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Jiaruchan Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Festival

I know Memorial Day is a very solemn day when people pay tribute to those who died in wars or for some special causes. Can you call it a ' festival'?

The reason I ask this question is people translate the memorial kind equivelant of a Chinese holiday as Xxxx Festival, which I don't think to be appropriate.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

I wouldn't call it a 'festival'. In the States, it is a Holiday (day of special importance). The November 2 All Souls Day in Louisiana (Day of the Dead, in Mexico) approaches the feeling of a festival by the way it is observed.

— Philip

  • I wouldn't call it a 'festival'.
  • In the States, it is a Holiday (day of special importance).
  • The November 2 All Souls Day in Louisiana (Day of the Dead, in Mexico) approaches the feeling of a festival by the way it is observed.
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5 Answers
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I wouldn't call it a 'festival'. In the States, it is a Holiday (day of special importance).

The November 2 All Souls Day in Louisiana (Day of the Dead, in Mexico) approaches the feeling of a festival by the way it is observed.
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Thank you, Philip. Am I right in understanding a festival is always in connection with something joyful? That is why Memorial Day is not an occasion for people to be happy. By the way, can we say 'celebrate Memorial Day'?
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A festival is usually a joyful celebration. A festival is a specific event where people go to eat food and celebrate. You could plan a festival on Memorial Day. And yes, you can celebrate Memorial Day.

In the US Memorial Day is a day off work and people commonly get together to make food. Though the holiday was a reference to wars, most people are still happy when they celebrate Memorial
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jiaruchan people translate the memorial kind equivelant of a Chinese holiday as XX Festival, which I don't think to be appropriate.
I agree. It does not seem appropriate. Memorial Day is not a festival. I have never heard it called a festival.

However, the word "celebrate" can be used to mean simply "observe", so you can celebrate Memorial Day. It
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jiaruchanBy the way, can we say 'celebrate Memorial Day'?

Yes, I think so. It means to honor, recognize.
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