The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. The 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. But the solar term culture is still useful today to guide people's lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips that correspond with each term.
中国传统农历将一年分为 24 个节气。24节气创于几千年前，用来指导农业生产。节气文化在今天仍然通过与之相应的食物，文化仪式，以及健康生活提示等来指导人们的生活。
Minor Heat , the 11th solar term of the year, begins on July 7 this year and ends on July 22. Minor Heat signifies the hottest period is coming but the extreme hot point has yet to arrive. Chinese people call the warmest and dampest period of the year “San Fu” which usually starts from Minor Heat. “Fu” in Chinese means lying down, suggesting that the weather can be so uncomfortable that it is best to lie down rather than move around.
小暑，是24节气中的第11个，今年开始于7月7日，结束于7月22日。小暑标志着一年当中最炎热的时段渐渐逼近，但最酷热的时候还未到来。中国人把一年中最温暖和潮湿的时期称为“三伏”，通常从小暑开始。“伏”在汉语中的意思是躺下，暗示天气可能会很不舒服，最好躺下而不是到处走动。
The rising temperature often imposes negative impacts on the human body, causing fatigue and poor appetite. The Chinese have come up with some wise solutions. One is to take advantage of heat-dispelling foods in season, like juicy watermelons, bitter gourds and crunchy cucumbers. But the most popular dish is green bean soup. Green bean, according to Chinese medicine, is considered to be able to dispel heat and toxic substances. Another solution is to stay calm and peaceful, as an ancient Chinese idiom goes, “stop complaining about the heat and you will feel cool in no time”.
不断上升的气温往往对人体产生负面影响，导致疲劳和食欲不振。中国人提出了一些明智的解决方案。一种是利用时令清热的食物，如多汁的西瓜、苦瓜和脆黄瓜。但最受欢迎的食物是绿豆汤。绿豆，根据中医的说法，是能够清热解毒的。另一个解决办法是保持冷静和平和，常言道：“心静自然凉。”
During Minor Heat, storms, thunder and hail often happen, though in some years or in some areas there might be droughts. One of the prevailing farming activities during Minor Heat is staying on top of flood control and drought relief.
小暑期间，暴风雨、雷电和冰雹时有发生，但有些年份有些地区可能会出现干旱。因此，小暑期间最繁忙的农业活动之一是防汛和抗旱。
