zit3 ling6節令节令

Jyutpingzit3 ling6

Yalejit lihng

Definition

Seasonal; relating to the seasons or traditional festivals.

neutralfoodtime

How it's used

Refers specifically to the timing of seasonal produce or traditional customs rather than just the four seasons of the year. It carries a sense of natural order and appropriateness, implying that certain things should only be consumed or done at specific times of the year to ensure quality or luck.

Examples

le1呢zung3種saang1生gwo2果hou2好gong2講gau3究zit3節ling6令。

This type of fruit is very seasonal.

ji1依gaa1家hai6係mai6咪sik6食nei4呢joeng6樣je5嘢ge3嘅hou2好zit3節ling6令？

Is now a good season to eat this?

Common phrases

hap6合fu4乎zit3節ling6令

in season

bat1不hap6合zit3節ling6令

out of season

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 季節, which refers to the meteorological seasons like spring or summer. Use 節令 when discussing the cultural or agricultural timing of food and events, whereas 季節 is for general weather-related periods.