Today China ushers in the Lesser Cold, which marks the beginning of the coldest season of the year.
“小寒”意味着今年最冷季节的开始。
The Lesser Cold is one of twenty-four traditional solar terms, and usually comes in early January. Experts are reminding people to stay warm and get more exercise to keep out the cold. Doctors say sunshine could help kill viruses, and guard people against diseases such as the flu, measles and meningitis.
“小寒”是中国传统24节气之一，通常开始于一月初。专家提醒民众注意保暖并多锻炼以驱寒。医生表示，阳光可以帮助人们杀灭病菌并预防流感，麻疹及脑膜炎之类的疾病的发生。
People also eat special foods during the Lesser Cold, like mutton soup, which according to traditional Chinese medicine, is warming. In South China's Guangdong Province, people usually eat sticky rice, and people in East China's Nanjing enjoy vegetable and meat porridge.
在 “小寒”节气时，人们也应多多食用羊汤之类的食物，据传统中医药学的解释，羊汤可以帮助人们驱寒保暖。在中国广东省，人们通常会食用糯米来保暖，而南京人却较偏爱蔬菜和肉粥。