中国菜
中国菜闻名世界，中国人研究吃的艺术，已有近三千年的历史。
Chinese food is well-known across the world. The art of preparing food in china goes back nearly 3,000 years.
中国人的食物种类多得数不清，不论是天上飞的，地上跑的，水里游的，都被烧成了菜，端到饭桌上。
There are numerous varieties of food for Chinese people; the creatures flying in the air, walking on the ground and swimming in the water can all be made into dishes to be served on dining tables
烧菜时一种艺术：把菜烧熟，人人能做到；把菜烧得味道鲜美，就不那么容易了。
Cooking can be considered as an art, since it is easy for everyone to simply cook dishes but hard to make them tasty and delicious.
中国人自己的生活虽然清苦，但在招待客人的时候，总要把最好的食物拿出来，而且数量特别丰富，使客人感到宾至如归。
However difficult their life is, they always present their best food to guests in such abundance that the guests will feel at home.
中国人虽然讲究吃，但是他们非常看不起那种只追求衣食享受的人。
Though fond of eating, Chinese people despise those who indulge themselves in physical pleasures.
这种观念是受了传统的儒家和道家思想的影响。
This ideology derives from the influence of traditional Confucianism and Taoism.
家族观念
中国人的家族观念很重，而且也把家族观念推展到社会上。
Chinese people have strong family concept, which they extend to their social contacts as well.
孔子的一个学生说过：“四海之类，皆兄弟也。”
One of Confucius’ students said that we are all brothers in this world.
所以谈话的时候，常常称呼对方为“某兄”。
Thus, The Chinese often address another person as “Brother X” when they speak.
大家喜欢和别人称兄道弟，一方面表示彼此的感情融洽，一方面也使得旁人得到精神上的安慰。
People like to call each other brothers not only to show affection, but also to give spiritual comfort.
所以千百年来，不知有多少人在学刘备、关羽和张飞，结拜为兄弟，誓言彼此要同生死，共患难。
Over centuries, many people picked up the habit of swearing themselves as brothers to share weal and woe like the sworn brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
