Major Snow, or Da Xue in Chinese, is the 21st of China’s 24 solar terms. It usually occurs on December 7th or 8th.

大雪是中国二十四节气中的第21个节气。通常在每年的公历12月7日或8日来临。

It marks a period when temperatures drop significantly across northern China, and snowfall becomes more frequent and abundant. In ancient agricultural society, this term served as a crucial indicator for weather changes, guiding people in adapting to the harsh winter conditions.

此时，中国北方地区气温显著下降，降雪更加频繁和丰沛。在古老的农业社会中，这一节气是天气变化的重要标志，指导人们适应严寒的冬季环境。

A Chinese proverb describes the days after Major Snow as the “three phenological phenomena” — first, the Chinese flying squirrels cease to sing; second, the tigers start to mate; third, the Chinese Irises start to sprout.

中国谚语将大雪后的物候变化描述为“三候”：一候，鹖鴠不鸣；二候，虎始交；三候，荔挺出。

Perfect Season for Skiing and Skating

最适合滑雪和滑冰的季节

As an old Chinese saying goes, “A timely snow promises a good harvest.”However, the magic of snow goes far beyond the fields. It carpets the earth in a blanket of silver, transforming the world into a picturesque winter wonderland and creating perfect conditions for skiing and skating.

中国有句古话：“瑞雪兆丰年”。但冰雪的魔力远不止于田间地头。它为大地铺上了一层银色的毯子，将世界幻化成风景如画的冬日仙境，更为滑雪滑冰创造了绝佳条件。

For an unforgettable winter escape, many travelers journey to Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China. This region is a treasure trove of seasonal delights, from magnificent ice sculptures and thrilling ski resorts, offering all the essential ingredients for a perfect cold-weather getaway.

为了度过一个难忘的冬季，许多游客选择在冬季前往中国东北的黑龙江省。这片地区堪称冬季乐事的宝藏之地——从宏伟壮观的冰雕到惊险刺激的滑雪胜地，这里汇聚了一个完美冬季假期所需的所有元素。

Making Salted Meat

腌肉

Winter embodies the principle of “storage” in the natural world. Guided by Traditional Chinese Medicine, people traditionally consume richer foods in this season to fortify themselves against the chill. It is a time to reap the rewards of a year’s labor, sharing the nourishment of the harvest with family around the table.

冬季将自然界中“藏”的法则搬至台上。在中医的指导下，人们习惯在大雪时节摄入更为滋补的食物以抵御严寒。这正是与家人围坐一堂，共同享受一年劳作所获与丰收硕果的时刻。

The custom of making salted meat is a practical preparation for the festivities to come. Families coat the meat with a mix of seasonings—such as star anise, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and sugar—before curing and drying it. This preserved meat becomes a flavorful testament to the season and a key feature of the Spring Festival menu.

腌肉的习俗实则是为即将到来的节庆做实际准备。家家户户将八角、肉桂、花椒与砂糖等香料涂抹在肉上，然后经腌制并风干。这道腌肉便承载了这个时节的风味，也是春节菜单上的一大特色。

A tradition for embracing the winter involves creating warmth within to counter the cold outside. Gathering in a heated room to enjoy a bubbling hot pot while watching the falling snow is considered a most elegant way for the ancient Chinese to pass the time, a poetic celebration of seasonal harmony.

拥抱冬天的传统，还包括营造内在的温暖以抵御外在的严寒。聚在温暖的室内，一边吃着滚烫的火锅，一边欣赏着飘落的雪花，是古代中国人消磨时间最优雅的方式，也是对季节和谐流转的诗意庆祝。

话题词汇

solar term节气

lunar year太阴年

proverb n谚语

phenological/ˌfiːnəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/ adj物候学的

phenomena/fᵻˈnɒmᵻnən/ n

现象（phenomenon的复数）

escape n(暂时的)解脱，消遣

abundant /əˈbʌndənt/ adj丰盛的

indicator /ˈɪndɪkeɪtər/ n标志

harsh /hɑːrʃ/ adj严酷的

promise /ˈprɑːmɪs/ v预示；使很可能

carpet /ˈkɑːrpɪt/ v厚厚地铺上

picturesque /ˌpɪktʃəˈresk/ adj优美的

journey /ˈdʒɜːrni/ v（尤指长途）旅行

treasure trove宝藏

delight /dɪˈlaɪt/ n乐事

ingredient /ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/ n因素，要素

getaway /ˈɡetəweɪ/ n假日休闲地

embody /ɪmˈbɑːdi/ v体现

consume /kənˈsuːm/ v吃；喝；饮

fortify /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪ/ v增强

reap /riːp/ v收获

nourishment /ˈnɜːrɪʃmənt/ n营养

coat /kəʊt/ v给…涂上一层

cure /kjʊr/ v（用熏、腌等方法）加工贮藏

testament /ˈtestəmənt/ n证明

counter /ˈkaʊntər/ v抵消

heated /ˈhiːtɪd/ adj（用加热器）加热了的

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