”相比，灯笼更偏向文化装饰属性，而手电筒侧重功能性照明。
Examples
春节期间，大街小巷都挂满了红灯笼。
everydayDuring the Spring Festival, red lanterns are hung all over the streets.
我们要举行一场灯笼展览。
formalWe are going to hold a lantern exhibition.
快看，那个小女孩提着一个可爱的兔子灯笼。
informalLook, that little girl is carrying a cute rabbit lantern.
灯笼文化是中国非物质文化遗产的重要组成部分。
academicLantern culture is an important part of China's intangible cultural heritage.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
张灯结彩
decorated with lanterns and streamers
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to the light bulb, not the decorative housing.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Lantern is primarily used to describe the traditional Chinese paper lamp. In modern contexts, it is almost synonymous with festive decoration. It is a neutral-to-formal term depending on the context.
Common Mistakes
Students often use '灯' instead of '灯笼' when referring to the specific traditional craft. Also, remember that '灯笼' is a noun, not a verb.
Tips
Use with specific verbs
Always use '挂' (hang) or '提' (carry) when describing lanterns to sound more natural.
Fire safety awareness
Be careful when using traditional candle-lit lanterns, as the paper structure is highly flammable.
Symbolism of red lanterns
Red lanterns are not just lights; they symbolize happiness, prosperity, and the warding off of bad luck.
Word Origin
The word combines '灯' (light) and '笼' (cage/basket), describing the structure of a light inside a cage-like frame. It dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Cultural Context
The lantern festival is a major cultural event in China. Lanterns represent hope and the gathering of family members.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright red ball ('灯笼') hanging in the dark night. It lights up the path like a glowing fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions虽然灯笼在节日最常见，但现在许多中式风格的建筑、餐厅或景点也会常年悬挂灯笼作为装饰，以营造独特的文化氛围。
现代灯笼为了安全和方便，内部通常使用LED灯泡替代传统的蜡烛，这样不仅更持久，而且不容易引发火灾。
在中国文化中，红色代表吉祥、喜庆和好运，因此红色的灯笼最受欢迎，尤其是在春节等重要节日。
“灯”是一个大类词，包括电灯、台灯等；“灯笼”则是指特定形状、结构和材质的传统灯具。
Test Yourself
元宵节的时候，家家户户都会在门口___灯笼。
灯笼通常悬挂在门口作为装饰，因此使用“挂”。
Score: /1
Summary
The lantern is a quintessential symbol of Chinese culture, blending functional lighting with festive decoration.
- A traditional Chinese lighting tool made of paper or silk.
- Commonly used as festive decoration during holidays.
- Often carried by hand or hung for ambient light.
Use with specific verbs
Always use '挂' (hang) or '提' (carry) when describing lanterns to sound more natural.
Fire safety awareness
Be careful when using traditional candle-lit lanterns, as the paper structure is highly flammable.
Symbolism of red lanterns
Red lanterns are not just lights; they symbolize happiness, prosperity, and the warding off of bad luck.
Examples
4 of 4春节期间，大街小巷都挂满了红灯笼。
During the Spring Festival, red lanterns are hung all over the streets.
我们要举行一场灯笼展览。
We are going to hold a lantern exhibition.
快看，那个小女孩提着一个可爱的兔子灯笼。
Look, that little girl is carrying a cute rabbit lantern.
灯笼文化是中国非物质文化遗产的重要组成部分。
Lantern culture is an important part of China's intangible cultural heritage.
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