用英语讲中国传统文化｜二十四节气系列：立冬——温暖冬日的起点

Start of Winter (Lidong) – Welcoming a Quiet, Cozy Season

Start of Winter (立冬), known as Lidong, is the nineteenth solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar, usually arriving in early November. This special period signals the true arrival of winter in many regions. Mornings become colder, and frost may appear on grass and rooftops. The wind feels sharper, and trees lose their last leaves.

Lidong is a time to slow down and prepare for the cold months ahead. In many villages, people check their homes, sealing windows and storing extra firewood for warmth. In the south, families make preserved meat, hanging sausages and duck under the eaves, using cool air to dry them naturally. These foods will be eaten with loved ones during winter feasts.

A popular custom in the north is to eat dumplings on Lidong. Families gather to make dumplings together, filled with pork, cabbage, or other vegetables. It is said that eating dumplings keeps your ears from getting cold! People also start wearing thick coats and scarves, and markets offer sweet potatoes and turnips, all perfect for hot soups and stews.

Lidong reminds everyone to take care of their health, stay warm, and enjoy peaceful evenings at home. It is a time for rest, sharing good food, and looking forward to the beauty of the winter season.

互动练习

根据短文内容，完成下列句子。每空一词。

1. Lidong is the ________ solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar.
2. Frost often appears on grass and ________ during this time.
3. People in the south prepare preserved ________ for winter meals.
4. A well-loved food in the north during Lidong is ________.
5. Wearing thick coats and ________ helps keep people warm.

Word Bank 词汇集锦

• frost /frɒst/ n. 霜
• leaf /liːf/ n. 叶子（复数leaves）
• firewood /ˈfaɪr.wʊd/ n. 柴火
• preserve /prɪˈzɜːv/ v. 保存、腌制
• dumpling /ˈdʌm.plɪŋ/ n. 饺子
• scarf /skɑːf/ n. 围巾
• coat /kəʊt/ n. 外套
• sausage /ˈsɒsɪdʒ/ n. 香肠
• turnip /ˈtɜːnɪp/ n. 萝卜

文章难度 📊CEFR 等级：B1

立冬是中国农历中的第十九个节气，通常在十一月初到来。在许多地方，这一节气标志着真正冬天的开始。早晨气温变低，草地和屋顶上有时会有霜。风变得更冷，树上最后的叶子也落下了。

立冬是人们放慢脚步、为寒冷的冬天做准备的时节。许多乡村家庭会仔细检查房屋，给窗户密封，还要多备些柴火。南方人家会开始制作腊肉，把香肠、腊鸭挂在屋檐下，用冷空气自然风干，这些美食将在冬季和家人一同享用。

北方有立冬吃饺子的习惯。大家团聚在一起包饺子，馅料有猪肉、白菜等，听说吃了饺子耳朵就不会冻伤。人们还要穿上厚外套和围巾，市场上也多了红薯、萝卜等，为冬天的热汤热炖做好准备。

立冬提醒大家注意养生、保暖，在家里享受温暖安静的夜晚。这是休息、分享美食、期待冬日美景的时候。

✨答案

1. nineteenth
2. rooftops
3. meat
4. dumplings
5. scarves