sap6 dung1 laap6 jyut6十冬臘月十冬腊月

Jyutpingsap6 dung1 laap6 jyut6

Yalesahp dūng laahp yuht

Definition

The three coldest months of the lunar year, namely the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth months.

colloquialweathertime

How it's used

Refers specifically to the coldest period of the lunar year, carrying a strong connotation of biting, harsh cold. While it technically points to the lunar months of ten, eleven, and twelve, it is often used figuratively to describe any exceptionally chilly weather. It is a set phrase that adds a layer of traditional, slightly dramatic emphasis to a description of winter weather.

Examples

sap6十dung1冬laap6臘jyut6月gam3咁dung3凍，nei5你zung6仲zoek3著gam3咁siu2少saam1衫？

It is freezing in the depth of winter, why are you wearing so little?

gan6呢paai4排sap6十dung1冬laap6臘jyut6月，gei3記dak1得jiu3要bou2保nyun5暖aa4呀。

It is the coldest part of winter lately, remember to keep warm.

Common phrases

sap6十dung1冬laap6臘jyut6月gam3咁dung3凍

as cold as the depth of winter

Common mistake

Do not use this to refer to the calendar months of October to December in the Gregorian calendar, as it strictly relates to the lunar cycle and the seasonal feeling of deep winter.