Thanksgiving Day (感恩节 Gǎn’ēn jié) is approaching fast and you know what that means? Everyone is taking the time to think about what they are truly grateful for in their lives. It’s becoming more and more popular to practice the art of expressing and reflecting on what you are grateful for as a daily habit. It helps people realize they have more than they realized and makes them feel happier overall.
感恩节 (Gǎn’ēn jié) Thanksgiving Day
Gǎn’ēn jié shì gǎn’ēn de jiérì.
感恩节是感恩的节日。
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday for gratitude.
Many cultures have different ways to express this sentiment but today let’s take a look at Chinese ideas of being thankful since it is one of the oldest cultures in the world. We will explore the meanings behind 3 different idioms that all revolve around the idea of being grateful and put them in sentences that you should be able to use in daily conversation.
感恩 (Gǎn’ēn) Be grateful
Rén yào dǒngdé gǎn’ēn.
人要懂得感恩。
People should be grateful.
Wǒmen yào gǎn’ēn lǎoshī de jiàodǎo.
我们要感恩老师的教导。
We should appreciate our teacher’s teaching.
节 (Jié) Holiday or festival
Chinese Mini-test: 节日 (Beginner)
Niánqīng rén xǐhuān cānjiā yīnyuè jié.
年轻人喜欢参加音乐节。
Young people like joining in the music festival.
Although there is no specific holiday celebrating the day in China, there are some Chinese idioms related to gratitude.
1. 投桃报李 (Tóutáobàolǐ)
To give a plum in return for peach is the literal meaning. This idiom is derived from The Book of Songs, which literally means “he gives me a peach and I send a plum in return”, shows good relationships with friends, especially exchanging gifts between friends.
2. 知遇之恩 (Zhīyùzhīēn)
It means the kindness of recognizing somebody’s worth. This idiom is original from the story of Boya and Zhong Ziqi, Boya and Ziqi are companions because they have a shared interest in music. After Ziqi’s death from illness, Boya breaks his Guqin instrument in memory of his companion.
3. 滴水之恩，涌泉相报 (Dīshuǐ zhī’ēn, yǒngquánxiāngbào)
It means the grace of dripping water, the report of the gushing spring. This idiom is from folk sayings, which talks about when someone helps you, even though it is a little favor, you should return his kindness with interest.
Out of the three we have shared with you today, which one makes you impressive? Take the quiz and then share your thoughts about your ideas of showing gratitude in the comments below.
1. Read the dialogue below and choose the best option to fill the blank.
Xiǎomíng: Zhè shì nǐ de Gǎn’ēn jié lǐwù, zhù nǐ jiérì kuàilè.
小明：这是你的感恩节礼物，祝你节日快乐。
Xiǎohóng: Xièxie nǐ, nà wǒ yě děi _______, zhège shì nǐ de lǐwù.
小红：谢谢你，那我也得 _______，这个是你的礼物。
A. 投桃报李 (Tóutáobàolǐ)
B. 知遇之恩 (Zhīyùzhīēn)
C. 滴水之恩，涌泉相报 (Dīshuǐ zhī’ēn, yǒngquánxiāngbào)
See Answer Analysis
Chinese Idiom
Chinese Culture
General Chinese (Beginner Level)
General Chinese (Intermediate Level)