正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar
除夕 New Years Eve; eve of lunar New Year
初一 the beginning of New Year
过年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival
对联 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry
春联 Spring Festival couplets
买年货 special purchases for the Spring Festival ; do Spring Festival shopping
灯笼 lantern: a portable light
爆竹 firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.)
红包 red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the comingyear.)
舞狮 lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.) 舞龙 dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests)
杂耍 variety show; vaudeville
灯谜 riddles written on lanterns
拜年 pay New Years call; give New Years greetings; New Years visit