dung1 zi3冬至
Definition
The winter solstice; the shortest day of the year and an important traditional family festival.
How it's used
Winter Solstice is deeply ingrained in local culture as a time for family reunion rather than just an astronomical event. The phrase 冬大過年 highlights that this day often takes precedence over Lunar New Year for family gatherings. People frequently use the verb 做冬 to describe the act of preparing or attending this specific celebratory dinner.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the date of Winter Solstice with the Lunar New Year, but it is fixed according to the solar calendar, usually falling on December 21st or 22nd. Avoid treating it as a standard public holiday, as it is a traditional festival observed through private family meals rather than official time off.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
