用英语讲中国传统文化｜二十四节气系列：冬至——最长的夜，温暖的团圆

Winter Solstice (Dongzhi) – The Longest Night and a Time for Reunion

Winter Solstice (冬至), known as Dongzhi, is the twenty-second solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar and usually falls around December 21st or 22nd. On this day, the Northern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day and longest night of the year. After Dongzhi, the days slowly begin to lengthen, bringing hope for the coming spring.

Dongzhi is a special occasion for families to gather and celebrate. In northern China, a famous tradition is eating warm dumplings. It is said that if you eat dumplings on Dongzhi, your ears won’t get frostbitten during winter. In the south, people enjoy sweet glutinous rice balls called tangyuan, which symbolize family unity and happiness. Tangyuan are often cooked with sweet fillings, such as black sesame or red bean paste.

As temperatures drop, people wear thick coats and keep their homes cozy. Many families prepare hearty soups with meat and vegetables to nourish the body and keep everyone warm. Children like to make snowmen or play in the yard when there is snow, while elders share stories with the young around the dinner table.

Dongzhi is not just about food and weather; it also carries the meaning of reunion and hope. It reminds everyone to take care of each other, and to welcome the brighter, longer days ahead.

互动练习

根据短文内容，完成下列句子。每空一词。

1. Dongzhi is the ________ solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar.
2. The Northern Hemisphere has its ________ night on Winter Solstice.
3. In the north, people eat ________ to celebrate Dongzhi.
4. Sweet glutinous ________ balls called tangyuan are popular in the south.
5. Dongzhi is a time for family ________ and looking forward to spring.

Word Bank 词汇集锦

• solstice /ˈsɒl.stɪs/ n. （夏或冬）至
• dumpling /ˈdʌm.plɪŋ/ n. 饺子
• glutinous /ˈɡluː.tɪ.nəs/ adj. 糯性的，粘的
• coat /kəʊt/ n. 外套
• soup /suːp/ n. 汤
• reunion /riːˈjuː.njən/ n. 团聚
• frostbite /ˈfrɒst.baɪt/ n. 冻伤
• symbolize /ˈsɪm.bə.laɪz/ v. 象征
• paste /peɪst/ n. 糊状物，馅

冬至是中国农历中的第二十二个节气，通常在12月21日或22日。这一天，北半球会迎来白天最短、黑夜最长的一天。冬至过后，白天会逐渐变长，带来对春天的希望。

冬至是家人团聚、共度佳节的重要时刻。中国北方有吃饺子的传统，人们说冬至吃饺子，冬天耳朵不冻伤。南方则喜欢吃甜糯的汤圆，寓意家人团圆、生活美满。汤圆通常有黑芝麻、红豆等甜馅。

天冷时，人们会穿上厚外套，让家变得温暖。很多家庭会炖各种有肉有蔬菜的汤，滋补身体、抵御寒冷。小孩遇到下雪会堆雪人、在院子里玩耍，长辈则围坐餐桌旁讲故事。

冬至不仅与美食和天气有关，更包含着团圆与希望的意义。它提醒我们关爱家人，迎接即将到来的春天和更长的白昼。

✨答案

1. twenty-second
2. longest
3. dumplings
4. rice
5. reunion