用英语讲中国传统文化｜二十四节气系列：小雪——为严冬作准备

Light Snow (Xiaoxue) – Preparing for the Heart of Winter

Light Snow (小雪), called Xiaoxue, is the twentieth solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar and usually arrives in late November. While it rarely snows heavily at this time, the weather becomes much colder and dry winds begin to sweep across the land. In the north, people may see the season’s first snowflakes, but often it is just a light dusting.

During Xiaoxue, winter activities begin in many places. Children are excited to watch for the first signs of snow, or to see their breath in the crisp morning air. Farmers work to finish storing their last crops, such as cabbage and carrots, and in some villages, people prepare pickles and dried foods for the long winter ahead.

Xiaoxue is also a time for special food traditions. Families start to make hotpot at home, using all kinds of fresh and preserved ingredients to create a warming meal. Drinking hot ginger tea or eating steamed buns is popular, bringing comfort and warmth on chilly days. In some regions, people enjoy pounding sticky rice into rice cakes, a fun activity that brings neighbors together.

This solar term teaches people to dress warmly, pay attention to their health, and enjoy small gatherings indoors. Though the days are short and the trees are bare, Xiaoxue fills homes with warmth and preparations for deeper winter.

互动练习

根据短文内容，完成下列句子。每空一词。

1. Xiaoxue is the ________ solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar.
2. In the north, people might see the first ________ falling during this time.
3. Farmers finish storing vegetables like cabbage and ________.
4. Families often enjoy ________ as a warming meal during Xiaoxue.
5. Making ________ cakes from sticky rice is a traditional winter activity.

Word Bank 词汇集锦

• snowflake /ˈsnəʊ.fleɪk/ n. 雪花
• hotpot /ˈhɒt.pɒt/ n. 火锅
• pickle /ˈpɪk.əl/ n. 腌菜
• carrot /ˈkær.ət/ n. 胡萝卜
• bun /bʌn/ n. 馒头
• rice cake /raɪs keɪk/ n. 年糕
• preserve /prɪˈzɜːv/ v.&n. 保存，腌制
• gather /ˈɡæð.ər/ v. 聚集

文章难度 📊CEFR 等级：B1

小雪是中国农历中的第二十个节气，通常在十一月下旬到来。虽然此时还不常遇到大雪，但天气已变得更寒冷，干燥的风开始席卷大地。北方有时会迎来初雪，多为细小的雪花覆盖。

小雪时节，各地开始进入冬季生活。孩子们喜欢寻找下雪的迹象，或者在清晨看到自己的哈气。农民们忙着储存最后的蔬菜，如白菜和胡萝卜，一些村庄会制作腌菜和干货，为漫长的冬天做准备。

饮食上也有特别的习惯。家家户户喜欢吃热腾腾的火锅，用新鲜和腌制的食材来取暖。热姜茶和馒头在这时候也很受欢迎，给人温暖和舒适。在部分地区，人们喜欢捣年糕，这既温馨又能让邻里关系更亲近。

小雪提醒大家加衣保暖，注意健康，也鼓励家人朋友在室内温暖地相聚。虽然白天变短、树木凋零，小雪却让家里充满了热气腾腾和迎接冬天的准备。

✨答案

1. twentieth
2. snowflakes
3. carrots
4. hotpot
5. rice