导读:大雪是24节气中的第21个节气，也是冬季的第三个节气，标志着仲冬时节的正式开始，风雪严寒，愿君冬安！

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Snow (Chinese: 大雪), the 21st solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 7 and ends on Dec 22.

中国传统的农历将一年分为24个节气。大雪（Major Snow）是一年中的第21个节气，今年从12月7日开始，到12月22日结束。

During Major Snow, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground.The temperature drops significantly.

大雪节气期间，雪变大、并开始堆积在地上。气温开始显著下降。

Here are six things you should know about Major Snow.

以下是关于大雪你需要了解的6件事。

Snowy winter

一、雪迎冬

The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. The natural scenery is "ice blockading for hundreds miles and snow flying through thousands miles". In the South, the snowflakes fly and the world turns white.

北方地区的降雪可能会持续一整天，压断树枝、阻塞道路。这时的自然景色真是“千里冰封，万里雪飘”。在南方，雪花飞舞、世界变成白茫茫的一片。

About the snow, a proverb goes, "A timely snow promises a good harvest". As the snow covers the ground, pests living through the winter will be killed by the low temperature.

有一句关于雪的谚语叫“瑞雪兆丰年”。随着降雪覆盖地面，过冬的害虫会被低温冻死。

Appreciating wintersweet

二、赏腊梅

Wintersweet usually blossoms in mid-to-late December in some southern cities of China. Sometimes it even blooms earlier. Wintersweet originated in China and is highly appreciated in Chinese culture for its endurance in severe winters. With pine and bamboo, it is referred to as one of the Three Friends of Winter.

中国南方一些城市的腊梅一般在十二月中下旬开放。有时开花甚至会更早一些。腊梅起源于中国，因其耐寒能力而受到高度赞誉。腊梅、松柏和竹子一起被称之为“岁寒三友”。

Eating lamb

三、涮羊肉

Lamb is the main food chosen by Chinese people during Major Snow. It is 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 the lamb with yams or wolfberries to make it more nutritious.

大雪期间中国人选择的食物主要就是羊肉。羊肉具有滋补身体、促进血液循环、驱寒保暖的良好功能。重庆的人们这个时候喜欢和亲友们一起吃羊肉火锅、喝羊肉汤。南京的市民们则喜欢把羊肉和山药或者枸杞一起炖，这样会更有营养。

Making sausages

四、灌香肠

During Major Snow, Chinese people in South China such as in Nanjing, Hangzhou, Hefei, Chongqing make sausages, an important part of preparation for the Spring Festival.

在大雪期间，南京、杭州、合肥、重庆等中国南方城市的人们会灌香肠，这是为春节所做准备的重要一部分。

The best meat for sausage is that of the pig’s buttock. The sausage should be dried in a well-ventilated place in the shade. After a week, they are edible. Cut a certain amount off, and boil or fry it as you like.

做香肠最好的肉的猪臀肉。香肠应该在通风良好、避光的地方晾干。一周之后，就可以享用这种美味了。切几节下来，或水煮、或油炸，全凭你的喜好。

Eating porridge

五、粥养生

Warm porridge could help increase one’s personal heat and nourish the body in cold weather. In China, there is custom to eat red bean porridge on the first day of Winter Solstice and eight-treasure porridge on the eighth day of the last month of the lunar year. In addition, there are other porridges such as wheat porridge, sesame porridge, radish porridge, walnut porridge and tuckahoe porridge.

热粥可以帮助增加人体内的热量，从而可以在寒冷的天气里滋补身体。在中国，有在冬至第一天喝红豆粥、腊月初八（农历最后一月第八天）喝八宝粥的习俗。此外还有许多其他的粥，例如小麦粥、芝麻粥、萝卜粥、核桃粥和茯苓粥等

Preventing respiratory illness

六、防疾病

The Chinese people during this period pay attention to the outbreak of respiratory illness, which can be prevented by wearing a warm scarf to protect the neck and drinking water in a right way. During Major Snow, it is drier and colder, so people should drink more water. But one should not drink too much water at once. At the same time, don’t drink cold water after exercise.

中国人在大雪期间会注意呼吸道疾病的爆发，可以通过围一条暖和的围巾保护颈部、用正确的方式喝水等办法来预防呼吸道疾病。大雪期间，空气变得更加干燥、天气也变得更加冷，因此人们应该多喝水。但是也不应该一次喝太多水。与此同时，剧烈运动过后也不要喝冷水。

（来源：爱语吧）