zit3 hei3節氣节气
Definition
Solar term; one of the 24 periods of the traditional Chinese calendar based on the sun's position.
How it's used
These terms are primarily used to track seasonal changes for agricultural purposes and traditional cultural practices. While they are still widely recognized in Hong Kong, they are mostly referenced in the context of weather patterns or traditional health advice rather than daily farming schedules. Many people associate specific solar terms with dietary habits, such as eating certain foods to balance the body during seasonal transitions.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse these with the dates of the Lunar New Year or other festivals. Remember that these are based on the solar calendar and fall on roughly the same Gregorian dates every year, unlike the lunar-based holidays which shift annually.
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.
