用英语讲中国传统文化｜二十四节气系列：立秋——微妙变化的时刻

Liqiu (Beginning of Autumn) – A Time of Subtle Change

Liqiu (立秋), meaning “Beginning of Autumn,” is the thirteenth solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar. It usually arrives in early August. Although the hottest days may not be over, Liqiu signals that nature is slowly moving from summer to autumn.

One sign of Liqiu is the gentle change in the air—cooler breezes start to appear, and mornings and evenings can feel fresh, especially after rain. Farmers check their crops carefully, as fruits like apples and grapes start to ripen, and some early rice can already be harvested. This period is important for ensuring a good autumn harvest.

There are unique customs around Liqiu in different regions. Some families “taste autumn” by eating favorite seasonal foods, such as roast pork or cooked beans, believing it brings strength for the coming season. In many places, people weigh themselves to see if they have lost weight during the summer heat—a tradition called “standing on autumn scales.” In the south, eating sticky rice balls or peaches is also popular.

Liqiu reminds people to start adjusting their daily habits: eat nourishing meals, rest well, and pay attention to the early signs of autumn in nature. It is a time to be grateful for what summer has brought, and to look forward to cool, golden days ahead.

互动练习

根据短文内容，完成下列句子。每空一词。

1. Liqiu is the ________ solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar.
2. People can feel gentle, ________ breezes as Liqiu arrives.
3. Farmers start to harvest fruits like apples and ________.
4. Some families “taste autumn” by eating roast ________ or beans.
5. The custom of standing on autumn ________ means checking your weight after summer.

Word Bank 词汇集锦

• breeze /briːz/ n. 微风
• harvest /ˈhɑːrvɪst/ v.&n. 收获
• apple /ˈæpl/ n. 苹果
• grape /ɡreɪp/ n. 葡萄
• roast /roʊst/ adj. 烤的
• scale /skeɪl/ n. 秤
• nourish /ˈnɜːrɪʃ/ v. 滋养

立秋是中国农历中的第十三个节气，通常在八月初到来。虽然此时炎热天气还未完全过去，但立秋意味着自然正在悄悄地由夏入秋。

立秋的一个明显信号是清凉的微风开始吹拂，特别是在雨后，早晚会有丝丝凉意。农民会密切查看田间作物，因为苹果、葡萄等水果开始成熟，部分早稻也可以收割了。这段时间对秋收非常关键。

各地关于立秋也有有趣的习俗。有些家庭会“尝秋”，吃炖豆子或烤猪肉，认为这样能为新季节补充能量。很多地方还有“立秋称人”的传统，人们站在秤上，看看经过炎热夏季后体重有没有变化。南方则流行吃糯米团子或桃子来迎接秋天。

立秋提醒人们开始调整作息，吃得营养，休息好，并关注自然间秋天的迹象。这是一个感谢夏日收获、期待凉爽和金色秋日的美好时刻。

✨答案

1. thirteenth
2. cooler
3. grapes
4. pork
5. scales