dou2 ceon1 hon4倒春寒

Jyutpingdou2 ceon1 hon4

Yaledóu chēun hòhn

Definition

A cold snap in spring; a sudden drop in temperature after a period of warming.

colloquialweather

How it's used

This term specifically describes a sudden drop in temperature after the weather has already started to warm up during early spring. It carries a sense of surprise or annoyance, as people have often already packed away their winter clothes. It is commonly used in weather forecasts and casual conversation when the temperature unexpectedly dips in March or April.

Examples

gam1今nin4年ceon1春tin1天hou2好ci5似jau5有dou3倒ceon1春hon4寒，gei3記dak1得zoek6着do1多gin2件saam1衫aa4呀。

It feels like there is a cold snap this spring, remember to wear an extra layer.

nei5你gu2估haa5下go3個lai5禮baai3拜wui2會m4唔wui2會jau6又jau5有dou3倒ceon1春hon4寒le1呢？

Do you think there will be another cold snap next week?

Common phrases

ceot1出jin6現dou3倒ceon1春hon4寒

a cold snap occurs

jyu6預fong4防dou3倒ceon1春hon4寒

to guard against a cold snap

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with a general cold spell in winter. Remember that it only applies to the specific phenomenon of a late-season cold snap that occurs after the transition to spring has already begun.