Today is the 23rd of the 12th month in the Chinese Lunar calendar.
今天是中国农历腊月二十三。
This is called the "Xiao Nian", or "Little New Year" in English,
也就是所谓的“小年”,在英语里是“Little New Year”,
a time when Chinese people became making preparations for the Spring Festival.
是中国人开始为春节做准备的时候。
Traditionally on this day, Chinese people offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God.
传统上,在这一天,中国人会祭祀灶王爷。
Now the most families just cook delicious food for themselves to enjoy.
而现在,大多数家庭只是烹饪美味的食物,然后自己享用。
In some parts of the country, people also clean their homes thoroughly, including their clothes and bed cloth.
在中国的一些地区,人们也会彻底打扫他们的房子,包括洗衣服和床单。
People also maintain a tradition of cutting their hair on this day.
此外,人们还保持着在这一天剪头发的传统。
After Xiao Nian, people often start preparing for the Chinese New Year, this is called "Seeing the New Year In."
小年以后,人们通常会开始为中国春节做准备,这也被称为“忙年”。
Paper-cuttings of Chinese characters and gods will be hung on doors and windows, and everybody will stock up on their New Year's goods.
图案是中国汉字和中国神仙的剪纸,此时会挂在门和窗户上,人们也会开始囤积自己的年货。
The festive atmosphere will begin from today.
节日的气氛从今天就开始了。