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This sentence

中国人喜欢在端午节吃粽子。

is translated as,

Chinese People like to eat Zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Why is 在 translated as "during" rather then "at".

2 Answers 2

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Don't use 'at the Dragon Boat Festival', that suggests to me a festival in a specific geographical location or place.

You could say 'at 5 o'clock' or 'at midnight', because those are specific times. 'At Christmas time' designates a specific time in the year.

在端午节这天,人们都喜欢吃粽子。
During the Dragon Boat Festival, everybody likes munching Zongzi.

or

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, everybody likes munching Zongzi.

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If there's no specification, "在端午节" can mean 1. "在端午节期間" (during the Dragon Boat Festival period) or 2. "在端午节當日" (on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival)

Just like in English, "I will come home during Christmas time' and "I will come home on Christmas day' are different

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  • Try 'on Christmas day, on the day of' sounds much better!
    – Pedroski
    Jun 27, 2020 at 4:33

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