Chinese Language Learning Program
Lesson 198 – The 24 Solar Terms in Chinese
Hello, everyone. Welcome back. This is Baixue’s Chinese
Language Learning Program. Last time we learned about the difference between “即” and “既” in Chinese. Today,
we will learn The 24 Solar Terms in Chinese.
èr shí sì jié qì
二 十 四 节 气 (24 Solar Terms)
The 24 solar terms, based on the sun's position in the
zodiac, were created by farmers in ancient China to guide the agricultural affairs
and farming activities. The 24 solar terms reflect the changes in climate,
natural phenomena, agricultural production, and other aspects of human life,
including clothing, food, housing, and transportation.
lì chūn
立 春 (Start of Spring; spring begin; indicating the beginning
of spring. Around February 4th of the solar calendar.)
yǔ shuǐ
雨 水 (Rain Water; indicating
that there will be an increase of rainfall from then on. Some people say that
water more than snow. Around February 18th of the solar calendar.)
jīng zhé
惊 蛰 (Awakening of
Insects; indicating thunder begins and
hibernating insects wake up or indicating
a relatively fast temperature rise and possible spring thunders. Around March
5th of the solar calendar.)
chūn fēn
春 分 (Vernal Equinox; indicating the equal length of day and
night. Around March 20th of the solar
calendar)
qīng míng
清 明 (Qingming
Festival; indicating sky is clear with fresh air, and the weather becomes noticeably warmer. Around April 5th
of the solar calendar. )
gǔ yǔ
谷 雨 (grain rain; indicating
the increase of rainfalls, which helps grain or crops grow. Around April 20th
of the solar calendar.)
lì xià
立 夏 (Start of Summer; indicating
the beginning of summer. Around May 5th of the solar calendar)
xiǎo mǎn
小 满 (grain full; indicating the seeds of summer crops are
getting plump but not ripe yet. Around May 21st of the solar calendar.)
máng zhòng
芒 种 (Grain in Ear; indicating the ripening of crops the beginning
of a busy farming season. Around June 6th of the solar calendar.)
xià zhì
夏 至 (Summer Solstice; indicating the daytime is the longest
and the nighttime is the shortest of the year. Around June 21st of the solar
calendar.)
xiǎo shǔ
小 暑 (Minor Heat; indicating the beginning of the hottest days.
Around July 7th of the solar calendar.)
dà shǔ
大 暑 (major heat; indicating the hottest time of the year. Around
July 23rd of the solar calendar.)
lì qiū
立 秋 (start of autumn; indicating the beginning of autumn. Around
August 7th of the solar calendar.)
chǔ shǔ
处 暑 (Limit of Heat ; The end of the hot summer; indicating
that summer is coming to an end. Around August 23rd of the solar calendar)
bái lù
白 露 (White Dew; indicating that the weather is getting cold
and there are dewdrops on grass and trees in the morning. Around September 7th
of the solar calendar.)
qiū fēn
秋 分 (Autumnal equinox; indicating the equal length of day
and night. Around September 23rd of the solar calendar.)
hán lù
寒 露 (Cold Dew; indicating lower temperature, it is cold
enough to reach dew point, but not cold enough to reach frost point. Around October 8th of the solar calendar.)
shuāng jiàng
霜 降 (Frost Descent; indicating appearance of frost and
descent of temperature. Around October 23rd of the solar calendar.)
lì dōng
立 冬 (start of winter; indicating the beginning of winter. Around
November 7th of the solar calendar.)
xiǎo xuě
小 雪 (Minor Snow; indicating that it begins to snow. Around November 22nd of the solar calendar.)
dà xuě
大 雪 (Major Snow; indicating the beginning of heavy
snowfalls. Around December 7th of the solar calendar.)
dōng zhì
冬 至 (Winter Solstice; The daytime is the shortest and the
nighttime is the longest of the year. Around December 22nd of the solar
calendar.)
xiǎo hán
小 寒 (Minor Cold; indicating that the weather is getting
colder. Around January 5th of the solar
calendar.)
dà hán
大 寒 (Major Cold ; indicating the coldest time of the year. Around
January 20th of the solar calendar.)
Ok, that is all for today.
xiè xiè!
谢 谢 ! (Thanks!)
xià cì jiàn
下 次 见! (See you next time!)
