Major Cold, the last of the 24 solar terms, spans from Jan 20 to Feb 2 this year. It marks the coldest days of the year, characterized by sharp temperature drops and biting winds. Northern regions often see heavy snowfall or blizzards, while Southern areas may endure damp and chilly rain.

During this time, people consume high-calorie foods such as lamb soup and hot pot to combat the severe cold. Drinking ginger tea is also customary, as it warms the body and helps ward off colds.

In Shanghai, people enjoy glutinous rice dishes during Major Cold, with Eight-Treasure Rice being particularly popular. This dish, made from eight ingredients such as pine nuts, melon seeds, walnuts, candied dates, glutinous rice, and red bean paste, is soft, sticky, and sweet.

Additionally, Shanghai's traditional breakfast items — deep-fried dough sticks, sesame flatbread, soy milk, and rice cakes — collectively known as "si da jin gang" (literally "four heavenly kings"), are popular winter choices, providing warmth and energy.

For Chinese farmers, Major Cold is a time for reflection and future planning. They use this period to rest and prepare their land for the upcoming year's harvest. This involves repairing tools, plowing fields, and planning their crops based on the previous year's yield.

Major Cold also heralds preparations for the Chinese New Year. Families are busy shopping for New Year goods, such as food and gifts, in anticipation of New Year's Eve dinner and hosting family and friends during Spring Festival. Many people also buy festive decorations like Spring Festival couplets, paper cuttings, and lanterns to embrace the New Year spirit.

Vocabulary:

大寒

dà hán

Major Cold

暴雪

bào xuě

blizzard

高热量食物

gāo rè liàng shí wù

high-calorie foods

姜茶

jiāng chá

ginger tea

丰收

fēng shōu

harvest

对联

duì lián

couplet

剪纸

jiǎn zhǐ

paper cutting

大寒是二十四节气中的最后一个节气。

dà hán shì èr shí sì jié qì zhōng de zuì hòu yí gè jié qì

Major Cold is the last of the 24 solar terms.

人们开始准备年货，为即将到来的春节做准备。

rén men kāi shǐ zhǔn bèi nián huò, wèi jí jiāng dào lái de chūn jié zuò zhǔn bèi

People start preparing New Year goods in anticipation of the upcoming Spring Festival.