天气

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.