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November 11th, or 11.11, is well-known in China as Singles’ Day, or “Guanggun Jie” (光棍节). But how did this quirky celebration of single life become the world’s largest online shopping festival? Let’s dive into the history and some fun facts about this unique day.
11月11日，或者说光棍节，是中国的一大盛事。那么，这个庆祝单身生活的节日是如何变成全球最大的线上购物节的呢？让我们一起来了解一下光棍节的来历以及一些有趣的故事吧。
(Promotional poster for the 11.11 shopping festival)
The Origin来历：
The story of Singles’ Day dates back to the 1990s. It started as a celebration for young, single people, primarily university students, who wanted a day to embrace their single status without the pressures of traditional relationships. The date, November 11th, was chosen because the number “1” looks like a single person, symbolizing independence and freedom. It quickly became popular in university campuses across China.
光棍节的起源可以追溯到1990年代。它最初是年轻单身人群，尤其是大学生们为了庆祝单身生活而创造的节日。选择11月11日这一天，是因为数字“1”看起来像一个人，象征着独立与自由。这个节日很快在中国的大学校园里流行开来。
(the number ‘1’ resembles a person standing alone)
However, it wasn’t until 2009 that Singles’ Day transformed into the shopping extravaganza we know today. That year, e-commerce giant Alibaba decided to turn the day into a major online shopping event, offering massive discounts. Fast forward to today, and 11.11 is a global shopping phenomenon, with billions of dollars spent every year on everything from gadgets to clothing to food.
不过，直到2009年，光棍节才真正变成我们今天所知道的购物狂欢节。那一年，中国的电商巨头阿里巴巴决定将这个节日打造成一个大型的在线购物节，并提供大幅折扣。从那时起，11.11成为了全球购物的节日，每年都有数十亿美元的商品销量，从电子产品到衣物再到食品，无一不涵盖。
(Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba)
Fun Facts趣闻：
The Biggest Shopping Day: 11.11 is not just popular in China. Global retailers also offer discounts and deals to join the shopping frenzy. In 2023, Alibaba’s Singles’ Day sales hit a record-breaking $84.5 billion USD!
全球购物狂欢节：11.11不仅仅在中国流行，全球的零售商也开始参与这个购物盛宴。2023年，阿里巴巴光棍节的销售额创下了845亿美元的纪录！
Singles’ Day Vs. Valentine’s Day: Unlike Valentine’s Day, which celebrates love between couples, Singles’ Day is all about celebrating singlehood and self-love. It’s not uncommon to see people treating themselves to new gadgets or fashion as a way to spoil themselves!
光棍节VS情人节： 和情人节专属于情侣们的浪漫不同，光棍节是庆祝单身生活和自爱的一天。很多人都会选择在这一天给自己买些心仪已久的电子产品或时尚单品，犒劳自己一番！
Double 11 & Other Fun Events: Apart from shopping, 11.11 is also a day for various entertainment events, live-streamed shows, and online gaming competitions. Some people even organize “Single Parties” to meet others who are also enjoying their single status.
双11与其他有趣活动： 除了购物，11.11也是各种娱乐活动、直播秀和在线游戏比赛的盛大日子。甚至有些人会组织“单身派对”，与其他同样享受单身生活的人一起聚会。
Conclusion总结：
From its humble beginnings as a campus celebration to becoming a global shopping phenomenon, 11.11 has evolved into a day that’s not only about single people but about fun, freedom, and shopping! Whether you’re single or not, it’s a great day to treat yourself and enjoy the excitement of massive discounts.Want to learn more about Chinese culture and language? Follow Mandarin Inn to read more exciting content.
从校园的一个小小庆祝活动，到如今成为全球购物狂欢的节日，11.11已经变成了一个不仅仅属于单身人的节日，它代表了娱乐、自由和疯狂购物！无论你是否单身，都可以在这一天犒劳自己，享受购物带来的乐趣。想了解更多中国的文化和语言知识吗？关注Mandarin Inn阅读更多精彩内容。
Mandarin Inn also has amazing discounts for Singles’ Day! Click the image below to check it out!
Mandarin Inn在光棍节也有超值优惠，点击下面的图片查看！
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Spreading Chinese Culture 传播中国文化
Mandarin Inn is not just about teaching Chinese; we are dedicated to sharing the rich tapestry of Chinese culture with the world. Our calendar is brimming with cultural events happening every month, and we can’t wait for you to join us. Whether it’s learning about traditional customs, celebrating festivals, or diving into the wonders of Chinese cuisine, there’s always something exciting happening here.
Mandarin Inn不仅致力于教授中文，还致力于与世界分享丰富多彩的中国文化。我们的日历上每个月都充满文化活动，迫不及待地期待您的加入。无论是了解传统习俗、庆祝节日还是深入探索中国美食的奥秘，这里总有令人兴奋的事情发生。
If you have any special requests or ideas for cultural events, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’re here to make your Chinese learning journey not only educational but also a lot of fun. Stay tuned for more updates and cultural adventures with Mandarin Inn! 🌏🌟
如果您有任何特殊的文化活动需求或想法，请随时与我们联系。我们的目标是使您的中文学习之旅不仅具有教育性，而且充满乐趣。请继续关注Mandarin Inn，以获取更多更新和文化冒险！🌏🌟
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