阴历 yīnlì lunar calendar
How to remember 阴历: 阴 cloudy (weather) + 历 experience = lunar calendar.
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How it is used
- The lunar calendar governing traditional festivals - 春节是阴历正月初一 (Chūnjié shì yīnlì zhēngyuè chūyī) Spring Festival is the 1st day of the 1st lunar month.
- Often used interchangeably with 农历 (nónglì); the pair 阳历/阴历 splits Western vs traditional dating.
- Elders may give ages and birthdays in 阴历; younger people default to 阳历.