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"热死了" (rè sǐ le): The most natural way to say you're dying from the heat — and why it's an exaggeration just like "I'm dying" in English.; "闷热" vs. Dry Heat: Why Hangzhou's summer feels so much worse than just "hot" — it's the humidity that kills your sweat's ability to cool you down.; "三伏天" (Sānfútiān): China's hottest stretch of summer (mid-July to late August) — and the unwritten rule about going outdoors.
Hey everyone! Welcome to a new episode of Simply Natural Chinese! I'm Xiao Yue!
Hey everyone, I'm Leo.
Leo, how have you been feeling lately?
Honestly... I feel so hot! I went out this morning and started sweating after just five minutes.
Haha, yeah, Hangzhou's really starting to heat up.
Before I came to Hangzhou, I had no idea it would be this hot.
Hangzhou summers are famous — the heat here is kind of special.
What do you mean by "special" heat?
It's not just that the temperature is high — it's also really stuffy.
"Stuffy"?
"Stuffy" means really uncomfortable — the air feels heavy and it's hard to breathe.
Oh! Like being in a sauna?
Haha, exactly! That's the feeling.
So today we're talking about the weather?
Yes, today we'll talk about summer in China, especially summer in Hangzhou.
Awesome, I really need to learn a lot of weather-related words!
Don't worry — by the end of today, you'll be a weather expert.
Haha, hope so!
Okay, let's start with the basics. How do you ask about the weather in Chinese?
Is it... "Jīntiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng"?
Exactly right! You've already got it!
Thanks! But I don't know how to answer.
You can say "today is hot," "today it's raining," or "today is cloudy."
What does "duōyún" mean?
"Duōyún" means there are lots of clouds in the sky, but it's not raining.
Oh, so it's "cloudy"!
Right. There's also "qíngtiān" — sunny, with a clear blue sky.
In London, sunny days are rare.
Haha, really? What's the weather like in London?
Rain, rain, and more rain. Sometimes it's overcast.
Haha! So that's why Brits love talking about the weather?
Right! Because the weather changes constantly — sunny in the morning, raining by afternoon, totally normal.
Well, weather is a really common conversation topic in China too.
Really?
Yeah — when greeting someone you can ask "Have you eaten?" or chat about the weather. Both feel natural.
Weather really is a universal conversation topic!
Haha, exactly. Okay, let's talk about Hangzhou's weather.
Xiao Yue, you just said the heat in Hangzhou is special. Can you explain a bit more?
Sure. Hangzhou summers have what we call a "humid heat" climate.
"Humid heat"... so high humidity plus high temperature?
Exactly! High humidity means there's lots of moisture in the air, which makes you feel even hotter and more uncomfortable.
Why does high humidity make people feel hotter?
Because the body cools itself through sweating. But when humidity is high, sweat doesn't evaporate easily, so your body keeps feeling hot.
I see! So it's not really the temperature — humidity makes sweating ineffective.
Right, that's exactly it!
Thanks! So which months are the hottest in Hangzhou?
July and August are the hottest. Sometimes it hits 37 or 38°C, even close to 40°C.
Wow! In London, even the hottest summer days are only around 27 or 28°C.
Haha, so coming to Hangzhou, you'll need some time to adjust.
I'm already adjusting, but I still get hit by the heat every time I go out.
Do you know how to say "rè sǐ le"?
"Rè sǐ le"? Is that an exaggerated expression?
Yes! "Rè sǐ le" is an exaggerated way of saying it's really hot — you're not actually dying.
Oh! Just like how in English we say "I'm dying from the heat."
Right! Same usage. Chinese people often say "rè sǐ wǒ le" in summer.
Then I'm using it too! Going out today... rè sǐ wǒ le!
Haha, you said it perfectly — really natural!
Thanks! So is there a particularly hot stretch in Hangzhou?
Yes — it's called "Sānfútiān."
"Sānfútiān"?
"Sānfútiān" is the hottest stretch of summer — roughly from mid-July to the end of August.
So about a month or so?
Yes. During Sānfútiān, it's best not to stay outdoors for long stretches.
Got it. Sānfútiān... I'll definitely remember that.
Okay, let's talk about how to deal with the heat.
I really need to know this. Besides turning on the AC, I don't really know any other tricks.
Haha, AC is one way. But if you only rely on AC, the electricity bill gets really high.
True, my bill last month was noticeably higher.
You can combine AC with a fan. Use the fan during the day, and only turn on AC at night when it gets too hot.
That'd save electricity. Do most homes in China have AC?
In southern China, almost every home has it — summer without AC is really rough.
What about northern China?
Summer in the north isn't as hot as in the south, but a lot of northern families are starting to install AC now too.
So AC is a necessity in southern China.
Yeah, you could call it a "lifesaver."
Haha! So besides AC and fans, are there other ways?
Drink lots of water! That's the most important thing — it's easy to get dehydrated in summer.
What does "tuōshuǐ" mean?
"Tuōshuǐ" means your body doesn't have enough water — you feel dizzy and weak.
Oh, dehydration! Got to drink more water.
Yes, drink enough every day. Also, pay attention to the color of your clothes.
Color?
In summer wear light-colored clothes, because light colors reflect heat and black absorbs it.
Now I get it. When I first arrived I wore a black t-shirt out — rè sǐ wǒ le.
Haha! Black is honestly the worst choice for Hangzhou summers.
Got it, never wearing black outside again.
Also, sun protection is really important.
"Fángshài"? Like protecting your skin from the sun?
Yes, preventing your skin from getting sunburned or tanned.
In the UK, we don't really worry about this.
Because the sun isn't strong enough in the UK?
Right! And Brits actually love sunbathing — they think a tan looks good.
Oh, in China, lots of people — especially girls — don't want to get tanned.
Why?
A lot of people think pale skin is more attractive — it's a traditional Chinese beauty standard.
Cultural difference! So how do you protect yourself from the sun?
You can use sunscreen — apply it about 20 minutes before going out for it to actually work.
Apply it in advance? I always put it on right as I'm heading out.
Haha, that's much less effective. You can also use a parasol.
A parasol? Like using an umbrella to block the sun?
Yes, not a rain umbrella — it's specifically for blocking sunlight.
My first time in Hangzhou, I saw lots of people holding umbrellas on sunny days and thought it was about to rain.
Haha! Lots of foreigners have that misunderstanding.
Turns out it's for sun protection. Can guys use them too?
Of course! More and more guys are using parasols now.
Then I'll buy one too. Any other sun-protection tips?
Wear a sun hat, or sunglasses.
"Mòjìng"?
Mòjìng are dark-colored glasses that protect your eyes from harsh light.
Oh, sunglasses!
Right. So the full kit for going out in summer is: sunscreen, parasol, sun hat, and sunglasses.
Haha, sounds like getting ready for battle.
Right — fighting Hangzhou's sun really does take full armor!
Got it. Xiao Yue, speaking of summer, I noticed your dessert shop's been doing really well lately.
Yes, as soon as it gets hot, everyone wants cold food and drinks.
What's your most popular item?
Iced milk tea and shaved ice — those two are the most popular.
What's "páobīng"?
"Páobīng" is when you shave ice into fine flakes and top it with stuff like fruit, red beans, or taro paste.
Oh, shaved ice!
Right! It's refreshing, sweet, and super popular.
I had a bowl last time — it was really good!
Haha, you've already had it!
Yeah, your shop makes it really well.
Thanks! Besides cold drinks, there's one really important summer fruit.
What fruit?
Watermelon!
Oh, watermelon! The ones at the supermarket are huge!
Yes, watermelon in summer is to Chinese people what tea is to Brits — totally standard.
Haha! Then I should eat more of it.
Watermelon is full of water — it helps you stay hydrated and "jiěshǔ."
"Jiěshǔ"?
"Jiěshǔ" means helping your body cool down so you don't feel so hot.
Got it! What other things can jiěshǔ?
Mung bean soup!
Mung bean soup? Soup made from green beans?
Yes, soup made from boiled mung beans. Chill it before drinking — really cooling.
Is it sweet or salty?
Usually lightly sweet — some people add a bit of rock sugar.
Sounds good, I want to try it.
There's another one — sour plum drink (suānméitāng).
"Suānméitāng"?
"Suānméitāng" is a drink made from sour plums — sweet and tangy, really refreshing, and great for cooling down.
Wow, China has so many special summer drinks!
These are all called "xiāoshǔ drinks" — drinks that help the body get rid of summer heat.
"Xiāoshǔ"... eliminating summer heat. I get it.
One more thing — traditional Chinese medicine doesn't recommend drinking too much ice water in summer.
Ice water? Why?
TCM holds that the body is more sensitive to cold in summer, and too much ice water is bad for the stomach.
Oh, so Chinese people generally don't drink ice water?
Right. Lots of people drink room-temperature water or warm tea.
That's completely different from Brits — we put ice in everything.
Haha, cultural difference! But if you're not used to it, you can ease into it.
Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Xiao Yue, in such hot weather, how do Hangzhou people plan outdoor activities?
You have to pick the right time. Morning and evening are cooler — good for going out.
What about midday?
From noon to 3 pm the sun is at its strongest — generally not a good time to stay outside long.
I went to West Lake at noon last week — almost passed out from the heat.
Haha! There's not much shade by West Lake — midday it's brutal.
But West Lake is really beautiful.
It's best to go in the morning — cool, fewer people, fresh air. That's when it's at its best.
Yeah, I went to West Lake at 6 am once — totally different feeling.
Right? West Lake in the morning has a light mist, very quiet, like a painting.
Exactly! I took tons of photos — so beautiful.
So in Hangzhou summer, you should follow "zǎo chū wǎn guī" — out early, back late.
"Zǎo chū wǎn guī"... go out early in the morning, come back after dark.
Exactly! And there are lots of good indoor places too.
Like what?
Museums and libraries — they have AC, you can learn something and beat the heat at the same time.
Two birds with one stone! The Zhejiang Provincial Museum is by West Lake, right?
Yes, right by the lake. You can visit and cool off at the same time — highly recommend.
I haven't been yet — I'll definitely go this summer.
Great, let me know how it goes!
Definitely! Oh, Xiao Yue, I heard Hangzhou has a stretch of continuous rain in summer?
Yes, you're talking about "méiyǔ jì" — plum rain season.
"Méiyǔ jì"? Why is it called plum rain?
Because that's exactly when plums ripen, so it's called plum rain.
Oh, so that's where the name comes from! When is plum rain season?
Roughly June to July — Hangzhou rains for many days in a row.
Every single day?
Pretty much. Sometimes it's overcast and rainy for two or three weeks straight, nonstop.
That must be really annoying.
Yes — clothes won't dry, and your home gets moldy easily.
"Fāméi"... that's mold?
Yes! Stuff grows green or white mold on top. Houses really do get moldy during plum rain season.
So what do you do?
You have to ventilate, or use a dehumidifier to suck the moisture out of the air.
I didn't even know dehumidifiers existed! I've never seen one in the UK.
People in the north or in dry climates don't need them, but lots of Hangzhou homes have one.
What about AC? Can it dehumidify too?
Yes! AC has a dehumidify mode — it doesn't just cool, it can also dry out the air a bit.
I didn't know about that feature — I'll look for it when I get home.
Haha, do — it's useful. After plum rain season, the weather starts heating up.
From overcast rainy days straight to scorching heat... doesn't sound great either.
Haha, but at least clothes can dry!
True, that counts as good news.
Leo, speaking of climate, do you think Hangzhou's weather has changed over the past few years?
Yes! It feels hotter and hotter.
Right — climate change has been getting more noticeable these past few years.
In the UK a few years back, summer temperatures topped 40°C — nobody knew what to do.
Really? Doesn't the UK have AC?
Most homes and buildings don't have AC!
Then how do you survive that kind of heat?
Everyone runs to the supermarket because supermarkets have AC.
Haha! Using supermarkets to escape the heat!
Some people fill the bathtub with cold water and sit in it.
Haha, smart move!
That was really an unusual summer.
So maybe the UK will need to make AC standard going forward?
Probably — people are already talking about it.
In Hangzhou, May has been heating up the past few years. May used to feel like spring.
Right! I came in May and it was already hot.
Climate change is forcing everyone to adjust.
Yeah, but it raises a problem — the hotter it gets, the more AC we use, and the more AC we use, the hotter the planet gets...
A vicious cycle — it really is a big problem.
So what can we do?
In daily life — use a fan when you can, open the windows for ventilation when possible, and try to use AC less.
Got it, I'll be mindful.
Okay, we covered a lot today. Want to give us a summary?
Sure! We learned... mēnrè (stuffy heat), shīdù (humidity), and that Hangzhou summers have a humid-heat climate.
What else?
Sānfútiān, the hottest stretch. Rè sǐ le, an exaggerated expression.
Nice! What about sun protection?
Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out. Parasols block the sun. Plus sun hats and sunglasses.
And cooling foods?
Watermelon, mung bean soup, sour plum drink! Plus shaved ice and iced milk tea!
Haha, that's what you remember best!
Because it's tasty! Also plum rain season — continuous rain in June and July, dehumidify your home.
Great, you remembered everything!
The most important thing: in summer, go out early and come back late, and avoid the midday sun!
Exactly! Leo, you've made big progress today.
Thanks Xiao Yue! Every time we chat I learn so many useful things.
Thank you for joining! If you've been to Hangzhou, or experienced a Chinese summer, share with us in the comments!
Yes! What's summer like in your country? How does it compare to Hangzhou?
Looking forward to hearing from you! That's it for today — thanks for listening to Simply Natural Chinese!
See you next episode!
Bye-bye!
Adapted from a Simply Natural Chinese YouTube episode into a complete three-line website reading. This is not a word-for-word transcript.
The reading may differ from the original video or audio.
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