用英语讲中国传统文化｜二十四节气系列：处暑——夏意悄然褪去

End of Heat (Chushu) – When Summer Quietly Fades

Chushu (处暑), or “End of Heat,” marks the fourteenth solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar. It usually arrives in late August, signaling that the fierce summer heat is coming to an end. With each passing day, the weather becomes cooler, especially in the morning and evening.

During Chushu, signs of early autumn appear in both the landscape and daily life. Leaves start to turn yellow, and birds prepare to fly south. Farmers are busy in the fields, harvesting crops like rice and peanuts, and getting ready to plant vegetables for the next season. This period is important for keeping crops healthy, as sudden rain or the last heat wave can still affect them.

Chushu brings special customs to many places in China. People in the south may enjoy drinking herbal soups to stay healthy as the weather changes. In some northern provinces, families eat crispy duck to “remove summer,” believing it helps the body adjust to the new season. Watching clouds and feeling the gentle, dry breeze are also ways to celebrate the arrival of autumn.

As the heat fades, Chushu encourages everyone to enjoy outdoor activities, eat more fresh fruits, and spend time with family. Nature begins to slow down, reminding us to rest, reflect, and welcome the peaceful days of early autumn.

互动练习

根据短文内容，完成下列句子。每空一词。

1. Chushu is the ________ solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar.
2. The ________ of the year begins to fade away during Chushu.
3. Farmers harvest crops like rice and ________ in this period.
4. In the south, people drink ________ soups to keep healthy as the seasons change.
5. Families in some places eat crispy ________ to “remove summer.”

Word Bank 词汇集锦

• autumn /ˈɔːtəm/ n. 秋天
• crop /krɒp/ n. 庄稼
• herbal /ˈhɜːrbəl/ adj. 草本的，药草的
• breeze /briːz/ n. 微风
• peanut /ˈpiːnʌt/ n. 花生
• duck /dʌk/ n. 鸭肉
• crispy /ˈkrɪspi/ adj. 脆的

处暑是中国农历中的第十四个节气，通常在八月下旬到来，意味着炎热的夏天即将结束。每天清晨和傍晚，天气变得越来越凉爽。

处暑期间，早秋的迹象出现在自然和生活中。树叶开始变黄，鸟儿准备南飞。农民也很忙，要收割水稻、花生等农作物，同时为下一季播种蔬菜。这一时期很重要，因为突如其来的降雨或最后的热浪都可能影响庄稼的健康。

中国许多地方在处暑有特殊的习俗。南方的人们喜欢喝草本汤来增强体质，帮助适应季节变化。北方一些地区的家庭会吃脆皮鸭以“去暑”，据说有助于身体适应新季节。人们也喜欢观云、感受微风，以迎接秋天的到来。

热浪渐渐退去，处暑鼓励大家多做户外活动，多吃新鲜水果，与家人共度时光。大自然开始慢慢平静下来，也提醒我们要放慢脚步，休息调整，迎接宁静的初秋时光。

✨答案

1. fourteenth
2. heat
3. peanuts
4. herbal
5. duck