<h3>冬至(Winter Solstice),是中国农历中一个非常重要的节气,也是中华民族的一个传统节日,冬至俗称"冬节"、"长至节"、"亚岁"等。早在二千五百多年前的春秋时代,中国就已经用土圭观测太阳,测定出了冬至,它是二十四节气中最早制订出的一个,时间在每年的阳历12月21日至23日之间,这一天是北半球全年中白天最短、夜晚最长的一天。中国大部分地区在这一天还有北方吃饺子、南方吃汤圆和南瓜的习俗。谚语:"冬至到,吃水饺。"</h3> <h3>冬至 Winter Solstice</h3><h3></h3><h3>"solstice"这个词不常见,它的意思很特别,表示"the time of either the longest day in the year (about June 22) or the shortest day in the year (about December 22)"。这么看来,这个词的用武之地似乎局限性很大了。基本上也就用在"Winter Solstice"(冬至)以及"Summer Solstice"(夏至)之处。</h3> <h3>冬至的传统节日</h3><h3></h3><h3>Winter Solstice is a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of Tangyuan or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion.</h3><h3></h3><h3>冬至是家族团聚的一天。在这天,中国南方的家庭会包汤圆、吃汤圆,以象征团圆的意思。不过在中国北方,似乎更多的人会吃饺子。比如说会有"冬至到,吃水饺"这样的谚语。</h3> <h3>中国人为什么比较重视冬至?</h3><h3>其实,单从中国文化方面讲,"冬至"这个日子还可以翻译成"Dongzhi Festival",中国人为什么都比较重视这个节气呢?</h3><h3></h3><h3>The origins of this festival can be traced back to the yin and yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. After this celebration, there will be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in.</h3><h3></h3><h3>原来还是和"阴阳"相关啊。人们认为,过了这一天,白昼一天比一天长了,是一个节气循环的开始,"阳"气逐渐回升,因此也算是个吉利的日子</h3> <h3>关于冬至的相关英语</h3><h3></h3><h3>【饺子】:Dumplings , Chinese meat ravioli, Jiaozi;</h3><h3>【馄饨】:Wonton, dumplings in soup;</h3><h3>【米团】:Rice dumpling;</h3><h3>【长线面】:Long noodle ;</h3><h3>【冬至祭祖】:Offering a Sacrifice to the Ancestors on the Winter Solstice。</h3><h3>关于中国24节气的英语表达</h3><h3></h3><h3>雨水 The rains</h3><h3> 惊蛰 Insects awaken</h3><h3> 春分 Vernal Equinox</h3><h3> 清明 Clear and bright</h3><h3> 谷雨 Grain rain</h3><h3> 立夏 Summer begins</h3><h3> 小满 Grain buds</h3><h3> 芒种 Grain in ear</h3><h3> 夏至 Summer solstice</h3><h3> 小暑 Slight heat</h3><h3> 大暑 Great heat</h3><h3>立秋 Autumn begins</h3><h3> 处暑 Stopping the heat</h3><h3> 白露 White dews</h3><h3> 秋分 Autumn Equinox</h3><h3> 寒露 Cold dews</h3><h3> 霜降 Hoar-frost falls</h3><h3> 立冬 Winter begins</h3><h3> 小雪 Light snow</h3><h3> 大雪 Heavy snow</h3><h3> 冬至 Winter Solstice</h3><h3> 小寒 Slight cold</h3><h3></h3><h3> 大寒 Great cold</h3>