冬至 (dōngzhì) refers to the winter solstice, which is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. This event typically occurs around December 21st or 22nd and is significant in Chinese culture, marking the turning point towards longer days. It is often celebrated with family gatherings and special foods such as dumplings.
HSK 3, 16 strokes, Hard
dōngzhì(dong1zhi4) T1
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May 27, 2026
冬至dōngzhì(dong1zhi4)
冬至 (dōngzhì) refers to the winter solstice, which is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. This event typically occurs around December 21st or 22nd and is significant in Chinese culture, marking the turning point towards longer days. It is often celebrated with family gatherings and special foods such as dumplings.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 冬至 is not just an astronomical event; it is also a time for family reunions and traditional meals. Eating dumplings on this day is believed to ward off cold and bring good luck for the coming year.
Memory Tip
Think of 冬 (dōng), meaning 'winter,' paired with 至 (zhì), which means 'to arrive.' Imagine a scene where winter arrives with the shortest day, and families come together to enjoy warm food, symbolizing the return of light as days gradually lengthen.
About 冬至
冬至Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryHSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 冬至
Podcast: 冬至
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AI Study Notes for 冬至
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 冬 (dōng), meaning 'winter,' paired with 至 (zhì), which means 'to arrive.' Imagine a scene where winter arrives with the shortest day, and families come together to enjoy warm food, symbolizing the return of light as days gradually lengthen.
Usage Notes
冬至 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about festivals and seasonal changes. Be mindful of the tone; ensure you pronounce the tones correctly (dōng and zhì) to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 3, students should focus on understanding seasonal vocabulary and cultural significance. Connecting 冬至 with other seasonal words like 春 (spring) and 夏 (summer) will help reinforce the concept of cyclical time in Chinese culture.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 冬至 is not just an astronomical event; it is also a time for family reunions and traditional meals. Eating dumplings on this day is believed to ward off cold and bring good luck for the coming year.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 冬至 with similar terms like 春节 (Chūnjié, Spring Festival), which leads to misunderstandings about seasonal celebrations. Remember that 冬至 specifically refers to the winter solstice, not to the New Year celebration.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 冬至
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Cultural Notes for 冬至
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 冬至 is not just an astronomical event; it is also a time for family reunions and traditional meals. Eating dumplings on this day is believed to ward off cold and bring good luck for the coming year.
Frequently Asked Questions about 冬至
冬至 marks the winter solstice and is a time for family gatherings and traditional food, symbolizing the return of longer days.
People celebrate 冬至 by eating dumplings and enjoying family reunions, emphasizing warmth and togetherness during the cold season.
冬至 is not an official public holiday in China, but many people recognize and celebrate it culturally.
