The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Snow, the 21st solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 6 and ends on Dec 20. 中国传统农历将一年划分为24个节气。今年的第21个节气大雪，自12月6日开始至12月20日结束。 During Major Snow, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground. The temperature drops significantly.大雪时节，雪量增大，开始在地面上积雪，气温显著下降。 Here are six things you should know about Major Snow.以下是关于大雪你应该知道的六件事。 Snowy winter雪覆寒冬 The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. The natural scenery is "hundreds of leagues ice-bound go; over thousands of leagues flies snow". In the south, snowflakes fall and the world turns white.华北地区的雪可能会持续一整天，压断树枝，阻塞道路。自然景色正如古诗所云：“千里冰封，万里雪飘”。而在南方，雪花飘落，世界一片洁白。 A proverb about the snow says, "A timely snow promises a good harvest". As the snow covers the ground, the low winter temperature kills pests.一句关于雪的谚语说：“瑞雪兆丰年”。大雪覆盖地面，冬季低温能杀死害虫。Appreciating plum blossoms赏梅 Plum blossoms usually flower in mid-to-late December in some southern cities of China, and sometimes bloom even earlier. The plum blossom, which originated in China, is revered in Chinese culture for its resilience during severe winters. Along with the pine and bamboo, the plum blossom is considered one of the Three Friends of Winter.在中国的一些南方城市，梅花通常在12月中下旬绽放，有时甚至更早。梅花原产于中国，因其能在严冬中坚韧绽放，而在中国文化中备受尊崇。梅花与松、竹并称为“岁寒三友”。 Eating lamb吃羊肉 Lamb is a favorite food for Chinese people during Major Snow. It's excellent for nourishing the body, promoting blood circulation and providing protection against the cold. People in Chongqing like to have potted lamb soup or stewed lamb soup with their families and friends. Nanjing residents like to stew lamb with yams or wolfberries to make it more nutritious.大雪时节，羊肉是中国人喜爱的食物。羊肉对身体有很好的滋养作用，能促进血液循环，御寒保暖。重庆人喜欢和家人朋友一起吃羊肉火锅或炖羊肉汤。南京人则喜欢将羊肉与山药或枸杞一起炖煮，使其更加营养。 Making sausages灌香肠 During Major Snow, people in southern China, including Nanjing, Hangzhou, Hefei and Chongqing, make sausages, an important part of preparation for Spring Festival.大雪时节，包括南京、杭州、合肥和重庆在内的中国南方地区的人们会灌制香肠，这是春节准备工作的一个重要环节。 The best meat for sausage comes from the butt of the pig. The sausage should be dried in a well-ventilated place in the shade, and is edible after a week. Cut off a certain amount, and boil or fry it as you like.灌香肠的最佳肉类是猪臀肉。香肠应在阴凉通风处晾干，一周后即可食用。香肠应在阴凉通风处晾干，一周后即可食用。 Eating porridge吃粥 Hot porridge could help warm you and nourish your body in cold weather. In China, it's customary to eat red bean porridge on the first day of Major Snow and eight-treasure porridge on the eighth day of the last month of the lunar year. In addition, there are other varieties such as wheat porridge, sesame porridge, radish porridge, walnut porridge and tuckahoe porridge.在寒冷的天气里，热粥能帮助你暖身和滋养身体。在中国，有在大雪节气第一天喝红豆粥、农历年末第八天喝八宝粥的习俗。此外，还有小麦粥、芝麻粥、萝卜粥、核桃粥和茯苓粥等其他种类的粥。 Preventing respiratory illness预防呼吸道疾病 During this period, Chinese people watch for outbreaks of respiratory illness, which can be prevented by wearing a warm scarf to protect the neck and properly drinking water. During Major Snow, it's drier and colder, so people should drink more water. But you should not drink too much water at once. At the same time, don't drink cold water after exercise.在此期间，中国人会注意防范呼吸道疾病的爆发，可以通过戴围巾保护颈部和适当饮水来预防。大雪时节，天气更加干燥寒冷，所以人们应该多喝水。但一次不要喝太多水。同时，运动后不要喝冷水。 素材来源：中国日报 长按上方二维码，下载初中英语APP
