冬至是中国传统二十四节气（the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms）中的第二十二个节气，英文表达为Winter Solstice。
冬至当天，太阳几乎直射南回归线（Tropic of Capricorn），北半球将经历一年中最短的白天和最长的黑夜。
冬至习俗
俗话说，冬至到，吃水饺。你还记得么，有些地区是立冬日吃饺子呢。在你们那里，是哪个节气吃饺子？
吃饺子
在中国北方地区，吃饺子是冬至的关键活动。俗话说：“冬至饺子夏至面。”
During Winter Solstice in North China, eating dumplings is essential to the festival. There is a saying that goes "Have dumplings on the day of Winter Solstice and noodles on the day of Summer Solstice."
吃汤圆
冬至吃汤圆，是我国南方地区的传统习俗。汤圆也称汤团，“圆”意味着“团圆”，所以冬至汤圆又叫“冬至团”。每逢冬至，各家各户都会磨糯米粉，并用不同食材做馅，包成冬至团，不但自家人吃，也会赠送亲友以表祝福之意。
It is a traditional custom to eat sticky rice balls (tangyuan) on Winter Solstice in south China. Tangyuan is also called tangtuan, which means "reunion". Therefore, Tangyuan on the winter solstice is also called "winter solstice dumpling". Every Winter Solstice, families in south China would grind glutinous rice flour and make them into balls with different fillings. Tangyuan is not only made for family members, but also for relatives and friends. It is a way to express one's best wishes for others.
喝羊汤
冬至喝羊肉汤的习俗最早源于四川。在这天，四川地区都习惯祭祖，而祭祖的食物中就有羊肉。此外这一天小辈也要给长辈送祝福，准备的礼物中也有羊肉。再加上这时的羊肉味道肥美，有滋补的作用，所以非常适合在冬天吃。现在，不管是南方还是北方，在冬至节气，大家都会喝上一碗热腾腾的羊肉汤，庆祝冬至的到来。
The custom of drinking mutton soup originated in Sichuan province. On this day, people would worship ancestors and younger members of the family would greet elders with wishes. Mutton is part of the offerings and gifts. In addition, mutton has a great taste in wintertime, and it is nourishing. It is a great food for the winter season. Nowadays, people both in the north or south would have mutton soup on Winter Solstice to celebrate this solar term.
冬至过后，白昼一天天长起来，黑夜一天天短下去。只有走过冬的严寒，才能体会春意盎然。
After the winter solstice, the day time becomes longer and the night gets shorter. Only by experiencing the severe cold of the winter can we cherish the warmth of the spring. 供稿：张婷
