Yesterday was 七夕节 (Chinese Valentine’s Day).  It comes from the story of a mortal cowherd 牛郎 (lit. cowherd) and 织女 (lit. fabric woman), a goddess, who met but eventually were torn apart (versions of why vary).  Every year on the 7th day of the 7th month on the 阴历 (lunar calendar), there is a 鹊桥 (bridge of magpies) that allows the two to meet.  I was at a 歌厅 (karaoke establishment) yesterday and saw what I presumed were groups of women looking to 发泄 (vent) about the day or to pass the time until they could meet up with their boyfriends.  For dinner, nearly every restaurant I saw was full of people busy with 约会 (dates), and a cab I was going to take was 抢走 (stolen away) by a guy holding flowers.

七夕节 qi1xi1jie2 – Chinese Valentine’s Day
牛郎 niu2lang2 – cowherd
织女 zhi2(3)nv3 – fabric woman
阴历 yin1li4 – Lunar calendar
鹊桥 que4qiao2 – bridge of magpies
歌厅 ge1ting1 – lit. song room. Karaoke establishment
发泄 fa1xie4- vent
约会 yue1hui4 – date
抢 qiang2- to steal