今日霜降。这是秋季的最后一个节气，也意味着冬天即将登场。
一、霜降是什么？What Is Frost‘s Descent？
霜降是二十四节气中的第十八个节气，也是秋季的最后一个节气，通常在每年公历10月23日前后到来。霜降一到，天气明显变冷，昼夜温差进一步拉大，秋天渐渐退场，冬天悄悄走近。
Frost’s Descent (Shuangjiang) is the 18th solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar and the last one of autumn. It usually falls around October 23 each year. When it arrives, the weather turns much colder, and the temperature difference between day and night grows wider. Autumn is fading, and winter is on its way.
一个有趣的冷知识 / A Fun Fact：
很多人以为“霜”是从天上“降”下来的。其实，霜是近地面的水汽在0℃以下直接凝华而成的冰晶，是“冻”出来的，不是“掉”下来的。所以，“霜降”这个名字更多是在描述“气温骤降”这个气候特征。
Many people think frost falls from the sky. Actually, frost is formed when water vapor near the ground freezes directly into ice crystals at temperatures below 0℃. It is “frozen,” not “fallen.” The name “Frost‘s Descent” describes the sudden drop in temperature.
二、霜降三候：大自然在忙什么？Three Phenological Phases
古人把霜降的十五天分为“三候”，用三种自然现象概括深秋的变化。
一候豺乃祭兽 / Phase 1: Jackals Hunt and “Offer” Prey
中文：豺狼开始大量捕猎，为过冬储备食物。
English: Jackals begin to hunt in large numbers, storing food for the winter.
二候草木黄落 / Phase 2: Grass and Leaves Wither
中文：草木枯黄，落叶归根，大地换上了深秋的颜色。
English: Grass turns yellow and leaves fall, painting the earth in late-autumn colors.
三候蛰虫咸俯 / Phase 3: Insects Go into Hibernation
中文：冬眠的虫子全部躲进洞里，不吃不动，静静等待春天。
English: Hibernating insects hide in their holes, eating nothing and moving nothing, waiting quietly for spring.
三、霜降做什么？三大经典习俗 / Three Classic Customs
习俗一：吃柿子 / Eating Persimmons
“霜降吃柿子，不会流鼻涕。”在很多地方，霜降吃柿子是一项必不可少的仪式。此时的柿子皮薄肉甜，正是最好吃的时候。民间还认为，霜降吃柿子可以御寒保暖、补筋骨。因为“柿”与“事”谐音，柿子也被赋予了“事事如意”的美好寓意。
There is a folk saying: “Eat persimmons on Frost‘s Descent, and you won’t have a running nose in winter.” In many parts of China, eating persimmons during this solar term is a must. At this time of year, persimmons are thin-skinned, juicy, and sweet—at their very best. People believe persimmons help keep the body warm and strong for the coming winter. Since the Chinese word for persimmon (shì) sounds like the word for “things” or “affairs” (shì), persimmons also symbolize the wish that “everything goes as you hope.”
核心词汇：
– persimmon /pəˈsɪmən/ n. 柿子
– symbolize /ˈsɪmbəlaɪz/ v. 象征
– running nose 流鼻涕
习俗二：赏菊登高 / Enjoying Chrysanthemums and Climbing Mountains
霜降时节，菊花开得正好。古人把菊花视为“延寿客”，认为它象征着生命力。很多地方会举办菊花会，赏菊饮酒。同时，深秋山林空气清新，枫叶变红，登高远眺也是霜降的传统活动。杜牧那句“霜叶红于二月花”，写的就是这个时节的美景。
Chrysanthemums are in full bloom during Frost‘s Descent. Ancient Chinese people called the chrysanthemum the “guest of long life” and saw it as a symbol of vitality. In many places, chrysanthemum fairs are held, and people enjoy the flowers with tea or wine. Meanwhile, the mountain air is fresh in late autumn, and maple leaves turn red. Climbing a mountain and looking far into the distance is another tradition. The Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu once wrote: “Stopping my carriage, I sit to admire the late maple forest; the frosted leaves are redder than February flowers.”
核心词汇：
– chrysanthemum /krɪˈsænθəməm/ n. 菊花
– vitality /vaɪˈtæləti/ n. 生命力
– maple /ˈmeɪpəl/ n. 枫树
习俗三：进补“贴秋膘” / Nourishing the Body
“一年补通通，不如补霜降。”霜降是进补的好时机。北方人爱吃牛羊肉，认为蛋白质含量高、脂肪低，适合秋冬滋补；闽南和台湾地区则习惯在霜降这天吃鸭子，认为鸭肉滋阴养胃，是“补冬”的好选择。
As a Chinese saying goes, “Nourishing the body all year round is not as good as doing it on Frost’s Descent.” This is a key time for “tonic foods.” In northern China, people enjoy beef and mutton, believing they are high in protein and low in fat—ideal for autumn and winter. In southern Fujian and Taiwan, people eat duck on this day. They believe duck meat nourishes the stomach and is a great choice for building up health before winter.
四、霜降诗词一句 / One Line of Poetry
“霜降水返壑，风落木归山。”——白居易《岁晚》
“On Frost‘s Descent, waters return to the valleys; the wind blows, and leaves fall back to the mountains.” — Bai Juyi, Late in the Year
山明水净夜来霜， 数树深红出浅黄。——刘禹锡《秋词》
Clear hills and waters meet night frost, Trees show deep red and pale yellow across the land.– Liu Yuxi,Song of Autumn
月落乌啼霜满天–张继《枫桥夜泊》 The moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky— Zhang Ji ，Night Mooring at Maple Bridge
五、给同学们的小提示 Tips for Students
霜降之后昼夜温差很大，早晚很冷，大家一定要及时添衣，注意保暖，多喝温水，适当运动，预防感冒。同时多观察身边的大自然，看一看变黄的树叶，感受季节变化，这也是很好的作文观察素材。
After Frost’s Descent, the temperature difference between day and night becomes large. It is cold in the morning and evening. Remember to wear warm clothes, drink more water and take exercise to stay healthy. You can watch the falling leaves and observe nature. It will bring you great ideas for your compositions.
