Cherry blossoms in spring. [Photo/Unsplash]

Extra downtime presents a perfect opportunity to brush up on your Chinese vocabulary and let the idioms blossom – an art that the Chinese literati reveled in, never failing to find new ways of describing or rejoicing the arrival of spring.

Below are some favorites, each conjuring a world as lush as a garden in full bloom and perfect to drop casually into your conversation when you're taking a stroll around one of the city's parks.

春暖花开 chūn nuǎn huā kāi

Warm spring arrives and the flowers blossom.

春寒料峭 chūn hán liào qiào

A sudden cold snap in spring sends a shiver down your spine.

春和景明 chūn hé jǐng míng

The weather is mild and comfortable in spring and the scenery is colorful and bright.

春雨贵如油 chūn yǔ guì rú yóu

Spring precipitation is more precious than the grease — This speaks to how rainfall in spring is integral to a good harvest later in the year.

春无三日晴 chūn wú sān rì qíng

In spring there are less than three consecutively sunny days — 三 sān doesn't necessarily mean three, but rather "a few." This means how springtime weather is often variable.

阳春三月 yáng chūn sān yuè

This refers to the third month in the lunar calendar, a time synonymous with the arrival of spring.

草长莺飞 cǎo zhǎng yīng fēi

The grass grows and the warbler flutters — A popular phrase that is used to describe the lively and joyful nature of a spring scene.

百花齐放 bǎi huā qí fàng

Hundreds of flowers blooming at the same time — An exaggerated way to depict nature's rebirth during spring.

百家争鸣 bǎi jiā zhēng míng

The idiom is used to describe a time awash with new and diverse thoughts and values.

姹紫嫣红 chà zǐ yān hóng

Brilliant purples and reds — An idiom frequently used to describe the color of flowers.

一年之计在于春 yī nián zhī jì zài yú chūn

The year's planning starts in spring — A traditional proverb that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and is often followed by "A day's planning starts in the morning" (一日之计在于晨 yī rì zhī jì zài yú chén).

春色恼人 chūn sè nǎo rén

The annoying beauty of spring — Stunning views don't necessarily always trigger joyfulness – when deep in sorrow, spring's ebullience can prove even more grating.

春山如笑 chūn shān rú xiào

Mountains in spring look like a smile — Northern China's ridgelines usually look rugged and stark in winter but are smooth and decorated with new leaves and flowers in the spring.