Mid-Autumn table
Food, seasons, gatherings
A
中秋快到了，你们家准备怎么过？Zhōngqiū kuài dào le, nǐmen jiā zhǔnbèi zěnme guò?
Mid-Autumn is coming — how will your family celebrate?
B
晚上一起吃饭赏月，还要自己做几样凉菜。Wǎnshang yìqǐ chīfàn shǎng yuè, hái yào zìjǐ zuò jǐ yàng liángcài.
Dinner and moon-watching, plus a few cold dishes we'll make.
A
月饼你们喜欢甜的还是咸蛋黄的？Yuèbǐng nǐmen xǐhuan tián de háishì xián dànhuáng de?
Do you like sweet mooncakes or salted egg yolk ones?
B
家里口味不一，索性都买一点。Jiālǐ kǒuwèi bù yī, suǒxìng dōu mǎi yìdiǎn.
Tastes differ at home, so we'll just buy some of each.
A
秋天上市的螃蟹很鲜，但别吃太多。Qiūtiān shàngshì de pángxiè hěn xiān, dàn bié chī tài duō.
Autumn crabs are fresh, but don't overeat.
B
对。我更在意大家能否坐下来慢慢聊。Duì. Wǒ gèng zàiyì dàjiā néng fǒu zuò xiàlái mànmān liáo.
Right. I care more that everyone can sit and talk slowly.
A
亲戚带来土特产，怎么回礼比较合适？Qīnqi dài lái tǔtèchǎn, zěnme huílǐ bǐjiào héshì?
Relatives bring specialties — what's a suitable return gift?
B
水果或茶都好，重点是心意，不比价钱。Shuǐguǒ huò chá dōu hǎo, zhòngdiǎn shì xīnyì, bù bǐ jiàqian.
Fruit or tea works — intention matters more than price.
A
有人吃素，菜单要提前问清楚。Yǒu rén chī sù, càidān yào tíqián wèn qīngchǔ.
Some are vegetarian — ask about the menu early.
B
没错。忌口写在群里，避免现场尴尬。Méi cuò. Jìkǒu xiě zài qún lǐ, bìmiǎn xiànchǎng gāngà.
Exactly. List restrictions in the chat to avoid awkwardness.
A
饭后要不要留人喝茶？Fàn hòu yào bu yào liú rén hē chá?
Keep people for tea after the meal?
B
可以。茶泡淡一点，聊天更轻松。Kěyǐ. Chá pào dàn yìdiǎn, liáotiān gèng qīngsōng.
Sure. Brew tea lighter — chatting feels easier.
A
季节一变，餐桌话题也从炎热转到丰收。Jìjié yí biàn, cānzhuō huàtí yě cóng yánrè zhuǎn dào fēngshōu.
As seasons change, table talk shifts from heat to harvest.
B
是啊。吃的不只是味道，还有团聚的节奏。Shì a. Chī de bù zhǐ shì wèidào, hái yǒu tuánjù de jiézòu.
Yeah. It's not only flavor — it's the pace of gathering.
A
那我负责买水果，你负责凉菜。Nà wǒ fùzé mǎi shuǐguǒ, nǐ fùzé liángcài.
I'll handle fruit; you handle cold dishes.
B
成交。节日准备越早，当天越从容。Chéngjiāo. Jiérì zhǔnbèi yuè zǎo, dāngtiān yuè cóngróng.
Deal. The earlier the prep, the calmer the day.
Check your understanding
Optional — pick an answer, then reveal the keys.
1. How will B's family spend Mid-Autumn evening?
2. Why buy both sweet and yolk mooncakes?
3. What matters more than crab volume?
4. Good return gifts mentioned?
5. Where to list dietary limits?
6. How should tea be brewed for chat?
7. What shifts with the season at the table?
8. Who handles fruit vs cold dishes?
9. Earlier prep makes the day more…