The 7th month on Lunar Calendar is known as “Ghost Month” in Taiwan. On 7/1, the gate to the Underworld will be opened at 11 PM and all of the ghosts and spirits will rush to the world of the living.
在台湾,农历七月称为「鬼月」。 7月1号晚上11点时,阴间大门会敞开,所有的鬼魂会蜂涌进人间。
Lunar Calendar 农历
lunar 是「月亮相关的」的意思。
Even during total lunar eclipse, the lunar disk is not completely dark.
即使是在月全蚀期间,月球表面也不是完全黑暗的。
Ghost Month 鬼月
the gate to Underworld 鬼门
People honor their ancestor with offerings of food, drinks, and fruits during Ghost Month. Besides, we light incense and burn praying cash for those spirits. Praying cash is their currency in the Underworld.
鬼月时人们会以食物、饮料和水果祭拜祖先,另外我们也会点线香和烧纸钱给鬼魂,他们在阴间可以使用这种货币。
ancestor 祖先
Tom’s ancestors came to America during the 1800s.
Tom 的祖先在80年代来到美国。
offering 祭品、供品
incense 线香
praying cash 纸钱
currency 货币
Furs were once traded as currency.
毛皮有一度做为交易用的货币。
“Hungry Ghost Festival” is on the 15th day of Ghost Month. this is when “Zhongyuan Pudu” is held in temples all over Taiwan, offering feasts and entertainment to the wandering ghosts.
鬼月15号是「中元节」,在这天前后全台湾的庙宇会举办「中元普渡」,摆设筵席、提供食物和娱乐给孤魂野鬼们。
Hungry Ghost Festival 中元节
temple 庙宇
Devotees flock to the temples to perform the ritual.
信徒涌入庙宇进行仪式。
Zhongyuan Pudu 中元普渡
wandering 游荡的
In addition, families and companies also make offerings to the wandering ghost. It’s believed that people are supposed to please ghosts so that they won’t be harassed. Offerings are placed on tables outside of the house, in case the ghosts and spirits enter their homes.
除此之外,一般家庭和公司也会提供供品给孤魂野鬼。人们普遍相信应该要取悦这些鬼魂,他们才不会骚扰人。供品通常放在屋外的桌子上,以防鬼魂进入家里。
please 取悦
He arranged a luxurious trip to please his son.
他安排了一次奢华的旅行好让儿子高兴。
harass 骚扰
If someone is being harassed at work because of their sexuality, they should contact the police.
如果有人因为性倾向而在职场上被骚扰,他可以联系警察。
in case (that) 以防万一
We put on thick coats in case it’s cold outside.
我们穿上厚大衣以防万一外面很冷。
taboo 禁忌
Talking about sex is a taboo in traditional society.
谈论性在传统社会是禁忌。
good brothers 好兄弟
According to the tradition, it’s not appropriate to have weddings or travel plans during this month. Besides, you should avoid whistling because it could attract ghost to your home, which is dangerous. You had better not go swimming because you could be drown by ghosts in water.
根据传统,这个月并不适合举行婚礼或出门旅行。另外,应该要避免吹口哨,因为口哨会吸引鬼跟着回家。你也最好不要去游泳,因为水鬼可能会害你溺水。
appropriate 适合
This isn’t the appropriate time to discuss this.
现在不是适合讨论这个的时间。
whistle 吹口哨
drown 溺水
Three fishermen were drowned when their boat sank.
三个渔民在沉船时溺水。