（一）  清明节用英文怎么讲

作为中国人，对于这些从小看大的习俗我们当然不会陌生，可如果问你“清明”用英文怎么讲、就未必知道了吧！首先我们要清楚的是：作为节日的清明节、和作为节气的清明节，它们的英文说法是不同的。作为节日的清明节一般翻译为"Tomb Sweeping festival"或者"Tomb-sweeping Day"，扫墓节或扫墓日。这个翻译着重强调了清明节的重要习俗“扫墓”。这种说法的好处是，老外一听就能大概明白这个节日的背后含义。

（二）  关于清明节的起源

Qing Ming is popularly associated with Jie Zi Tui, who lived in Shanxi province in 600 B.C.Legend has it that Jie saved his starving lord's life by serving a piece of his own leg. When the lord succeeded in becoming the ruler of a small principality,he invited his faithful follower to join him. However, Jie declined his invitation, preferring to lead a hermit's life with his mother in the mountains.

谈到清明节，有点历史知识的人，都会联想到历史人物介子推。据历史记载，在两千多年以前的春秋时代，晋国公子重耳逃亡在外，生活艰苦，跟随他的介子推不惜从自己的腿上割下一块肉让他充饥。后来，重耳回到晋国，作了国君（即晋文公，春秋五霸之一），大事封赏所有跟随他流亡在外的随从，惟独介子推拒绝接受封赏，他带了母亲隐居绵山。

Believing that he could force Jie out by burning the mountain, the lord ordered his men to set the forest on fire. To his consternation, Jie chose to remain where he was and was burnt to death. To commemorate Jie, the lord ordered all fires in every home to be put out on the anniversary of Jie's death. Thus began the "cold food feast", a day when no food could be cooked since no fire could be lit.

晋文公无计可施，只好放火烧山，他想，介子推孝顺母亲，一定会带着老母出来。谁知这场大火却把介子椎母子烧死了。为了纪念介子推，晋文公下令每年的这一天，禁止生火，家家户户只能吃生冷的食物，这就是寒食节的来源。

The "cold food" festival occurs on the eve of Qing Ming and is often considered as part of the Qing Ming festival. As time passes, the Qing Ming festival replaced the "cold food" festival. Whatever practice is observed，the basic observation of Qing Ming is to remember one's elders by making a special effort to visit their graves, ashes or ancestral tablets. To make the visit even more meaningful, some time should be spent to remind the younger members of the family of the lives and contributions of their ancestors, and the story of Jie Zi Zhui who choose death over capitulation.

寒食节是在清明节的前一天，古人常把寒食节的活动延续到清明，久而久之，清明取代了寒食节。拜介子推的习俗也变成了清明扫墓的习俗了。无论以何种形式纪念，为了使纪念祖先的仪式更有意义，我们应该让年轻一代的家庭成员了解先人过去的奋斗历史，当然，还要学习介子推宁死不屈的气节。

（三）  有关清明节的传统习俗

cleaning the tomb清扫坟墓

paying respect to the dead person with offerings（including a veriety of food, fruits, drinks and flowers）用祭品来纪念逝者

Not only is it a day for commemorating the dead, but it is also a time for people to enjoy themselves.清明时分，不但怀念逝者，也正是享受生活的时节。

Flying kites is also closely associated with the Qingming Festival. 放风筝也是和清明节密切联系的一项活动。

Spring outings not only add joy to life but also promote a healthy mind and body.清明节外出踏青等活动不仅给生活增添了欢乐，也促进了身心的健康。

更多有趣英语小常识见浸泡村国际英语官网，还有免费体验课等你来申请哦~